by 5 people |
Here are numerous links to free music creation software available on the internet.
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 link in the Tutorials section below.
- 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.
- 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 96000.
- 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. In addition, the entire app is tiny (488kb) and designed to fit on a USB drive.
- 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 formats: wave, MP3, Ogg Vorbis, AIFF, CDR.
- 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.
- Linux Multimedia Studio
- Linux Multimedia Studio (LMMS) is an open source multi track audio editing program for Linux. LMMS allows for sample playback, drum machine and beat editing, VST plugins, a piano roll editor, MIDI support and more.
- Koblo
- Koblo is a new open source music recording and editing application. Koblo is available for Mac OS X and Windows XP/Vista. This is an alpha version, so it does have some limitations - no VST/AU plugins, only import 24bit, mono, PCM .wav files, and most confusingly "The Audio Engine is currently playing back audio, although communication with firewire devices is not yet possible" - whatever that means.
This might not be completely ready, but it does merit attention as it develops.
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.
- RiffWorld
- Here is an online music collaboration site. It allows you to record with other musicians over the internet. Also allows you to publish your recordings on the site.
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.
- Sapling
- Sapling is a free program for remixing and processing audio files for Mac OS X. It allows you to remix up to 4 audio files with various randomization and filtering and reverb options. Work done with sapling can be saved to disc for further use or further processing.
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.
- LFX-1310
- LFX-1310 is a free multi effects plugin for Windows or Mac OSX. It has 24 different algorithms which can be placed in 3 serial slots. The producer of this effect (Luxonix) states that it is maximized for low CPU load.
- 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.
- IIEQ
- A 10 band parametric EQ with low CPU consumption. Click on the "FREEWARE" link at the top of the page to access this free download.
- BeatBurner
- Beatburner is a looping sampler combined with a wave shaper and enveloped filter. BeatBurner is available for Windows only.
- Mechaverb
- Mechaverb is a free VST reverb plugin for Windows. It allows you to set individual delays for each component of the sound in each frequency band.
- BeayBurner
- BeatBurner is a beat Mangler VST for Windows. BeatBurner turns audio files into new audio parts.
- Ohm Force :: Frohmage
- Frohmage is a plugin that combines Low Pass filtering and distortion. Delay can be applied across th filters creating swish phasing or gliding echoes. The plugin is midi controllable. It is available for Mac OS X and Windows. Also available in PTAS format for ProTools.
- Stempel-Free Vocoder effect
- Stempel is a free VST vocoder effect for Windows. The website claims that Stempel has "a smoother sound and a higher analysis definition" than the classic vocoder implementation. Tou will have to try yourself to find out.
Collections of VST plugins
The following websites contain multiple free VST plugins. Some plugins are for sound processing and some are sound and music synthesis.
- Knobster Bundle
- The Knobster Bundle is a free collection of 6 VST synths, 1 VST audio processor and 2 sample packs (lo-fi cinematic grooves) for Windows. The synths are some of the craziest, atrangest ones out there. They include Meow Synth, Plastic Piano (lo-fi, cheap tone synth), Organaut (tonewheel organ emulator), Keywriter (typewriter sounds), BeatVox (Human beat box simulation), MelloFan (music from a fan). The effect processor is Slitch - turns any recording into glitches and scratches.
- de la Mancha
- A very nice collection of synthesis and processing VST plugins. Of particular interest to me is the bent plugin, which resynthesizes an incoming sound to sound as if it is being processed by "bent" circuits. All plugins are for Windows.
- xoxos
- Check out the VST page for a whole slew of free VST plgins for Windows. Includes synthesis/samplers and effects. Some are very unique.
- Studiotoolz
- A LARGE collection of free audio applications for Mac OSX. Many VST plugins included.
- Toybear Productions
- This site has both free plugins, and plugins for purchase. The free plugins are on the MidiBag and InsBag pages. Although offered for free, the author does ask for a donation via PayPal. All plugins are for Windows.
- The Best, 100% Free Windows Music Plug-ins
- A large list of free VST plugins for Windows from th "C reate Digital Music" blog. Most any type of plugin you might wabt to try is included.
- Vst Plugins and Vsti Soft Synths
- Includes some very nice looking synths. Includes a monophonic bass synth that uses numerous types of synthesis. An analog type synth, a Flanger, and a Granulator - to create audio grains. All VST plugins are for Windows.
