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Music making is a passion and it’s absolutely not a big deal these days with hundreds of apps available on the internet. Yes, there ample free apps available that can help you churn out a professional quality feet thumping piece without spending a dime.
From making full tracks on your smartphone or tablet, or simply using an exclusive hardware sequencer instead of a computer, internet is the best source that can help you make music digitally.
That being said, there is still no alternative to a PC where you can download and install a music making software or DAW (digital audio workstation) and record music, organize and mix complete tracks directly from the desktop, seamlessly. Bonus – when done in the right way, these tracks are of release quality.
Windows is the most used platform in the world and so, if you are hunting for the best Windows software for making music, we have the ultimate list for you in this post. While some are completely free to download and work with, some offer the free trial version before you invest in the Pro version. So, read on to find your pick.Audacity
Audacity is an open source software that’s one of the most popular music editors with already millions of downloads. This cross-platform app works with not just Windows, but also with MacOS and Linux.
This program allows you to not only record music from several different sources, but also post-process nearly any type of audios. With the help of this software, you can also add different effects to your music, fine-tune the pitch, bass, and treble, and even assess tracks using its tool for frequency analysis.
Your tracks are presented as editable waveforms by the software that can be edited by the users. As a user you can also edit the music track using the cut, copy, and paste features or even use its wide range of added plug-ins to improve the series of effects and the audio assessment. The program comes with an in-built support for plug-ins like LV2, LADSPA, and Nyquist.
Supported Platforms: Windows, Mac, and Linux
Price: Free
Get it here: https://www.audacityteam.org/download/AbletonLive Lite 9
The Live Lite 9 version of Ableton is a restricted version of the program, however, it’s one of the best software for music making out there. The best part about it is that it’s free to download and is compatible with both Windows and Mac. With the paid version you get an additional 4GB of sounds.
What’s amazing is that, you get upto eight recording tracks for free if you choose not buy the upgraded version. It also comes equipped with a range of effects and tools that help you to make high-quality music tracks. You can also add MIDI tools like keyboards with it. It can be easy to use if you already know how the music making programs work. Ableton is an industry level software that’s used by many musicians and producers to create music and record.
Supported Platforms: Windows, Mac
Price: Free version available; upgrade starts from $99
Get it here: https://www.ableton.com/FL Studio
If you are a first-timer, looking to start with a music making software, FL Studio is the best option for you. It’s been in the scene for quite some time now and is one of the most popular DAW software till date. From sound correction, cut-paste, or stretching to pitch shifting or the works, it’s got all the usual protocols you could think of. The biggest plus point of this program is its interface which is especially designed to suit the beginners.
While you can refer to the YouTube video tutorials for any explanation required on any feature, you also get 30 synth software along with it for out-of-the-box usage. So, for those who have just bought a controller and want to try out some sounds to start with, you do not need to spend those added bucks. Whether you want to record in it using microphone, do the usual editing and mixing, or use the MIDI keyboards, it fulfils all the essential requirements of a music software. Bonus – it comes with an extremely user-friendly interface.
Supported Platforms: Windows only
Price: Free trial available; Full version starts at $99
Get it here: https://www.image-line.com/flstudio/Magix Acid
While it may not be the leading software in the category with a dated looking interface, it still takes pride with its strongest features like automatic audio time-stretching and pitch shifting. Bonus- it also features the MIDI now.
Yes, it may not be the best performing software on the list, but Magix Acid is definitely fast, competent, and user-friendly. It’s been recently owned by Magix and the version 8 is about to be launched that indicates towards a much-needed change with an all-new user-interface. It’s also touted to come up with 64-bit and VST3 support.
Supported Platforms: Windows
Price: Free trial available; Upgrade starts at $90
Get it here: https://www.magix.com/in/music/acid/Tracktion T6
Tracktion T6 is a two years old program that still boasts of loads of features. It’s a software with a simple design making it easy to understand and use. The interface is a workspace where you get all that is required in a single window. The workspace helps you avoid the inconvenience of jumping to various screens.
