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15 Free Music Production Software Programs

Here are 15 free music production software programs that are open source and free to download. There is software below for Windows, Mac, Linux, and Ubuntu.

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15 Free Music Production Software Programs Audacity

Audacity is a free open source software for recording and editing sounds.

Free Music Production Software

Features
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

Overview

Learn More About Audacity

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Ardour

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

Ardour

Features
Audio and MIDI Multi-Track Recording and Editing
Plugins with Full Sample Accurate Automation
Transport Sync and External Control Surfaces
Powerful Anywhere-to-Anywhere Signal Routing
Video Time line
Platform: Linux and OS X

Music Editing in Ardour

Learn More About Ardour

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LMMS

LMMS is a free cross-platform 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
Features
Song-Editor for composing songs
A Beat+Bassline-Editor for creating beats and basslines
An easy-to-use Piano-Roll for editing patterns and melodies
An FX mixer with 64 FX channels and 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

Video Demo – Sound like Deadmau5 w/ LMMS in Under 10 Minutes

Also check out Learn How To Produce Your Own Music In LMMS

Learn More About LMMS

Download LMMS

Sell Beats Online
DarkWave Studio

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

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

Learn More & Download DarkWave Studio
orDrumbox

The orDrumbox is a free drum machine software.

orDrumbox v 0.9.07 - step-sequencer

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 unsing an analog synth emulation : two VCO generator, FM modulation, enveloppe ADSR controler, low pass / hi pass filters.
Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux

Software Preview

Learn More About orDrumbox

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Temper

Temper is a MIDI+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 Music Software

Features
Sophisticated event routing and manipulation
Powerful MIDI editing environment
Interactive algorithmic composition tools
Perform time
Multiple takes per track
Simultaneous multi-track editing
Tool chaining
Unified MIDI controllers+VST automation
Multicore audio engine

Learn More About Temper

Download Temper
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 Music Software

Features
iTunes Integration
DJ MIDI Controller Support
Powerful Mixing Engine
BPM Detection and Sync
Platform: Mac, Windows

Overview

Learn More About Mixxx
Hydrogen

Hydrogen is an advanced drum machine for GNU/Linux. It’s main goal is to bring professional yet simple and intuitive pattern-based drum programming.

Hydrogen Music Software

Hydrogen Music Software

Features
Sample-based stereo audio engine, with import of sound samples in .Wav, .au and .aiff formats.
Pattern-based sequencer, with 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

Drum Sequencer Demo

Learn More About Hydrogen

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Rosegarden

Rosegarden is a music composition and editing environment based around 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.

Learn More About Rosegarden

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Qtractor

Qtractor is an Audio/MIDI multi-track sequencer application.

Qtractor

Qtractor Music Software

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.
Unlimited number of tracks per session/project.
Unlimited number of overlapping clips per track.
Platform: Linux

Qtractor Demo

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MusE

MusE is a MIDI/Audio sequencer with recording and editing. MusE aims to be a complete multitrack virtual studio for Linux.

MusE Music Software

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

Learn More About MusE

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Linux Sampler

The LinuxSampler is a 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.

Linux Sampler

Platform: Windows / Mac

Learn More About Linux Sampler

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Spek – Acoustic Spectrum Analyser

Spek helps to analyse your audio files by showing their spectrogram.

Spek Music Software

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 to save 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.

Learn More & Download Spek
MuLab ( Offers limited free 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

MuLab

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

Learn More About MuLab

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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

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

Learn More About Garageband

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Suggested Music Equipment

Here are the most popular and top rated music production products online.
Sell Your Music & Products

Create a website to sell music, beats, and products. Build an online brand. View Template »

Music Maker WordPress Theme - Sell Beats Online

I hope you guys find this software to be helpful.

If you are looking for more software options make sure you checkout 8 Popular Paid Music Production Software Programs.

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Written by Mark

Hi I’m Mark V, a creative designer, full-time blogger, and coder. I’m here to help music lovers create music, promote music, and get paid off their talents. Get Our Email Updates »

10 Best Windows Music Production Software

If you want to make your own unique music composition, then you have no need to buy expensive instruments or join a studio. There are many music production software available in the web world that offers all musical tools that you can expect and require to create your kind of music. These tools are highly popular across the globe and are widely used by many Bands, Musicians and Individual Artists. They bring a complete Studio on your computer screen and help beginners master the music and professionals to achieve their goals.

There are certain things that need to be checked before purchasing a music/audio production software like the ability to support various MIDI and audio tracks, loop library, variety of virtual instruments or does it have a multiband equalizer to fine tune your recordings or does it support third-party plugins etc. Here in this article we have listed some of the most famous and best Windows Music production software. Some of them are free and some are paid, please have a look at best Windows music production software.
1. Mixcraft Pro Studio 7

Mixcraft Pro Studio 7 is an award-winning music production software which sports audiophile sample rates and bit depths at very low latencies. The software is compatible with latest versions of Windows OS. The software is specifically designed for professional musicians and provides fast musical results. In a single recording session you can, you can record digital audio from guitar, drums and vocals simultaneously.

There are multiple tools available such as reverbs, bass enhancers, amp simulators, compressors, delays etc. to shape the sound and create radio-ready tracks without any hassle. The software includes over 7,000 loops, samples and sound effects. It also packs 20 virtual instruments, 52 effects and plugins worth $1100. It has a built-in video editing tool so that users can produce their own film score.

