Rap music has gone from being a subculture of music to one of the most prominent genres of today. There are more rappers than ever telling their story and rapping about what is happening around them. To create these songs now, you need to have some sort of digital audio workstation to record, mix, and release anything. But there are so many options out there which do you choose? Here are the Best Daws for Rap Music that is used by professionals and are made with artists in mind.
Quicklook: Best DAW for Rap Music
- Soundtrap – Best For Beginners and Collaboration
- Pro Tools – Best For Professionality
- FL Studio – Best For Current Updates
- Logic – Best For Virtual Instruments and Loops
- Cubase – Best For Songwriting
Jump to:
5 Best DAWs for Hip Hop Rap Music
1. Soundtrap
Working with Soundtrap you get to try out professional-level methods of music production all while using an easy-to-learn and understand program. Soundtrap offers amazing virtual instruments as well as samples to use in your wong creation and recording.
Beat making is super simple with Soundtrap’s easy-to-use beat machine. If you want to collaborate with other producers from around the world, it’s no problem! You can listen and work in real-time with other producers in your sessions to mix and record music.
Best For: Beginners and Collaboration
Price:
Platforms:
- An updated web browser
2. Pro Tools
When it comes to the final mixing and editing of a track, Pro Tools is one of the best options out there. Some of the greatest producers in rap like Rick Rubin, Dr. Dre, Kanye West, and Pharrell Williams all use Pro Tools.
Check out our in depth review of Pro Tools!
There are countless ways to learn how to navigate and use Pro Tools to the best of your ability. Many professional studios use Pro Tools and you are able to work with them on special sessions much easier if you know how to use their DAW.
Best For: Professionality
Price:
- Subscription – $29.99 – $89.99
- Perpetual License – $599
Platforms:
- Mac
- 10.13.6, 10.14.6, 10.15.6 to 10.15.7
- Windows
- 10
- Application
- Avid Control
3. FL Studio
When it comes to any sort of music based around electronic instruments and beat making, FL Studio is a great choice. When it comes to professionality, FL Studio lacks nothing and has even been used on songs by Avicii and Deadmau5.
Want to learn the ins and outs of FL Studio? Click Here!
FL Studio is great because you only have to purchase your copy once and you get updates forever. Literally, you never have to worry about updating to a new version, or anything. You have access to a lifetime of updates when you buy any copy of FL Studio.
Best For: Current Updates
Price: $99 – $499
Platforms:
- Mac
- 10.13.6 or later
- Windows
- 8.1, 10, or later
- Application
- FL Studio Mobile
4. Logic
Logic is the go-to DAW for most Apple users. It is a fantastic program that is easy to adapt to, especially if you have spent time learning audio in Garageband. Logic holds thousands upon thousands of loops that are all royalty-free for its users to use in their tracks.
Learn how to use Logic like the pros here!
Work with many different instruments to get the exact sounds you are looking for. There are digital versions of some of the most iconic pianos, synths, and drum machines at your fingertips in Logic. Creativity will never end.
Best For: Virtual Instruments and Loops
Price: $199.99
Platforms:
- Mac
- 10.15.7 or Later
- Application
- Logic Remote
5. Cubase
Especially when it comes to using MIDI in creating beats and mixing with vocals, Cubase has a great approach to it. In Cubase, you have the media tab on the right side that makes it easy to sort through samples and loops to find the perfect sounds.
You don’t have to be a master of music theory to create clean chord progressions. In Cubase, there is the chord assistant to help you find where to go next with your chord progressions. All you have to do is set the key you want to work in, and start writing!
Best For: Songwriting
Price: No products found.
Platforms:
- Mac
- Mojave – Big Sur
- PC
- Windows 10
What To Look For When Choosing Daw for Rap
The whole creative side of the music sits in the hands of the producers and artists. But you need the right tools to be able to communicate it well. There is a lot to consider when you are first looking at getting a hold of a DAW for rap music. Here are some key points to consider when you are reading through the options.
Pricing
When you are first starting to work with music, you start to realize that it is a big investment. The equipment and software all add up very quickly to where you could be spending $1,000 just to get started. Luckily many of these DAWs have different methods of acquiring your version. There are monthly subscriptions and even yearly subscription options for some of them that cost just as much as Netflix.
Compatibility – System Requirements
To keep it simple, a DAW for rap music can require a lot from a computer. It is important to make sure your computer can handle whatever DAW you choose. That means you need to look at the operating system you are running, as well as the processing power of your computer.
Skill Level
If you are new to music production, you will want to go with an easy-to-learn option such as Soundtrap or even Logic. But if you are wanting to work with some of the more intricate and detailed DAWs to create your songs, there are some phenomenal choices with the rest of the list.
Learning to Impress
When you start working in rap music, you are opening yourself up to possibly millions of listeners, and they will all have their own opinions and critiques of the song itself. Working in a professional DAW for rap music makes you feel more professional and like you are a real force to be reckoned with. Being on top of your game in the best DAW for you, will not only make you feel better, but it will also help clients feel more comfortable with you as their engineer. So when you are first getting started in your DAW, learn as much as you can so you will know how to achieve every one of your goals in a mix.
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Jarrett is a hardcore Lover-Jazz Lover-Rock Lover-Blues Lover-just a music lover. He has the hair to match — Jarrett and provides in-depth insight into all things guitar and music engineering.