The best part is, that every section is flexible enough and so, it helps you to fine-tune it according to your workflow. Moreover, whichever specifications you have selected elsewhere, the bottom panel turns into screen. With its more established DAW system, it certainly has an exclusive appearance. As bonus, the program comes with unending range of audio and MIDI tracks, however, it’s based on the hardware potential. Yes, it also supports several plugin formats such as VST, Audio Units, and more.
Supported Platforms: macOS/Windows/Linux (VST, AU and Linux VST)
Price: Free
Get it here: https://www.tracktion.com/products/t6-dawDarkWave Studio
When looking for a free DAW software, DarkWave Studio is definitely worth a try. It’s not only free of cost, it’s also perfect for the Window users as it supports all platforms from XP to 10. What’s interesting is, it does not require much space for storage and can be easily discovered and downloaded online.
Among its many features are the Sequence Editor, Virtual Studio, Multitrack Hard Disk Recorder, and Pattern Editor. While the Pattern Editor helps you select digital music patterns and even edit them, the sequence editor enables you to arrange patterns to mix up the track patterns and any arrangements together. You can explore the recording options under its HD recorder tab. It also allows you to choose from the multiple plug-ins (19) that can help you add virtual effects to the music tracks.
Supported Platforms: Windows only
Price: Free
Get it here: https://www.experimentalscene.com/software/darkwave-studio/Presonus Studio One Prime
Those looking for a free version of this efficient program can download their freeware edition which is Studio One Prime. For advanced features you can purchase the upgraded version that’s specifically for artists and professionals. Studio One is the basic version out of all which you can add to your software collection using any my.presonus.com account. The system requirements include a minimum of 4GB RAM and 30GB of storage within, and it works with the latest versions of Windows.
Despite lacking the advanced features in comparison to the upgraded version, the free version retains the same instinctive interface with drag and drop feature that helps you to create fresh tracks and even add effects. The USP of Studio One Prime is that it comes equipped with endless audio files, FX and virtual tools. Not just that, it also allows you to add nine local audio effects to your music pieces. Some of the mixing and control features that are retained in the free version are easy chain side routing, control link MIDI mapping, and latency compensation. Bonus – the freeware also offers multitrack MIDI and multitrack track change editing instruments. Overall, even being the curtailed version, the freeware still retains most of its essential tools.
Supported Platforms: Windows only
Price: Free; upgrade available for $450
Get it here: https://www.presonus.com/products/Studio-One/get-studio-oneAvid Pro tools
Those looking for tools especially designed for mixing music the professional way, Avid Pro Tools is just what you need. This advanced yet simple tool helps you to excel the industry standards. While it offers the usual facility to create, record, mix, edit, master, and more, it also comes with the advanced version (Avid Audio Engine) that’s loaded with a super speedy processor, 64-bit memory, latency input buffer of its own that helps during any delays, and an innate metering.
Time-stretch to alter the tempo, or Elastic Pitch which is somewhat similar to the autotune that helps rectify harmonies are among the other features to name a few. What’s more? It also comes packed with 70 effects and plug-ins, and other features like channel stripping, compressors, EQ’s reverb, and so on.
Supported Platforms: Windows or Mac
Price: Free Trial available; upgrade starts at $24.92
Get it here: https://www.avid.com/pro-toolsArdour
It’s a fantastic piece of software that works perfectly well with Windows, Linux, and OS X. The version 5 comes with an all revamped graphic user interface that’s sorted with tabs. Ardour also sports loads of new features that efficiently assist you while making any alterations to the tempo, mixing, writing scripts, or using the plug-ins. The biggest plus point of this DAW software is that it’s free and open source, while the subscriptions start from as low as $1 month.
Supported Platforms: Windows, Linux, OS X
Price: Free (Open Source); Subscription starts from $1
Get it here: https://ardour.org/AmpliTube Custom Shop
Although it’s a curtailed version of AmpliTube 4, it’s still a completely operational application for guitar rig modelling. There are 24 models in the free version and there’s a lot in the offering for the guitarists to record into their laptop directly. The tones offered by AmpliTube are genuine and there’s an amazing standard of customizations available which includes the microphone selection and replacement.
