Free audio recording software

Audio recording software such as Logic, Cubase and Pro Tools are powerful tools; trouble is, they’re expensive. Stuck with a low or nonexistent budget? Consider one of the free open-source and other inexpensive programs that are available.

Free open-source programs

First of all, let’s define what we mean by “free” and “open-source.” Free software is not necessarily software available at zero price (although it often is). Free software is defined in terms of giving the user freedom. This includes the freedom to copy a program and redistribute it to your friends and neighbours to use (something the makers of commercial proprietary software typically frown on, oddly enough). Open-source software also means users are free to use, change, and improve the source code. This means that development of open-source software typically happens in a public, collaborative manner.

Open-source has its drawbacks. Since no one is technically responsible for open-source software, there’s no guarantee a bug will be fixed. And don’t count on finding a 1-800 number for technical support; you’re on your own. However, if you’re technically-minded and willing to tap into the growing online communities of open-source software users and developers for support, free and open-source audio recording software might be for you.

Here are some of the options that are available:

Audacity (Mac OS X, Windows, Linux)
Audacity is a free and open-source digital audio editor. It can run on Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux. It’s easy to use, and especially popular among podcasters. You can see a list of its features here. The Audacity website lists a number of helpful tutorials; there’s also an Audacity Wiki and other step-by-step tutorials available online.

Rosegarden (Linux)
Rosegarden is an audio application that includes audio mixing plugins, a notation editor, and a MIDI matrix editor. Sound on Sound calls it “the closest native equivalent to Cubase for Linux.” Free documentation, tutorials and other helpful resources are available here; there’s also a free Rosegarden Companion.

MusE (Linux)
MusE is a MIDI/audio sequencer with recording and editing capabilities. According to its website, “MusE aims to be a complete multitrack virtual studio for Linux!” There’s an online FAQ and documentation.

Brahms (Linux)
Brahms is a fully-featured midi sequencer, notation system and music laboratory with excellent score features. Development has been very sparse lately though; the last update seems to have been about five years ago.

JAZZ++ (Windows, Linux)
JAZZ++ is fully-featured audio-capable MIDI sequencer for Linux and Windows. It too hasn’t been updated for a very long time though.

Low-cost alternatives to pro audio software

These applications aren’t free open-source, but they’re very inexpensive alternatives to expensive professional audio software. When all you need is a digital equivalent to a tape recorder, buying Pro Tools is like buying a Hummer just to drive to the corner store. While some of these programs are very basic, some offer a lot more features and functionality than you’d expect.

Anvil Studio (Windows)
Anvil Studio is a multi-track audio and MIDI sequencer with a very basic user interface. The free version will let you create an unlimited number of MIDI tracks, and a one-minute audio track. You’ll need to buy the $19 USD Multi-Audio accessory to record up to eight 60-minute audio tracks.

LUNA (Mac OS X, Windows)
LUNA is an ultra-light music application. It doesn’t have a complex feature set, but it’s an easy-to-use and rock-solid musical tool. There are two versions of LUNA: LUNA Free and LUNA Unlimited. LUNA Free is free (duh!); LUNA Unlimited (€29 EUR) supports an unlimited number of VSTis and mixer strips.

Quartz (Windows)
Quartz Studio is a line of simple multitrack digital recorders. Quartz Studio Free is the free version (limited to 4 simultaneous audio tracks); you can upgrade to Quartz Studio (8 tracks - $19 USD) or Quartz Studio Pro (16 tracks - $29 USD). Quartz Audio is a fully integrated digital mixer, recorder, sound and time line editor which also comes in various configurations to accomodate your needs and budget. Quartz Audio Master also includes a MIDI sequencer; there’s a free (4 audio track, 16 MIDI track) version available, along with some inexpensive 16, 32, and 128 audio track versions.

KRISTAL (Windows)
KRISTAL Audio Engine is a powerful multi-track recorder, audio sequencer and mixer. It’s designed as a modular system. The main application provides a mixing console; the audio sequencer, live audio input, etc. are loaded as separate plugins. KRISTAL is free for “personal, educational and non-commercial use.” A KRISTAL single-user license for commercial use will set you back around €25 EUR.

n-Track Studio (Windows)
n-Track Studio is multitrack audio recording software that lets you record, edit, overdub your audio tracks, apply effects, process audio live input, mix and then burn audio CDs or create mp3 files. The standard version costs $54 USD. There’s also a 24-bit version that costs $79 USD.

REAPER (Windows)
REAPER is a powerful Windows application for multitrack recording and editing of audio. It has a flexible but easy to use interface. Sound on Sound recently praised REAPER’s “remarkable flexibility, advanced feature set and responsive development team” in a June 2007 review. You can download REAPER without technological limitations for evaluation purposes. Once you’ve evaluated REAPER, you should purchase a license. A non-commercial license will cost you around $40 USD; a commercial license costs around $200 USD.

Of course one program I haven’t mentioned here is GarageBand (Mac OS X) which comes free with every new Mac. Sometimes hardware comes bundled with free versions of commercial proprietary software; for example, our MOTU 828 interface came with AudioDesk, a basic audio-only version of Digital Performer.

The moral of this tale is: don’t let the high price of DAW software stop you from creating music. There are lots of low-cost options available that won’t break the bank! (Now, if only someone would make a free open-source microphone…!) -kf