Garageband equivalent on Windows?

[ste]

Hello all,

 

Some of our iMacs are being replaced with Windows 10 workstations. Our music lecturers are asking if there is an equivalent Windows program which:

 

• provides the same simple drag and drop interface
  
• isn't too complicated to use (college student level)
  
• allows students to compose music scores
  
• allows students to add videos to compositions
  

 

In a previous job, our music teachers used Reaper. Can you suggest an alternative? Thanks.

[chazzy2501]

FL Studio was named as an alternate. I've not used either but we use both here. https://www.image-line.com/flstudio/

[icanpressbuttons]

We've been using Soundtrap in a 6-12 setting and people LOVE it so far. Cloud based, allows collaboration, very easy to use!

[Dos_Box]

I always found it strange that there is such a gap in the availability of 'affordable' music production software for Windows based PC's that are more fully featured than Audacity.

FL Studio is very good, but is still in the 'not affordable' catagory.

I'm highly tempted to setup an old laptop with Linux on for my son who plays with mixing quite a bit as there are a lot of very nice free music production apps available for it - https://www.tecmint.com/free-music-creation-or-audio-editing-softwares-for-linux/

[icanpressbuttons]

I should add that it is very affordable for schools. We paid roughly 3750 for 650 seats for 1 year. It's roughly $6/year per student.

[Dos_Box]

And after an hour or so of searching have found Ardour - https://ardour.org/

Windows, Mac and Linux, open source and a mere $1 to unlock all the features!!

I shall be having a play with this tomorrow.

 

Edited December 5, 2018 by Dos_Box

[Dos_Box]

Moving to AV and Multimedia.

[chazzy2501]

You can get Steinberg Cubase Elements 9.5 for as little as £36 (if you buy 25)

 

https://new.steinberg.net/cubase/

[Dos_Box]

It would be nice if parents could buy these products at the same price the school gets them as utilities like this really enthuse some children and to be able to carry it on at home would be great for many.

I know some software houses do student (at home) pricing, but I do think some companies are missing a trick by not doing so.

[ste]

Thanks for the suggestions, much appreciated.