Top 10 Free and Paid Music Recording Software for Windows and Mac

Brittany Garcia

Mar 26, 2025Posted by Brittany Garcia to Record Audio

Creating your song requires a lot of work, and you want to make sure that you can edit it precisely. You will need music recording software that will be able to do all-around tasks, such as trimming, cutting, merging, and enhancing audio. But which software should you choose from among hundreds of options? Well, we reviewed ten music recording software for Windows and Mac according to their features, performance, pricing, and more. You can also get tips on choosing the best tool, whether you are a beginner or a pro.

Music Recording Software

Part 1. What Does Music Recording Software Do

A music recorder does not merely record audio from a device, but it offers more than that. It is a robust tool that allows musicians, producers, or audio enthusiasts to create audio from scratch using different physical or digital instruments. Besides that, the song recording software often has built-in features for further editing and enhancement of the audio, so it is considered essential for music artists. To elaborate, check the following list of the features a music recorder commonly consists of:

● It is capable of recording multiple audio tracks, including vocals, sound effects, and instruments.

● Edit audio by cutting, pasting, and trimming with accuracy.

● Able to adjust the tempo and audio pitch, making it easier to synchronize different recordings.

● Provide a virtual mixing console to adjust the level, pan, equalizer, etc.

● Create balance and harmony in all audio clips.

● Help to prepare the final mix with adjusted overall volume, compression, and other parameters.

Part 2. 10 Top-Rated Music Recording Software

Screen Recorder

Screen Recorder

Supported Platforms: Windows, Mac

Supported Audio Formats: MP3, WAV, FLAC, etc.

Pricing: $12.45

Blu-ray Master Screen Recorder is a user-friendly recorder for any kind of audio. It has a clean interface to help you set up system audio and external microphone, detecting the waveform of each audio device. It also helps you to perform a text for connected devices with provided noise cancellation and sound enhancement you can apply. More than that, the music recording software allows you to export the captured audio in popular file formats, such as FLAC, WAV, MP3, AAC, OPUS, and more. Try the free trial version, where you can easily record audio on Windows and Mac.

● Unlimited audio recording without requiring high-end equipment.

● Set output settings like audio format, codec, sample rate, etc.

● Built-in audio tester for the system sound and mics.

● Adjustable recording volume and delay for each audio device.

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for macOS

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Audacity

Audacity Music Recording Software

Supported Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux

Supported Audio Formats: MP3, WAV, etc.

Pricing: Free

Audacity is considered music recording software for beginners for Mac and Windows. With its versatility, you can create audio from scratch with the built-in recorder, and then you can use Audacity’s mix audio and effects for further enhancement. On top of that, there are many free plugins you can add to the software to add more functions. Although it is a bit cluttered, and you have to be familiar with it, Audacity audio recording is still a good option if you are only starting in audio production.

● Complete feature for trimming, copying, and splicing audio.

● Able to convert files to MP3, WAV, and FLAC

● Allow users to modify the software for personal purposes.

● Suitable for podcasts, music production, and other activities.

Adobe Audition

Adobe Audition

Supported Platforms: Windows, Mac

Supported Audio Formats: MP3, WAV. M4A, etc.

Pricing: $22.99

If you are looking for powerful music recording software, Adobe Audition is a good choice. It is a great digital audio workstation with comprehensive features like mastering audio, sound design, and such. The software also offers advanced mixing and mastering to achieve professional-quality results. Consider your needs before purchasing Adobe Audition since it is too complex.

● Automatic speech alignment.

● Render audio data with advanced editing tools.

● Audio restoration with perfect quality.

● Include waveform and spectral editing.

Wavosaur

Wavosaur Music Editing Software

Supported Platforms: Windows

Supported Audio Formats: MP3, WAV. M4A, etc.

Pricing: Free

The free song recording and editing software features a versatile interface that allows beginners and pros to create any type of audio. Other than basic editing, Wavosaur also offers advanced features, including time stretching, pitch shifting, and amplitude envelope editing. You can also expand its capabilities by installing various plugins like VST.

● Offer a huge library of VST plugins.

● Support batch audio conversion.

● Real-time effect processing.

● Suitable for simple sound designing and mastering.

GarageBand

Garageband Music Recording Software

Supported Platforms: Mac

Supported Audio Formats: WAV, M4A, etc.

Pricing: Free

GarageBand is one of the top-rated music recording software for Mac as of today. It is equipped with an intuitive digital studio with a complete library of sound effects, instruments, and samples. The tool is a great alternative if you are missing physical instruments, as it has a jaw-dropping selection of guitars and percussions you can use at any time. Not only that, but GaragBand will inspire you to create more attractive audio in various genres, such as EDM, classic, hip hop, indie rock, and more.

● Record individual instruments and compile them into one file.

● A long list of music effects for various genres.

● Enable and disable sounds in one click.

● Configurable synth and beats.

