Kakewalk

Kakewalk

Kakewalk is a free, open source digital audio workstation (DAW) for Windows. It has basic audio recording and editing capabilities along with MIDI sequencing and VST plugin support. Kakewalk is a lightweight and user-friendly DAW good for beginners.
Audio & Music Digital Audio Workstations
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free open-source windows daw audio-recording audio-editing midi-sequencing vst-plugins lightweight beginner-friendly
Kakewalk alternatives ➤

Kakewalk: Free, Open Source DAW for Windows

Kakewalk is a free, open source digital audio workstation (DAW) for Windows. It has basic audio recording and editing capabilities along with MIDI sequencing and VST plugin support. Kakewalk is a lightweight and user-friendly DAW good for beginners.

What is Kakewalk?

Kakewalk is a free, open source digital audio workstation (DAW) software for Windows. Originally developed by Twelve Tone Systems as Sonar, the software was acquired by Gibson in 2018 and renamed Kakewalk. It was then made available as a free download in 2019.

Kakewalk provides tools for audio recording, editing, mixing, MIDI sequencing, and VST instrument and effect hosting. It has a simple, intuitive user interface designed for beginners, while still providing advanced features and customization options found in paid DAW software.

As a free DAW, Kakewalk compares well to entry-level paid options like FL Studio Fruity Edition or PreSonus Studio One Prime. Key features include:

  • Unlimited audio and MIDI tracks
  • Real-time audio effects including EQ, dynamics, reverb
  • Automation system for effects and mixer parameters
  • MIDI piano roll editing
  • Support for third-party VST plugins, instruments, and effects
  • Basic score editing
  • Export mixdowns to MP3, WAV, and other formats

While more fully-featured options exist like Ableton or Logic Pro, Kakewalk is an excellent free choice for Windows users new to home recording looking for MIDI sequencing and basic multitrack mixing capabilities.

Kakewalk Features

Features

  1. Audio recording and editing
  2. MIDI sequencing and editing
  3. VST plugin support
  4. Mixing and mastering tools
  5. Virtual instruments
  6. Automation
  7. Effects processing

Pricing

  • Free
  • Open Source

Pros

Free and open source

User friendly and easy to learn

Lightweight and low resource usage

Good for beginners

Supports VST plugins

Cons

Limited features compared to paid DAWs

Fewer advanced tools than other DAWs

Windows only

Official Links

Official Website
https://www.kakewalk.se/

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