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CHUG is a musician-first DAW built for serious rock, hard rock, and metal recording without the complexity.

Beta sale · 49% off7-day trial for $1

A DAW made for musicians. Not just audio engineers.

CHUG handles the technical side. You handle the riff.

  • Endless setup
  • Plugin chains
  • Menu mazes

One screen. No digging.

Record, edit, mix, and monitor in one clear workspace. Everything’s right where you’d look.

Simplified mockup to show the layout. The real app has more controls and detail.

Built in · no add-ons needed

Everything you need to record heavy music.

FX

Analog character with simple controls.

CHUG FX™ delivers classic analog-inspired tone with modern simplicity. Beautiful warmth, rich harmonics, punchy mids, and crystal-clear highs, carefully tuned for rock and metal. One slider is all it takes to shape your sound, hear the difference as you play, and get closer to a finished mix.

UNFAZED

More punch. Less phase trouble.

Your DI and mic fight each other. UNFAZED ends it, so guitars keep their weight and clarity. One click.

GridLock

Tight riffs. Real feel.

GridLock tightens your guitar and bass to the drums or click, phrase by phrase. Locked in, still human.

WATCHDOG

Out of tune? We’ve got you.

WATCHDOG keeps an eye on your guitar and bass tuning, so you catch the problem before it ruins the take.

CHOPSHOP

Your best takes. One killer track.

CHOPSHOP combines your best parts into one performance, from guitars and vocals to multitrack drums. No endless editing.

GEARLOCK

Plug in. It just works.

CHUG finds your connected gear and sets it up, so you spend less time on settings and more time making noise.

LIVE

Take it live: rehearsals and small gigs.

Run CHUG through your PA. Real-time tools keep it tight and clean, and feedback protection keeps your vocals from screaming back.

MONITOR

Record with the sound that inspires you.

Hear your full tone as you track, built-in tools and all. No dry signal.

Third-party plugins can add lag. Save them for the mix.

Works with the gear you own.

A few popular examples are shown below. Many more compatible audio interfaces, guitar modelers, MIDI keyboards and e-drums work too.

Popular examples

SSL 12
SSL 12Audio interface
Scarlett 2i2
Scarlett 2i2Audio interface
Scarlett 4i4
Scarlett 4i4Audio interface
Apollo Twin X
Apollo Twin XAudio interface
SSL 2
SSL 2Audio interface
Nano Cortex
Nano CortexGuitar modeler
Quad Cortex
Quad CortexGuitar modeler
+ more
Plus many moreOther interfaces · modelers · keyboards · e-drums

See system requirements

Record here. Mix anywhere.

Mix, stems, clean DIs for re-amping, click, MIDI, and session details. One organized ZIP for your mixer, nothing missing.

Beta sale · 49% off

Get CHUG.

Pay once. No subscription. Every tool included.

CHUG DAWBeta sale
PriceUSD · one-time · excl. taxes
$49.99$97.99
Monthly subscriptionNone
All tools included
Free updates through July 2027
Up to 2 computers
VST3 plugin support
Download for macOS

Not sure yet? Try CHUG for 7 days for $1.

Checkout opens soon.

Early accessBeta

CHUG is in beta. Expect the odd bug. Tell us about it, because your feedback shapes what comes next.

Beta periodThrough December 2027
  • macOSApple silicon · M1 or newerAvailable
  • WindowsNot yet on PCComing soon

Back up your sessions: beta software can have bugs that affect recordings. See the Terms of Use.

Full pricing details

Good questions. Straight answers.

Do I need to know how to mix?

Nope. That’s the point. CHUG makes a great sound simple, even if you’ve never touched an EQ or compressor.

What makes CHUG different from other DAWs?

CHUG is built only for rock, hard rock, and metal, so there’s no clutter. You get one-slider tools, live monitoring, whole-band sessions, and a clean export for your mixer. Less menu-diving. More playing.

Is CHUG a subscription?

No. Pay once.

How much does CHUG cost, and can I try it first?

One payment of $49.99 during the beta sale (49% off the regular $97.99), good for up to 2 computers. Want to try it first? Grab 7 days for $1.

Do I need plugins to get a great sound?

No. CHUG’s built-in tools cover guitars, bass, drums, vocals, and the master. Use them while tracking for a mix-ready sound in real time, then again to finish the mix. They’re built for rock, hard rock, and metal, so they’re simpler and more focused than general-purpose plugins.

Can I use my own VST3 plugins?

Yes. CHUG hosts VST3 plugins, so your favorites come with you. You don’t need them to get started, though. The built-in tools are ready as soon as you open a session.

Can I use the gear I already own?

Most likely. CHUG works with compatible audio interfaces and recording gear, and all you need to start is an interface and your instrument.

What computers does CHUG support?

Macs with Apple silicon (M1 or newer). Intel Macs aren’t supported. Windows version coming soon.

Can I record a whole band?

Absolutely. Record guitars, bass, drums, vocals, and MIDI instruments, and take the whole band from first riff to final mix.

Can I still use CHUG if I don’t play rock, hard rock, or metal?

Sure. CHUG is built for rock, hard rock, and metal, but nothing stops you using it for any style.

Can I use my guitar modeler?

Yep. Record your modeler’s sound directly, or capture a clean DI to shape or re-amp later.

Can I record real drums?

Yep. Record a full kit with microphones through a multi-input interface, then use CHUG’s drum tools to add punch, weight, and control.

Does CHUG work with electronic drums and keyboards?

Yep. Plug in a compatible electronic drum kit or MIDI keyboard and record your performance straight into CHUG.

Can I use CHUG with my phone?

Yep. CHUG LINK™ lets you switch rigs, arm tracks, and control your monitoring right from your phone over Wi-Fi.

What audio formats can I export?

WAV (16-bit, 24-bit, or 32-bit) and M4A.

Can I send my recordings to a mixing engineer?

Of course. Export the full mix, individual tracks, clean guitar recordings, click, MIDI, and session details as one organized ZIP that opens in Pro Tools, Logic Pro, REAPER, or any other DAW.

What if I’m not happy, or want a refund?

Tell us. Email imlost@chugdaw.com with what’s wrong and we’ll work out how to make it right. We want you happy.

Does CHUG replace a professional studio?

CHUG lets you make serious recordings at home, from demos to complete songs. Professional studios still offer specialized rooms, gear, and engineers when you need them.

We believe finishing fast is a beautiful thing.

Join us on this mission.