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2. Reaper

Reaper is an easy to use and effective music production software which packs tons of useful features. It Provides multichannel support through robust audio and MIDI routing. It is well coded, efficient, loads faster and users can install as well as run it from portable drive or network too. Users can take help of multiple studio-quality effects for audio processing and MIDI and create new effects with built-in tools.

The new version 5 has come up with many improvements in video support, API and scripting improvements, Flexible VCA control and many more. The software supports multiple audio interfaces, effects and third-party plugins. Users get a 60 day free trial before purchasing the licence of Reaper.

best-windows-music-production-software
3. Propellerhead Reason 9

It is a popular and highly durable music production software which is compatible with all latest versions of Windows OS. The software is fast as well as easy to use and allows users to drag and drop items between interfaces. The Reason 9 features Pitch Edit, Player devices and 1000 magnificent new synth patches too. The Reason 9 has the ability to split and merge the audio files automatically which is exceptional. The software supports all MIDI hardware and equips studio-grade mixing console. The software includes lots of musical instruments and effects which helps professional as well as novice to create ultimate music of their choice.

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4. Ableton Live 9 Intro

Ableton Live 9 Intro is a robust and highly creative music production software which allows users to compose, remix and perform on a live concert effortlessly. The software provides fluid workflow and powerful real-time stretching makes audio processing fast and effective. Live 9 Intro packs 26 effects and 4 sound libraries and 3 software instruments which helps users to create unique sound tracks. The software is compatible with all kinds of instruments and controllers which eventually helps users to perform live on stage. The software enables Multi-track audio recording at up to 32-bit/192 kHz too, and offers advance sequencing and arranging capabilities.

best-windows-music-software
5. Cubase

It is one of the best music production software which is being used by many users across the globe. The Cubase Pro 8.5 and Cubase Artist 8.5 provides smooth workflow and includes multiple tools to enhance your creativity. The software is highly useful for Song Writers, Bands, Electronic music Producers, Singers, Guitarists and Beat producers. It includes intuitive Drum, Key, List editors, MIDI editing toolset, MPC-style drum sampler, two-part virtual guitar along with the bass tone suite, composing features, embedded MixConsole and many more. It packs extended Chord Pads to compose ultimate sound tracks and allows users to locate their content faster with MediaBay project racks. The software is compatible with all latest version of Windows OS.

best-windows-music-software
6. Hotstepper

Hotstepper is free to download and offers easy to use functionality to the music enthusiasts. The software is highly recommended for Bands and individual Guitarists, Bassists, Music Composers and singers. It is compatible with latest versions of Windows operating system and packs 12 channels along with multiple sound samples that help users to create the ultimate music. The software allows users to store their tracks in WAV format and export those files into the desired location after finishing the composition. It integrates a beat maker program which provides advance stretching of the sound according to the length of the beat. The software integrates various instruments and multiple tools to enhance your creativity.

best-windows-music-software
7. FL Studio

This amazing Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) is developed by image-line and is compatible with the latest Windows OS. Users get the latest version while downloading which is free and also get regular updates without any charge. The software flaunts an easy to use and intuitive interface and multi-touch support to advance level. The new version includes updated browser, channel rack, piano roll, redesigned icons and multilink to the controller. The software is useful for masters as well as novice and includes multiple tools that help you to compose your own music with less effort and time. The new version also packs improved controllers and features.

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8. Ordrumbox

Ordrumbox is a unique open-source beat making software which has become highly popular in past one year due to its advanced functionality. If you have Windows 10, Linux or the Latest Mac OS X version then is it one of the best options to create your own beat. Users can download this software for free from the website of Ordrumbox and enjoy its easy to use yet powerful features. The software lets users change the in-built settings to create their own music effortlessly. Exporting music files created with this tool are also very simple. The rhythms and sound database include multiple music items that can be fully edited. The softsynth section is also customizable and allows users to add synthetic sounds to library as pre-sets.

best-windows-music-software
9. LMMS

It is another free digital audio workstation which works well with Windows, Linux and Mac OS. Users can create music through multiple ways like arranging samples or mixing sound of synthesizers and sequencers. The software comes up with a wide range of sample files so that the user can get inspiration from them and create music of his/her own. Users can playback various instruments by using the MIDI keyboard in a user-friendly interface. The huge variety of native instruments allow beginners to learn them with ease and show their creativity. Users can import MIDI files, FL Studio project files and Hydrogen project files too. The Piano Roll Editor lets users adjust notes, fine tune patterns, chords and melodies with ease.

best-windows-music-software
10. Hydrogen

Hydrogen is an advanced drum machine which provides full support for Linux. However, the beta Versions work well with Windows operating systems. The software is highly recommended for beat making and allows users to create, mix and edit ultimate musical tracks easily with the help of its robust features and tool. The interface is simple yet intuitive and even if you are not technically sound, it can be utilized by you to compose and records music files of your own choice. You can store files within the software in various file formats and export them to the desired location without any hassle.

best-windows-music-software
Verdict

All the Windows music production software listed above not just record music, but also lets you expand your wings and shape your creativity. They include many useful features and tools to help you in making exceptional music compositions. Hopefully after going through the list of best Windows music production software, you might have found the one that suits your needs best. We will appreciate if you share your experience about the above mentioned software with us. Do not hesitate to provide your valuable feedback.