A curated list of software, hardware, and other resources to create music.
Tip
I use this knowledge to produce music as my alter ego Leo Mask.
Check it out at leomask.com!
Table Of Contents
- Ableton
- ACID - A DAW known for its loop-based music creation.
- Ardour
- Bitwig
- Cubase
- FL Studio - A complete software music production environment.
- Garage Band
- Giada - Minimal audio tool for DJs, live performers and musicians.
- GridSound - Free online DAW implemented with the Web Audio API.
- Helio - Libre music composition software.
- LMMS - Comprehensive open source, cross platform DAW.
- Logic Pro X
- Meadowlark - Open-source, cross platform DAW.
- Mixcraft - DAW software for Windows.
- Pro Tools
- Radium - Tracker-like music editor with additional GUI controls.
- Reaper - Complete digital audio production app for Windows and macOS.
- Remixlive - A dynamic music creation tool that lets you play loops and sounds.
- Renoise - Complete, multi-platform DAW with a music-tracker based approach.
- Rytmik Studio - Music creation software.
- Stargate DAW - All-in-one DAW and plugin suite for Windows, macOS and Linux.
- Studio One - Complete DAW and live show sequencing.
- TuneFlow - Free, AI-powered DAW that provides lyrics/music generation, stem separation, MIDI transcription, as well as full editing and mixing capabilities.
- Waveform Pro - A DAW designed for the needs of modern music producers.
- Zrythm - Cross-platform DAW.
- Alda - A music programming language for musicians.
- ATM CLI - Command line tool for generating and working with MIDI files.
- Aubio - Segmentation, pitch detection, tapping the beat and producing midi streams.
- Augmented Audio - Library for audio programming written in Rust.
- Band.js - Music composer interface for the Web Audio API.
- Blip - Looping and sampling with the Web Audio API.
- Cane - A small MIDI sequencer DSL designed around vectors and euclidean rhythms.
- CSound - A sound and music computing system.
- Dplug - Library to make audio plug-ins with the D programming language.
- Euterpea - In Haskell embedded language for computer music applications.
- Faust - Functional programming language for sound synthesis and audio processing.
- FourVoices - Automatic music generator for four-part writing.
- Glicol - Graph-oriented live coding language and music/audio DSP library written in Rust.
- Gwion - A strongly-timed programming language aimed at music creation. Heavily inspired by ChucK.
- Houdini Music Toolset - Adding MIDI functionality to 3D program Houdini.
- Klasma - Chiptune music composition kit.
- Kord - Music theory binary and library for Rust and JavaScript.
- libsoundio - Cross platform audio input and output library.
- LickCreator - Online web based music notation.
- Leipzig - Composition library for Clojure and ClojureScript.
- Magenta - Music and Art Generation with Machine Intelligence.
- Magiclock - Feel MIDI clock beat via the magic trackpad.
- Megra.rs - A Rust library for algorithmic music composition.
- meSing.js - JavaScript singing synthesis library.
- Microm - JavaScript library to convert browser microphone to mp3.
- Music Suite - Haskell based language for describing music.
- Nashville - Convert Nashville Number System (NNS) entries to chords.
- Node Speaker - Output PCM audio data to the speakers.
- Octavian - Utility to reason about notes, frequencies, and intervals.
- Orca - Esoteric programming language to create procedural sequencers.
- Overtone - Open Source toolkit for designing synthesizers and collaborating with music.
- Pedalboard.js - JavaScript framework to develop audio effects for guitars.
- Pippi - Computer music with python.
- PitchFinder & Node PitchFinder - Javascript (and node c++ addon) with pitch detection algorithms
- Pop2Piano - Pop audio-based piano cover generation.
- PureScript Ocarina - Web-audio library for interactive media and games.
- React Music - Create beats with React.
- Repitch - Real-time polyphonic MIDI-controlled audio pitch shifting.
- Rust Music Theory - A music theory guide written in Rust.
- Sardine - A music live coding library for Python.
- Scribbletune - Create music with JavaScript.
- Sharp11 - Music theorization and improvisation engine.
- Slang - Simple audio programming language implemented in JavaScript.
- Spectmorph - Analyze samples of instruments, and combine (morph) them.
- Spleeter - Source separation library (e.g. extract drums from a track).
- Step Sequencer - Elm step sequencer for programming drum beats.
