If you are looking for apps that can satisfy your musically inclined creative impulses, our list of the 7 free music making apps for PCs should prove to be useful. We’ve covered everything, from relatively simple apps to those that can be used as a complete production studio. If your platform of choice is not Windows, don’t worry – all apps on our list are available for GNU/Linux and macOS. If you frequently have inspiration while you are on the move, you should check out our list of 7 Best Music Making Apps for Android, so that you can note down the idea you just had, and not just forget it before you get to your computer.
Applications that ended up on our list are not only free as in free beer, but also free as in freedom because they are all free software. Usually, free apps are freeware, which means they cost nothing but their use and redistribution are restricted in some way. Free software means that any user can study the source code, which gives him or her an opportunity to confirm that application does what it is supposed to do, and nothing malicious instead or in addition to. Free software can also be modified and shared freely. Most of the apps on our list started as programs for GNU/Linux at first, but users of other platforms that needed those apps, and also possessed the necessary skill set, jumped in and helped port the apps to their platform of choice, this is usually how free software apps get more developers and more features.
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In the creation of our list of the 7 free music making apps for PCs we’ve primarily used lists from MusicRadar, and HipHopMakers, and in addition we’ve included a music notation app for those who prefer a more classical approach to the music creation. Apps on the list are not ranked because there is no sense in ranking them for they have different purposes, and are often used together for making a complete workflow. If you are interested how can a complete audio production workflow be accomplished using just free software (yes that means using GNU/Linux) take a look at this tutorial.
Now, without further ado, we present you with the free music making apps for PCs!
7. Audacity
Audacity is multi-track audio editor and recorder, that supports various audio file formats, and is capable of converting tapes and records into digital recordings or CDs. It offers many effects such as changing the speed or pitch of a recording, as well as a plug-in system for writing your own effects.
6. MuseScore
MuseScore is a music notation software that can compete with commercial applications such as Finale and Sibelius. This “what you see is what you get” editor supports unlimited staves, unlimited score length and is extensible via plugins, it also features a sharing website musescore.org for both plugins and scores.
5. Hydrogen
Hydrogen is a very powerful drum machine, aiming to bring professional and easy pattern-based drum programming. It features sample-based stereo audio engine, that supports files in wav, au, aiff, and FLAC file formats. Multi layer support for instruments, unique human velocity, human time, pitch and swing functions are some of its significant features.
4. Mixxx
Mixxx is DJ software of professional quality. Four decks, built in effects, support for streaming, quad microphone input, over 85 DJ controllers supported, and even vinyl control are some of its features. Being the most popular free DJ software in the world, receiving over 1,000,000 downloads annually it definitely deserves a place on our list of the 7 free music making apps for PCs.
3. LMMS
Formerly known as Linux MultiMedia Studio, LMMS is similar to programs like FL Studio and Orion. With ready to use instrument and effect plugins, Native SoundFont ® support (SF2), Drop-in VST ® effect plug-in support (Linux and Windows), LMMS is a feature rich sequencer and a digital audio workstation (DAW).
2. LinuxSampler
LinuxSampler is a pure software audio sampler, decoupled from a user interface, thanks to its modular design it features a few different GUI-s. Supported sampler formats are: GigaStudio/GigaSampler, SoundFont and SFZ formats. LinuxSampler can work as host plugin in various DAWs and sequencers such as Cubase, Logic, Ardour, Qtractor, Reaper and many more.
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1. Ardour
Ardour is a DAW, some of its features are: unlimited audio tracks and buses, non-destructive, non-linear editing with unlimited undo, video timeline for soundtrack editing, flexible mixer architecture, and a plugin system for hundreds of plugins – some free and some for cost. Ardour version that is available for free is technically a demo version, which means that it ceases playback periodically. However, the source code for this fantastic piece of free software is still available to those who know how to compile it, and those who don’t know how to, can get a full version of Ardour for as little as $1(seriously). We finish our list of 7 free music making apps for PCs with this app which may or may not cost you $1.