WavePad Audio Editor

Wavepad Audio Editor

Supported Platforms: Windows, Mac

Supported Audio Formats: MP3, WAV, FLAC, etc.

Pricing: $34.99

WavePad is a good choice for music recording software as it provides a wide range of functions for audio production. For example, the program is able to amplify and equalize the audio without distorting the quality. It can also restore damaged files by reducing the noise or click-pops. Moreover, it gives you access to different plugins, a great addition to audio editing and mixing. WavePad has a free trial available on Windows and Mac, but you can also purchase the premium version at $39.95.

● Support batch editing.

● Support old and modern audio formats.

● Offer spectral analysis, FFT, and TFFT.

● Convert audio files effortlessly.

FL Studio

Fl Studio

Supported Platforms: Windows, Mac

Supported Audio Formats: OGG, MP3, etc.

Pricing: $139

The music editing software is known as an intuitive digital audio workstation for Windows and Mac. FL Studio allows you to edit audio via a pattern-based approach to arrange music. You can also use its native music effects, which are ideal for electronic music production, such as samplers and synthesizers. Furthermore, you can use FL Studio not only on your desktop but also on mobile devices, so you can record WhatsApp call or any phone activities instantly.

● It has MIDI support and scripting.

● Include content like loops, presets, and samples.

● Separate the vocals, drums, bass, and instruments.

● Genuine and abundant free trial.

Ocenaudio

Ocenaudio Music Recording Software

Supported Platforms: Windows, Mac

Supported Audio Formats: M4A, WAV, etc.

Pricing: Free

It is another music recording software that is easy to use and downloadable on Windows and Mac. Ocenaudio provides a spectogram view to visualize audio frequencies and edit with accuracy. This gives an easy way to analyze your audio with basic editing features like time-stretching, shifting, and others.

● Full view of edited EQ, filtering, and gain.

● Efficient in multitasking and editing large files.

● Select different portions of the audio clip.

● Configurable interface for better workflow.

PreSonus Studio One

Presonus Studio One

Supported Platforms: Windows, Mac

Supported Audio Formats: WAV, FLAC, MP3, AAC, etc.

Pricing: $199.99

Presonus Studio One is an all-in-one tool for music production. It is designed to create audio by recording, integrating pattern workflows, and mixing. The music recording software allows you to experiment with its library of tools, including the AI-powered stem separation for new sonic dimensions.

● It has integrated loop-based production tools.

● Advanced tempo detection.

● Full access to pad parameters and sample controls.

● Extended list view with length display, channel count, etc.

Sound Forge

Sound Forge

Supported Platforms: Windows, Mac

Supported Audio Formats: WAV, M4A, etc.

Pricing: $34.99

Sound Forge is a 30-year-old music recording software that sets the standard in audio production. It boasts its powerful tools with fast-speed processing and high-quality results. It also improves audio editing with high-end plugins, which are ideal for audio broadcasting, podcasts, and streaming.

● Offer loudness meter and optimized onboarding.

● Increase performance with VST enhancements.

● Extensive audio sample and effect library.

● Mono compatibility meter for perfect playback.

Part 3. Tips to Choose a Good Music Recording Software

You can get free music recording software and call it a day. But in reality, it is a crucial phase to choose the right tool for you, especially depending on the nature of your project. That’s why it is important to learn about different tools and what you are looking for. If you are still unsure about choosing a music recorder, you can use some of the best tips with the following:

Specific Needs

Genre: Different genres play a crucial role in choosing software for music production. You must think about the genre you want to work on, and then you can search for tools designed for that genre.

Skill Level: Choose music recording software that is easy to use if you are just starting audio production. You will be able to focus more on recording and editing with a familiar tool. However, an advanced tool like Logic Pro would be a great choice if you are a pro.

Budget: Not all music recording software is free. You may need to invest in a pro tool to further enhance audio production. Consider your budget since some tools are expensive.

Key Features

Multi-track Recording: The music recorder must have this feature to capture multiple audio tracks simultaneously.

Audio Effects: Built-in effects can help you to enhance your sound palette without requiring physical instruments.

Mixing and Mastering: Able to balance and optimize your final mix. This is a great tool for best results.

Computer Specifications

Processor and RAM: Your computer must have a powerful processor and adequate RAM to ensure a smooth performance while handling complex projects.

Storage: a high-speed SSD can improve the speed of loading times, especially for music recording software where multiple audio clips load.

Audio Interface: Your computer must have the capability to support connecting physical instruments and additional devices for audio recording.

Part 4. TFAQs about Music Recording Software

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is important to choose music recording software based on your needs, such as ease of use, price, key features offered, and others. With the recommended top-rated tools, pick the best one for you. Moreover, you can always go to Blu-ray Master Screen Recorder to quickly capture audio on your computer with a clean quality. It is suitable software for recording online meetings, songs, and calls without complex navigation. Get the free version on Windows and Mac by clicking the Free Download button.

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Rating: 4.7 / 5 (based on 359 votes)

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