A Guitarists Guide to Choosing the Right DAW
Which DAW is right for you? Compare DAWs like Reaper, Logic, and Studio One for guitarists using NAM.
If you’re a guitarist ready to start recording, learning how to use a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) is one of the most important steps you can take. A DAW is the heart of any modern recording setup—it’s where your performances are captured, edited, and mixed. But with so many music production software options out there, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming.
The good news: there’s a DAW for every skill level and budget. And once you’re set up, you can use it to explore Neural Amp Modeler (NAM) captures, impulse responses (IRs), and other guitar amp simulators from TONE3000, all inside your recording environment.
What a DAW Does for Guitarists
A DAW is more than just guitar recording software. It’s a creative control center. It lets you record, edit, and mix your music all in one platform. For bassists and guitarists, recording clean guitar tracks through an audio interface lets you shape your tone using plugins like guitar amp VSTs, amp sims, and pro audio plugins like EQs, compressors, and more.
Using a DAW also means you can experiment with guitar amp settings that would be impossible in the real world. Want a cranked Marshall stack at bedroom volume? No problem. You can load free guitar amp simulations with NAM profiles from TONE3000 to recreate those tones directly in your computer. Check out the NAM capture of a full Marshall stack below to hear what we’re talking about.
Download Neural Amp Model ➝ Marshall '79 JMP 2203
Download Impulse Response ➝ Marshall 1960AV
Free and Beginner-Friendly DAWs
If you’re just starting out, there are fantastic free DAWs options for guitarists that make learning to record both simple and affordable.
GarageBand (Mac)GarageBand is one of the easiest DAWs to use making it perfect for beginners who want to plug in and start making music right away. It comes with built-in guitar effects, amp sims, and virtual drummers, making it a great first step into recording.
BandLab (Web & Mobile)BandLab is a completely free, cloud-based DAW that runs in your browser or on your phone. It’s ideal for quick demos or sketching ideas on the go. While it’s not as deep as a desktop DAW, it integrates easily with guitar equipment and can host NAM captures, free amp simulators, and guitar effects plugins.
Affordable Options for Home Studios
If you’re ready to invest a little, there are entry-level DAWs that provide more tools for recording and mixing your guitar tracks.
FL Studio (Mac/Windows)Known for its loop-based workflow, FL Studio is a fun and intuitive platform for building riffs and layering sounds. It’s great if you like to experiment with creative guitar sound effects, synths, or drum tracks. The affordable “Producer Edition” gives you pro-level features for less than the cost of a good guitar pedal.
Reaper (Mac/Windows)Reaper’s unlimited demo period and $60 discounted license make it one of the best deals in music production software. It’s lightweight, fully featured, and works beautifully with guitar amp simulators, IR loaders, and Neural Amp Modeler profiles from TONE3000.
Professional DAWs
When you’re ready to take your guitar recording to the next level, the industry-standard DAWs offer deep functionality, powerful editing, and seamless integration with pro hardware.
PreSonus Studio One (Mac/Windows)Studio One has become a favorite among guitarists for its intuitive drag-and-drop interface and powerful built-in amp modeling. It includes it’s own native guitar amp simulator with customizable cabinets, stompboxes, and mics. But if you want to step up the quality for your guitar tone, Studio One works flawlessly with Neural Amp Modeler profiles, IRs, and any other guitar amp VSTs, making it a solid choice for players who want pro results without a steep learning curve.
Pro Tools (Mac/Windows)Long considered the industry standard for studios worldwide, Pro Tools excels at precision editing, mixing, and plugin support. It’s designed for power and loaded with features that pros need. But be aware it does have a steeper learning curve than other DAWs.
Logic Pro (Mac)Logic Pro is Apple’s flagship DAW and arguably the best DAW for guitar if you’re already a dedicated Mac user. It includes hundreds of virtual amps, cabinets, and guitar effects, plus native plugin support for guitar amp VSTs and Neural Amp Modeler profiles. Pair it with a solid audio interface for guitar, and you’ve got a full recording studio in your laptop.
Integrating NAM and IRs from TONE3000
Once your DAW is up and running, the real fun begins by adding Neural Amp Modeler captures and impulse responses from TONE3000.
NAM captures are detailed digital recreations of real amps, giving you access to everything from vintage Fenders to boutique high-gain monsters. Load them into your DAW and you’ll have access to tones that rival the most expensive rigs.
IRs, on the other hand, simulate the sound of speaker cabinets, mics, and even the sound of the rooms they were recorded in. Combined with a NAM capture, they give you a realistic, three-dimensional tone that responds just like a mic’d amp in a studio.
Wrapping Up
Recording isn’t just for producers anymore. With today’s music production software, every guitarist can become their own engineer. No matter your budget, there’s a DAW that can help you capture your playing, shape your sound, and open the doors to a world of music production.