- Teoria - JavaScript library for music theory.
- TidalCycles - Programming language to describe polyphonic, polyrhythmic, and generative music sequences.
- timbre.js - JavaScript library for objective sound programming.
- Tonal - Functional music theory library.
- Tone.js - A Web Audio framework for making interactive music in the browser.
- Tuna - An audio effects library for the Web Audio API.
- VCV Rack - Open source virtual modular synthesizer.
- Verovio - Music notation engraving library.
- Vexwarp - JavaSCript library for audio time stretching and pitch shifting.
- Vivid - High quality audio in Haskell with SuperCollider.
- Altitude - Advanced hybrid synthesis workstation.
- Amsynth - Synthesizer with a classic subtractive synthesizer topology.
- Apricot - Efficient hybrid synthesizer with a massive sound.
- Fluctus - Simple 3-operator FM synthesizer.
- Helm - GPL licensed polyphonic synth with lots of modulation.
- [Integrate] - Old-school virtual analog synthesizer.
- NSynth Super - Open source AI synth from the Google Magenta team.
- OpenUtau - Open source vocals synthesis platform.
- Regency - Multi-tiered phase distortion system.
- SAW - A simple synthesizer with a clean UI and straightforward functionality.
- Surge Synthesizer - Open source digital synthesizer.
- Yoshimi - Software audio synthesizer.
- Agordejo - Music production session manager.
- Auxy - Modern instruments for mobile creators.
- Composer's Sketchpad - Sequencer that combines musical staff paper with an artist's sketchbook (iOS only).
- Dragonfly Reverb - Open source audio effects for Linux, macOS, and Windows.
- Fluajho - Simple SF2 soundfont host and player for Linux.
- IXI Programs - Apps for creating musical instruments and environments.
- JJazzLab - Easily generate dynamic backing tracks for any song.
- Konfyt - Digital keyboard workstation for Linux.
- KXStudio - Collection of applications and plugins for audio production.
- Laborejo - MIDI sequencer based on classical music notation.
- Line - CLI MIDI sequencer and language for live coding.
- Luna - MIDI sequencer.
- Max - Visual programming language for music and multimedia creation.
- Melodics - Desktop app to teach playing MIDI keyboards, pads, and e-drums.
- MIDI Tapper - Shape music performances with multi-touch gestures.
- Midica - Music programming language and desktop app for MIDI generation.
- Ninjas 2 - Sample slicer audio plugin and standalone app.
- Ossia Score - Sequencer for audio-visual and interactive shows.
- Patroneo - Simple pattern based midi sequencer.
- Polyphone - A soundfont editor for quickly designing musical instruments.
- Samplr - Multi-touch music making app for iPad.
- SeekMIDI - Graphical multi channel MIDI sequencer.
- Seq24 - Minimal loop based midi sequencer.
- Sonic Pi - Live coding music synth for everyone.
- Sonic Visualiser - Visualize, analyze, and annotate music audio recordings.
- Spire - iOS multitrack recording app with FX & mixing features.
- Transcribe! - App to help transcribe recorded music.
- Ultimate Vocal Remover - AI-powered vocal remover.
- 108 - Minimal beat machine.
- AI Duet - A smart piano that responds to you.
- Arpeggiator - Web Audio Arpeggiator.
- Audio Motion Interface - Use smartphone motions to control a synthesizer.
- Baroque Dances - Procedurally generated classical music.
- Beat Push - Online music production with built-in parallel drum and synth machine.
- beatboxer - Simple drum machine.
- BlokDust - Interactive music-making app to build synths and sounds.
- Chords - Text based chord progression editor.
- Circle of 5ths Explorer
- Djenerator - A metal breakdown generator.
- Frequency Explorer - A microtonal additive synthesizer + sequencer
- Funklet - Drum machine and library of famous drum patterns.
- Jamwithchrome - Play music live with your friends online.
- Keithwhor.com/music - Musical Keyboard - JS Dynamic Audio Synth.
- Klangmeister - Live coding environment for the browser.
- Klank - Sound and animation in the browser using PureScript.
- Landr - Automatic audio mastering.
- Lissajous - A tool for programmatic audio performance in the browser.
- Loopjs - Live Electronic Music Performance Software.
- Looplabs - Cloud based music studio.
