Free Software for Music Creation
78Creating Music With Software
Creating music using computer software has never been easier - and never less expensive. There are many, many free programs available that allow anyone to create their own music. These programs range from music editors to music synthesizers, to effect processors and even music notation programs. It is even possible to use web based programs to create music and never have to download software to your own computer.
Below is a selection of the wide variety of programs available. Try some out and see what you can create - They're FREE!
Links to Free Digital Editing Software
- Audacity
Audacity is probably the most popular free multi track sound recorder/editor. It is available for Windows, Mac or Linux. It allows up to 16 channels of audio with standard editing features. A video tutorial on using Audacity is available - see the - Ardour Digital Audio Workstation
Ardour is a free, open source Digital Audio Workstation available for the Mac or Linux. - Rosegarden
Rosegarden is an audio and midi sequencer/recorder for Linux. This program also includes the ability to produce and edit and print music using traditional music notation. The distribution from this site is a source sode only distribution. To find - Wave Pad
Sound Editor for Windows and Mac OS X. Allows sound recording and editing, as well as adding built in effects. WavePad can edit a fairly wide range of file types including wav, aif, mp3, ogg and more. WavePad supports sample rates from 6000 to 96 - trakAxPC
A multitrack recorder editor that also allows creation of video. Windows XP or Vista only. - Wavosaur
Wavosaur is a sound editor for Windows. It has numerous features, such as pitch shift, vocal removal, silence remover and crossfade loop. On addition it supports both VST and ASIO. - Quick Audio
QuickAudio is an audio file editor for windows. In addition to basic editing, it includes effects such as remove noise, reverb, spectrum analysis and the ability to add up to 24 VST plugins. It also allows you to convert between the following forma - Kristal
Kristal is a 16 track Digital recorder. It includes some basic effects, and supports 2 VST insert slots per channel and 2 VST master effect slots.
Web Based Music Creation Software
- Splice
Splice is an online multitrack Digital Sequencer. It includes its own virtual instruments, effects, built in and shared sounds and the ability to import your own sounds. - Jam Studio
A slightly different type of music creation tool. This is mostly useful for creating backing tracks, karaoke songs etc.... It allows you to enter chord changes, and have up to 8 tracks of instrument loops. When using the free version, the instrume
Audio Processing Software
- Soundhack
An extremely powerful piece of software for sound design. Available for Mac only. Contains a synth and effects toolbox for creating your own unique inventions.
VST effect plug ins
- VSThost
This is not a VST plugin - instead it is a stand alone host. Using this host you can load a VST plug in and use it as a stand alone synthesizer. VSThost is available for Windows only. - Glitch VST
Glitch is a VST plugin. Glitch chops audio and applies a variety of effects. There is a wide variety tweaking and ordering possible. - TAL-Tube
TAL-Tube is a VST plugin for Windows or Mac OS X that provides the effect of tube saturation. This provides an analog character to digital recordings, and at extreme levels can create a grunge like distortion. - Fuzz Plus
Fuzz Plus is a VST plug in effect for Windows or Mac OS X. It is a basic fuzz pedal effect.
Sound Synthesis and Samplers
- Analog Box 2
This is a graphical program for creating your own synthesizers. You place various synthesis and processing modules on the screen and connect them. You can record the resulting sound to a wave file, or save the instrument for use later. - ShortCircuit
Shortcircuit is a windows based sampler produced by Vember Audio. Vember is giving away version 1 of this sampler in anticipation of the version 2 release. This is a full featured fully functioning program that they used to sell. - Independence Sampler
Yellow Tools has made their Sampler Independence available for FREE. This is not a demo version. The only feature not available is the import of audio files. This download comes with a 2 GB sound library. - crusher-X
crusher-X is a granular music system for Windows. It is available as a standalone multichannel synthesizer application, or as a VST plugin synthesizer.
MIDI Software
- Midi Mountain
Midi Mountain is an open source midi sequencer for Linux. Both source code and executables are available. - Anvil Studio
The free version of Anvil Studio is primarily a midi sequencer. The free version does allow recording and editing of a single audio track. You can, however, purchase add ons that provide additional functionality - including multi track recording/ed
Additional Types of Audio and Music Software
- LAME
An Open Source mp3 encoder. Converts audio files to mp3 formmat. It is available as source code or in executable format for Windows, Mac OS X, Linux and Amiga. - Zone Mobius
Zone Mobius is a program for the real time creation and manipulation of audio loops. It is based on the Echoplex Digital Pro. - Jackdmp
Jackdmp is an application for routing audion from one application to another. It is available as an executable and source for Windows and OS X, and as source code for Linux. - SoX
SoX is a command line utility for converting audio files to different formats. In addition it can apply a wide number of effects to the files. SoX is available for Windows, Mac, as source code and in various other formats. - Mixere
Mixere is a free, open source application for playing and mixing audio Files. It is a windows application. It is like a rack full of CD players connected to an automated mixer. The number of CD players and the number of Tracks that can be playing - Vocal Remover
Just what its name says - removes vocals from recordings. More specifically, what it does is removes anything that is present equally on both tracks of a stereo signal. Often times, vocals are mixed in this way, to sound as if they are in the cent - Soundplant
Soundplant allows you to trigger audio samples from your computer keyboard.
Websites with Music Software Collections
- Sound and MIDI Software for Linux
Just like the title says - an entire page of links to various types of sound and MIDI software for Linux!
Music Software Tutorials
- Audacity Video Tutorial
A video tutorial on using Audicity.