- Kara-Moon Free Windows VST synths
- An entire collection of interesting free VST synths for Windows.
Sound Synthesis and Samplers
- Native Instruments Kore Player
- Native Instruments provides this free software instrument for Mac or Windows. Kore Player uses the Native Instruments sound engine, and comes with a 300MB sound Library. Kore Player can be used as a stand alone application, a VSTplug-in, an Audio Units plug-in, or an RTAS® plug-in. You can add new sounds to Kore Player by purchasing Kore Soundpacks.
- 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. Electronic Musician magazine gave this program a 2008 Editors Choice Award for "Download Of The Year".
- Psychosynth
- Psychosynth is a free modular software synthesizer inspired by the Retractable sound Modules. The interface is somewhat unique in that you move and connect virtual 3d objects to create your synth. Psychosynth is a GNU project, so source code is available. As of this writing, Psychosynth is in alpha release.
- 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.
- Helix
- Helix is a free VST based software synthesizer for Windows. Helix is currently in beta - they say it shouldn't crash or cause problems, but the sound might change during development.
- Cetone Synth2
- Ceotone Synth2 is a free polyphonic analog VST synth. It is available for Windows only.
- VST-TAL BassLine
- This is a free VST software synth that emulates the Roland SH-101 bass Synthesizer. The interface has sliders and knobs that can be automated via MIDI. This plug-in is available for Windows or Mac OS X.
- Darkness Theory
- Darkness Theory is a free Windows VSY synth by DSK Music.
- Weepr
- Sort of a software version of Yamaha's Tenori-On. Right now the sounds are a little limited, but updates are coming. Also, it is open source - so you could modify it yourself. It runs using Adobe's Air - so any platform that supports Air will run this.
- Krakli Cygnus
- The Krakli Cygnus synth is a VST based synth that specializes in ambient space sounds. You can hear it in action on this You Tube Video.
- EFM Micro Modular Synth
- EFM Micro Modular Synth is a free VST synth for Windows that creates analogue type sounds. It has 4 oscillators 3 envelopes, 1 filter, arpegiator, pan control, chorus and delay. Its design emulates a traditional modulation matrix.
Software Synthesizers For Windows
- E-MU Proteus VX
- E-MU is giving away their Proteus VX synth with its v2 sound bank. This is a fantastic software synth that was previously a commercial product. Before that, it was a software synth it was a hardware synth. This is a great deal for Windows users. Not only are there a large number a sounds included, but the synth is also very programmable. I have used the commercial hardware and software versions of this synth and it is a wonderful product. This free software synth can be used either standalone or as a VSTi plugin. E-MU does require that you register for their email newsletter to download this software.
- Software MiniMoog and Arp2600
- This site contains free VSTi plugins for 2 classic synthesizers, the Arp 2600 and the MiniMoog. The Arp 2600 is completely patchable via a matrix below the main synth area.
- SeeqOne
- SeeqOne is a sequencer based synthesizer. One of the main sound shaping features is a set of 5 sequencers. 1 sequencer is for "Notes and Octaves" but can also be used for filter, Pulse Width, resonance or Phase modulation. 2 sequencers are used as envelope decays mainly for cutoff and oscillator pitch but also for pulse width and phasemod or resonance. 1 "normal" sequencer (no decay fx) can also be used for the same destinations. 1 Gate sequencer with mix option. In addition it has the usual array of sound generating and processing modules (oscilators, amplifiers, filters etc....).
- 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/editing.
- LoopBe1
- LoopBe1 is free virtual midi mapping software. It allows you to route midi output from one application to another application. LoopBe1 works with Windows 2kXP/Vista. Also check out their other applications ipMidi (to route midi over ethernet) and LoopBe30 (provides up to 30 virtual midi ports).
- VAST Programmer
- VAST Programmer is a free program for working with a Kurzweil Synthesizer. VAST Programmer requires JAVA, and interactively develop Setups, Programs & other objects on Kurzweil VAST machines. VAST Programmer runs on any platform that supports JAVA (Windows, Mac OS, Linux etc...).
- Midi-OX
- MIDI-OX is a free Windows bit program. The MIDI-OX website describes it like this -
"MIDI-OX is a multi-purpose tool: it is both a diagnostic tool and a System Exclusive librarian. It can perform filtering and mapping of MIDI data streams. It displays incoming MIDI streams, and passes the data to a MIDI output driver or the MIDI Mapper. You can generate MIDI data using the computer keyboard or the built-in control panel. You can even record and log MIDI data and then convert it to a Standard MIDI File for playback by a sequencer."
