Mailbag: Best Free DAW for Mixing Suno Music (Beginner)

Gary Whittaker

Mailbag: What’s the Best Free or Inexpensive DAW for Mixing Suno Music?

A beginner-friendly answer for Suno V5 creators.

Quick Answer:

Yes — there are solid free and low-cost DAWs that work well with Suno V5. If you’re new to mixing, BandLab is the easiest place to start. GarageBand, Audacity, and REAPER offer more control as you gain experience.

This question came in after a reader solved an issue inside Suno:

“Perfect, thank you for this. Also, do you have a DAW that’s free or inexpensive so I can do some mixing?”

The short answer is yes. The longer answer depends on what you want to do next with your music.

What Is a DAW? (Plain-English Explanation)

DAW stands for Digital Audio Workstation.

In simple terms, a DAW is software that lets you work on your music after it’s created. Suno generates the song. A DAW is where you refine it.

Common things people use a DAW for include:

  • Adjusting volume levels
  • EQing vocals and instruments
  • Adding light compression
  • Cleaning up starts and endings
  • Preparing a track for upload or release

You don’t need a DAW to use Suno, but even basic mixing can noticeably improve clarity and balance.

Best Free or Low-Cost DAWs for Suno Users

BandLab (Free, Web & Desktop) — Best for Beginners

BandLab is one of the most accessible DAWs available and works very well with Suno V5 exports.

  • Free to use
  • Runs in a browser or as an app
  • Easy import of Suno WAV files or stems
  • Includes EQ, compression, effects, and automation

If you later decide to upgrade, BandLab offers a paid membership. First-time subscribers who join through the link below receive a discount:

Join BandLab Membership (Referral Discount)

  • 55% off the annual plan
  • 20% off the monthly plan

You do not need the paid plan to mix Suno music. The free version is more than enough for most beginners.

GarageBand (Free, macOS)

For Mac users, GarageBand is a strong free option.

  • Included with macOS
  • Traditional DAW layout
  • Good EQ, compression, and automation tools

It offers more control than BandLab, but takes a bit longer to learn.

Audacity (Free, Windows & macOS)

Audacity is best for simple editing tasks rather than full mixing.

  • Trimming and fades
  • Basic loudness adjustment
  • Light cleanup work

It’s useful as a utility tool, but limited for full production.

REAPER (Low Cost, Full DAW)

REAPER is a professional-grade DAW with a low-cost license.

  • $60 personal license
  • Unlimited evaluation period
  • Advanced mixing and routing options

This is a good option if you want deeper control without subscription pricing.

A Practical Tip for Suno V5 Users

If your Suno plan allows it, export stems instead of a single stereo file.

  • Vocals on one track
  • Instrumental on another

Importing stems into a DAW gives you more control over balance and clarity.

Affiliate Disclosure

This article contains an affiliate link to BandLab. If you choose to sign up for a BandLab Membership using my referral link, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

I only recommend tools I actively use or would confidently suggest to creators working with Suno AI. You do not need a paid BandLab plan to mix Suno music, and the free version works well for most beginners.

The Bottom Line

You don’t need an expensive DAW to improve Suno music.

  • BandLab is the easiest starting point
  • GarageBand is a solid free option on Mac
  • REAPER is the best low-cost upgrade path

Start simple, learn the basics, and only upgrade when you hit real limits.

Back to blog

Leave a comment