Free Music Making Programs For Mac

Fancy creating quality music from your computer without the financial outlays! Here’s the best free music production software absolutely anyone can use.

Music Editing Software For Mac
Free Music Making Programs For Mac Os
Free Music Making Programs For Mac Download
Free Music Making Programs For Mac Download
Good Music Production Software

The best Free Music Production Software programs to download online. These free DAWs work on Windows, Mac, Linux, Ubuntu, and Mobile. These digital audio workstations will allow you to make professional music without spending any money.
Make and edit tracks. FL Studio is a powerful one-stop-shop for sound recording and music production. FL Studio software comes in four editions, the prices of which correspond to the available function. With the better editions, you get to edit audio clips, access the full version of the DirectWave sampler, and more.
There are Music Beat Maker software for several platforms worth mentioning. Music Maker Jam, FL Studio, 5KPlayer music beat maker free download for Windows. Logic Pro X, TunePrompter, and TuxGuitar music beat maker software, free download for Mac. Walk Band, Music Sketchpad 2, SunVox and FL Studio Mobile music beat maker software, free download.

VideoPad free video editing software for Mac OS X. Easily edit movies and video clips to create professional quality videos you will be proud to share. VideoPad free video editing software for Mac. Create and edit professional quality videos whether you are combining several short video clips or working with just one video, make movies you will be proud to share.

It appears that big-budget studios are becoming increasingly irrelevant nowadays. There is now a slew of high profile artists headlining festivals around the world who made it all happen with the free music production software they had in their bedrooms. From Mac DeMarco and Tame Impala to Clairo achieving overnight stardom with Pretty Girl; world-class records can procure themselves at home as long as you have the right bells and whistles. It doesn’t matter what platform you’re on either — there are plenty of free music making software for Windows and Mac. And if you’re a novice, there are options for free music making software for beginners.

You might be surprised at the number of quality music-making softwares available that won’t put a strain on your pocket. We’ve compiled a list of the best free DAWs for making music from scratch.

Many of these options are free music making software for beginners, but there is an impressive amount of quality and control at your behest, should you so desire. Moreover, the non-existent price tag does not mean that there have been corners cut on the production side of things. Free tools and options for expressive control are here in spades as these programs are often trying to seduce you into upgrading to their more professional older cousins. Defy the seduction and create without cost!

Take a browse through the best free music making software – aka audio gateway drugs.

Garageband (Mac)

As far as user-friendly music production software goes, Garageband is leading the charge. If you’re interested in merely being musical, Apple’s entry-level program has a significant variety of samples to play with. You could quite literally build a song in minutes. The sandbox landscape and slick interface put it at the top of the list.

Don’t be fooled though! There is plenty of quality to choose from here and it is the perfect stepping stone to Logic Pro X. With shared features like Drummer, a seriously easy to use groove making sampler with multiple genre styles and a plethora of pattern variations. You will also become familiar with Apple Library as well as a similar interface to logic.

Music Editing Software For Mac

The only downsides include a limit of 255 tracks per song, as well as no MIDI export or the ability to control external hardware via MIDI. Though when it’s all said and done, Garage Band is still an immensely powerful tool and one of the most proficient digital audio workstations going around. Plus, it’s the ultimate free music making software for beginners.

AmpliTube Custom Shop (Mac/Windows)

If you already have a guitar lying around, then AmpliTube Custom Shop is the perfect way for you to add expression and flair to your music without the hefty price tag. While it’s essentially a stripped-down version, this free fully functioning guitar rig application includes 24 models that consist of a chromatic tuner, nine stompboxes, four amps, five cabs, three mics and two rack effects.

Thus it’s not only the perfect tool for any guitarist looking to record straight into their laptop but it’s essentially a ‘try before you buy’ for anyone interested in lashing out on the real deal. And the samples are impressively accurate! Not the least because IK Multimedia locked down official guitar amp models from industry giants such as Fender, Mesa Boogie, Orange, Ampeg and many more.

To top it off you can customise the mic model and placement, hinting at the pool of options available when you got the full mile. AmpliTube Custom Shop is ideal for anyone looking to explore guitar tones or just lay down a few ideas. Plus, it’s free music making software for Windows and Mac.

Bandlab – Cakewalk (Windows)

Cakewalk is one of the oldest digital audio workstations going around and recently received a significant upgrade from its previous model — Cakewalk Sonar. After Gibson halted production last year, Bandlab snapped it up and made it free for all music lovers.