- Loudness Penalty - Check how loud your track is and how much it will be penalised by online streaming services.
- mix check studio - Check your mixes and masters for common issues.
- Musical Chord Progression Arpeggiator - Sketch out musical chord progressions.
- MyNoise - Background noises and interactive soundscapes.
- Piano Genie - Machine learning augmented piano app.
- QuasiMusic - Quasiperiodic tilings of the plane as sound triggers.
- Qwerkey - Keyboard tonnetz.
- Reactor - Online DJ controller connected to SoundCloud.
- Repeater Orchestra - An orchestra of repeaters which repeat the conductor.
- Roland 50 Studio - Online playground with emulations of classic Roland devices.
- Scale Explorer - Visual scale explorer.
- Song Maker - Simple step sequencer.
- Sononym - Visual sample browser.
- Splice - Music creation and collaboration platform.
- Strudel - Web-based environment for live coding algorithmic patterns.
- SuperCollider - Platform for audio synthesis and algorithmic composition.
- Synth Time - Simple synthesizer.
- Synthi-JS - A JavaScript emulator of the legendary EMS Synthi A synthesizer.
- TimeStretch - Online tool to loop, speed up, slow down, and pitch shift sections of an audio file.
- ToneBasic - Programmatic sound generation in the browser.
- Websynths - Free browser-based microtonal midi instrument.
- Block Rocking Beats - Play with music in a virtual sound studio.
- Electronauts - DJ simulation with 8 digital instruments.
- Exa - The infinite instrument.
- Lyra VR - Room scale music creation app.
- Modulia Studio - App for music creation and performance.
- Paradiddle - Virtual reality drum kit.
- SoundStage - Music sandbox built specifically for room-scale VR.
- Synthspace - Modular synth VR environment.
- Chordata - A dummy chord-book for mandolin, ukulele and guitar.
- Fretboard - Online Guitar fretboard viewer to study scales and chords.
- Guitarix - Virtual guitar amplifier for Linux running on JACK.
- SmartGuitarAmp - Guitar plugin using neural networks to emulate real world hardware.
- UkeGeeks - Creates fingering diagrams by reading plain text or ChordPro ukulele songs.
- Ukulele Chord Detector - Website for identifying chords and showing notes on a fretboard.
- Ukulele Chord Finder
- Ukutabs - Source for ukulele tabs, chords, tips, tools, guides
- Humtap
- LAIVE
- Omnizart - Transcribe vocals, drums, chords, beats, and more.
- Splash - AI-powered music creation platform.
- Suno AI - AI-powered music composition and production platform.
- MusicWall - Free music landings for artists, producers, and engineers.
- SubmitHub - Submit your music to bloggers and curators.
- BigSoundBank - 2800+ Free and Royalty Free Sounds
- Musical Artifacts - A place for sharing and preserving sound and music related software, samples, presets and more.
- PremiumBeat - Curated, high-quality music and sound effects.
- Soundstripe - Royalty-free music and sound effects for video.
- Splice - Royalty-free samples, one-shots, loops, MIDI, and presets.
- Free MIDI Chords - Collection of free MIDI chords and progressions.
- SigSep - Publicly available datasets for research on source separation.
- BandLab - All in one social music creation platform.
- Sequencer Electronics - Online shop for music apps and plugins.
- dadamachines - Toolkit to create automated analog sounds.
- LittleBits Electronic Music Inventor Kit
- Modal 002R - 8 or 12 voice digital/analogue hybrid 3U rack.
- OP-1 - A powerful portable music workstation. with sampler, multi-track support, and onboard synth generation.
- Organelle - Intuitive controls with a powerful and flexible sound engine.
- Pocket Operators - Tiny, low-cost digital instruments.
- ZynAddSubFX - Polyphonic fully featured musical software synthesizer.
- Zynthian - Open hardware swiss army knife of synthesis, equipped with multiple engines, filters and effects.
- Artiphon - Guitar like MPE controller.
- Bela - Computing platform for creating responsive interactive applications.
- C-Thru Music Axis - Hexagonal and harmonic table based controller.
- Continuum Fingerboard - Linear piano like MPE playing surface.
- DIY Controller - DIY midi controller with simple buttons.
- Dodeka Stellar - Linear and isomorphic MIDI keyboard.
- dualo du-touch - Accordion like controller with hexagonal pads.
