Multi-Track audio editor/loop software for OSX?

For casual audio editing on OS X, most people I know seem to use Garageband (plus maybe a little Audacity). Because Garageband is pretty decent, free, and built in, I’m guessing it’d make for a tough competitor. There is Sequel, which is Steinberg’s low-end alternative to Garageband, but I haven’t heard anything about it.

Now, once you go to a more professional level, there are lots of options. But I find myself pretty content with Garageband.

Years ago (before GarageBand) I used a loop editor called Easy Beat [http://www.ergonis.com/products/easybeat/], which used the QuickTime musical instruments that come with your Mac. Everything is done in MIDI, and the files can be exported for use in GarageBand (according to the developers).

I haven’t used it since GarageBand was released because GarageBand allows you to not only program MIDI (and non-MIDI) loops, but also plug in an instrument to allow you to multi-track, and that was the perfect solution for me.

That said, Easy Beat is pretty cool and worth checking out.

A quick Google search brought up Traktor DJ Studio: http://arstechnica.com/reviews/apps/dj-software.ars/10 which looks more like a loop/DJ application. It’s part of a full ArsTechnica.com article on DJ software for Mac & Windows: http://arstechnica.com/reviews/apps/dj-software.ars/

If you are looking to loop then you should go for ableton live…. it’s pricey, but really worth it. fastest music production tool out there for almost any genre/task. (partially cracked versions float around through bittorrent trackers… but beware, 3–6months after using it it will run a self check and figure out it’s hacked…. locking up all of your song files from future use until you buy a license.)

garage band is nice
Logic is garage band pro
audacity is free and simple… good for 4track style production.

but ableton live + reason 3 is my jam…. incredibly easy to create and deconstruct.

Ableton Live is the best way to go for what you are doing. It runs for about $500. Logic Studio is also a very good option now with it’s latest incarnation having a lot of improvements and the price being reduced to $500.

If you’re just looking for something simple, maybe you could try the LE version of Ableton Live – I think it should run you about $150.

Another thing to note might be Boot Camp for OSX, which is part of the newest version of OSX, and will allow you to boot windows. I mention this incase your PC is broken and you have tried a Mac for your new computer. The upgrade for the newest OSX will cost you less than any audio software, then you could use your existing software using Boot Camp.

just do yourself a favor and invest in Logic Studio. You will never look back, or further.