What DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) do you recommend

That's up to you! There are many to choose from including Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Ableton Live, FL Studio, Reaper, Reason, Studio One, Cubase etc. (Garage Band, or Pro Tools First, are probably NOT the best choice for college level Music Tech classes.) The "DAW Wars" debates are over. They ALL sound amazing and you can do professional quality work on ANY platform!

• Pro Tools is the industry standard audio production application. For students, it's only $8.25 pr month (with tons of plugins and sound libraries). Since Foothill Music Tech teaches the highest levels of Avid Pro Tools Certification, we recommend students take advantage of the opportunity and get up-to-speed with Pro Tools. Consider it a "tuition expense" supporting your education and career.
  • Buy Pro Tools - Avid
  • Buy Pro Tools - Sweetwater
  • You will also need an iLok available at Sweetwater or Guitar Center.
• Every DAW has unique features. It's common for producers to have Pro Tools (to remain compatible and collaborate with professional recording studios all around the world) and also use a 2nd DAW for specialized, creative workflows.
• Many producers, composers and beat makers have chosen to do EVERYTHING in Pro Tools (to keep their workflow streamlined and simple, on one platform.)
  • As a student, it's good to test out several different DAWs, so you have first-hand experience using them.
• At this point in time, 99% of ALL music you hear on the radio, Spotify, iTunes, feature films, BillBoard Top 100 or the Grammy Awards was created with Pro Tools on some level.
  • At the end of the day, PRESS PLAY! (and LISTEN) Nobody really cares HOW you made your music. In the words of Ray Charles, "What does it SOUND like baby?"