- Eigenharp - Grid, breath pipe, and touch strip enabled MPE instrument.
- Erea Touch - Seamless polyphonic MIDI Controller with LED touch surface.
- Haxophone - Electronic musical instrument resembling a Saxophone.
- Joué - Expressive and modular MPE controller.
- LinnStrument - Grid based expressive MPE controller.
- Lumatone - Hexagonal isomorphic keyboard.
- MIDILodica - Breath-controlled, 3D printed, open-source MIDI device.
- Mimu Gloves - Expressive wearable musical instrument.
- Morph - Expressive MPE touch controller with swappable hardware interfaces.
- MPK mini - Cheap and functional mini keyboard controller.
- Neova - Expressive finger ring.
- NuEVI - Electronic valve instrument MIDI controller.
- Open Woodwind Project - Electronic aerophone.
- OpenDeck - Hardware platform to build custom MIDI controllers.
- QuNexus - Small and portable MPE keyboard.
- ROLI Blocks - Portable snap-together MIDI controller with both desktop and mobile interfaces.
- Striso - Expressive MPE controller with a grid-based layout.
- XVI Desktop - USB 16 Channel Fader Bank with CV, I2C, and MIDI.
- Chapman Stick - 8, 10, or 12 string fret-board tapping instrument.
- Harpejji - Electric stringed musical instrument.
- Karlax - Multi sensor expressive Clarinet like instrument.
- Keytam - Tunable guitar-tambourine hybrid.
- LAVA Guitar - Acoustic realism and effects in a portable guitar.
- Musical Instrument Challenge - List of DIY instruments.
- Nux Mighty Plug Pro - Amplifier tones and effects in a compact device.
- Orba - Ball shaped, hand sized musical instrument.
- OTTO - Sampler, sequencer, multi-engine synth and effects in a box.
- Oxi One - Portable grid-based sequencer and synthesizer.
- Pocket Piano - Piano and a wide range of sounds in a compact design.
- PocketDrum - Electronic drums in your hands, anytime, anywhere.
- Travel Sax 2 - Authentic saxophone vibes with MIDI for exploring new musical horizons.
- Polyend Tracker - Compact standalone workstation with a tracker UI.
- Music Encoding Initiative - Community-driven, open-source effort to define a machine-reabable music notation encoding.
- Poly Expression - Forum for expressive instruments and controllers.
- Audio Working Group - Add advanced sound & music synthesis capabilities to the Open Web Platform.
- Awesome Livecoding - A curated list of livecoding languages and tools.
- Awesome Sheet Music - Curated list of tools to create, edit, and display sheet music.
- Awesome WebAudio - A curated list of awesome WebAudio packages and demos.
- Digital Filters Introduction - Jupyter notebooks and a geometric interpretation of digital audio filters.
- Frazier Piano Studio - Blog posts, videos, and apps.
- Know Your Theory - Interactive tutorial to learn theory fundamentals.
- Linux DAW - Listing of open source audio software for Linux.
- Music Theory - The exciting universe of music theory.
- muted.io - Interactive music theory tools and visual references.
- SFZ Format - Main reference for creating instruments with the SFZ format.
- Sound hacking and music technologies
- Music Production Chips - Community-managed collection of tips & tricks for music production.
- youtube.com/i_0DXxNeaQ0 - The science and mathematics of music.
- DeepAudioClassification - Finding the genre of a song with deep learning.
- Detecting piano notes with web audio
- Learning Synths - Learn the basics of using synthesizers.
- Modeling Music with algebraic data types
- Musimathics - The mathematical foundations of music.
- Sound, Motion, Notation - Information and Art.
- Terry Riley's "In C" - A Journey Through a Musical Possibility Space.
- Theory Pages - Music Theory for Musicians and Normal People.
- Training a Recurrent Neural Network to Compose Music
- Visual Music & Machine Learning Workshop for Kids
- Anticipatory Music Transformer - Controllable Infilling Model for Music.
- Centre for Digital Music - Research group for music and audio technology.
- Guthman Musical Instrument Competition
- Harmony Explained - Progress towards a scientific theory of music.
- Musical User Interfaces - Rethink how audio software is designed.
- Universal Music Translation Network
- Virtual Reality Musical Instruments: State of the Art, Design Principles, and Future Directions