On this page, we introduce you to the essential software tools for composing Synthwave music.
A strategy for creating Electronic Music that not only captures but also amplifies the distinctive 80s sounds from a broad spectrum of instruments, such as synthesizers, bass, guitars, vocoders, and several others, blending nostalgia with modern innovation.
Digital Audio Workstations
ABLETON Live 9 Suite
Type: Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)
Developer: Ableton
Country: Germany
Stable release: 9.7.1
For who: musician, DJ & sound engineer
Sequencer: yes
Effects: audio & MIDI
Operating system: Windows & OSX
Website: www.ableton.com
License: Proprietary
Cakewalk Sonar
Type: Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)
Developer: Cakewalk (Roland)
Country: Japan
Stable release: Sonar Platinum
For who: musicians & sound engineers
Sequencer: yes
Effects: audio & MIDI
Operating system: Windows
Website: www.cakewalk.com
License: Proprietary
FL Studio (FruityLoops)
Type: Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)
Developer: Image-Line Software
Country: Belgium
Stable release: 12.4
For who: musicians & sound engineers
Sequencer: yes
Effects: audio
Operating system: OSX, Windows & phones
Website: www.image-line.com
License: Crippleware
Pro Tools
Type: Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)
Developer: Avid
Country: America
Stable release: Pro Tools HD 12
For who: musicians & sound engineers
Sequencer: yes
Effects: audio & MIDI
Operating system: OSX, Windows
Website: www.avid.com
License: Proprietary
Reason Propellerhead
Type: Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)
Developer: Propellerhead Software
Country: Sweden
Stable release: 9.1
For who: musicians & sound engineers
Sequencer: yes
Effects: audio & MIDI
Operating system: OSX, Windows
Website: www.propellerheads.se
License: Proprietary
Renoise
Type: Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)
Developer: Müller, Asnaghi & Jälevik
Country: Hungary
Stable release: 3.1
For who: musicians & sound engineers
Sequencer: yes
Effects: audio & MIDI
Operating system: OSX, Windows, Linux
Website: www.renoise.com
License: Proprietary
Steinberg Cubase
Type: Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)
Developer: Steinberg
Country: Germany
Stable release: 9.0
For who: musicians & sound engineers
Sequencer: yes
Effects: audio & MIDI
Operating system: OSX, Windows
Website: www.steinberg.net
License: Proprietary