Best Free Recording Software For Mac

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Are you looking for the best free multitrack recording software for Mac/Windows? Actually, there are many free multitrack recording tools for you to make use of. Whether you want to edit or record your own compositions or just desire to start your own podcasts, you can take advantage of the free multitrack audio recorder to make it. This guidance will introduce some of them and take one for instance to teach you the steps to record one multitrack audio. You will also learn the solution to add music tags to the recordings in this tutorial.

TinyTake is a video recording software designed for Windows and Mac platforms. It is one of the best screen recording software for Mac which allows you to capture videos of your computer screen, add comments, and share them with other people. You can assign custom short cut keys. Mac Apps for Video Capture. The Video Capture category contains software that will allow you to record video from external devices or content on your computer. Capture game footages, webcam feeds.

Part 1: Top 5 Best Free Multitrack Recording Software for Mac/Windows

The free multitrack recording software reviews can reflect the quality of the tool directly. Different multitrack recording tools have diverse features. You can compare them one by one, but this will take you much time. In order to save you time, you can read this part to get rid of this issue perfectly. Here I would like to recommend you the top 5 best free multitrack music recording software for your computer. Each tool is convenient for you to make use. Before your downloading and installing, you need to pay attention to the system that the multitrack recording software can be applied to.

1. Garageband

This free multitrack recording software is released in 2004, which is one popular DAW. Its smooth and intuitive features attract lots of users to make it to apply its high-quality virtual instruments. You can see the soundwaves of the tracks in the interface of this great software.
System Compatibility: Mac
2. Audacity

Audacity, as great free Mac multitrack recording software, can record the source coming from a microphone, through the line-in jack, or live streaming audio. The clean interface makes users record files easily. Its simplicity facilitates the recording process, which is quite proper for beginners to apply. You can also add the effects you desire to the recorded files via this program conveniently.
System Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS, Linux
3. Ardour

Ardour is also considered as wonderful free multitrack recording software Mac/Windows/ Linux, and the highly versatile multi-track recording features enable it to win the favors of numerous users all over the world. It has no built-in effects or instruments, which only depends on the installation of third-party program. This feature is not so pleasant for users to make use of.
System Compatibility: Windows, MacOS, Linux
4. Avid Pro Tools First

Avid Pro Tools First is perfect in recording audios, which allows users to store projects in the cloud. Its functions are various, which can meet different demands of users. You should know that the cloud space for you to store recordings is limited. If you have numerous files to store, you’d better choose other multitrack recording tools to assist you.
System Compatibility: Windows, MacOS

5. MultitrackStudio

When you decide to download multitrack recording software free, MultitrackStudio will be a good choice for you. It can be applied for any musical genre. The user interface of it is simple and original. The operation of this tool is quite simple.
System Compatibility: Windows, MacOS, iPad platforms

The top 5 best free multitrack recording software for PC/Mac/Linux can assist you to record multitrack audio without any difficulty. You can choose one of programs listed above to have a try.

Part 2: How to Record Multitrack Audio via MultitrackStudio

After you read the brief introductions on the top 5 free multitrack recording software for Mac/PC/ Linux, you can continue to check out this part to see how to record multitrack audio with MultitrackStudio. The following steps will show you how to make it with clear illustrations.

1. Download MultitrackStudio software and install it on your computer. Run it on PC and then hit on the button of “Add Track”. In the drop-down menu, you need to hit on the option of “Audio Track”.

2. In the pane that shows up, you need to name the track and then set the channels to “Stereo” and the type to “MP3” or “WAV” in case you need. Repeat this procedure to add two or more tracks into the main interface. Hit on the “OK” button to confirm your settings in this panel.

3. After that, you need to tap on “Studio” tab and then choose the option of “Devices” to tap on in the drag-down menu. In the next interface, set a proper driver for the recording process. For instance, you can choose the VistaSound as the driverset.

4. Hit on “Properties” button to set the “Audio In Device” item. Afterwards, you can click on the “OK” button twice to move back to the main interface. Then you need to switch the tracks in the interface to the record mode by clicking on the “Rec” button at the right side of each track.

5. When the tracks are in the recording mode, you can hit on the red play button in the upper right corner of the screen to begin to record the tracks you have added.

6. You can click on the “EDIT” button at the right side of every track to edit the tracks according to your demands. When the recording is over, the output file will be saved in the default directory of the software for you to view.

This free multitrack recording software for PC/Mac and iPad platforms can assist you to record better multitrack audios. However, you should know that the free version of it is the MultitrackStudio Lite. You can try it on your computer at ease.

Extension: How to Add Music Tags to the Recordings Automatically

Apart from using the best free multitrack recording software for Windows/Mac/Linux to record the multitrack audio you desire, you can also choose Leawo Music Recorder to get the recording you desire. Leawo Music Recorder is one versatile sound editing program, which can add music tags to recording automatically. If the tags have not been detected automatically, you can also edit tags manually via this tool. Now the following contents will tell you how to record audio and add tags with this software.

