BandLab
BandLab is a freemium (previously freeware) online digital audio workstation (DAW) music tool by BandLab Technologies with social media functions, and distribution functions for creating music collaboratively, sharing it, and selling it. It can also be used non-collaboratively. It can operate on many different platforms inside a web browser or with a standalone app, available for iOS and Android. In January 2023, BandLab had 60 million creators.
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Type of site | Cloud Digital audio workstation |
|---|---|
| Available in | English, French, Hindi, Japanese, Korean (Android only), Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Turkish |
| Predecessor(s) | Composr (integrated 2016), Chew.tv (integrated 2019) |
| CEO | Kuok Meng Ru |
| Parent | BandLab Technologies |
| URL | www.bandlab.com |
| Advertising | Yes |
| Users | Over 60,000,000[1] |
| Launched | November 2015[2] |
| Current status | Active |
| Native client(s) on | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, ChromeOS |
BandLab is a freemium (previously freeware) online digital audio workstation (DAW) music tool by BandLab Technologies with social media functions, and distribution functions for creating music collaboratively, sharing it, and selling it. It can also be used non-collaboratively.[3][4][5] It can operate on many different platforms inside a web browser or with a standalone app, available for iOS and Android. In January 2023, BandLab had 60 million creators.[1]
Features
[edit]BandLab is an entry level music production app to create songs in various genres.[6]
- Free Audio & Vocal Preset effects, allowing members to change the sounds of vocals & other audio track sounds, for example 70s Funk bass, or robotic-sounding autotune vocals and other genre-specific sounds. The presets load and edit the free effects that BandLab comes with, configuring them to specific settings to achieve the chosen sound.[7][8][9]
- BandLab comes with a free vocal pitch correction, a free drum machine, a sampler, synths, guitar amplifier simulations, reverb effect presets, etc. BandLab presets use effects everyone can access for free.[10]
- Free mastering of mixes with a choice of sound, like tape noise.
- Free hosting of music creations, similarly to SoundCloud.
- Royalty-free samples
History
[edit]In 2016, BandLab acquired the music company Composr and converted it into the BandLab platform, while also transferring staff to BandLab.[11] In 2022, Mix Online reported that the BandLab DAW had raised $65 million in funding to expand.[12]
The BandLab platform sponsored the NME awards 2022, which were titled "The BandLab NME Awards 2022".[13] In 2023, Luh Tyler revealed to Rolling Stone that the song "Back Flippin'" was recorded and made in BandLab.[14] In January 2024 d4vd gave an interview to Rolling Stone, in which he revealed his early songs were made in BandLab.[15]
Supported file formats and interfaces
[edit]| Import | ||
|---|---|---|
| BandLab's Web Studio supports MIDI, mp3, mp4, wav, aac, m4a, and ogg files. | BandLab on iOS supports MIDI, mp3, m4a, and wav files. | BandLab on Android supports MIDI, 16/24-bit mp3, and 16-bit wav files. |
| Export | ||
| BandLab's Web Studio support MIDI, 128/192/320kbit/s mp3, and 16-bit wav files | BandLab on iOS and Android support m4a files | |
| Interfaces | ||
| USB, Lightning jack, Microphone jack, Line In jack |
Notable people
[edit]Many people have used BandLab, including rappers, musicians, and other artists. Notable people who used the platform include Luh Tyler,[16] Wisp,[17] d4vd,[18]2Slimey[19], Nettspend and Roddy Ricch.
Minimum system requirements
[edit]- Android 3.0 or above
- iOS 14 or above
- Browser version - a computer that can run the latest version of Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or any Chromium-based browser.
- Internet: An internet connection is needed for syncing in BandLab.
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "SPOTIFY WANTS 50 MILLION CREATORS ON ITS PLATFORM BY 2030. BANDLAB ALREADY HAS 60 MILLION". Music Business Worldwide. 30 January 2023. Archived from the original on 13 December 2023. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
- ^ "What You Need To Know About BandLab, The Singaporean Startup Behind That Rolling Stone Deal". Vulcan Post. 29 September 2016. Archived from the original on 30 September 2022. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
- ^ "BANDLAB LAUNCHES MUSIC DISTRIBUTION AND MORE FOR MEMBERS". Music Connection. 11 November 2023. Archived from the original on 3 March 2024. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
- ^ "BandLab's Meng Ruo Kuok on building a business model around music". DealStreet Asia. 22 August 2020. Archived from the original on 28 September 2020. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
- ^ "BandLab: Music Creation & Collaboration App For iOS". Sound on Sound. 1 January 2016. Archived from the original on 3 March 2024. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
- ^ "BandLab 10.0 Launches with New Features, Major Revamps". Mix Magazine Online. 15 July 2021. Archived from the original on 3 March 2024. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
- ^ "BandLab's Vocal Presets". BandLab. 16 June 2023. Archived from the original on 13 December 2023. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
- ^ "BandLab's Audio Presets: Benefits and how to get started". Bandlab. 16 June 2023. Archived from the original on 13 December 2023. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
- ^ "Best DAWs 2022: The best free digital audio workstations to start making music". MusicTech. 12 April 2022. Archived from the original on 8 February 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
- ^ "Learn about Effects". Bandlab. 16 June 2023. Archived from the original on 13 December 2023. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
- ^ "BandLab aims to be the market leader in music collaboration". Music Radar. 8 August 2016. Archived from the original on 3 March 2024. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
- ^ "BandLab Raises $65 Million in Funding for Expansion". Mix Magazine Online. 26 April 2022. Archived from the original on 3 March 2024. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
- ^ "The BandLab NME Awards 2022 return with Halsey, Sam Fender, Griff and Rina Sawayama". NME Magazine. 23 November 2021. Archived from the original on 16 December 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
- ^ "Meet Luh Tyler, the 17-Year-Old Phenom Taking Over the Rap World". Rolling Stone. 25 August 2023. Archived from the original on 4 March 2024. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
- ^ "'Fortnite', Laneway & Supporting SZA: The Incredible Rise of Teenage Sensation d4vd". Rolling Stone. 22 January 2024. Archived from the original on 4 March 2024. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
- ^ Aleah (6 February 2024). "These Artists Are Making Hit Songs on their Phones (and You Can Too)". Bay Eight Recording Studios Miami. Archived from the original on 4 December 2024. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
- ^ Peters, Daniel (16 May 2024). "A Press-Shy Music Mogul Tries to Talk About Himself". RICE. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
- ^ "The Incredible Rise of Teenage Sensation d4vd". Rolling Stone Australia. 22 January 2024. Archived from the original on 4 March 2024. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
- ^ Pierre, Alphonse (13 March 2026). "The 2Slimey Roundtable". Pitchfork. Retrieved 23 March 2026.
Further reading
[edit]- Wang, Catherine. "Billionaire Kuok Family-Backed Music App BandLab Taps Into AI For TikTok's Breakout Stars". Forbes. Retrieved 21 March 2024.