The biggest bonus however, is the custom shop feature. But, if you are looking for more features, you will have to purchase the paid version. for additional stompboxes, amp models or cab sims.
Supported Platforms: Windows and Mac OS (64-bit only)
Price: Free version available
Get it here: https://www.ikmultimedia.com/shop/LMMS (Linux Multimedia Studio)
One of the best multi-platform music making software around, Linux Multimedia Studio is also compatible with Windows and Mac. It’s a free and open source program that works just perfect for all levels of music creators. The program comes packed with five editors and a wide range of synthesizers that can further fine-tune your music tracks. The tracks can be further imported to both MIDI and Hydrogen Project files along with the Song Editor. Moreover, the application also supports plug-ins like VST and LADPSA that can be mixed with several additional effects into the tracks.
Supported Platforms: Windows, Linux, Mac
Price: Free Wavelab le 7 mac download.
Get it here: https://lmms.io/Hydrogen
Hydrogen is another open source music making software that’s more of a digital drum program that sounds like a drum. The Windows version is in the beta stage. It comes with a GMkit that’s pre-installed and includes tools like Pedal HH and Cowbell drum kits, Jazz, Snare Jazz, Ride Rock, Ride Jazz, Snare, Stick, and more.
You can also get access to its endless patterns through the pattern sequencer and can even link patterns together in a music track. The Mixer offered by the program is another useful tool that can help you to tune the drum volume and also add some added special effects. From importing and exporting song patterns into tracks to organizing different drum audio effects on a file to overlap them, there’s a lot that Hydrogen offer its users for free.
Supported Platforms: Windows and Mac
Price: Free
Get it here: http://hydrogen-music.org/Propellerhead Reason
Although a not so widely known software, Propellerhead Resaon is indeed a stable offering in the category so far. It’s a compact system with drag and drop interface, is fast enough, and of course, offers an exceptional workflow for middle to semi-pro range music makers.
It comes with a strong mixing console and makes for a great DAW software for guitar recordings or bass as it comes with amps and speakers. Additionally, it’s efficient in cutting and splicing music files automatically. Bonus – it supports all MIDI hardware.
Supported Platforms: Windows and Mac
Price: Free version available; upgrade starts at $99
Get it here: https://www.propellerheads.se/en/reason
While there are umpteen such music making software around that one can use for creating a professional piece, the above listed programs are definitely for those who want to create a masterpiece. So, make your choice and rock the stage with a brilliant sounding track.
I find passion in writing Tech articles around Windows PC and softwaresRecommended for You:
Although OS X might have a reputation as the platform of choice for digital music production, there are hundreds of great music programs for PC that offer similar or better features than their Mac counterparts.
From industry standards like Ableton Live and FL Studio to free music production software like Audacity, read on to learn about the five best music programs for PC for music recording, mixing and production.
Do you want to learn how to produce electronic music on your PC? Learn the basics of music production, from choosing great synths and samples to mixing your tracks for the perfect sound in The Practical Way: Learn Electronic Music Production.Ableton Live
Known as a DAW, or digital audio workstation, Ableton Live is one of the top music production platforms available today. Popular among DJs and producers for studio recordings and live work, Ableton Live is a powerful and versatile application.
Ableton Live is available for both PC and Mac, and the PC version offers the same set of functions as the Mac edition. Some of Live’s coolest features include audio to MIDI conversion and an excellent MIDI editing interface for digital music producers.
With a wide variety of built-in synths, sounds and samples, Ableton Live is a great composition toolkit for digital producers. It’s also supported by a huge variety of third-party synths and plugins to give producers a huge level of sound control.
Designed as both a production studio and a live performance instrument, Ableton Live is compatible with the Ableton Push MIDI control pad. This compatibility and live performance design has made it a favorite of today’s most popular DJs.
