DAW, arrangement & stems
A DAW (digital audio workstation) is where you arrange, edit, comp and clean up — trimming an AI generation into a real arrangement, or recording live parts. You don't need to spend money: Cakewalk by BandLab (Windows) and GarageBand (Mac) are full, free DAWs, and Waveform Free is the best cross-platform free pick. Stem-splitters (Moises, LALAL.ai) let you separate vocals/drums from any track for remixing or cleanup.
The steps
- 1Import your AI track or record your parts; arrange sections on the timeline.
- 2Comp the best moments, fix timing/transitions, remove artefacts and dead air.
- 3Split stems (Moises/LALAL) if you want to remix, swap vocals, or master parts separately.
- 4Set rough levels and panning so the mix stage starts from a clean balance.
- 5Export a high-quality WAV (24-bit) for mixing/mastering — not an MP3.
Use the DAW to assemble AI sections into a coherent song and to re-amp/re-sing parts; stem-splitting is great for cleaning AI vocals.
The DAW is the recording studio — tracking vocals/instruments, editing, and comping takes.
Identical from here on: everyone needs a clean, well-arranged 24-bit WAV before mixing.
Tools compared
| Feature | Pick by platform | Cakewalk | GarageBand | Waveform Free | Reaper | BandLab (web) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | — | Free | Free | Free | $60 (eval) | Free |
| Platform | — | Windows | Mac/iOS | Win/Mac/Linux | Win/Mac/Linux | Browser |
| 3rd-party plugins (VST) | — | ✓ | AU | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Track limit | — | Unlimited | Generous | Unlimited | Unlimited | Limited |
| Best for | — | Windows, full pro | Mac beginners | Cross-platform | Power users | Quick/online |
Verified June 2026. Pricing & features change — check each vendor's own page for the latest. "—" = not a standard feature to our knowledge.
Sources: Best free DAWs 2026 (Tracklib) · Free DAW shootout (Bedroom Producers Blog)
You can arrange and finish a release-ready track on a $0 DAW — Cakewalk (Windows), GarageBand (Mac) or Waveform Free — so spend on tools only when you hit a real limit.
FAQ
What's the best free DAW?
Cakewalk by BandLab on Windows and GarageBand on Mac are full free DAWs; Waveform Free is the best cross-platform option. Reaper is excellent but is paid ($60) after its evaluation.
How do I split a song into stems?
Use an AI stem-splitter like Moises or LALAL.ai to separate vocals, drums, bass and other parts from any track — handy for remixing or cleaning AI vocals.