Mobile DAWs Reviewed: GarageBand, Koala, BandLab, n-Track and FL Studio Mobile Rated

Some of the best underground ideas start on a night bus. Today’s mobile DAWs can record, sample, sequence and export stems straight into your desktop setup. Here are five worth installing.

GarageBand (iOS) – 8/10

Price: free. Platforms: iPhone, iPad (and Mac).
Apple’s entry-level studio is far deeper than its reputation: Live Loops grid, Touch Instruments, a solid drum sequencer, Audio Unit plugin support and up to dozens of tracks. Best of all, projects open directly in Logic Pro.
Good for: beginners, songwriters, quick demos. Downside: iOS only, limited mixing tools.

Koala Sampler – 9/10

Price: low one-off price, optional add-ons. Platforms: iOS, Android.
Koala is a pocket SP-404-style sampler: sample anything with the mic or import audio, chop it, play it on 16 pads, sequence and resample with gritty effects. It’s fast, intuitive and endlessly fun – a cult favourite among lo-fi and hip hop producers.
Good for: beats, sampling, sketching. Downside: not a full linear arranger.

BandLab – 7.5/10

Price: free. Platforms: web, iOS, Android.
BandLab is a cloud-based multitrack DAW with a social network attached. Projects sync across devices and you can collaborate with other producers in real time. Its free mastering and loop library are useful bonuses.
Good for: collaboration, Android users on a budget. Downside: requires an account and connection for many features; mixing depth is limited.

n-Track Studio – 7.5/10

Price: freemium with subscription tiers. Platforms: Android, iOS (plus desktop).
One of the longest-running mobile DAWs, n-Track focuses on proper multitrack recording with EQ, effects, a step sequencer and a built-in tuner.
Good for: recording vocals and instruments on Android. Downside: the best features sit behind a subscription.

FL Studio Mobile – 8/10

Price: paid one-off. Platforms: iOS, Android.
A compact version of the desktop legend with step sequencer, piano roll, mixer, synths and effects. Projects can be opened inside desktop FL Studio via the FL Studio Mobile plugin.
Good for: FL users who want to sketch on the go, Android producers wanting a complete app. Downside: small-screen editing gets fiddly.

Bottom line

• iPhone beginner? GarageBand.
• Want beats on any phone? Koala Sampler.
• Android and broke? BandLab.
• Already on FL desktop? FL Studio Mobile.

Use wired headphones or a class-compliant USB interface to avoid Bluetooth latency, and always back up your projects to the cloud.

What’s the best track you’ve ever started on your phone? Share the story below.

Sources

• https://www.apple.com/ios/garageband/
• https://www.koalasampler.com/
• https://www.bandlab.com/
• https://ntrack.com/
• https://www.image-line.com/fl-studio-mobile/