Very few of these VST instruments work out of the box, so be prepared to dedicate some time to learn the interface. Reaper also includes a massive library of VST effects and plugins that require professional knowledge to use. It assumes you are familiar with audio editing and won’t hold your hand through creating your first track. The basic version of MPC Beats is free to download, and add-on drum kits are available a la carte.Īudio professionals looking for a GarageBand alternative for Windows should jump straight to Reaper. The software’s core library contains over 2 GB of percussion samples and an impressive array of effect plugins, which immediately makes MPC Beats a viable Garageband alternative for Windows.Īlthough MPC Beats is purely for artists and producers who want to create backing rhythm tracks, it does have multi-track recording capabilities and MIDI compatibility. Named after the famous MPC workflow, MPC Beats is fairly similar to Music Maker JAM in that it’s focused on nailing a few key features at the expense of broad editing capabilities.
If you spend your days searching for thumping drum samples and snappy loops to create catchy rhythms, then MPC Beats is right up your alley.
The full version of the software costs $89.
Experimenting with beats is easy with its pattern feature, making music creation fun.įL Studio is available on both Windows and Mac with a free trial to make sure you like it. While some challenger DAWs are paving new territory, FL Studio still remains one of the best GarageBand alternatives for Windows.įL Studio offers a customizable recording interface and a straightforward workflow.
Stagelight also offers support for creating music on your Android smartphone, then importing it on Mac and Windows.įor the longest time, Windows audio production was best handled with FL Studio. The free version offers unlimited tracks but with a pared-down instrument list and fewer effects and presets. Testing different loops and audio clips to create a new sound, similar to how EDM artists perform. Stagelight offers a unique approach to digital music production with a focus on live creation.
For the full experience, Mixcraft 9 Pro is available with no limitations for $149. The Home version costs $75 and is limited to 16 tracks and a reduced sample of instruments and samples. The editing environment feels very similar to the GarageBand interface, too. Mixcraft aims to re-create that with a large and diverse library of loops. Garageband’s ease of use is what makes it one of the most popular DAWs of all time. Overall, MusicMaker is a solid choice as a GarageBand alternative for Windows. The Independence plugin gives you access to over 50 GB of effects and has a live performance mode for you to practice your spinning skills.
MusicMaker’s VariVerb II engine lets you alter the reflection pattern of multi-track projects and splice in effects from the various plugins as you please.
Available for both Windows 32 Bit and Windows 64 Bit, MusicMaker offers: Magix, the company behind MusicMaker, has a well-deserved reputation for making quality media editing software. LMMS supports importing external samples and has an active community for any audio questions you may have.įirst released in 1994 as a free software bundle for aspiring DJs, music producers, and independent garage bands, MusicMaker has gone through several iterations over the past few decades. You’ll want to look to another DAW for recording live instruments.
The only downside to this DAW is that live recording isn’t possible. LMMS also has a visual mapping tool for drum sequencing. Synthesizers are created by mapping the keyboard to notes on the instrument you’re playing. LMMS comes with plenty of samples and effects pre-loaded, with an easy to understand interface. It’s also one of the best free DAWs for Windows with a wide variety of software instruments. It works across macOS, Windows, and Linux and provides a flexible and powerful interface for editing audio. LMMS is an open-source, cross-platform music production suite.