When we search for – “GarageBand for Windows”, Numerous fake sites appear in search results. These sites promise you to provide a ported version of GarageBand software, and when you hit the download button it redirects you to Apple App Store. In this article, I am not going to provide you any ported version, because there is no such version Available. But, If you’re using a high-end computer, then I am going to tell a way to get GarageBand for PC. And, if you’re using an old computer (Old hardware), then you can check GarageBand alternatives.
What is GarageBand?
GarageBand is a music production software and digital audio workstation, that is available only for macOS and iOS devices. It is developed by Apple, and it’s a part of the iLife software suite, that’s why it is not available for Windows OS. With the help of GarageBand, you can create and podcasts.
This software is quite famous, because many big musicians like Rihanna and Fall out boy (Rock Band), uses this software to record and edit their hits. If you’re a Mac user, then you can easily get it from Apple App Store. But if you’re a Windows user, then you don’t need to buy MacBook, just because of GarageBand. Because Windows is capable to do much more things than you think of.
Get GarageBand for Windows
Run macOS on Windows
You can’t download GarageBand software for Windows, But you can install macOS on Windows. As I mentioned before, GarageBand is available only for Mac and iOS. So, by installing macOS on Windows, you can easily get GarageBand on PC.
GarageBand is powerful software, and to run it requires at least 2 GB RAM and a powerful CPU. And MacOS also required a minimum of 4 GB RAM and a powerful CPU, to run smoothly in Windows. So, make sure you’re using the high-end computer. Else, your PC might get stuck, or you”ll face some performance issues. Here are my PC specifications.
Install Mac on Windows – There are two ways to install & run mac on windows.
- Build a Hackintosh. (Not recommended)
- Install macOS 10.15 Catalina on VMware.
- Install macOS Big Sur on VMware.
After installing macOS with the help of the above-mentioned link first set up your Apple ID. Then simply open Apple App Store, from the App Store icon available in the Dock. Then search for the GarageBand software and download it on your virtual Mac.
That’s how you can get, GarageBand for Windows 10. But if your PC isn’t capable to install and run macOS inside Windows. Then you can try, some “GarageBand Alternative”, which provides the almost same feature.
GarageBand Alternative
There are many digital audio workstation software available, which I already mentioned in the “Best Music Production Software” Article. So, before checking out these GarageBand alternatives, I suggest you read that article.
LMMS (Free, Open-Source.)
LMMS (formerly Linux MultiMedia Studio) is a free open-source digital audio workstation application program. That comes with a bevy of built-in samples and instruments. It allows producing music by arranging synthesizing sounds (BitInvader, FreeBoy, Kicker, and many others), samples, playing on a controller keyboard, and combining sequencers and trackers features. It is quite a helpful program to create and edit music similar to Garageband Software. Though visual appearance isn’t like Garageband, still, it does its job. The first impression of LMMS will make you feel like a photoshop of music.
It accepts GUS patches and sound fonts and it can import MIDI (Musical instrument digital interface) and hydrogen fires. You can also import FL studio project files but FLP support has been removed by the developer. With LMMS you can read and write customize themes and presets. And you can export audio in two formats – OGG and WAV. The software comes with many editors like – Song, Beat + Bassline, Piano roll, Automation. With the FX mixer, you can also able to mix an unlimited number of channels.
In LMMS, synthesizers are played via musical typing. By mapping the computer keyboard to notes on the instruments. With a visual mapping tool, drum sequencing is also made easy in LMMS. You can load external samples in LMMS, and it itself comes with an array of samples. With LMMS, you can build a track piece by piece, if you were FL Studio user, then you will find it very familiar. The best part is, LMMS has an online forum with an active community. Overall, it is a perfect Garageband Alternative for music creation. And after using it you don’t need to look for “GarageBand for Windows”.
Download: LMMS for Windows | LMMS macOS | LMMS Linux (Free)
FL Studio 20 (Paid, Trial Available.)
FL Studio, (was known as FruityLoops until 2003) is the most widely used digital audio workstation (DAW) software. It is much more advanced than Garageband Software. It is used by the world’s top DJs and producers. So, if you have used some free audio editor like LMMS and Garageband in past, then FL Studio would be perfect for you. The latest version of FL Studio 20 gives a clean and straightforward design. With balanced functionality and a straightforward workflow, it set itself apart.
In FL Studio 20, experimenting with beats using its pattern feature is really fast and responsive. There are four editions of FL Studio 20 available that cost from $99 to $899. FL Studio Mobile version also available, which costs around $5. The trial version of FL Studio allows us to create and save projects. And, with it, you can export them into audio formats like MP3 or WAV. With FL Studio 20, you can do Mixing and mastering music to the highest professional standards. It offers all the features that you need to create complex productions, like, audio sends, sidechain control, effects chains, plugin delay compensation, advanced automation, and many more.
