10 Best Free Music Making Software for Beginners [2024] (2024)

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Edited by Ben Jacklin

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The music industry is growing fast. But mastering the art of music production is a marathon, not a sprint. To help you do better in the initial stage, we have compiled a list of the best free software for making music. These top apps are perfect for composing almost anything.

Software

Platform

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GarageBand

macOS

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Qtractor

Linux

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Before we rush into these astounding free digital audio workstations (DAWs), you have to make some crucial decisions that would guide the selection process.

  • First off, you have to decide why you require a free audio maker. Is it just to mash up a sound? Or to create an entire beat? It may sound far-fetched, but the “free” attached to these monster apps does not make them any less effective. You can totally get everything you need to create an entire song, clean up audio, mix some beats, and loads of others. So it is preferable to streamline your needs so you can get the best for that particular function.

  • Secondly, it is also critical to check the compatibility of your PC before jumping on a DAW. What operating system does your PC run on? Windows? Mac? Linux? Some of these music-making apps are exclusive to a particular OS. Be sure to check if your favorite free music mixing app is compatible with your computer before clicking download.

  • Thirdly, do you need a full pack to last your entire music career? The apps here are some of the best free music-making software for beginners. They perfectly skirt the gamut between beginner DAWs and those left to the pro. Depending on your taste, you may keep an eye out for such a fully-packed music creator or jump on anyone in the meantime and get the full version down the road. Your choice!

List of the best free music production software

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1. GarageBand

  • OS

    macOS

If you really want to get things started on a high groove, then you may have to jump on this app. This mac-only music production software is packed full of everything a beginner needs to navigate his way through today’s music industry. Made in 2004, GarageBand has come a long way. It now houses everything from multiple-sessions drummer to presets for guitar and voice and loads of instruments. With those tools, you can start producing music even without equipment.

As a beginning composer, you will find this app very easy to use. It also allows you to record up to 255 tracks per song. Created for today’s internet life, GarageBand is expertly designed to allow making music anywhere and at any time. Simply sync your files across your devices from your online iCloud account and start making music on the go. Make incredible music with ease!

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2. Qtractor

  • OS

    Linux

Qtractor is a Linux-only free DAW that comes with every single feature and tool necessary to get you started on your musical career. Besides being extremely easy to use, this music maker boasts a ton of features and effects including standard MIDI file support, non-linear editing, multi-track tape recorder control, an unlimited number of overlapping clips for each track, and multi-track audio & MIDI sequencing and recording. Qtractor also allows you to easily export your files in any preferred file format.

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3. LMMS

  • OS

    Windows, macOS, Linux

LMMS has proven to be an amazing electronic music production tool since its inception. The free music maker is fashioned with numerous pro features that would leave you wondering if it is actually free. And yes, it is. With this music-making software, you can create an entire song without sweating it. As the website rightly puts it, “making beats has never been easier.” The LMMS app runs on all existing OS, and it is very easy to use. The Beat + Baseline Editor is yet another feature to kill for. Your production can’t go south with LMMS. It is indeed “made by musicians, for musicians!”

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4. Audacity

  • OS

    Windows, macOS, Linux

Having spent about two decades in the market, it is no doubt that Audacity is one of the best free music production apps for beginners. This open-source music maker is an all-rounder, perfect for PCs of all operating systems. It depicts several essential features that allow any beginner or pro to record both in the studio and live mode. Thanks to its amazing sound quality and editing tools, you are sure to make top-notch songs without breaking the bank. Furthermore, Audacity is outrageously easy to use, and it comes equipped with an Export/Import function that allows you to record your music in any file format. The spectrogram view mode is yet another astounding feature that allows you to visualize and toss between frequencies. It is simply amazing!

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5. Ardour

  • OS

    macOS

Recording, cutting, editing, and mixing has never been easier. This free music maker dubbed Ardour is a great way to skyrocket your music career from the bottom to the top in no time. The app consists of a wide variety of tools and plugins that earned it a seat among the best free music-making DAWs on the planet. You would be forgiven if you mistake it for high-end DAWs such as Apple’s Logic, Nuendo, and ProTools. It totally feels like one of them. The software provides you with everything from powerful signal routing to incredible editing and mixing tools. You can even use the app to create soundtracks for films and do other sound-related tasks.

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6. DarkWave Studio

  • OS

    Windows

Packed with a plethora of professional music production features, DarkWave Studio may be too much for a beginner but it gets easier as you go. This open-source music creation app is exclusively created for Windows OS, running from Windows XP through Windows 10. It is furnished with several plugins and features that make it undoubtedly one of the best music production software out there. With the DarkWave Studio, musicians get to enjoy excellent features such as sequence editor, multitrack hard disk recorder, virtual studio, pattern editor, and lots more. Besides the recording and editing options, you also enjoy the opportunity to live stream your audio. Let’s ride the wave from the studio!

