Here are the Best Free Music Production Software Programs online for Windows, Mac, Linux, and Ubuntu.
These free Digital Audio Workstations will allow you to make professional music without spending any money.
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Free Music Production Software
1.Audacity – Record & Edit Audio
Audacity is a free open source software for recording and editing sounds.
- Record live audio.
- Record computer playback on any Windows Vista or later machine.
- Convert tapes and records into digital recordings or CDs.
- Edit WAV, AIFF, FLAC, MP2, MP3 or Ogg Vorbis sound files.
- Cut, copy, splice or mix sounds together.
- Change the speed or pitch of a recording
- Platform: Windows, Mac, GNU/Linux
2.Ardour – Free Digital Audio Workstation
Ardour is a fully-featured digital audio workstation, similar to other software like ProTools, Nuendo, Sonar and Logic, and capable of replacing analog or digital tape systems.
Ardour DAW Features
- Audio and MIDI Multi-Track Recording and Editing – Free DAW
- Plugins with Full Sample Accurate Automation
- Transport Sync and External Control Surfaces
- Powerful Anywhere-to-Anywhere Signal Routing
- Video Timeline
- Platform: Linux and OS X
Music Editing in Ardour
3.LMMS – Free Music Production Software
LMMS is a free cross-platform digital audio workstation software which allows you to produce music with your computer. This covers creating melodies and beats, synthesizing and mixing sounds and arranging samples. You can have fun with your MIDI keyboard and much more.
LMMS Free DAW Features
- Song-Editor for composing songs
- A Beat+Bassline-Editor for creating beats and baselines
- An easy-to-use Piano-Roll for editing patterns and melodies
- An FX mixer with 64 FX channels and an arbitrary number of effects allow unlimited mixing possibilities
- Many powerful instrument and effect plugins out of the box
- Full user-defined track-based automation and computer-controlled automation sources
- Compatible with many standards such as SoundFont2, VST(i), LADSPA, GUS Patches, and MIDI
- Import of MIDI files, Hydrogen project files, and FL Studio ® project files
- Works on Windows, Mac, Linux
LMMS Demo – Sound like Deadmau5 w/ LMMS in Under 10 Minutes
Also, check out Learn How To Produce Your Own Music In LMMS
4.DarkWave Studio – Free Music Creation Software For Windows
DarkWave Studio is a real-time sound editor with a tabbed interface that lets you compose your own music with the assistance of your computer.
DarkWave Studio Features
- VST Plug-in Support – Limitlessly Expandable With Instrument and Effects Plugins.
- Multi-Core / Multi CPU Support.
- Full 64-bit Double Precision Floating Point Audio Processing.
- Low Latency ASIO And DirectSound Audio Output Support.
- Platform Support: Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP
Walk-through Demo
5.orDrumbox
The orDrumbox is a free drum machine software.
Paudwal Music: Nadeem-Shravan Movie: Yeh Dil Aashiqana (2002). Le Jaaunga [Full Video Song] (HD. English Subtitles Singers: Kumar Sanu, Alka Yagnik Music: Nadeem-Shravan Movie: Yeh Dil Aashiqana (2002. Yeh dil aashiqana song pk. Yeh Dil Aashiqana HD 720p Kumar Sanu Alka Yagnik Love Romantic Song De. Vijay Kumar Pal.
orDrumbox Features
- Pattern-oriented – You can create songs by assembling various patterns. It’s up to you to determine the number of beats in each pattern (16 or 32 or whatever).
- Automatic composer and arpeggiator
- Automatic sound assignations
- Drum Kits – You can import, create, modify and save drum kits. It’s a “sound library” in one single file.
- Soft Synth – A soft synth with available and can generate sounds using an analog synth emulation: two VCO generator, FM modulation, envelope ADSR controller, low pass / hi pass filters.
- Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux
orDrumbox Preview
6.Temper – MIDI & Audio Sequencer
Temper is a MIDI and Audio sequencer with an emphasis on MIDI. Easily integrate Temper with your other software via basic drag-and-drop behavior, more advanced sync functionality, or seamlessly as a VST.
Temper Features
- Sophisticated event routing and manipulation
- Powerful MIDI editing environment
- Interactive algorithmic composition tools
- Perform time
- Multiple takes per track
- Simultaneous multitrack editing
- Tool chaining
- Unified MIDI controllers+VST automation
- Multicore audio engine
7.Mixxx
Mixxx has everything you need to start making DJ mixes in a tight, integrated package. Whether you’re DJing your next house party, spinning at a club, or broadcasting as a radio DJ, Mixxx has what you need to do it right.