Leawo Music Recorder

☉ Record any sound from computer and microphone audio.
☉ Record from 1000+ music sites like YouTube, Facebook, etc.
☉ Schedule music recording via recording task scheduler.
☉ Automatically/manually add tags: artist, album, etc.
☉ Save recordings to either WAV or MP3 format.

Step 1: Set Output Format

Run Leawo Music Recorder on your computer and then hit on the small microphone icon at the bottom left of the interface to call out the settings panel. Select the “Format” to click on. Thus, you can set the exported format as MP3 or WAV. If you would like to get higher sound quality, you’d better select WAV as the recording format. Moreover, you can adjust the detailed parameters of the recorded file, including the audio codec, bit rate and sample rate as you need. Remember to hit on “OK” button to continue.

Step 2: Set Output Directory

After that, you can navigate to the menu of “General” to select one target folder for the recorded audio file on your computer by clicking on the folder icon. Besides, language setting is also available in this pane. For instance, you can choose “English” as the target language.

Step 3: Select Audio Source

Hit on the menu of “Audio Source” on the settings panel to choose 'Record Computer Audio' or 'Record Audio Input' according to your demand. For recoding computer audio stream or online music, you need to tick 'Record Computer Audio'. If you choose 'Record Audio Input', you will be able to record Mic or other built-in input audio stream.

Step 4: Start to Record

Hit on the red recording button in the main interface to begin to record the audio, and you need to playback the audio file in succession. When the recording comes to an end, you need to hit on the recording button once again to terminate the process.

Step 5: Adjust Audio Tags

Leawo Music Recorder can download and add music tags for the recorded audio automatically. You can also edit the tags manually, like the title, artist, year, genre, etc. by navigating to the 'Media' menu to right click on the recorded file and select 'Edit Music Tags'. In the end, you can click on “OK” button to confirm your settings in this panel.

Best free recording software for mac free

As one comprehensive music recorder and editor, Leawo Music Recorder enables users to compress music file, edit music tags and trim the audios effectively. After the recording, you can enjoy the music files with detailed info on computer freely. You can also add the recorded files to iTunes library with one click through this program directly.

Having discussed so much on the best free multitrack recording software for computer and the method to record multitrack audio, you can download one to your computer to have a try. When it comes to adding tags to the recorded files, you can make use of Leawo Recorder to help you easily.

There's a variety of recording software available for both new and experienced broadcasters. Some come with unique features like built-in instruments and music editing. In contrast, others come with the essential elements of noise reduction and leveling for a clear audio clip.

Thankfully, there are both free and paid options to choose from. Many free programs will get the job done well, but their paid counterparts are useful for automated or finetuning tools.

What to Consider Before You Choose a Podcast Recording Software

Multiple podcast recording software can offer great options, but people will still prefer one or the other based on their needs. Here are some considerations to pick your fit.

  • Solo or Multi Mic
  • Music
  • Automation
  • Price

Below, we'll break down each in more detail.

Solo or Multi

Some audio workstations can only register one microphone's audio. If your podcast has interviews, you should check that your recording software can record multiple tracks.

Music

Programs like Garageband have built-in 'digital' instruments. Others let you directly connect tools like MIDI pianos. Sometimes, programs will be more pricey because of their instrument pack features, but they may not have the clearest voice recordings. Consider which one is more important to your podcast.

Recording or Editing

Some podcast software lets you upload an MP3 and edit it to perfection. But, their built-in voice recording capabilities aren't as good. Make sure your program emphasizes that it can record clear, crisp audio.

Price

Paying a full price upfront can be more affordable than a monthly subscription for some programs. Consider that option if you plan to have a podcast for a long duration.

The Best Free Podcast Recording Software for Windows / Mac

Several standard streaming tools also double as audio recording software. Look below to see what programs you can take advantage of for your podcast.

Audacity

Audacity is a great free podcast recording software that works with microphones or computer audio. It has necessities like noise reduction and equalizer features available.

One downside to this free audio workstation is that it only does destructive podcast editing. So, it's unideal if you want to play with many different effects, such as in a mixtape. You also might need plug-ins like the Nyquist Noise Gate to remove breathing sounds.

Still, Audacity is reliable for recording, free, and get's the job done.

Supported OS:

  • Windows
  • macOS
  • GNU/Linux

Pros:

  • Aggregate multiple audios
  • Community support
  • Compact program size

Cons:

  • Clunky UI
  • Destructive editing

Zoom

Zoom isn't just good for online meetings. It's also an excellent free podcast recording software. You only need to hit a few buttons to record a zoom meeting, and it accommodates remote speakers.

