Top 18 Free Music Making Software for Beginners [2023]

As a complete beginner, you do not need to break your savings to get started with music production. There are several top-notch free music making software tools that can help you create mind-blowing tracks without spending a dime.

You can only invest in premium tools when you’ve tested the waters and are sure you want to pursue music making at an advanced level.

To help you get off on the right foot, we’ve painstakingly compiled 18 of the best music production software in 2023, covering their main features, pros, and cons.

Enjoy.

LMMS

Formerly called Linux MultiMedia Studio, LMMS is an open-source music production software developed by a community of music producers.

Compatible with Linux, Windows, and Mac PCs, LMMS comes packed with a ton of features alongside a robust repository of free plugins to help you create pro-sounding music for free.

Main Features

• Create melodies, beats, and synths
• Compose, arrange, mix, and automate tracks in one interface
• 16 built-in synthesizers, a mixer with per-channel effects, and a piano roll editor
• Support for VST plugins and external MIDI devices

Pricing: Free

Multi-platform compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux

Pros	Cons
Compatible with all major operating systems Offers a wide range of features for a free tool Active community support Lightweight and runs on a PC with low memory space	Not as intuitive as some other music-making software Requires a learning curve for beginners Doesn’t support vocal recording

Audacity

Audacity is also an open-source project. But unlike LMMS, it comes with a recording functionality, allowing you to track live vocals without requiring an external audio editing tool. Another cool thing about Audacity is its support for Nyquist, a programming language that enables you to code your own plugin effects.

Main Features

• Supports VST, LADSPA, LV2, Nyquist, and AudioUnits effects with real-time preview
• Record, edit, and mix audio tracks
• Exports files in any audio file format
• Supports 16-bit, 24-bit, and 32-bit sounds

Pricing: Free

Multi-platform compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux

Pros	Cons
Easy to use and user-friendly interface Offers a wide range of audio editing tools Supports numerous plugins to extend functionality Multi-platform compatibility Supports audio recording	Limited to audio editing, does not support MIDI or virtual instruments Can be slow when working with large audio files

GarageBand

GarageBand is a DAW developed by Apple, mainly for use on macOS PCs. It comes loaded with a robust sound library and features you can leverage to record, mix, and master music from one interface.

Main Features

• A wide range of virtual instruments and built-in loops
• A mixer with effects and EQ controls
• Intuitive interface with drag-and-drop functionality

Pricing: Free

Multi-platform compatibility: macOS only

Pros	Cons
Perfect for beginners Offers a wide range of virtual instruments and loops Allows for easy sharing to iTunes or SoundCloud	Only available for Mac users Limited functionality compared to professional-level music production software Many sounds within the sound library require payment before usage

Fl Studio

FL Studio is a fully-featured music production software used by many professional producers. The DAW offers a wide range of music-making functionalities in its free trial. However, if you save your project during the free trial, you cannot access them until you upgrade to a paid plan.

Main Features

• A comprehensive virtual studio with support for both audio and MIDI tracks
• A wide range of virtual instruments and plugins, including synths, samplers, and effects
• A built-in mixer with advanced routing options and per-channel effects

Pricing: Free trial, with paid versions ranging from $99 to $499

Multi-platform compatibility: Windows and macOS

Pros	Cons
Offers a wide range of features and tools Allows for easy customization with third-party plugins Suitable for both beginners and advanced users	Paid versions are relatively expensive Can get complicated for beginners due to the sheer amount of features Can’t access saved projects in free trial

MuseScore

MuseScore stands out from other music production tools because it is a music notation tool rather than a regular DAW. With its various sophisticated components, MuseScore automates how you score and write sheet music for piano, guitar, orchestras, and even marching bands.