Mixxx Features
- iTunes Integration
- DJ MIDI Controller Support
- Powerful Mixing Engine
- BPM Detection and Sync
- Platform: Mac, Windows
Mixxx Overview
8.Hydrogen
Hydrogen is an advanced drum machine for GNU/Linux. Its main goal is to bring professional yet simple and intuitive pattern-based drum programming.
Hydrogen Features
- Sample-based stereo audio engine, with the import of sound samples in Wav, .au and .aiff formats.
- Pattern-based sequencer, with an unlimited number of patterns and ability to chain patterns into a song.
- Up to 192 ticks per pattern with individual level per event and variable pattern length.
- Unlimited instrument tracks with volume, mute, solo, pan capabilities.
- Multi-layer support for instruments (up to 16 samples for each instrument).
- Sample Editor, with basic cut and loop functions.
- Platform: Linux
Hydrogen Drum Sequencer Demo
9.Rosegarden
Rosegarden is a music composition and editing environment based on a MIDI sequencer that features a rich understanding of music notation and includes basic support for digital audio.
Rosegarden Features
- Editing – Intuitive ways to record and edit notes.
- MIDI – Managing your MIDI ports, banks, programs, and controllers without having to remember any numbers.
- Notation – Entering, editing, and printing score.
- Audio – Recording, mixing and using samples and effects.
- Synths – Playing your MIDI tracks through hosted synths, for more accurate control.
10.Qtractor – Free Music Production Software
Qtractor is an Audio/MIDI multi-track free music production software.
Qtractor DAW Features
- Multi-track audio and MIDI sequencing and recording.
- Traditional multi-track tape recorder control paradigm.
- Audio file formats support OGG (via libvorbis), MP3 (via libmad, playback only), WAV, FLAC, AIFF and many, many more (via libsndfile).
- Standard MIDI files support (format 0 and 1).
- Non-destructive, non-linear editing.
- An unlimited number of tracks per session/project.
- An unlimited number of overlapping clips per track.
- Platform: Linux
Qtractor Demo
11.MusE
MusE is a MIDI/Audio sequencer with recording and editing. MusE aims to be a complete multitrack virtual studio for Linux.
MusE Features
- Realtime Record/Playback several mono/stereo inputs/outputs.
- Graphical editing of automation
- Several types of audio tracks: Audio inputs, Audio outputs, Wave tracks, Group tracks, Aux outputs
- Standardized plugin formats: LADSPA, DSSI, VST
- Drag and drop import and arranging of: Plugins and plugin presets, Parts, Midi files, Audio files, Aux outputs
- Platform: Linux
12.Linux Sampler
The LinuxSampler is an open source audio sampler with high stability, efficiency, and very low latency, providing professional grade features, comparable to both hardware and commercial Windows/Mac software samplers.
Platform: Windows / Mac
13.Spek – Acoustic Spectrum Analyser
Spek helps to analyze your audio files by showing their spectrogram.
Spek Features
- Supports all popular lossy and lossless audio file formats thanks to the FFmpeg libraries.
- Ultra-fast signal processing uses multiple threads to further speed up the analysis.
- Shows the codec name and the audio signal parameters.
- Allows saving the spectrogram as an image file.
- Drag-and-drop support; associates with common audio file formats.
- Auto-fitting time, frequency and spectral density rulers.
- Adjustable spectral density range.
- Translated into 19 languages.
- Platform: Unix, Windows and Mac OS X.
14.MuLab – Free Limited Version
MuLab 6.0 features an enhanced look and feel and a rich collection of new and improved features throughout the app that all together seriously increase the creativity, comfort, and productivity of MuLab.
MuLab DAW Features
- Create, record, edit and play multi-track audio & music.
- Flexible tracks and sub-tracks support audio, MIDI and automation parts.
- Easy modular architecture.
- Top-quality uncompromised sound engine.
- Super-fat oscillators with 300 selected waveforms + support for user waveforms.
- Multi-core CPU support.
- Automatic mono/stereo handling.
- Advanced integration between composer and sound engine.
- Automation parts let you easily automate any parameter in the modular tree structure, even the deepest nested ones.
- Platform: Mac, Windows
MuLab 6 Intro
15.Garageband
GarageBand is the easiest way to create a great-sounding song on your Mac. Add realistic, impeccably produced and performed drum grooves to your song with Drummer.