It also offers the best piano roll. That is used to send automation data and notes to plugin instruments. Apart from native instruments and effects, it also does supports all three VST standards. For the unware, Virtual Studio Technology (VST) gives access to a wide range of 3rd party plugins. The best thing is, you can even use FL Studio as a VST Plugin in any other VST host. With extra plugins, synths, and effects, you can add extra punch to your music productions.
The new version of FL Studio comes with an extensive collection of libraries. Basically, it comes with hundreds of copyright-free samples to create songs. FL Studio comes with real-time stretching, which allows real-time, independent tempo, and pitch variations. You can also choose from the 1000’s of included presets. It is bundled with numerous sound effects and common audio effects for music creation. Overall, it is better than Garageband.
FL Studio system requirements.
- WINDOWS 8.1, 10 or later.
- 4GB free disk space.
- 4GB of RAM. (higher recommended)
- Not compatible with ARM Processors.
- Quad-core processor. (Hexa or Octa-Core Processor will be good. A more powerful CPU means, more instruments and FX can be run.)
Download: Fl Studio for Windows and macOS. (Trial, Paid Software.)
Reason 11 (Paid, Trial Available.)
Reason 11 is another powerful software that gives you everything that you need to start music productions with a professional sound. It comes with a powerful collection of synthesizers, instruments, and effects. You can use it as a plugin with your favorite DAW. Or, you can produce music with Reason 11 standalone. You can mix, create, edit, and compose music with this digital audio workstation.
The reason software provides a virtual rack, that builds itself when you create the song. It automatically fills the rack with devices as you need, to get a good sound. It’s effects and instruments cover every need from acoustic to synthetic and electronic. With reason, you can record first and can pick tempo later with real-time Stretch.
This music creation software and GarageBand alternative come with Plugin (VST3/AU/AAX) support. So, you can add any effect or instrument to reason’s rack. It comes with unlimited audio recording (depends on your storage capacity) and instrument channels. In Reason 11, you can craft the music from scratch, or from its huge music library. It comes with huge sound banks, that includes more than 29000 device patches, samples, and loops. Reason 11 also comes with all effects and instruments that you need to create perfect music.
Reason 11 is capable to do much more, you can check out their official site. You can download and try Reason 11 free for 30 days. And, if you like it you can pay 399 USD for the premium version. Though, the all-in-one package cost $599.
Reason 10 system requirements.
- AMD or Intel multi-core processor.
- 4 GB of RAM (8 GB for the large ReFills or rack extensions)
- 20 GB disk space.
- Windows 7 and later version. (64 bit)
Download: Reason 11 for Windows and macOS. (Trial)
Stagelight 3 (Free)
Stagelight is a professional music creation tool, GarageBand Competitor, that packed with royalty-free sounds. With the Stagelight program, you can build beats, create mashup loops and songs. In this music production software, you can also add your own sounds or can take control of your created mix. The software is available for all major platforms Android, macOS, and Windows. Although it doesn’t offer a similar feature that GarageBand does, still you can create professional-quality music with it.
It comes with virtual instruments and effects, 7 drum kits available, which you can expand also. Stagelight comes with the live mode, which allows testing different loops and audio clips together. The user interface of StageLight is simple and user-friendly, anyone can create music with it. Stagelight is free until you don’t need additional content. And you don’t need to search for “GarageBand for Windows”, After using it.
Stagelight system requirements.
- Dual-Core CPU or higher.
- Minimum 2 GB of RAM.
- Intel HD Graphics.
REAPER (Free for 60 Days.)
When it comes to audio production software, nothing can beat REAPER. It is a digital audio workstation that comes with a multi-audio recording tool, which makes it a GarageBand alternative. The current version of this program is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. REAPER is free for 60 days, And none of its features is locked in the free version. It works like the host to popular plugin light VST and AU and you can import all media formats in it.
No doubt, It is cheaper than FL studio and comes with a highly customizable user interface. REAPER provides 300 plugins, which gives you enough material to create professional-quality music. REAPER isn’t a video editor, But still, it can be used to cut and replace video files, and also you can replace audio. Some common video effects like wipes, fade, crossfade also available. It also comes with a variety of effects, including ReaVerb, ReaDelay, ReaPitch, and Iraq.
Download: Reaper for Windows and macOS.
REAPER System Requirements.
- Dual-Core Processor.
- 4 GB of RAM.
- 4 GB Disk Space.
- Does support All version of Windows.
Conclusion – GarageBand for Windows.
These are the alternatives of GarageBand Software, that you can use in Windows and Android Devices. But, still, you want GarageBand for Windows, then it only can be possible with VirtualBox. And it requires lots of RAM and at least a Hexa core a higher processor. That’s why I suggest you try out music production software from this list. If you’re still confused, which one you should try out. Then download LMMS, Because it’s free and comes with lots of features.