Main Features

• Create and edit sheet music using a comprehensive notation editor
• Playback with a virtual piano and other virtual instruments
• Supports exporting in a variety of file formats, including PDF, MIDI, and MusicXML

Pricing: Free

Multi-platform compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux

Pros	Cons
Offers a comprehensive notation editor for creating and editing sheet music Suitable for both beginners and advanced users Active community support with an extensive library of user-generated sheet music Multi-platform compatibility	Limited to creating sheet music, does not support audio recording or editing Can be complex for beginners to learn

TuxGuitar

TuxGuitar is an open-source software that allows you to compose and edit tablature for musical instruments. While it isn’t used for mixing and mastering songs like regular DAWs, TuxGuitar is helpful for music producers that need to score songs efficiently.

Main Features

• A comprehensive tablature editor for guitar, bass, and other instruments
• A virtual fretboard and piano to aid in composition and arrangement
• Supports exporting in a variety of file formats, including MIDI and ASCII tablature

Pricing: Free

Multi-platform compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux

Pros	Cons
Offers a comprehensive tablature editor for guitar and other instruments Suitable for both beginners and advanced users Supports several file formats for importing and exporting Multi-platform compatibility	Limited to creating tablature, does not support audio recording or editing Doesn’t have a website or a dedicated community Can be complex for beginners to learn

Hydrogen

Hydrogen is a software synthesizer (softsynth) that allows music producers to create a variety of drum sounds either through its inbuilt tools or through an external MIDI controller or sequencer software.

Hydrogen’s goal is to provide music producers with a simple yet professional tool for pattern-based drum programming.

Main Features

• A virtual drum machine for creating and sequencing drum patterns
• A wide range of drum kits, songs, and patterns to choose from
• Supports exporting drum patterns as MIDI files

Pricing: Free

Multi-platform compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux (they do not provide packages for Linux themselves)

Pros	Cons
The interface is user-friendly and easy to navigate Supports a wide range of drum kits and samples Lightweight and runs smoothly on most systems	Limited to creating drum patterns, does not support other instruments for audio recording/editing No support for VST plugins

Ardour

Ardour is an open-source DAW designed to help music-makers make pro-level music by offering robust tools for recording, editing, and mixing songs on Windows, macOS, or Linux PCs.

Main Features

• A comprehensive DAW for recording, editing, mixing, and mastering audio tracks
• Supports both audio and MIDI tracks with virtual instruments and plugins
• A mixer with advanced routing options and per-channel effects
• Compatibility with many plugins for extending its features

Pricing: Free

Multi-platform compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux

Pros	Cons
Offers a wide range of features and tools for music production Supports VST plugins for customization and extension Suitable for both beginners and advanced users	Can be complex for beginners to learn

Qtractor

Qtractor is a Linux-based audio and MIDI multitrack sequencer that originally started as a hobby project but has expanded over the years into one of the most popular open-source music software projects.

Main Features

• Non-destructive, non-linear editing
• In-built mixer and monitor control
• Multimedia infrastructure comprising ALSA sequencer for MIDI and JACK for audio
• Unlimited tracks per session/project

Pricing: Free

Multi-platform compatibility: Linux only

Pros	Cons
Offers a wide range of features and tools for music production Lightweight and runs smoothly on most systems Suitable for both beginners and advanced users	Available on Linux only Can be complex for beginners to learn Limited documentation and community support

Cakewalk by BandLab

Fueled by over 30 years of continuous innovation, Cakewalk offers everything you need for full-scale music production—composing, recording, editing, mixing, mastering, and sharing.

Main Features

• A comprehensive digital audio workstation for recording, editing, and mixing audio tracks
• Supports both audio and MIDI tracks with several virtual instruments and plugins
• A mixer with advanced routing options and per-channel effects

Pricing: Free

Multi-platform compatibility: Windows only

Pros	Cons
Has a clean and intuitive interface with high ease of use Offers unlimited audio, MIDI, instrument, loop, and auxiliary tracks for every project Supports VST3, ARA, and Touch for music production on a wide variety of audio engines	Available on Windows only Can overwhelm beginners with its many features

WaveForm Free 12

WaveForm Free is a fully-featured free DAW designed to help you record, edit, mix, and master audio from one interface. It can be used by a wide variety of people, including band recorders, electronic producers, podcasters, singer/songwriters, and live performers.

Main Features

• Supports integration with external plugins for feature extensibility
• Offers in-line MIDI and Step Clip access for music programming and an environment for FX processing and sound designing
• Includes popular utility tools, like an A/B switch, a spectrum analyzer, Plus MIDI CC, Mid/Side Splitter, a mono converter, and a MIDI Note Name plugin

Pricing: Free

Multi-platform compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux

Pros	Cons
Lightweight and loads faster than Cakewalk Offers a new audio engine with improved CPU efficiency and extended audio plugin compatibility No restrictions on exports, track counts, and plugins	Can be complex for beginners at first Gets glitchy sometimes

Reaper

Launched by Cockos in 2006, Reaper has grown into a robust, feature-rich DAW, offering full audio and MIDI recording, sound editing, mixing, and mastering functionalities.

Reaper is compatible with a wide variety of hardware devices, plugins, and digital audio formats. It can be scripted, extended, and even modified.

Main Features

• Support for thousands of plugins for effects and sound instruments, including AU, VST, VST3, DX, LV2, and JS
• Has hundreds of effects for audio and MIDI processing, alongside native tools for creating custom effects
• Offers a drag-and-drop user interface for efficient navigation

Pricing: Free trial version is available, with paid versions starting at $60

Multi-platform compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux

Pros	Cons
Highly customizable Lightweight and can be run from a PC or portable drive Multi-platform compatibility	Only free for 60 days Paid versions are required for full features Learning curve can be steep for beginners

Serato Studio

Serato Studio is built specifically for beat makers and thus comes with robust features that help them make beats more efficiently.

It allows you to generate samples, leverage modern workflows, and create chords with minimal clicks.

Main Features

• Comes with an advanced sampler for isolating and manipulating samples in real time
• Offers a robust collection of drum kits, audio samples, and effects
• Has Play in Key, Pitch ‘n Time, and Auto Chord that automatically puts your notes in key, creates full chords, and helps you adjust your song’s pitch and speed

Pricing: Free version, premium start at $9.99/month or $249 one-time payment

Multi-platform compatibility: Windows, macOS

Pros	Cons
Simple and user-friendly interface Offers several features for music production, including a built-in drum machine and sample library Suitable for both beginners and advanced users	Limited customization options Some features are only available in paid versions

n-Track Studio

n-Track Studio’s latest release, version 9, has been revamped and fitted with new tools like VocalTune and Guitar Amp Simulators. The tool is generally usable on smartphones and PCs and offers a complete environment for recording, editing, mixing, and even collaborating with other producers over the Internet.

Main Features

• Comes with a wide variety of plugins, virtual instruments, and samplers
• Has a Piano Roll for controlling virtual instruments and a Step Sequencer for creating beat patterns
• Offers an in-built denoiser to keep audio clean and crisp
• Comes with Songtree, a platform that allows for musical collaboration over the internet

Price: Free (with limited features), Paid version starting at $69.00 one-time purchase or $14.95 per month

Multi-platform compatibility: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS

Pros	Cons
Comes packed with a wide range of features, from editing tools and virtual instruments to samples and effects; Available for installation on PCs and mobile devices; Has a clean, navigable interface.	The free version is limited in functionality; Limited looping capabilities; Learning curve can be steep, due to its many features.

SoundBridge

SoundBridge was built to simplify music-making for beginners and advanced producers. Thus, it focuses on providing easy access to basic editing, tracking, sequencing, and mixing tools.

Users can get access to the DAW in 32 or 64-bit formats on Mac and Windows PCs.

Main Features

• Unlimited audio and MIDI tracks
• Third-party plugins and virtual instruments
• MIDI sequencing, piano roll editing, and automation
• Features a mixer with per-channel effects and EQ controls
• Real-time audio stretching and pitch shifting

Price: Free, paid version costs $65 (with additional features)

Multi-platform compatibility: Windows, macOS

Pros	Cons
Supports a wide range of plugins and virtual instruments Supports unlimited audio and MIDI tracks Real-time audio stretching and pitch shifting Suitable for both beginners and advanced users Multi-platform compatibility	Limited documentation and community support The free version is limited in functionality

Pro Tools

Pro Tools is a robust DAW offering a complete environment for recording audio, creating beats, and collaborating with other music producers from anywhere.