Garageband Features
- Add a virtual session drummer to your song that takes direction and plays realistic beats
- Create a song with up to 255 tracks
- Quickly change the timing of an audio recording using Flex Time
- Use your iPad and Multi-Touch gestures to wirelessly play any GarageBand instrument on your Mac
- Choose your best performance with multi-take recording
- Platform: Free with Mac OS
Software Example – New Trap Beat on Garageband
Suggested Music Equipment
Here are the most popular and top rated music production products online.
MIDI Drum Controllers
MIDI Keyboard
USB Audio Interfaces
Studio Monitors
I hope you guys find this software to be helpful.
If you are looking for more software options make sure you check out 8 Popular Music Software Programs.
Did I miss any other free music production software programs?
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Free music-making software is a great idea if you like the sound of getting musically creative on your computer without the financial outlay. Programs designed to help with the music creation process can be outrageously expensive, but they are the sot of tools that people use to make a living. That said, there is an impressive selection of free music-making software out there that will serve as a great introduction to what's possible without putting a strain on your pocket.
You might be surprised at the quality that's to be found here. Given the price tags often attached to music production software, you'd be forgiven for expecting free tools to cut too many corners to make them worth bothering with. Thankfully, opting for free music-making software need not mean making huge compromises.
In this roundup of free music-making software, we take in tools that are suitable for beginners, as well as those more suited to those who are more seasoned. The selection spans Windows, macOS and Linux, so you'll find something to help you with your creative ventures no matter what platform you're using.
1. Apple GarageBand
Compatibility: macOS 10.11 or later
Apple’s long-standing digital audio workstation has come a long way since we first saw it in 2004, and although it still lacks a couple of key features (such as MIDI export and the ability to control external hardware via MIDI), GarageBand offers more than enough to get you going.
Apple has done a very good job at creating the perfect gateway drug into music production, and a clear path to Logic Pro X (Apple’s fully-functional professional DAW) is plain to see.
Shared features include Drummer, the seriously easy to use groove-maker, which includes multiple genres styles, easy controls and a ton of pattern and fill variations. You’re also treated to content from the Apple Loops sound library. And to further ease the transition, a familiar interface to Logic.
Although limited to 255 tracks per song, GarageBand is an immensely powerful and easy to use DAW that seems to be getting better with age.
2. Tracktion T7
Compatibility: macOS/Windows/Linux (VST, AU and Linux VST)
The folks at Tracktion seem to have hit on a rather canny business model by releasing older versions of their DAW for free, with nothing taken out.
The convention seems to be to make the version two iterations before the current one available to download without charge. You might not get all the latest features, but you'll receive an update each time the company updates its flagship DAW, which it does almost yearly.The latest version to have its price tag shaved off its Tracktion T7.
Every section is scalable, so you can adjust to suit your workflow and the bottom panel changes to to display whichever parameters you've selected elsewhere on the screen.
Tracktion T7 also features an unlimited number of audio and MIDI tracks, all depending on your hardware capabilities of course, and is able to host multiple plugin formats including VST and Audio Units.
Note that Before you can download the software, you’ll be prompted to enter an email address and password to create an account. When you run the software for the first time after installing it, you’ll see a notification that it’s running in demo mode, but don’t worry – click ‘Unlock…’ then enter the address and password you set earlier, and all the features will become available.
3. AmpliTube Custom Shop
Compatibility: macOS/Windows (64-bit only). Standalone app and plugin (AAX, VST and AU)
AmpliTube Custom Shop from IK Multimedia might be a cut-down version of AmpliTube 4, but it's still a fully functional guitar rig modelling application. This free version comes with 24 models including a digital chromatic tuner, nine stompboxes, four amps, five cabs, three mics and two rack effects.
There’s plenty to keep any guitarist happy when recording directly into their laptop – not least the fact IK Multimedia has secured official guitar amp models from such giants as Fender, Ampeg, Orange, Mesa Boogie and many more.
AmpliTube's tones are authentic and there's an impressive level of customization available (including choice of microphone and mic placement), but perhaps the biggest boon is the Custom Shop feature.
Free Online Music Studio To Create Music That Was
Okay, so at this point you're going to have to start shelling out some cash if you want to expand your collection of amp models, stompboxes and cab sims. However, the 'try before you buy' scheme is a welcome one.
4. Klevgrand SyndtSphere
Compatibility: macOS/Windows (VST and AU)
Klevgrand may not be a household name, but the Stockholm-based production company has certainly carved a name for itself with a slew of fine-sounding instruments featuring some rather esoteric interfaces.
SyndtSphere is no exception, and is one of the more accessible software synthesizers out there. Loaded with over 70 presets, the big fun here is the way you can morph between sounds using a nifty sphere-like object at the centre of the app.
More seasoned producers needn’t be be put off by the beginner-friendly feel; SyndtSphere has an impressive array of sounds lurking within. The unique morphing function allows for some rock-solid sound design, but you may find yourself playing around with it for ages before getting anything done.
5. BandLab Cakewalk
Compatibility: Windows
Cakewalk – formerly known as Cakewalk SONAR, was one of the first ever digital audio workstations, but its owner Gibson halted development last year. Luckily for music makers, cloud music creation platform BandLab snapped the software up in February, and has made it available to download free.
Cakewalk is a complete music production package, with creative songwriting tools and instruments, advanced mixing and mastering tools, unlimited MIDI and audio tracks for your own recordings, and a full suite of editing tools. Once you've finished, you can publish your work directly to SoundCloud, Youtube, Facebook and many other sites.
It's a pity it's only available for Windows 10 at the moment, but we'll be interested to see where BandLab takes Cakewalk in the future.
- Need to get your music library in order? Check out the best free music players
Whether you’re starting music production as a hobby or planning to become the next Tiesto, it’s best to begin with free music production software. Later on, when you evolve into an advanced user, you can switch to premium options that give you more freedom and variety of tools.
![Make Make](https://www.audiotool.com/img/content/laptop.png)
We picked out some of the best platforms out there that will enable you to create music without any live instruments.
1. GarageBand (Mac)
When it comes to beginner-friendly digital music production, GarageBand is very much your number one option. It’s completely free, easily found on App Store6 Best Free Mac Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs)6 Best Free Mac Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs)You don't need a Mac to make music, but with this much free software available it certainly helps.Read More, and it teaches even beginning musicians how to use some powerful tools.
GarageBand also happens to be one of the easiest platforms to create great sounding music. It allows you to create a song with over 200 tracks and even has an option of adding a virtual session drummer.
However, even with all its visual simplicity, it can be rather intimidating to jump into. If you find the platform’s tools and features somewhat overwhelming, use our step-by-step guide on how to master GarageBandHow to Use GarageBand: A Step-By-Step GuideHow to Use GarageBand: A Step-By-Step GuideGarageBand is a powerful audio recording and editing software for Mac, but getting started is tough. This tutorial will show you how to use GarageBand.Read More and get the most out of the software.
In order to speed up your learning process, we recommend installing it on all your devices (Mac, iPhone, and iPad). iCloud allows you flexibility, as you’re able to work on your music no matter where you are and which device you’re using.
If at some point you feel you’ve overgrown the platform, you can transfer all your GarageBand files and progress to Apple’s premium music production software, Logic Pro. While GarageBand is availabe only for Apple devices, there are plenty of decent GarageBand alternatives for WindowsThe 6 Best GarageBand Alternatives for Music Production on WindowsThe 6 Best GarageBand Alternatives for Music Production on WindowsHere are the best alternatives to GarageBand, Apple's popular music production software, that you can run on your Windows PC.Read More.
2. DarkWave Studio (Windows)
An alternative for PC users, DarkWave Studio is free music production software that supports Windows platforms from XP to 10. It doesn’t require much storage space and is easily found (and downloaded) online. Note that DarkWave Studio is free, but comes with adware.
The platform features Virtual Studio, Pattern Editor, Sequence Editor, and Multitrack Hard Disk Recorder. Using the pattern editor you can select and edit digital music patterns. The sequence editor allows you to line up patterns to play in any arrangement and mix the track patterns together. The HD recorder tab includes recording options for streaming audio. The program also includes 19 different plug-ins which you can use to add virtual effects to the tracks.
With this many options and settings in separate windows and menus, using DarkWave Studio may seem a little difficult at first for a complete beginner. However, you can find tutorials and other beginner support available online should you get stuck at any point.
3. Audacity (Windows, Mac, Linux)
Audacity is a popular alternative to GarageBandGarageBand vs. Audacity: The Best Music Production Software ComparedGarageBand vs. Audacity: The Best Music Production Software ComparedGarageBand vs. Audacity is one of the big battles in music production software. Knockout text in photoshop. Both are free, and provide a lot of features, but which will work better for you? Click to read our full comparison..Read More. Unlike the platforms we already covered, Audacity is a digital audio editor, not a digital audio workstation (DAW). Its main purpose is manipulating audio data rather than helping you organize lots of different audio bits into a coherent whole. Although, you can certainly do that if you want to.
With Audacity, you can edit samples, songs, process audio files, as well as export files into a wide range of formats, such as MP3, WAV, and AIF. The interface is simple and easy to pick up. At the same time, the great variety of effects and settings can be tough to wrap your head around if you don’t have any background in audio engineering. You can expect to spend several days before you get comfortable using this software7 Audacity Tips For Better Audio Editing On a Budget7 Audacity Tips For Better Audio Editing On a BudgetWant to move beyond simple cut-and-crop jobs? Knowing just a few Audacity tips can make your audio-editing life a whole lot easier.Read More.
The tool is available for free download on PCs, Macs, and Linux machines. Audacity is one of the most used audio software and is a great way to get started in audio productionA Beginner's Guide To Producing Home Music Recordings With AudacityA Beginner's Guide To Producing Home Music Recordings With AudacityFor many musicians, the cost of paying a professional sound engineer is too high. It's better to learn about music production and recording techniques and use tools on your computer to record your own music.Read More with a simple to use interface and easy navigation.
4. LMMS (Windows, Mac, Linux)
Free Online Music Studio
LMMS (which used to stand for Linux MultiMedia Studio) is cross-platform music production software, available on both Mac and PC as well as Linux. It’s suitable for all levels of music producers and is a good fit for a beginner.
LMMS has five editors that will help you create melodies (Song Editor) and beats (Beat + Bassline Editor), as well as make your own mixes (FX editor) and arrange samples. LMMS also has a wide variety of instrument synthesizers.
Among other good qualities of LMMS is its compatibility with external software. The program supports VST and LADSPA plug-ins with which you can mix a multitude of extra effects into the music track. You can export your files into MP3, AIF, and WAV as well as transfer files from different music production software.
5. Ableton Live 9 Lite (Windows, Mac)
Ableton Live is a great digital audio workstation designed for live performance, remixing of songs, music recording and much more. However, for a beginner, figuring our Ableton Live and its multiple versionsAbleton Live: The Ultimate Beginner's GuideAbleton Live: The Ultimate Beginner's GuideAbleton Live is a complicated piece of music software -- but with our beginner's tutorial, you'll be making and recording music in no time.Read More can be complicated. Not to mention the software’s price tag (over $350 for the standard version).
Ableton Live 9 Lite is a version of this digital audio workstation that you can get for free. It’s available on both Macs and PCs and is a taster of Ableton. The lite version comes with certain limitations, such as having only eight recording tracks. It also features a selection of effects and instruments to create professional quality audio and allows you to add MIDI equipment, like keyboards.
Once you get familiar with this music production software, you can upgrade to the full license and get extra 4GB of sounds. Ableton is fairly easy to use, which makes it great for learning the ropes. It is also an industry standard software used by many producers and musicians to record and create.
We’ve compared Ableton and FL StudioAbleton vs. FL Studio: What's the Best Music Maker?Ableton vs. FL Studio: What's the Best Music Maker?Digital audio workstations can be pricey. To help you decide which one to buy, we compare Ableton Live vs. FL Studio.Read More if you’re curious.
Choose One That Suits You Best
This list is only the tip of an iceberg — there’s a great variety of music production software out there. Researching and reading about other people’s experiences with it helps, but the best way to find your favorite option is by trying some of them out. And with all these options available online for free, you’re hardly losing anything by doing so.
When you’re ready to move onto something deeper, check out the best free music production software for audiophilesThe Best Music Production Software for AudiophilesThe Best Music Production Software for AudiophilesThe perfect digital audio workstation is waiting for you. Here are the best music production software for audiophiles.Read More and consider upgrading to a computer made for music productionThe 8 Best Computers for Music ProductionThe 8 Best Computers for Music ProductionYou don't have to own a studio to find best computer for music production. Here are some of the best PCs for every budget.Read More.
Explore more about: Audacity, GarageBand, Music Production.
Don't forget the cloud based apps like Audio Tool & Drumbit. Great tools to learn about how synths, mixers, drum machines, etc. There are quite a few available in Google apps. All totally free and don't require any hardware (other than your computer and an internet connection).
Let me say that ableton is absolutely not beginner friendly. I've used it for almost a year now and i still dont have the hang of it.
There is a really good one you should put on the list called Mixcraft 8. I use it at school and it is much like the others and very easy to use.
How is Ableton live lite free when usually you have to purchase a piece of audio hardware to get the activation code?
Presonus Studio One Prime? Bitwig? Ardour? Traktion? MU.Lab? Podium? Reaper? webbased OhmStudio?
what about protools first?
Audacity is also available for Linux, in fact the most important distros include it in their repositories.