Labelled as the ‘most complete music production package’, Cakewalk offers advanced mixing and mastering tools, unlimited tracks, studio-quality effects and a 64-bit mix engine. They are also rolling with the times, adding in Windows features such as touch integration, pen calibration and Surface Dial advancements throughout the interface.

If you’re looking for the most comprehensive free music making software at absolutely zero cost, Bandlab has got you covered. PS: this exclusively free music making software for Windows.

Tracktion Waveform (Mac OSX, Windows, Linux)

Tracktion Waveform involves one of the most impressive business models on the market. Every year the free music making software gets an upgrade and the previous model has its price tag shaved off. The latest version to drop the cost is Tracktion Waveform.

This impressive interface is as user friendly as Garage Band yet with a little extra sheen. It features unlimited audio and MIDI tracks — depending on your hardware capabilities — plus it allows multiple plug-in formats such as VST and Audio Units.

Furthermore, each window is scalable so you can adjust everything to suit your workflow allowing for surprisingly linear fluidity. Not firmly in the category of free music making software for beginners, but still approachable.

This, of course, is by no means an exhaustive list. Music production software, especially that of the free variety, pops up all the time. There’s a thriving community of developers making innovative plugins and entire DAWs all the time. This friendly competition makes it easier than ever for people to find the right workflow for them, no matter which platform you care to use.

The barriers to entry in the field of music production have never been so low. By checking out one or more of these free programs, you might just ignite a passion that will last a lifetime.

Going Pro

If you are keen on making the jump to the big leagues, there is, of course, a range of versatile DAWs to complement any workflow. While it’s not free music making software for Windows or Mac, they can still be cost-effective.

If you’re recording bands, working entirely in the box, or even using the computer as a way to reimagine synthesis, you’ll find that while the free software is powerful, there’s a cap on their abilities. So let’s check out the options for when you’re ready to invest some hard-earned dollars into your craft.

Pro Tools

Yep, it’s pretty much the ‘industry standard’ and while that phrase is a tad problematic in this incredibly diverse business, god help you if you’re trying to get a gig in a commercial studio without any knowledge of Pro Tools.

The Pro Tools evolution has been slow and steady — with good reason. Millions of studio pros have gotten used to its workflow over the decades. And of all the major DAWs, it most closely resembles a real-life console.

Ableton Live

Now for something completely different. Ableton Live emerged at the turn of the millennium and offered computer au fait musicians a completely novel way to work with audio. The grid view remains one of Live’s key differentiating factors, allowing users to mix and match structural elements and loops with ease.

These days, it’s also a full-blown recording powerhouse. On the verge of version 11, Live will introduce comping, tempo mapping via real-life drums and more.

Logic Pro

Contrary to what you might expect, Logic Pro came about before Garageband. Logic Pro is the clearly, well, logical graduation from Garageband sharing some workflow and aesthetic elements with its gratis sibling.

Make no mistake though, the ‘Pro’ in Logic is there for a reason. In the same way that Pro Tools is the favourite in recording audio, Logic has cemented its place atop the media composer tree, with superior MIDI implementation and a vast array of virtual instruments to call upon.

Cubase

Along with Pro Tools, Cubase is one of the elder statesmen of the music production software world; Steinberg, its parent company, was formed in the ’80s. Initially, it was all about MIDI editing, but with a new version on the shelves, it has every conceivable audio application covered.

Steinberg is also the company that manufactures Dorico, a new and intuitive scoring platform, so the integration for composers using standard notation is tight. Exporting doesn’t usually rate a mention when you’re talking about DAWs, but in Cubase 11, it’s world-leading, and definitely aimed at the professional producer or engineer.

Studio One

Studio One is from the American company, Presonus. Coming to prominence in the last 15 years or so, they’ve made waves in the project studio world, creating a host of affordable yet robust hardware for a range of purposes. Studio One is its DAW and one of the company’s newer offerings.

Though they were later to the game than most, they’ve caught up in quick time. Studio One has a very music-centric workflow, with an array of tools to make the composition process more intuitive. But like most other DAWs, has no problem managing a full band session.

Incredible music.
In the key of easy.

GarageBand is a fully equipped music creation studio right inside your Mac — with a complete sound library that includes instruments, presets for guitar and voice, and an incredible selection of session drummers and percussionists. With Touch Bar features for MacBook Pro and an intuitive, modern design, it’s easy to learn, play, record, create, and share your hits worldwide. Now you’re ready to make music like a pro.

Start making professional‑sounding music right away. Plug in your guitar or mic and choose from a jaw‑dropping array of realistic amps and effects. You can even create astonishingly human‑sounding drum tracks and become inspired by thousands of loops from popular genres like EDM, Hip Hop, Indie, and more.

More sounds, more inspiration.
Plug in your USB keyboard and dive into the completely inspiring and expanded Sound Library, featuring electronic‑based music styles like EDM and Hip Hop. The built‑in set of instruments and loops gives you plenty of creative freedom.

The Touch Bar takes center stage.
The Touch Bar on MacBook Pro puts a range of instruments at your fingertips. Use Performance view to turn the Touch Bar into drum pads or a one-octave keyboard for playing and recording.

Plug it in. Tear it up.
Plug in your guitar and choose from a van-load of amps, cabinets, and stompboxes.

Design your dream bass rig.
Customize your bass tone just the way you want it. Mix and match vintage or modern amps and speaker cabinets. You can even choose and position different microphones to create your signature sound.

Drumroll please.
GarageBand features Drummer, a virtual session drummer that takes your direction and plays along with your song. Choose from 28 drummers and three percussionists in six genres.

Shape your sound. Quickly and easily.
Whenever you’re using a software instrument, amp, or effect, Smart Controls appear with the perfect set of knobs, buttons, and sliders. So you can shape your sound quickly with onscreen controls or by using the Touch Bar on MacBook Pro.

Look, Mom — no wires.
You can wirelessly control GarageBand right from your iPad with the Logic Remote app. Play any software instrument, shape your sound with Smart Controls, and even hit Stop, Start, and Record from across the room.

Jam with drummers of every style.

Drummer, the virtual session player created using the industry’s top session drummers and recording engineers, features 28 beat‑making drummers and three percussionists. From EDM, Dubstep, and Hip Hop to Latin, Metal, and Blues, whatever beat your song needs, there’s an incredible selection of musicians to play it.

Each drummer has a signature kit that lets you produce a variety of groove and fill combinations. Use the intuitive controls to enable and disable individual sounds while you create a beat with kick, snare, cymbals, and all the cowbell you want. If you need a little inspiration, Drummer Loops gives you a diverse collection of prerecorded acoustic and electronic loops that can be easily customized and added to your song.

Powerful synths with shape‑shifting controls.

Get creative with 100 EDM- and Hip Hop–inspired synth sounds. Every synth features the Transform Pad Smart Control, so you can morph and tweak sounds to your liking.

Learn to play

Welcome to the school of rock. And blues. And classical.

Get started with a great collection of built‑in lessons for piano and guitar. Or learn some Multi‑Platinum hits from the actual artists who recorded them. You can even get instant feedback on your playing to help hone your skills.

Take your skills to the next level. From any level.
Choose from 40 different genre‑based lessons, including classical, blues, rock, and pop. Video demos and animated instruments keep things fun and easy to follow.

Teachers with advanced degrees in hit‑making.
Learn your favorite songs on guitar or piano with a little help from the original recording artists themselves. Who better to show you how it’s done?

Instant feedback.
Play along with any lesson, and GarageBand will listen in real time and tell you how you’re doing, note for note. Track your progress, beat your best scores, and improve your skills.

Tons of helpful recording and editing features make GarageBand as powerful as it is easy to use. Edit your performances right down to the note and decibel. Fix rhythm issues with a click. Finesse your sound with audio effect plug‑ins. And finish your track like a pro, with effects such as compression and visual EQ.

Go from start to finish. And then some.
Create and mix up to 255 audio tracks. Easily name and reorder your song sections to find the best structure. Then polish it off with all the essentials, including reverb, visual EQ, volume levels, and stereo panning.

Take your best take.
Record as many takes as you like. You can even loop a section and play several passes in a row. GarageBand saves them all in a multi‑take region, so it’s easy to pick the winners.

Your timing is perfect. Even when it isn’t.
Played a few notes out of time? Simply use Flex Time to drag them into place. You can also select one track as your Groove Track and make the others fall in line for a super‑tight rhythm.

Polish your performance.
Capture your changes in real time by adjusting any of your software instruments’ Smart Controls while recording a performance. You can also fine‑tune your music later in the Piano Roll Editor.

Touch Bar. A whole track at your fingertips.
The Touch Bar on MacBook Pro lets you quickly move around a project by dragging your finger across a visual overview of the track.

Wherever you are, iCloud makes it easy to work on a GarageBand song. You can add tracks to your GarageBand for Mac song using your iPhone or iPad when you’re on the road. Or when inspiration strikes, you can start sketching a new song idea on your iOS device, then import it to your Mac to take it even further.