Preferably simple music program to mainly make remixes?

Mark Kaine · May 21

I think most people use Ableton(?) but is there something simpler, preferably free or less expensive?

edit: eh there seems to be a free version... is that viable? i just need like 3 tracks, ability to to import files, cut/copy/insert, maybe some basic beats/samples, export as wav/mp3...

also the site is down, just my luck lol -.-

Avocado Diaboli · May 21

If it's really that simple, take a crack at it with Audacity. It even supports VSTs these days and there are plenty of free ones out there. But Audacity is severely limited if you want to use it as an actual digital audio workstation. Maybe this helps:

Mark Kaine · May 21

23 minutes ago, Avocado Diaboli said:

If it's really that simple, take a crack at it with Audacity

well it *is* simple but it requires precise cuts and speed adjustments which seems extremely clunky and time consuming in audacity unfortunately.

I'll take a look at this video thanks, but what do you think of Ableton, is the free version any good? i mean the limitations don't really seem to be limitations... 8 tracks is more than enough and basic effects are included also... its really more about the cutting and mixing (which in theory is indeed super simple, just a question of user interface i guess)

Avocado Diaboli · May 21

37 minutes ago, Mark Kaine said:

I'll take a look at this video thanks, but what do you think of Ableton, is the free version any good?

I'm not aware of a free version of Ableton Live beyond the 60-day trial. If you're referring to Ableton Live Lite, that's just a packaged version you get when you buy an instrument that comes with a corresponding serial.

In any case, I've never really dealt with any version of Ableton's software to tell you if it's good, my experience mostly lies with Cubase, Reason and FL Studio. But plenty of producers like Ableton Live a lot. To be honest, I've never really given much thought to searching for free DAW software, because the free audio software I've tried has always been severely limited. My best recommendation is to just download the free trials of Ableton Live, Reaper, FL Studio or Cubase and mess around with them. If this is a one-off project, the trials should last long enough for you to finish it either way and if you like what you've seen you can just buy a full version. Reaper, as far as I understand, can also be used in trial mode indefinitely and FL Studio also seems to not be time limited either, but has a few other limitations.

Mark Kaine · May 21

34 minutes ago, Avocado Diaboli said:

I'm not aware of a free version of Ableton Live beyond the 60-day trial. If you're referring to Ableton Live Lite, that's just a packaged version you get when you buy an instrument that comes with a corresponding serial.

In any case, I've never really dealt with any version of Ableton's software to tell you if it's good, my experience mostly lies with Cubase, Reason and FL Studio. But plenty of producers like Ableton Live a lot. To be honest, I've never really given much thought to searching for free DAW software, because the free audio software I've tried has always been severely limited. My best recommendation is to just download the free trials of Ableton Live, Reaper, FL Studio or Cubase and mess around with them. If this is a one-off project, the trials should last long enough for you to finish it either way and if you like what you've seen you can just buy a full version. Reaper, as far as I understand, can also be used in trial mode indefinitely and FL Studio also seems to not be time limited either, but has a few other limitations.

yeah i read there's a free version but might be 60 days... i looked at reaper i really like the ui / controls from what im seeing, gonna give that a try first...

its not that i don't wanna pay, but i definitely want to avoid subscriptions and logins... i remember back in the day magix cost 60 bucks and did all i wanted basically... now it requires a login and looks kinda bad...

thanks again, as said I'll try out reaper and then the others that have been mentioned.

Mark Kaine · May 21

3 hours ago, Avocado Diaboli said:

Maybe this helps:

ok reaper is really simple, now if i can figure out time stretch and maybe make some beats (although that's not necessary i could just sample beats) im golden!

just a test: