If you are looking for a free music production software to make music as a student or just a music lover on or off-campus at zero cost, here are several of such softwares for your use.
The Musical production software has all you need as a music producer in one package; it enables you to compose, edit, record, mix and upgrade the quality of your soundtrack. The software works perfectly on Windows operating system and has a simple production feature.
Music production is not as complex as you may think various digital tools are used in music production to make it easier and we have the technology to thank for that. Most of these tools are in form of software that you can download on your computer and use in making your own music.
If you have always wanted to venture into music production, whether as a hobby or as a full-time DJ, you’ll need music production software. There are varieties of this music production software and most of them come with a price tag and can be expensive.
An alternative for PC users, DarkWave Studio is a free music production software that supports Windows 7 or later. It doesn't need much storage, which is perfect if you plan to use the free software to make music on a laptop (the best laptops for making music).
Sep 17, 2020 The best free music-making software is Apple Garageband, which is the perfect introduction to music production and provides a clear path to Apple's pro-level DAW. It's not your only option though.
However, as a beginner it is best you start with free music production software then gradually proceed to use premium options as you become an advanced music producer.
The free music production software will guide you in producing music as a beginner make you more familiar with the process before using the premium options.
Although, the free music production software restricts your freedom to an extent, unlike the premium options where your freedom to a variety of options is limitless. So, you don’t need to be a pro before you can start producing music and the free music production software compiled in this article is a good place to start.
In the process of researching to put this article together for your reading pleasure, we found out that there is over 50 free music production software out there. But not all of them have good reviews from previous users.
So, to offer you the best we picked the ones with the best reviews and compiled them here along with their details. The free music production software with the top reviews and that were also recommended by professionals in the industry summed up to be 21.
With that data, we can compile with details the top most used and highly recommended 21 free music production software.
Since you are a beginner, it is just normal for you to find the best and we have done that for you, you only need to go on and download whichever one you feel is best for you.
You’re about to get into the main topic of the article, where you get to see all of the 21 free music production software. Buckle up!
Bring the music production ideas in your head to life using any of these 21 free music production softwares listed here in this article. Since they are free you may go on to download as much as you can, give each of them a try until you see the one that best suits you.
Audacity
GarageBand
LMMS
Linux Sampler
Hydrogen
Ardour
Mixx
DarkWave Studio
MusE
MuLab
Qtractor
Tracktion T7
Cakewalk
SoundBridge
Temper
Zenbeats
Rosegarden
Spek
Studio One Prime
orDrumbox
AmpliTube 5 Custom Shop
Audacity
Audacity is a free music production software and works with multiple operating systems including Windows, macOS, Linux, and GNU. The software, Audacity, is a digital audio editor and not a digital audio workstation.
It is designed to manipulate audio information instead of helping to organize different soundtracks into a coherent whole.
With the Audacity software, you can process audio files, edit samples, export music in different formats such as WAV, FLAC, AIFF, MP2, or MP3. It is the right software for putting beats together and sampling songs.
GarageBand
Thanks to Apple for creating this free music production software for aspiring music producers. GarageBand is designed by Apple thus is only compatible with macOS devices. The software is designed with a variety of cool, amazing features that makes music production easy making you feel like a pro.
With GarageBand, it’s like you are in an actual studio but in this case, a virtual one sitting behind a computer screen. This is the software for you if you want to create music, it is easy to learn, play, record, create and share your hits globally.
LMMS
“Don’t be modest. Show us your creations” This is what the developers of the LMMS free music production software want you to do with this software. It supports Linux, macOS, and Windows to provide aspiring music producers with the best music-making interface.
With LMMS you can create melodies and beats, synthesize and mix sounds, arrange samples and have fun with the MIDI keyboards. It also has a variety of ready-to-use contents such as effective plugins and instruments, presets and samples, VST, and SoundFont.
Linux Sampler
The LinuxSampler is a pure software audio sampler with high stability, efficiency, and low latency which provides professional-grade features for music production. It is a free music production software that is compatible with both Windows and macOS devices.
Hydrogen
Hydrogen is a virtual, advanced drum machine designed to offer professional yet simple and intuitive pattern-based drum programming. Some of the features include a sample-based stereo audio engine, import sample sounds in WAV, AU, and AIFF formats. Adobe reader for os x el capitan.
It also has unlimited instrument tracks with volume, mute, solo, pan capabilities, multilayer support for instruments, a sample editor with basic cut and loop functions. Hydrogen is available for download on the Linux, Windows, and Mac operating systems. It is one of the most popular free music production software options and a great way to start making music for free.
Ardour
Record, edit, and mix on Linux, macOS, and Windows with the Ardour free music production software which every beginner in the field of music production should use before heading to advanced levels.
Ardour is a fully-featured digital workstation and has modern features such as audio and MIDI multi-track recording, video timeline, plugins with full sample-accurate automation, transport sync, and external control surfaces, and more.
Mixx
This is for the aspiring DJs in the house or those who have a hobby in DJing, this is the software for you. Mixx merges the tools DJs require to perform creative live mixes with digital music files. So, whether you are new in the DJing field or experienced in using turntables, Mixx is designed to support all mixing styles and techniques.
Mixx has incredible features such as BPM and sync, key detection, DJ controller support, vinyl record control, sound effects, and others. Maxx is a free music production software that can be downloaded on Mac and Windows and a great way for you to start making great mixes.
DarkWave Studio
DarkWave Studio is a digital audio workstation that can be downloaded for free on Windows, featuring a modern virtual studio, pattern editor, sequence editor, and multitrack. It also supports VST/VSTi instrument and effect plugins.
The free music production software has a friendly user-interface that makes it easy for even the latest amateur to conveniently use it in producing music.
MusE
MusE is a free music production software with a fully-featured MIDI and audio sequencer with recording and editing functions. It is a free digital workstation with complete plugin support and automation, designed to work only with the Linux operating system.
Some of the features include graphical editing of automation, standard plugin formats (LADSPA, DSSI, VST), different kinds of audio tracks (audio inputs and outputs, wave tracks, group tracks, Aux outputs), realtime record/playback of several mono/stereo inputs/outputs, etc.
MuLab
The MuLab free music production software allows beginners to be able to create, record, edit, and play multi-track audio and music. This software has modular design has features that take creativity, comfort, and productivity to another level.
Other features include sound engine, multi-core CPU support, automatic mono/stereo handling, advanced integration between composer and sound engine, simple modular architecture, and more. MuLab can be downloaded on macOS and Windows.
Qtractor
Qtractor is an audio and MIDI multi-track sequencer free for download on the Linux platform. The software is designed with a variety of cutting-edge music production features for users to bring their ideas to life.
Some of these features are built-in mixer and monitor controls, an unlimited number of overlapping clips per track, MIDI clip editor, loop recording, unlimited location/bar markers, plugin presets, programs and chunks, built-in connection patchbay control and persistence, etc.
Tracktion T7
This software used to be a premium option, that is, you have to buy it to make use of it. But the developers made an advanced one and decided to give the Tracktion T7 completely for free.
Tracktion T7 is a clean, single-window with a friendly user interface, and with this software, at your fingertips, you can edit audio, compose MIDI, add effects, and automate different instrument parameters. This free music production software gives you all that you require in making music at no cost.
Download Tracktion T7 Herefor Windows, Linux and macOS.
Cakewalk
Cakewalk is a free music production software with full music-making packages, creative songwriting tools and instruments, advanced mixing and mastering tools, unlimited MIDI and audio tracks, and a complete suite of editing tools.
The software is only free for download on the Windows 10 operating system. Use Cakewalk to produce music for free and take your creativity to the next level.
SoundBridge
SoundBridge is designed with simplicity in mind, if every other free music production software listed here is giving you a hard time to use then go for SoundBridge.
SoundBridge supports touchscreen devices and VST audio plugins, a drum machine, and other audio editing tools that let you cut, slice, and mix multiple tracks at the same time.
Download SoundBridge software here for Windows and Mac and ignore any pop-ups that suggest you pay before downloading it.
Temper
Temper is an audio & MIDI sequencer that offers a straightforward user interface that easily and quickly guides users into advanced group operations and unique functionality. You can easily integrate this free music production software with other software through basic drag and drop behavior.
Some of the features include performing time, décor, multiple takes per track, multicore audio engine, tool chaining, interactive algorithm composition tools, strong MIDI editing environment, etc.
Zenbeats
Zenbeats is both an app and software as it works on Android & iOS devices as well as on Mac and Windows. The application has both modern and legendary sounds to keep you in an effortless artistic music creation flow.
Zenbeats is packed with sounds, loops, and creative tools and preloaded with on-screen controllers, instruments, and effects to expand your music creativity.
Rosegarden
If you are looking for fun, exciting free music production software then this is the app for you. Rosegarden is an audio and MIDI sequencer that features a rich understanding of music notation allowing you to bring your imaginary beats to life.
With Rosegarden, you can record, mix and use sample effects, manage your MIDI ports, enter, edit and print scores and a host of other fun things you can do while creating music at the same time.
Spek
This free music production software is an acoustic spectrum analyzer designed to analyze audio files by showing their spectrogram. Spek can be downloaded across the Unix, Windows, and macOS platforms and it has 19 different languages, a feature no app on this list possesses.
Other features of Spek include audio fitting time, adjustable spectral density range, can save the spectrogram as an image file, shows codec name and the audio signal parameters, drag and drop support, and more.
Studio One Prime
With Studio One Prime free music production software you can record, produce, and easily mix music. It is designed to provide you with everything you would need in getting started as a music producer at no cost but still be able to enjoin some modular setups.
Further features of Studio One Prime include a fully redesigned native effects plugin suite, virtual instruments, FX channels, unlimited audio and instrument tracks, a fast and easy drag and drop functionality with multi-touch support.
orDrumbox
This is a virtual drumming machine-free music production software with automatic composer and arpeggiator, drum kits, automated sound assignations, soft synth, and other features. Which are designed to take you through the journey of an expert music producer.
Download orDrumbox here for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS.
AmpliTube 5 Custom Shop
This free music production software will do a lot of guitarists or aspiring guitarists a lot of good. The software also works both as a plugin for sequencers and digital audio workshop and as a standalone application.
Guitarists will be happy with this one because it comes with 39 staple pieces of guitar and bass gear, including 10 stomp FX, 5 amps, 6 cabinets, 3 mobile mics, 6 rooms, and 6 rack FX. You will enjoy the most realistic tone and powerful tools to help you play, practice, and record right on your computer.
Download AmpliTube 5 Custom Shop here for Windows and Mac OS.
These are the 21 most popular free music production software you should consider downloading and enjoy music production of all sorts. If you don’t know how to make use of the software you can go on to YouTube and search for tutorials about the app.
For example, if you fancy using Audacity software simply go to YouTube, click on the search bar, and type “Audacity Tutorials”. A wide variety of videos will pop up then click on the one you prefer to begin learning how to use them.
Also, some of the software offers internal tutorials to first-time users or you can see the tutorials on the websites. Only follow the download links provided here to avoid you from downloading malicious software.
Recommendation
Whether you’re a top-level pro or a pure novice in audio, you’re more than likely working with on the computer. Here are the best DAWs of 2020.
The world of the DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) is inextricably linked to modern production. It doesn’t matter if you’re at the very top of professional studio mountain, or just finding your feet — you’re most likely performing the bulk of your audio tasks with software.
In 2020, the year of isolation, people are connecting with their DAWs and in the box production like never before. So we thought it was about time we checked out best DAWs of 2020. There are a lot of established players in this field, but they continue to evolve.
Cubase
Having been around since 1989, Cubase has established itself as a reliable and creative music production software. The DAW allows you to save time while engraving MIDI scores via its smooth integration with Dorico, which is accompanied by a sleek and intuitive modern interface.
Cubase 10.5 is the latest version and added a bunch of new features. Capitalising on its MIDI score integration, you can now export video (including audio) renders directly from the DAW, streamlining soundtrack work. They also freshened up some of their best effects and VSTs with some updates to the Spectral Comparison EQ, MultiTap Delay, and Padshop 2.
Logic Pro
Logic Pro, Apple’s premium extension of their beloved Garageband, is a DAW that invites users to their clean and intuitive ‘Apple’ workflow. Keeping with the company’s MO, Logic presents a full-ecosystem for creating various types of music. The diverse nature of this music production software is only highlighted from the range of artists that use it; from Kendrick Lamar to Ed Sheeran to Brian Eno.
Logic Pro X’s 10.5 update was one of the biggest yet, featuring an overhaul of their loop system. Perhaps taking a little bit of influence from Ableton Live, Logic’s Live Loops offers non-linear pathways of putting together sequences. This works great with their new Sampler, Step Sequencer, Drum Synth, and Drum Machine Designer which have all been updated in 2020.
Studio One
Studio One is Presonus’ venture into the world of music production software. Released in 2009, the DAW has skyrocketed to success through its integration with the pitch-correction software Melodyne, modern features like Arrange, Patterns, and Scratch Pad, and through the effortless incorporation of Presonus’ hardware.
The latest release, Studio One 5, emerged earlier this year. It includes a range of updates like Ampire and Show Page. Presonus has modelled their own guitar amps and pedals, which is included in Ampire, offering real-time guitar amp feel. Show Page allows for the live playback of backing tracks, virtual instruments, and plug-in racks from a single interface, straightforward for live performance use.
Reason Studios
Reason Studios is a bold choice for music creators. Through the lack of third-party plugin and virtual instrument support, and preemptive vision of the modular craze, Reason Studios (FKA Propellerhead) have created something entirely unique. It’s now packed with over 70 instruments and effects suited to the unique workflow and is a definite contender with the other DAW heavyweights.
The Reason Rack is the centrepiece of the DAW’s workflow, and while the Reason 11 update didn’t change a whole lot about the music production software (it added 5 effects and improved workflow), Reason Studios now allows the Reason Rack to be compatible with any DAW. This is huge, as the Reason Rack can now be used in any workflow, opening it up to a much bigger audience.
Bitwig
Made to be a standalone instrument for music-creation, Bitwig was released in 2014 to an already rich market. Leaning heavily on principles of modular synthesis, Bitwig invites users to create and connect sound-making components in intuitive ways. It can still do all the things of other DAWs, like record audio, provide virtual instruments and mixing tools, but offers its own distinct view.
The Grid is the focal point of Bitwig (now updated to version 3.3) offering a fully-modular environment inside the DAW. Included is a range of 150 modules that can be configured in an open-ended UI. What sets it apart from other DAWs offering similar features (like Max) is the incredibly simple user-interface.
Music Production Software 2020
REAPER
While the DAWs on this list have all so far been fairly expensive, REAPER offers a $60 alternative that can still keep up with the competition. The DAW really puts the customer first, with just a 20 MB download size and consistent free updates. Although REAPER doesn’t include any built-in virtual instruments, it offers a blank canvas for recording audio or third-party VSTs you have previously downloaded.
Version 6 was the latest big update, the main updates being; retina-ready graphics and FX plugin embedding. While largely updating what’s already there, some other features of Version 6 include; MIDI CC Envelopes, Auto-Stretch Timebase, Routing Diagram, and a new theme.
Ableton Live
Ableton Live is at the forefront of electronic music production. It offers a unique recording workflow and live performance facility tailored to working with loops, beats, and audio in unconventional ways. Ableton Live’s unique features include Session View, Drum Rack, and its myriad of VSTs and effects. The DAW has been used by artists such as; Skrillex, Flume, and Ludwig Göransson, the producer of Childish Gambino’s Redbone.
Ableton Live 10 offers Wavetable, a new synthesiser that can shape, stretch, and morph sounds with ease through its intuitive interface. Some new tools and effects were also added, like Echo, Drum Buss, CV Tools, Creative Extensions, and more.
FL Studio
FL Studio emerged out of the incredibly successful Fruity Loops step-sequencer released by Image-Line in 1998. Building on that success, the now fully-fledged DAW features an environment that is moulded for beat-makers, but most of all encourages play. Image-Line provides free lifetime updates for the DAW and over time have created a workflow that can do a little bit of everything.
Music Production Software Mac
In FL Studio 20, they added Mac iOS support, the ability for multiple time signatures, as well as a bunch of all-round updates. These updates include reworks of the workflow, audio recording, Graph Editor, and Sample Channel.
Pro Tools
Pro Tools is the industry heavyweight. It’s the DAW at the heart of almost every major studio around the world, setting a lofty standard for music production and recording. Ultimately it’s the modern tape machine: the interface is classic and well-established, and the software isn’t largely attached to any genre or big names due to its universal use.
Pro Tools favours a subscription model these days. And while some may lament the inability to ‘own’ the software permanently, it also means that AVID is providing updates to the grand old lady on a regular basis. It’s so ingrained into the audio recording vernacular, it’s hard to see it being dislodged any time soon.
Garageband
Available only to Apple users, and the only free DAW on this list, is Garageband. The DAW provides a free multi-track recording interface that’s incredibly simple, and yet is really all you need. Garageband provides to opportunity for everyone with a Mac or iPhone to record music and was even being used by Steve Lacy to record Kendrick Lamar’s track Pride and Ego Death by The Internet.
Music Production Software For Beginners Free
Also weighing heavily in Garageband’s is its adaptability for mobile. The recent iOS update added 50 new instruments to the software and allows you to record for 3 times as long. Previously tracks were limited at 23 minutes, while now you can get your ‘Necks’ on and record songs up to 72 mins long.
Max
Music Production Software For Beginners
Although not regarded as a conventional ‘DAW’, Max deserves its spot as maybe the most unique way of creating sound on this list. Max is a visual programming language that through piecing together objects, allows you to create your own synthesisers, self-generating sounds, or really whatever you want. Max also integrates into Ableton Live through Max For Live, allowing you to use your home-built works in Ableton’s workflow.
Music Production Software Edm
Max 8 introduced the MC system into the software: standing for multichannel, the MC system really just lets you use Max a bit more like a DAW. The performance was improved, and some other features were added like MIDI and Key Mapping, Vizzie 2, and Node for Max.