Although its high price tag (Ableton Live starts at $449) means it’s best suited to the professional producer, Live’s simple user interface and massive range of sounds are two of its biggest appeals for beginner digital music producers.
Would you like to learn how to use Ableton Live to produce your own tracks? Learn how to produce your own house, trance and techno anthems using Ableton Live in our Introduction to Electronic Music Production with Ableton course.FL Studio
Formerly known as ‘Fruity Loops’ and regarded as a beginner application, FL Studio has since evolved into one of the most powerful and user-friendly DAWs available at the moment.
FL Studio comes in several varieties, ranging from a stripped-down entry-level app to the full Signature Bundle. Users can upgrade easily to more powerful editions of the software, making it a great choice for beginners interested in music production.
Despite its beginner-friendly price structure and user-friendly interface, FL Studio’s massive range of features has made it a favorite of well-known producers like Avicii, Deadmau5, BT and Afrojack.
With a unique workflow that makes it easy to turn your musical ideas into a reality quickly, FL Studio is perfect for jotting down basic beats and melodies before they become complete tracks.
It’s also one of the most widely used DAWs, with an audience almost as big as that of Ableton Live. This makes third-party plugins and sample packs plentiful and easy to install.
Are you ready to start producing music on your PC with FL Studio? Learn the basics of creating your own tracks using FL Studio, from sampling to creating beats, with The Basics of FL Studio and Dance Music Production.Cubase
Developed by audio software and hardware giant Steinberg, Cubase is one of the most popular electronic music production workstations for PC. Launched in 1989 for the Atari ST computer, it’s also one of the oldest DAW brands on the market.
Although Cubase is popular with amateur music producers, it’s most widely used in the studio. Priced at £488 and built for powerful hardware, Cubase helped pioneer a variety of features that are now standard in other digital audio workstations.
Used by well-known producers like Justice, Kraftwerk, Pendulum, and more, Cubase is widely used in the electronic dance music community. It’s also popular in the film composition world, used by well-known composers such as Hans Zimmer.
With its hefty price tag and powerful hardware requirements, Cubase might not be the most accessible music program for PC. However, it’s undoubtedly one of the top music production programs for those with the budget – and hardware – to run it.
Do you want to learn how to produce electronic music like a true professional? The Professional Way: Learn Electronic Music Production will teach you the basics of producing your own tracks using DAW software like Cubase.ReasonBest Music Making Programs For Mac
Developed by Propellerhead, Reason is a popular music production application that gives users a huge amount of functionality right out of the box. With a simple UI and tons of plugins, it’s a great digital audio workstation for beginners and experts alike.
One of Reason’s biggest selling points is its Rack Extensions – unique effects, sounds and instruments that can be ‘plugged in’ to the standard Reason interface to expand its range as a musical workstation.
Arguably Reason’s biggest benefit over its competitors is its interface. Designed as a self-contained application that does everything on its own, Reason feels more like an old-fashioned mixing board and effects rack than many other DAWs.
Reason is available for PC and Mac, with few functional differences between the two applications. Priced from £349, Reason isn’t as affordable as some of the other DAW programs on our list, but it’s still a great choice for any serious music producer.
Would you like to make Reason your digital audio workstation of choice? Read our blog post on electronic music production to learn the basics of working with a DAW application like Reason to create your own tracks.Audacity
Applications like Reason and Ableton Live offer massive power, but at a price. With Ableton Live starting from $449 and Reason priced from £349 upwards, neither are particularly accessible for beginner music producers.
Audacity is a free music recording and production application for Windows. What it lacks in power it makes up for in its simple user interface, wide variety of functions and its excellent price point: zero dollars.
Unlike the digital audio workstations above, Audacity is far more of an audio editing app than a full production workstation. Nevertheless, it does have some production capabilities and can be used to produce basic tracks, remixes and mash-ups.
Do you want to learn the basics of music production on a limited budget? Learn how to produce your own tracks, remixes, remasters and mash-ups using Audacity in our Audacity Crash Course.Music Programs For Mac Download