If you’re interested in a career in electronic or other music production, you’ll need a trusted music production software that fits your individual needs. Knowing your way around a Digital Audio Workstation can help you learn everything you need to mix your music, record yourself, and piece together different components. The technical knowledge and professional skills you’ll gain will help you thrive as a music industry professional. The best part is, if you’re just looking to test the waters with music production, there are high-quality and affordable options you can choose from to get started.
At MI, we want to inspire you to take the next step in your career in music and give you a few options that you can utilize today to start putting your talent to the test.
Here are 5 of the best music production software on the market right now:
Pro Tools 12
Commonly known as the industry standard, Pro Tools has a wide range of capabilities that create a high-quality experience. Pro Tools has gone through several updates throughout the years: updates that have helped make solid improvements and enhance the user experience. Not only can you easily mix, edit, record, and compose music, but there’s a range of additional features that will have you always learning something new.
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It’s a must-have music production software for anyone that wants to take their passion for music seriously and explore their talents. We regularly use this software in our studios to help prepare our students for their futures in professional studio environments.
Logic Pro X
Known for being an easy-to-use, beginner-friendly software for Macs, Logic Pro X is one of the best options you can use to sharpen your music production skills. This software is among the most affordable options.
You can lock down the standard edition for only $199.99 or give it a try for free for 90 days to see if it’s something you want to invest in.
Logic Pro X is an option we typically recommend for beginners because the user-friendly interface is easy-to-navigate. Some students feel overwhelmed by the wide range of options, so this software is a great, simplified experience for them to get started. If you’re looking to compose, edit, and produce something quick, we always recommend using Logic Pro X because the experience is so easy to work with.
Audacity
Not only is Audacity free to use, but it’s compatible with nearly all operating systems. Although Audacity isn’t common in the professional world, it can be used as a great segway into bigger and better software in the future. It’s great for learning the basics, testing out what you know, and giving you deeper insight into the music production profession.
If you want to learn more about music production before committing to a more expensive platform, we highly recommend trying Audacity to test the waters and get yourself familiar. It’s completely free to use and is a great starting point.
Ableton Live 11
In our studios, we regularly use Ableton Live 10 Suite. We’re excited to see how the new changes in Live 11 help enhance the music-making process for our students. The recent release of Ableton Live 11 fixed issues with the workflow, which helped streamline productivity, and provide an easier to use solution for users. The software introduced all-new features like track comping, linked track editing, and new instrument additions. Although it has a somewhat higher price tag, it’s considered a great software choice for anyone looking for a more advanced setup.
Reason 12
Reason 12 came out with all-new features like a new mimic sampler, a new combinator, and a readily available library that’s easy to search through. Reason 12 also has renewed graphics that provide a more modern, cutting-edge feel to the entire platform. They still kept some of our favorite features, like the Matrix editor, which makes it a top choice for us. Even though the price increased from $129 to $199, we still think it’s a good buy for individuals who want to make music their profession.
If you’re serious about learning more about music production, our instructors at MI can provide you with the guidance you need to succeed.
Our 4-quarter Artist/Producer/Entrepreneur Certification Program could be the next step you need to hone in on your skillset and take your talent to the next level. Our experienced instructors will give you the tools to master the technical knowledge to survive as an independent recording and performing artist.