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7. Hydrogen

  • OS

    Windows, macOS, Linux

Hydrogen was curated to meet the needs of newbies venturing into the music industry, hence the simple and intuitive interface that makes creating music so much fun. Like the free music makers outlined above, Hydrogen is packed with a wealth of features, perfect for creating all genres of songs and from the comfort of your home. The top-notch mixer features and line sequencers are just a few of the many highlights of this fun buddy. You also get to enjoy playlists with embedded scripting functions and the all-new pro tab-tempo.

Although the market is filled with high-end music-making software that boasts a ton of magnificent functions, it is without a doubt that there is a truckload of free music production software that also brings the prize home. Don’t allow money to be a hurdle in chasing your dreams. You can do so much more than you think possible with these apps listed in our best free music software guide for beginners.

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8. SoundBridge

  • OS

    Windows, macOS

Give SoundBridge a try if you find other audio editing tools too complicated. It's been designed to be as simple as possible. SoundBridge offers touchscreen device support and VST audio plug-ins, as well as a robust set of audio editing tools, a free sound sample library, and more.

There's also a paid and free academy program, a blog with various how-to instructions, and a set of video tutorials to help you enhance your music production talents even more. Before you download the program, bear in mind that you will be asked to make a donation when you sign up, but this is not mandatory.

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9. Waveform

  • OS

    Windows, macOS, Linux

Tracktion T7 used to be a high-end music production program. Rather than abandon T7 with the next edition release, Tracktion decided to rebrand it as Waveform. This is one of the most feature-rich free music programs on the list.

The simple, single-window interface is simple to learn, yet there's a lot to discover. Waveform can be used to manipulate audio, compose MIDI, apply effects, and automate various instrument parameters.

Waveform is compatible with Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. If you like the free version, you may upgrade to the Pro version at any time. Groove Doctor, Subtractive Synthesizer, and Celemony Melodyne Essential are all included in this version.

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10. Mixxx

  • OS

    Windows, macOS, Ubuntu

Mixxx is solely dedicated to producing music for DJs. Despite being free and open-source, the program has all the features you'd expect from professional software.

Thanks to iTunes integration, you may load up to 64 unique sample decks to the mix, add custom audio effects, and integrate your own music database. Mixxx's interface is fully customizable, allowing you to create your own skins and layouts to fit your needs.

Mixxx supports a variety of hardware controllers as well as many input and output sources. It also gives you the option of streaming music over the internet. Mixxx also has “Auto DJ” mode, which includes a preset playlist and automatic cross-fading.

Edit or record music with Movavi Video Suite

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Movavi Video Suite is an easy-to-use, all-in-one software package that can be used to work with audio. If you are looking for some basic tools and functions, like recording an instrument, applying some effects, or stitching audio tracks together, you will find it all in the bundle.

Step 1. Record the music from instruments or your own voice and sounds

To capture audio, make sure your microphone or instrument input is functioning properly. Then start the Movavi Video Suite, go to the Audio tab, and click the Start Recording button.

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Use the Start Capture and Stop Capture buttons to start and stop recording respectively. Click the View saved files button to view your tracks.

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Step 2. Audio Effects and sound correction

To edit audio, go to the Video tab and hit the New Project button. This will open the Movavi Video Editor Plus.

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In the program window, click the Add Files button, select your recorded audio, and click Open.

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Drag and drop your audio to the timeline from the Media bin. You will find audio editing tools and effects in the More tools tab.

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Step 3. Free Library of music samples and sounds

In the Import tab, you will find a Sounds library, full of various audio samples you can apply to your project.

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Step 4. Convert, cut, and merge audio

When all audio you need is on the timeline, you can cut, invert, overlap audio clips and tweak many other parameters.

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10 Best Free Music Making Software for Beginners [2024] (22)

Frequently asked questions

What is the easiest free music-making software?

You can try Movavi Video Suite – it has easily accessible recording and editing tools. In case you need something more robust, check out some of the best free music production software from our top, that is considered simple:

  • GarageBand

  • Qtractor

  • Hydrogen

  • SoundBridge

  • Mixxx

What do you need to make music?

Today you don’t need much to produce music. Writing and composing are possible even without instruments, which might cost a lot.

All it takes is some basic gear:

  • A computer with audio input/output

  • Studio headphones for mixing

  • Proper software, such as a DAW (digital audio workstation)

A MIDI keyboard can be useful as well, but most of the DAWs are equipped with MIDI programming tools. Sometimes even MIDI-generators can make the life of any producer easier.

