With technology advancing and more individuals using websites and applications like YouTube, Discord, and Zoom, plenty of students, musicians, artists, teachers, and other professionals have been looking for reliable recording software to use. This type of software allows people to record, edit, and add effects to different multimedia files.
This article features various music recording software as well as screen, webcam, and video recording software for PC and smartphones. So if you need a little help choosing the best one for your needs, you can read on to find our recommended software as well as a buying guide, reviewed by sound engineer Jojo Ariola, to help you out.
Quick List - Top Recording Software
Jojo Ariola has been working as a front-of-house live sound engineer for almost 20 years. He also has trained several students regarding the field. He has worked with famous local bands, and he has also worked as a DJ in bars and clubs around the metro. He is the audio engineer for music videos of artists like Miguel Escueta and Leanne & Naara. Lastly, he is also a vendor of sound and lights system rentals.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Table of Contents
For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.
There are 2 common types of recording software. If you're a professional or hobbyist, a digital audio workstation can help you produce materials while video recording software allows users to record the device's screen. Make sure that you pick the right recording software that best suits your needs.
Up-and-coming artists and composers need recording software with features specifically designed for creating music. One of which is the digital audio workstation or DAW for short. This kind of recording software is a program that lets users produce, record, mix, and edit audio and MIDI files.
Ableton, Reason Studios, and GarageBand are some examples of well-known DAWs. If you're a new artist and are just getting to know the craft, you may want to consider getting a free DAW with the most core features. Luckily, most digital audio workstations also offer free trials or budget-friendly lite editions.
For beginners, you can use Audacity. It's free and easy to use, especially when you're just starting out.
With people encouraged to stay indoors, several professionals, and educators, in particular, have relied on video recording software that they can use for teaching online. This program allows users to record the audio and video of their computer screens and webcams. They can also grab texts and add annotations to existing video files.
A video recording software is best for creating and editing online lectures, customer service memos, how-to clips, and more. There are plenty of free video recording software that often cost less than digital audio workstations. Some examples of this kind of software include CloudApp, OBS Studio, and Movavi.
Some of the best recording software cost a substantial amount of money. Luckily, most do offer free trial periods so you can test out the material before fully committing. If you only need the basic features of the recording software, users can opt to avail of lite or unpaid standard versions.
Lite versions are more budget-friendly but have a lot of limited functionality as well as advertisements. To have access to all the features of the software, you can have a premium plan. You will have to pay either a one-time fee or a subscription, which can be a monthly or an annual fee.
Paid software comes with a lot of music library files that you can use for your audio production.
Many of the recording software you're looking for offers a free trial, which varies from 15 days to 30 days, and such. Make sure to try availing of the free trial before choosing to make a premium purchase with the software. That way, you can test out whether the program is compatible with your needs as well as get a head start on learning the interface.
Remember to cancel the subscription before the renewal date or the end of your free trial so as to not get charged, in case you weren't planning on availing of the premium plans any time soon. If possible, make sure to avail of free trials in different software one after the other to test out which one you like the most.
Test the software if it can make your audio production easier.
You can also take a look at additional features, such as plugins. A plugin or add-on extension allows people to customize their user experience and improve a specific software without changing the host program itself.
There are three general types of plugins: instruments, effects, and MIDI manipulation. Instrument plugins allow you to incorporate virtual instruments into an audio recording, while effect plugins, like compressors and equalizers, can enhance and shape sounds.
MIDI manipulation, on the other hand, processes MIDI signals, changes in keys, and arpeggios. Other features to look out for include cloud collaboration and platform integration. That way, you'll be able to work with others and upload your recordings to different websites with ease.
Learn how to use these plug-ins to significantly improve the audio quality of your project.
One of the most important things to consider when looking for recording software is its compatibility with the operating system of your device. Some recording software can only be downloaded and installed on specific operating systems.
One example is GarageBand. This recording software, created by Apple, is compatible solely with iOS devices. Luckily most software works with various systems, from Windows to Android. We also recommend keeping your software and operating systems up to date. That way, you don't miss out on any new features.
Look for software that offers backward compatibility and has close ties with operating system developers so that updates are always ready to download and install.
It may take time for some people to get used to the interface of a new program. Some may even use particular software for years and not be able to explore all the features it has to offer. Choose software that has a user-friendly interface that works for you instead of against you. Watching tutorial videos offered by the platform also helps.
Do your due diligence and always read and do your research since there are software updates or upgrades every year.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Gerhard Behles Ableton Live 11 | ![]() | Lets You Mix and Master Tracks Like a Pro | |
2 | Max Schoening CloudApp | ![]() | Record and Edit Your Screen and Webcam Videos | |
3 | Avid Technology Avid Pro Tools | ![]() | Work With Other Artists Using Cloud Collaboration | |
4 | Hugh Bailey OBS Studio | ![]() | An Open-Source Screen Capture Software for Gamers and Streamers | |
5 | Reason Studios Reason+ | ![]() | Works as a Digital Audio Workstation and Plugin | |
6 | Steinberg Cubase | ![]() | All-in-One Music Production Software | |
7 | Movavi Movavi Screen Recorder | ![]() | An Easy Way to Record Lectures and Meetings | |
8 | TechSmith Snagit | ![]() | A Screen Recording Software With a User-Friendly Interface | |
9 | Apple GarageBand | ![]() | Best for Amateur Musicians and Producers | |
10 | Screencast-O-Matic | ![]() | An All-Around Screen Capture Tool That's Perfect for Work and Play |
A leading digital audio workstation, Ableton Live has been a go-to recording software for musicians and producers since its initial release in 2001. With Ableton, artists can record, do comping, and link two or more tracks so users can edit them at the same time. Ableton Live 11 even has a feature where it adjusts an audio's tempo in real time!
