The best free music-making software makes it simple and easy to record MIDI and audio tracks, without needing to pay for expensive licenses.
Programs designed to help with the music creation process can be outrageously expensive, but they are the sort 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.
GarageBand
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 into music production, and a clear path to Logic Pro (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.
Waveform Free
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 Waveform Free.
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.
Waveform Free 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.
AmpliTube Custom Shop
AmpliTube Custom Shop from IK Multimedia might be a cut-down version of AmpliTube, 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.
SyndtSphere
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 center 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.
If you are into making short-video apps, you can try this app for good entertainment. Well, we hope this helped you in finding the best software for music creation.