However, to record good quality vocals or musical instruments, a good audio interface is a must.

How to record music with a computer?

That depends on the hardware and software at your disposal. If you are going to use Movavi Video Suite, do as follows:

  1. Check your microphone or instrument input.

  2. Download and install Movavi Video Suite

  3. Run the program, go to the Audio tab, and click Start Recording.

  4. In the new window use the Start Capture and Stop Capture buttons to start and stop recording respectively.

  5. Click the View saved files button to view your tracks.

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10 Best Free Music Making Software for Beginners [2024] (2024)

FAQs

What is the best free software to create music? ›

It's nearly impossible to claim what the best free music making software is. But some of the best digital audio workstations that are also free include GarageBand, Studio One, Bandlab, and Reaper.

What software do most people use to make music? ›

More
  • Best Overall: Steinberg Cubase » Jump to Review ↓
  • Best Budget: Reaper » Jump to Review ↓
  • Easiest To Use: FL Studio » Jump to Review ↓
  • Best Professional Grade:: Avid Pro Tools » Jump to Review ↓
  • Best for Apple Users:: Logic Pro » ...
  • Most Customizable:: Bitwig Studio » ...
  • Best for Live Music: Ableton Live »

Which is the best music production software? ›

Best Music Production Software
  • Steinberg Cubase.
  • Reape.
  • FL Studio.
  • Avid Pro Tools.
  • Logic Pro.
  • Bitwig Studio.
  • Abelton Live.
Mar 4, 2024

How can I create my own song for free? ›

How can I make a song online? Yes! There are a bunch of websites that let you make music online for free. Some of the best options are Soundtrap, BandLab, and Splice Studio.

How can I make a song at home for free? ›

Use Reverb Record as your free online song recorder and record a song now! There's no registration, sign up, or email required. All you do is click and start singing. Once you're done, you can give your song a title, or leave it blank, and then share your tune with a link.

How do I start making music with no experience? ›

9 steps to get started in music production
  1. Train your ears. ...
  2. Learn an instrument. ...
  3. Practice writing music. ...
  4. Decide on music equipment. ...
  5. Get comfortable with a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) ...
  6. Set up a studio (at home or rent a place) ...
  7. Find artists to work with. ...
  8. Get good at recording, mixing, and mastering.

What app does everyone use to make music? ›

BandLab is your free song making and beat making app. Join over 60 million users expressing themselves freely on our social music platform. No matter your skill level or background, BandLab is your creative outlet with features designed for every step of your musical journey!

What is the easiest music recording software? ›

What is the easiest recording software? Some of the simplest music recording software programs, especially for beginners, are GarageBand, Cakewalk by BandLab, and Ableton.

How do I choose a music production software? ›

2 Your workflow and experience

The next thing to consider is how you like to work and how much experience you have with music production. Different software have different user interfaces, workflows, and learning curves. For example, some software are more linear, meaning they work with tracks and timelines.

How to make music easily? ›

Here are the basic steps to follow to learn how to make music:
  1. Get your music recording gear together.
  2. Learn basic music theory.
  3. Understand the basic elements of songwriting.
  4. Set up your recording area.
  5. Learn music production skills.
  6. Get familiar with mixing and mastering.
  7. Promote your music for distribution.

What do I need to produce my own music? ›

Here's what you need to get started:
  1. Microphone. The single most important piece of equipment for recording music is a microphone. ...
  2. Microphone Stand. Once you have your microphone, you'll need a stand to hold it in place. ...
  3. Pop Filter. ...
  4. Audio Interface. ...
  5. Computer. ...
  6. Cables. ...
  7. Acoustic Panels & Bass Traps. ...
  8. Headphones.
Aug 23, 2022

What music software do famous artists use? ›

Among them, Ableton Live, Pro Tools, FL Studio, and Logic Pro X are often cited as the best DAW choices in the music production software realm.

Is FL Studio free? ›

Try FL Studio FREE Forever!

Instant Full Access: Enjoy every feature, plugin, and workflow in FL Studio All Plugins Edition. Save Unlimited Projects: Purchase and unlock the full version to revisit and refine your masterpieces.

Is there a free AI that creates music? ›

Yes, use Media.io to generate AI music online for free. It's a 100% free-to-use program, meaning you can download the generated music without paying a dime. You don't even need to sign up to generate AI music.

Is GarageBand good for making music? ›

GarageBand is able to record studio-quality signals, so if a professional sound is what you're after and you've made some investments in your studio set up and bought good equipment, the results will indeed be studio quality. You can add effects and get a great mix within GarageBand.

Is GarageBand app free? ›

Apple GarageBand Specs

Now, thanks to the free GarageBand, you can do it with the built-in software that comes with every Apple computer.

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