When comparing GarageBand vs MuTools MuLab, the Slant community recommends MuTools MuLab for most people. In the question“What are the best DAWs? ” MuTools MuLab is ranked 22nd while GarageBand is ranked 27th. The most important reason people chose MuTools MuLab is:
MuLab includes MUX Modular, a modular synth and effect engine, that can be used to create and edito own synths and effects patches.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Great sounding instruments
Pro Free if you have a Mac
Pro Extremely easy
GarageBand is one of the most basic and user friendly DAWs, making it very easy to learn.
Pro Good MIDI editing with quantization, piano roll and notation
Pro Amp Sims/ Pedal Effects/ Mics
There are several amp sims for guitar and bass or other direct input instruments. Different style speaker cabinets, microphones and mic placements. It also comes with a good selection of pedal effects.
Pro Allows 3rd party plug-ins
Plug-ins for effects or sample instruments can be installed and work great. Must get the AU plug-in for Mac if available.
Pro Easy automated drummer
Pro Allows creating own synths and effects patches
MuLab includes MUX Modular, a modular synth and effect engine, that can be used to create and edito own synths and effects patches.
Pro Free version and affordable full version
MuLab is available in a free version and the full version is highly affordable at only 69 euro all in.
Pro Portable
Can be installed and run on a portable device such as a USB stick.
Pro Comes with high-quality synths, samplers and effects
Having a variety of integrated synths, samplers and effects removes the need for new user to search for and buy extra VST plug-ins in order to make sound.
Pro No-clutter interface
MuLab has a clean, minimalistic interface that uses highly distinct icons sparingly making it easy to overview. Much of the functionality can be found in right-click menus.
Pro Low system requirements
In addition to having generally low resource consumption, MuLab is capable of taking advantage of multi-core CPUs and relieving the strain on machines even further that way.
Pro Integrated multi-functional browser
Pro REX file support
Pro Multi-screen support
Pro Cross-platform
Works on OSX and Windows.
Pro Capable oscillators
MuLab includes oscillators with 300 selected waveforms and support for user waveforms.
Cons
Con No send/buss tracks
Tracks can't be sent into a buss channel for grouping tracks together.
Con 44.1K sample rate
The maximum sample rate is 44.1K. No 48K or higher.
Con Mixer console panel not available
Mixing must be done on the channel strip or by smart control panel only. There is no mixer with fader, vu meter and effects chain listing.
Con No sidechain effects
Can't manipulate other tracks with a sidechain trigger such as ducking with a compressor.
Con Platform dependant
Only for Mac.