When you download the audio, it automatically splits participants' audios for you. That gives you the flexibility to adjust every person's voice as needed.

Unfortunately, Zoom has to compress its audio for downloading. So, while it gets the job done, it doesn't have the clearest sound. It's a worthwhile option for remote podcast recording.

Supported OS:

  • Windows
  • macOS
  • Linux
  • Android
  • iOS

Pros:

  • Simple set up
  • Remote interviewing
  • Good noise cancellation

Cons:

  • No editing features
  • Average sound quality

Ardour

Ardour markets itself as an affordable digital audio workstation for musicians. It offers a free/demo version that supports up to 10 minutes of audio. After that, it might periodically go silent during editing.

Although it's not completely free, you can pay a small per month subscription to avoid that problem. It'll also give you access to developer updates.

Ardour's strong suit is that it has MIDI input support. Musicians will find versatile tools for recording, mixing, and live performance management here.

Supported OS:

  • Windows
  • macOS
  • Linux

Pros:

  • Connects to MIDI
  • Non-destructive audio editing
  • Versatile features

Cons:

  • Difficult setup
  • Big learning curve

Ocenaudio

Ocenaudio is one of the more user-friendly podcast recording software free on our list. At first glance, it looks like a simple, colorful audio editor. In action, it gives you handy features like customizable commands.

With VST support for plug-ins, this has become a popular digital podcast recording software. Plus, if you're working in linguistics, you can use its spectral analysis feature. However, you should know it doesn't support CD burning.

Supported OS:

  • Windows
  • macOS
  • Linux

Pros:

  • Real-time effects previews
  • Non-destructive editing
  • Easy and colorful UX/UI

Best Free Music Recording Software For Mac

Cons:

  • Irregular updates
  • Few English tutorials

Garageband

Garageband is Apple's built-in digital audio workstation. It comes included in newer iPad and MacBook purchases.

One neat feature it has is built-in digital instruments. Since it integrates with iOS, you could record your podcast on your phone and edit it on your Macbook later.

Its multitrack recording seemed to be tricky for users, so you might need to watch tutorials. But it's worth a shot if you already have a Mac.

Supported OS:

  • macOS
  • iOS

Pros:

  • Digital 'instruments'
  • Easy splicing
  • Voice effects

Cons:

  • Tricky multitrack editing
  • Not for advanced users

The Best Paid Software for Podcast Recording on Windows / Mac

Paid audio recording software can save you time and stress for making long podcast episodes. Consider one of these programs if you need special tools like voice effects.

Adobe Audition

If you already have Adobe Creative Suite, then you have access to Audition. To get it solo, it'll cost you per month.

This podcast recording software is one of the most advanced yet user-friendly programs out there. It's ideal if you use multiple microphones in your podcasts or mixing.

Audition's specialty is editing and producing audio. It doesn't come with music support tools like those for MIDI. It does come with advanced features like quick batch processing and an FX system.

Supported OS:

  • Windows
  • macOS

Pros:

  • Repairs damaged audio
  • Great for fine-tuning
  • Presets and templates available

Cons:

  • No music creation
  • Learning curve

Spreaker Studio

A free account on Spreaker's website lets you host multiple podcast episodes. You get maximum storage of 5 audio hours before it asks you to upgrade.

Spreaker's built-in recording system makes your voice sound clear and professional. You have the option to live stream, too.

Once you've finished a project, Spreaker streamlines the process of posting it to hosting sites like Deezer. Plus, the paid version gives you an analytics dashboard and monetization tools.

Supported OS:

  • Windows
  • macOS
  • iOS
  • Android

Pros:

  • Free hosting
  • Intuitive design
  • Cross-platform apps

Cons:

  • Need to pay for advanced support
  • Limited customer service

Hindenburg Journalist

Best Free Recording Software For Macbook Pro

Hindenburg Journalist is one of the best podcast recording software for storytelling. It automatically levels audio as you speak. So when you play it back, extra noises like air conditioning and breathing are already gone.

It has a unique ClipBoard feature that's useful if you need to combine many snippets. You can save several audios on the clipboard to edit in later.

These features make Hindenburg Journalist popular for radio broadcasters and podcasters. It's pricey but a worthy investment for serious recorders.

Supported OS:

  • Windows
  • macOS

Pros:

  • Crystal clear voice processing
  • Many tutorials available
  • Auto-leveling function

Cons:

  • Little support for music
  • Expensive plans

Reaper

Reaper finds a balance between price and quality. Its basic package has tools for beat making, songwriting, and film scoring. If you don't want to buy it immediately, it has a 60 day trial period.

Another unique feature is how customizable it is. Its user interface is simple, but you can download skins to personalize your workspace.