It is a fairly in depth tool for dealing with Midi data at a detailed level. - ittyBittyMIDI
- ittyBittyMIDI is a dashboard widget for Mac OS X that monitors midi signals. The website states that Tiger (OSX 10.4) is required, it doesn't state if it works with later versions of the OS.
- MIDI Monitor
- A very nice open source MIDI monitor application for Mac OS X.
- Nodal
- Nodal is a generative MIDI sequencer for music composition. With Nodal, music is defined as nodes on a graph. Each node plays musical events. The results depends on the route the software takes through the graph. Also, multiple graphs can be active at once. Nodal is available for Windows and Mas OS X.
Free Music Notation and Score Editors
- LilyPond
- LilyPond is a text based music notation editor. In order to create the music notation, first you translete your music to a formatted series of text statements. LilyPond translates this text to music notation. This website also lists several programs that provide a graphical editing environment and then output a LilyPond formatted text file. LilyPond is available for Linux, Mac OS X, and Windows.
- Noteflight
- Noteflight is a free web-base music score editor. It allows you to edit, display, print, and even play back your music. Noteflight also allows you to publish your music in their online searchable library.
- Canorus
- Canorus is a free, opensource, graphical score editor. At the time of this writing (March 2009) it is still in beta format, and the website says it is not suitable for serious wotk. Canorus is available for Mac OS x, Windows, and Linux.
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!
- Blechturmstudios
- Blechturmstudios is a German site that has a collection of Synths and effect plugins for Windows. The various programs are available as VST plugins and stand alone programs. Some programs are available in both formats.
- dsp.mutagene.net
- Here is a collection of free VST effect plugins for Windows. These appear to be quite unique. Many use various types of filtering and delay.
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.
- 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.
- Virtual Music Composer
- This is a free Windows program (NT/2k/XP/Vista) which creates musical phrases on its own. It is not necessarily music for listening, rather a source of inspiration for your own music.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 center.
- Soundplant
- Soundplant allows you to trigger audio samples from your computer keyboard.
- The Wii Loop Machine
- The Wii Loop Machine is free software for Mac OS X. It allows you to use the Wii remote as an interface to loop, sample, manipulate, effect etc...multichannel audio.
- Mixxx
- Mixx is an open source DJ tool. It works with several audio files, and can be controlled via MIDI or other DJ controllers.
Create your own music software
Websites that contain information, tools and code for writing your own music software from scratch
- SynthEdit
- SynthEdit is a free graphical based programming environment for creating VST plug ins. By connecting various you can design and build your own VST plug ins. If the built in modules aren't enough for you, there is also a SDK available for writing your own modules in C++.
- SonicBirth
- SonicBirth is an Free Open Source tool for creating VST plugins for Mac OSX. It uses a graphical interface for connecting modules together and allows you to place you own interface on the unit. Much like SynthEdit for Windows
- VST Source Code Archive
- A collection of data and code for developing VST plugins.
Music Software Tutorials
- Audacity Video Tutorial
- A video tutorial on using Audicity.
- SynthEdit tutorials
- A collection of video ttutorials on using SynthEdit. SynthEdit is the Windows based VST visual programiing tool.
Other useful free programs!
These are not necessarily music applications, but can come in handy when working with music and audio files.
- XYplorer
- A powerful alternative to Windows Explorer. Some of the features that come in handy when working with audio files are audio previews, color coding, batch renaming, and favorites tagging.
- CDex
- CDex is a free, open source Windows utility for extracting audio from CDs to wav files on your computer.
LINUX and Music
- Why LINUX could be your next recording Studio
- Linux might not be for everyone, but if you would like to try out something other than Windows or Mac OS X this article list sources for distributions of the Linux with music applications that can run off a CD. You don't evne have to install anything on your Hard drive to try these out!
Related products on Amazon
Indamixx Portable Studio Netbook Edition Model 2
A very nice Linux based netbook optimized and preloaded with software for music. The software is all open source, and centers on recording and playback. It looks like a very nice small portable music making package!
Amazon Price: $579.00 (as of 11/27/2009) 
by JosephFosco
Joseph Fosco is a Composer and Sound Designer based in Chicago. He has designed sound and music for over 200 theatrical productions.&n...
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