this post was submitted on 25 Apr 2026
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Waveform FREE - A Good Digital Audio Workstations (DAW) on Linux (beside Audacity) (lemmy.world)
submitted 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) by ekZepp@lemmy.world to c/linux@lemmy.world
24 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

https://www.tracktion.com/products/waveform-free

A highly efficient audio engine, intuitive recording workflows and rapid mixing capabilities make Waveform Free the perfect choice for multi-track band recordings. 15 new audio FX are on hand for processing and support for VST, VST3 and AU opens the door to a world of 3rd party plugin possibilities.

  • No track limits.

  • It’s cross-platform.

  • Full plugin support. ( VST2, VST3, and AU (on Mac).

  • It works offline. (Unlike browser-based options)

Waveform’s interface takes some adjustment. It doesn’t follow the traditional “mixer on the bottom, timeline on top” layout that most DAWs use.

Give it a week, and it clicks. But those first few sessions will feel unfamiliar.

source

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[–] HeartyOfGlass@piefed.social 47 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (2 children)

Is this an ad? I dunno why one would use this over Reaper. Waveform looks like a traditional "free" app that'll slowly get features cut out & resold in their already-established "extension" store. $50 for MIDI tools?? Hard pass. Wouldn't even have made my list of contenders with business practices like that.

From the source blog post, they limited their options to:

  • Waveform Free (Windows, macOS, Linux)
  • Cakewalk Sonar (Windows only)
  • GarageBand (Mac only)
  • BandLab (Browser-based)

Sure, if you're trying to pick a DAW out of a pile of the worst DAWs available, Waveform "Free" looks pretty good.

I'd avoid all of those options. If you're looking for a free DAW on Linux (from someone who knows not to call Audacity a "DAW") - Reaper has an indefinite, full-featured, free trial period. Full version is $60.

FOSS options include Ardour and LMMS, both of which include features Waveform hides behind hundreds of $$$ worth of "extensions".

[–] ekZepp@lemmy.world 3 points 6 days ago (2 children)

For fk sake... Im just trying to share some decent linux software. Just make a post about Reaper too. The more the merrier .

[–] HeartyOfGlass@piefed.social 20 points 6 days ago (1 children)

and I'm trying to point out how dogshit Waveform's business is & how skewed the original source material is. Nothing personal.

[–] ekZepp@lemmy.world -5 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (1 children)

Don't worry, I'm too high to care 👽 👍

[–] rosco385@lemmy.wtf 1 points 6 days ago

I've made posts like this while high. Can confirm it's weird when people mistake your motovations as financial rather than THC-induced.

[–] jimonthony@lemmy.zip 8 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Why didn’t you include ardour if you are showcasing Linux DAWs? Do you have any business connections to this software?

[–] ekZepp@lemmy.world -4 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Yes. They give me drugs.

[–] jimonthony@lemmy.zip 6 points 6 days ago (1 children)

If i post an article can i get some too?

[–] ekZepp@lemmy.world -4 points 6 days ago

No! They're all mine! MINE!

[–] melfie@lemmy.zip 2 points 6 days ago (1 children)

I suppose if the extensions are also FOSS, paying for them is fair enough. I use Blender and buy paid extensions that are GPL licensed, which is way better than subscription-only software. Free as in freedom, not beer, and freedom is worth paying for, IMO.

[–] HeartyOfGlass@piefed.social 4 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (1 children)

~~Nothing about Waveform is FOSS (afaik), but~~ I'm on board with your idea - with open source apps I'm all for giving money to the devs making useful stuff. Waveform hiding basic functionality behind multiple $50 DLC purchases is just heinous, though.

[–] melfie@lemmy.zip 2 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Sounds like the core engine is FOSS at least: https://github.com/Tracktion/tracktion_engine?tab=License-1-ov-file. Unless it’s all 100% FOSS, might as well go with Reaper or another paid DAW, though.

[–] HeartyOfGlass@piefed.social 2 points 6 days ago

Huh, yeah kinda weird to only have part of the project open source. Interesting

[–] Krafting@lemmy.world 2 points 4 days ago

Despite all the comment, it is nice to see some other Linux options ! 😄

[–] orbituary@lemmy.dbzer0.com 13 points 6 days ago (2 children)

Reaper is the greatest. Audacity is not really a DAW so much as an editor.

[–] floofloof@lemmy.ca 3 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Ardour is also good.

[–] orbituary@lemmy.dbzer0.com 0 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Sure, it's fine. But there's little point to using different DAWs, particularly if I've paid for a license

[–] floofloof@lemmy.ca 1 points 4 days ago

I was recommending it to anyone reading the thread.

[–] ekZepp@lemmy.world -3 points 6 days ago

I agree, but they didn't send me drugs, so, too bad...

[–] Rokin@leminal.space 11 points 6 days ago

Requires an account to download.

[–] markz@suppo.fi 10 points 6 days ago

Audacity isn't really a daw

[–] sefra1@lemmy.zip 5 points 6 days ago

No thanks. I will keep using ardour which is free as in freedom as GNU/Linux programs are supposed to be.

[–] warmaster@lemmy.world 1 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Looks great, is it FOSS ?

[–] serpineslair@lemmy.world 6 points 6 days ago

Nope. Use Ardour instead.