Reaper's team responds to user requests fast, so you get frequent updates. Some people feel overwhelmed by how many features it has, but that's part of what makes it worth the view.

Supported OS:

  • Windows
  • macOS
  • Linux

Pros:

  • Live streaming capabilities
  • Lightweight, fast speed
  • Multitrack recording

Cons:

  • Few tutorials
  • No mobile app

Alitu

Alitu's main strength is an automated DAW. After uploading or recording your audio, it'll offer features like noise and hum reduction for you automatically.

You can use its theme music builder to add branding to your podcast. However, it is browser only. While it can record your audio without internet access, you may want to do it under strong WIFI for better quality.

Alitu offers a monthly or yearly subscription. If you don't mind the browser-format, then this is worth a shot.

Supported OS:

  • Fully web-based

Pros:

  • Intro tutorials included
  • Theme music maker
  • Automated edits

Cons:

  • Browser only
  • Not customizable

The Best Podcast Recording Apps for iPhone and Android

Now podcast recording is not limited to a fancy studio with professional devices. You can make podcasts anywhere as long as you installed the best podcast recording app on your iPhone or Android phone. These applications work as excellently as the software above. And some even have set up creator-friendly communities for you to grow more audiences.

Anchor

Anchor, developed by Spotify, is devoted to providing users the easiest way to make podcasts. It gets popular among beginners and hobbyist podcasters for its one-stop shop for podcasting. In Anchor, you can record, edit, distribute, and monetize podcasts on iPhone and Android without a steep learning curve.

Besides general audio recording from the mic of your phone, you can import audio files from the built-in audio library. And it even allows you to co-record with up to 4 guests, which makes it the best app for interview podcasts.

And its intuitive editing platform helps many beginners to add background tracks, sound effects, and transitions without switching to professional software.

Supported OS:

  • iOS
  • iPadOS
  • Android

Pros:

  • Completely free on iPhone, iPad, and Android
  • Compatible with most external microphones and devices
  • Distribute podcasts to Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Apple Podcasts with one tap

Cons:

  • Only record podcasts in M4A format
  • Not ideal for complex music and instruments podcasts

PodBean

PodBean is a famous podcast app on mobile devices built with a professional audio recorder. While recording the broadcast, you can add vivid effects and background music, tweak the tone, and adjust the volume in real-time.

And it comes with a simple post-production tool. When the recording is finished, you can merge, split, and trim the audio file in just a few taps.

To bring your story to the world instantly, you can connect your accounts on other social media platforms to this app. Then it'll share your podcast as soon as you finish the post-editing.

Supported OS:

  • iOS
  • iPadOS
  • Android

Pros:

  • Rich background music stock
  • Engaging audio live streaming services
  • Real-time report of your podcast performances

Cons:

  • Annoying ads on unsubscribe version

SoundCloud

SoundCloud, one of the largest music and audio streaming platforms, has gathered many artists, musicians, writers, and sports celebrities, etc.

The free version of SoundCloud is mainly designed for listeners. If you are going to record and publish podcasts on this platform. You need to upgrade to SoundCloud Go which costs $5.99/month.

Since it's developed for sharing pre-made high-quality music, its native podcast recorder and editor are less versatile than its peers. It only allows you to record via the mic of your smartphone, shorten the recorded podcast, and add fade-in/-out effects to the recording.

Supported OS:

  • iOS
  • iPadOS
  • Android

Best Free Webcam Recording Software For Mac

Pros:

  • Simple and intuitive
  • Create for indie musicians to promote their works

Cons:

  • Limited post-editing features
  • Can't record a podcast longer than 3 hours

Online Podcast Recorders

Some podcast tools operate solely online. Shaky WIFI doesn't have to deter you from recording on them, though. Here are a few honorable mentions for web-based audio recording software, and how to use them.

Zencastr

Zencastr can record your Skype and Google Hangout interviews with Zoom-like tools. Currently, you can download it on Google Chrome and Firefox.

The instructions are simple:

  • Send your meeting link to your guest.
  • Hit record.
  • Hit Stop Recording when you've finished.
  • Wait for the audio to completely process before closing the browser.

When the video is complete, you'll have two separate audio files.

Squadcast

Best Free Video Recording Software For Mac

Squadcast's strength is how crisp and clear its audio quality is when you compare it to Zoom and Skype. It also offers a fair price per month. To record a video, you have to:

  • Go to your dashboard.
  • Create a new session
  • Send your guest the invite link/input their email
  • Hit Record, then Stop when you're finished.
  • Download your video as a WAV or MP3

If you want to save space on your computer, you can also choose to view the audio as a browser link.

Final Words

Ultimately, your podcast's content is more important than what audio software you use. Still, certain DAWs make the recording process much easier. Because of that, podcasting becomes more enjoyable. Make your choice based on what will make podcasting recording easiest for you and your needs.