They offer a variety of software instruments, audio effects, and MIDI effects that'll definitely help you produce your recording. Ableton currently offers three versions of its software: Intro, Standard, and Suite. Ableton Live Intro is best for those just starting to dab into music recording and mixing, while Suite is an integrated studio perfect for seasoned professionals.
For those in need of recording software that lets you record your screen and webcam, CloudApp is the app for you! This recording software is an all-in-one visual collaboration program that allows users to record videos and edit them. CloudApp can even make use of its annotation feature to add anything from drawings to emojis, which will definitely help you bring your point across.
Another great thing is that you'll also have access to a GIF maker. Once you're done filming content, you can share your work through password-protected links, which are perfect if you value privacy and security for your content. They also offer various subscriptions, from their free entry-level plan to their paid premium one that is best for educators and business owners.
Are you looking for software that you can use to record, edit, and mix music with associates from anywhere in the world? You may want to check out Avid Pro Tools. This audio recording software supports cloud collaboration and offers over ten plugins, allowing you to work with others like you're all in one studio.
It is compatible with Windows and macOS and offers three different subscriptions. Avid Pro Tools | First is their free plan, best for musicians, students, and podcasters, while the Pro Tools version contains the standard audio production software. But if you need heavy-duty software complete with all the features similar to those found in a professional studio, go for their Ultimate version.
On the lookout for recording software to use when you want to stream, record, and grab audio and video from various sources? Your search ends here with Open Broadcaster Software which is ideal for video recording and live streaming! OBS is a free and open-source screen capture software that is compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux.
With OBS, users can create multiple scenes made from different sources, like windows captures, texts, webcams, and more. This platform even supports well-known streaming platforms like YouTube and Twitch. OBS Studio also has an API that lets users enable plugins and scripts for further customization.
Do you need a digital audio workstation that also doubles as a software plugin? Well, you're in luck because Reason Studios works as both! You can use it as a standalone music-making software or as an additional feature to an existing DAW with its Reason Rack Plugin in VST/AU/AAX form.
With Reason+, you'll be able to record, comp-edit, and sequence your audio and music. You will even have access to a collection of over 70 of Reason's unique instruments, effects, and sound packs. The platform offers weekly Sound Packs and constantly updates its music-making software.
Steinberg's Cubase may not be as affordable as other digital audio workstations, but this software will definitely give you a bang for your buck. It is considered top-notch and suited to MIDI and virtual instrument composers. Cubase has many features that suit both professionals and hobbyists.
It has a great audio engine and is a solid and reliable sequencer. In terms of the user interface, there are many manual and online tutorials that help you get the most out of the product. This software is a great MIDI editor, and you'll find that it is super easy to install plugins as well as a lot of stock plugins you can choose from.
With most individuals working and studying from home, the need for hassle-free video recording software has increased. If you can relate to that and are on the lookout for one straightforward software to record lectures, meetings, how-to videos, and the like, take a look at the budget-friendly Movavi Screen Recorder.
This recording software has a simple and intuitive interface, making it an excellent choice for beginners. You are offered awesome features such as PiP, chroma-key, titling, basic keyframing, and even motion intuitive. With Movavi, you get to record audio and video either simultaneously or separately and draw on videos while filming.
Snagit is as uncomplicated as a screen recording software can get. Snagit has an easy-to-understand user interface that lets you do screen captures. It can also mark up screenshots to add additional context and easily share files with collaborators. It supports plenty of applications, from Microsoft Office to Dropbox and Google Drive.
When you use Snagit, you can record everything, from your screen to your webcam, grab texts, and add annotations with professional markup tools. You can also make and share custom-themed templates for your recordings and make GIFs. Snagit has no free plan, but a fully functional 15-day free trial is available to try.
For up-and-coming musicians or producers who are looking for affordable software to help start their careers, you may want to check out GarageBand. This free recording software, developed by Apple, has a straightforward interface, so if you have your own Apple device, you can make music anywhere for free!
With GarageBand, users can record and edit vocals and instruments, try out sampling, and transpose music in MIDI or audio form. Known artists, such as Rihanna and Usher, made their hits Umbrella and Make Love In This Club using this digital audio workstation. Offering an intuitive design, GarageBand helps you find the sweet spot in your tracks with its interactive visual EQ and massive sound library.
On a tight budget and looking for a no-nonsense screen and video recording software? Screen-Cast-O-Matic has one of the friendliest user interfaces you'll find in the market and is considered one of the easiest screen captures to use.
Its editing features are one of the reasons you'd get hooked, and you're offered four options in the menu for quick access: Take Screenshot, Launch Recorder, Open Editor, and Open Uploads, where you're able to view recent screenshots and recordings. With Screen-Cast-O-Matic, you'll see how it's so easy to cut, blur, highlight, and zoom in on your screen capture.
Always remember the phrase "garbage in, garbage out." Proper positioning of the microphone should be observed. Also, volume leveling should be practiced so that the audio recorded has a decent sound. If you start with proper recording techniques, you won't have any problems during the editing and mastering of your music production.
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by sound engineer Jojo Ariola.
Now that you have a go-to recording software, you might also be looking for other items to help you with your content creation. We've gathered a list of article links below that can help you find the perfect ring light, tripods, and cameras!
Author: Mariah Hannah Beatrice G. Caga
Editor and Re-Editor: Ayeza Mangulabnan, Andi Sanchez
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
No. 1: Gerhard Behles|Ableton Live 11
No. 2: Max Schoening|CloudApp
No. 3: Avid Technology|Avid Pro Tools
No. 4: Hugh Bailey|OBS Studio
No. 5: Reason Studios|Reason+
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