Free Windows DAW Software, Zynewave Podium Free

Free Music Software:  Zynewave has introduced Podium Free, the freeware edition of its music production software for Windows PC.

Here’s what Zynewave has to say about Podium:

Podium is a modern production host that integrates audio recording, VST plugins and external MIDI and audio gear. An object based project structure allows for advanced media and device management.

Feature highlights: Hierarchic track layout, integrated sound editor, surround sound, spline curve automation, 64-bit mixing, multiprocessing and a stylish and customizable user interface.

Development concentrates on quality and stability. Software updates are released frequently with an active user-driven development cycle.

Podium Free is identical to the commercial Podium version, except for a few limitations:

  • MIDI interface setup is limited to one input and one output.
  • 64-bit mixer engine option is disabled.
  • Plugin multiprocessing is disabled.
  • ReWire is disabled.
  • Surround-sound playback is disabled.
  • The disabled plugin multiprocessing option means that only one CPU core will be used when processing plugins. If you have a dual-core CPU you will be able to use 50% of your available CPU power before the Podium CPU indicator overloads. Podium Free still uses all available CPU cores for various tasks such as GUI updates and disk streaming.

These limitations may change in newer releases of Podium Free. It will depend on new features added to Podium, and the general user response to Podium Free.

12 thoughts on “Free Windows DAW Software, Zynewave Podium Free

  1. Not interesting IMO. The "ReWire is disabled" kills it for many people who already have a DAW and are merely looking into such freebies as an addition. Then only 1 midi out and in? That's really stretching it with regards to usability. Even Samplitude 10 SE (ok, not really free, but right now also not being sold anymore) didn't stoop this low with its limitations.

  2. to many daw's on the dance floor,help i am drowning in a sea of daw and i can't get up, now, if only we could mutate them all together ! the ultimate, ableton protools nuendo cubase studio one podium reaper baby, I shall call thee,

    nuproablecustudiomone, 64 bit works on everything, never crashes, does everything ! supports all formats.

  3. … and runs on Windows (all versions up from Windows 3.1), Atari ST (no hard disk needed, and 1MB are sufficient), Amiga (OCS), BeOS (PPC), Mac OS (up from 7, including OS X 10.6), GNU/Linux (X11 or framebuffer console), and everything else's favourite computer I forgot.

  4. How needs MIDI in and out? That's a thing of the past (like keyboards, mice, big high resolution displays, and mechanical hard drives). Does Reason support MIDI out (might be, version 4 allegedly did not). In a world where you can pirate NI Komplete and some other plugins plus all the DAWs and whatnots you want many people seem to have no need or desire for physical hardware which sadly is most of the time only equipped with MIDI.

    Joking aside: With Volta and SIlent Way out you just need a plugin host and some audio channels and can control your CV gear without the need for MIDI. Not for me as I have more MIDI gear than CV, but for some people this might actually be no concern. Then again, people who have a big collection of analog gear with CV input and the necessary audio interface will not bother with limited freebie DAWs. Seems as if this product is destined to fail.

  5. can i play notes from computer keyboard in this DAW?? or i need a controller? here in the office i have only the PC keyboard..

  6. If you can allow $6000 in hardware gear you can allow $50 in Podium.

    It's the faster host I've used when I wanted do music with plugins and few synths and fx, ie, nova, virusb, esx1, sherman filterbank and a 808. There isn't any host in the market that handle MIDI as Podium does, it's really efficient.

    Tufted, you need a MIDI keyboard or something like Bome's to use your keyboard as MIDI keyboard.

  7. It depends about music you're making. Podium gives you a ultra fast and light enviroment where you don't need to rely in menus or options. And its Piano Roll, Drum Roll and Automation system are very superior to Reaper's. Despite another features like freeze within a range…

    I dumped Reaper few months ago when I see this beauty, cannot believe how my music changed since then. The first time I deleted the demo in two days, one week later I started to learn how to use it, and I continue surprised.

  8. Question: Does this software have built-in virtual instrument or instrument VST plugins? I just purchased an Akai LPK25, and I only want to use it as a keyboard (for now), but really don’t want to purchase DAW software. I see in the thread that it does have midi in and out–I was advised by an Akai support rep to ask these questions–I don’t know squat about midi, so HELP!!

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