It lets you start with its free version, Pro Tools Intro, which allows you to make music with essential audio and MIDI tools.

Main Features

• Comes with native editing tools for manipulating your audio and MIDI tracks
• Offers EQ, compression, and reverb quantization tools for efficient mixing
• Has built-in virtual instruments including drums, keyboards, and synthesizers

Price: free version, with premium versions starting at 9 euros per month or 89 euros per year, plus a 30-day free trial

Multi-platform compatibility: Windows, macOS

Pros	Cons
Offers a fairly generous amount of features Supports unlimited audio and MIDI tracks Allows users to record up to 16 audio tracks Multi-platform compatibility	You can only record four tracks simultaneously Limited number of virtual instrument tracks Its free version is heavily limited compared to other free tools

Cubase LE

Cubase LE is a compact, beginner-friendly version of the more advanced Cubase versions (Elements, Artiste, AI, and Pro).

It runs on the same engine as the advanced versions, offering some essential features you can leverage as a beginner to handle music projects from start to finish.

Main Features

• Comes with 23 native audio VST effect processors
• Offers over 5 gigabytes of sounds and loops
• Comes with an audio engine that can track up to 8 audio channels simultaneously
• Provides you with composition tools for writing chords and working on notations
• Comes with automation features, allowing users to automate parameters such as volume and pan

Price: Cubase LE is free. Advanced versions come with a 30-day free trial, afterward you can purchase any of its three pricing tiers:

• Cubase Pro 11 – $706.52 
• Cubase Artist 11 – $403.3 
• Cubase Elements 11 – $121.38

Multi-platform compatibility: Windows, macOS

Pros	Cons
Has a reliable audio engine Multi-platform compatibility A good fit for beginners Has a comprehensive sample library and a powerful synthesizer engine	Limits you to 24 instrument kits and 16 audio tracks You need to purchase the full version to get all the features

Ableton Live 11 Lite

Ableton Live 11 Lite is a lightweight DAW with all the basic workflows, effects, and instruments you need to thrive with music production at the entry level. It is the free version of Ableton Live 11. However, the developers are fairly generous with its built-in features.

Main Features

• Supports multitrack recording at 32bit/192 kHz
• Comes with native hardware integration so you can connect your external musical devices faster
• Supports VST2, VST3, and AU v2 and v3
• Allows you to create custom instruments, effects, and devices
• Supports multiple file formats like WAV, MP3, AIFF, Ogg Vorbis, and FLAC

Price: free version, premium starts at $79.00

Multi-platform compatibility: Windows, macOS

Pros	Cons
Ableton’s workflow is popular among music producers There are several effects and instruments available Powerful drum machine and MIDI editor Lightweight, intuitive, and beginner-friendly	No ReWire support MIDI mapping is limited Its native sound library is limited

Using Video and Social Media to Push Your Music

A study by MusicWatch showed that 90% of social media users engage in music or artist-related activity on social networks. Majority of today’s music consumers are social media users, and if you want to get visibility as a music maker, you need to make social media a core part of your strategy.

But how do you go viral on social media? By creating short and interesting videos!

You can make a short video with your music playing in the background using an intuitive video editor like Animotica.

Whether you’re making a video for YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, or Instagram, Animotica makes the entire editing process a cakewalk for you even if you have zero experience with video editing software.

Click the button below to install Animotica for free.

We also have a comprehensive blog section covering everything you’ll need to create mind-blowing videos. Check it out here.

Conclusion

As a complete beginner in music production, starting your journey with free tools is a safe and smart move. However, it is important that the free music-making software you choose has as many helpful features as possible.

This will make your experience more enjoyable and ensure your creativity is properly unlocked for advanced-level music production.

Also, consider the capabilities of your devices and read public reviews for each software to get an overview of its general user experience.