21 Free Music Production Software to Download

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.

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.

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!

Free Music Production Software to Download

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.

Download Audacity Here.

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.

Download GarageBand Here.

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.

Download LMMS Here.

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.

Download Linux Sampler Here.

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.

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.

Download Hydrogen Here.

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.

Download Ardour Here.

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.

Download Mixx Here.

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.

Download DarkWave Studio Here.

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.

Download MusE Here.

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.

Download MuLab HERE

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.

Download Qtractor Here.

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 Here for 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.

Download Cakewalk Here.

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.

Download Temper Here.

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.

Download Zenbeats Here

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.

Download Rosegarden Here

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.

Download Spek Here.

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.

Download Studio One Prime Here.

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.

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