16 best programs for making music

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

From recording sound and composing beats from samples to professional mixing and mastering.

1. Steinberg Cubase

• Platforms: Windows, macOS.
• Purpose: recording, mixing, mastering.
• Price: from € 100, 30-day free trial available.

The virtual studio, which is considered one of the most powerful today. This is a product aimed at professionals, but thanks to the logical interface, amateurs and musicians who want to improve the sound of their own compositions also successfully work in Cubase.

The studio has all the advanced tools for editing sound at different stages: during the recording process, during mixing and mastering. Cubase supports modern audio formats, including 5.1 and 7.1 sound - allows you to achieve an exceptional volume of stereo effects.

The studio works with VST and VSTi-plugins. It has handy project templates, a multitrack editor, sheet music tools, filter kits, effects, and a built-in mixer. In the environment, you can compose beats, loops, edit and synthesize new sounds.

2. Adobe Audition

• Platforms: Windows, macOS.
• Purpose: recording, mixing, mastering.
• Price: from $ 20.99 per month, there is a free 7-day trial.

Like Photoshop, only for sound manipulation. Adobe Audition is a functional audio editor that allows you to create masterpieces and edit compositions of any complexity. A very serious set of tools is available here, but to fully master them at a professional level, you will have to spend many hours. However, even a beginner can easily figure out basic sound processing - the interface is intuitive and flexible.

In Adobe Audition, you can correct and restore sound, create and customize sound effects. The studio is suitable not only for musicians, but also for podcasters: it has simple tools for recording, mixing and exporting materials.

Adobe Audition is part of the Adobe Creative Cloud. If you work with video in Adobe Premier, you will be especially comfortable using this program for editing audio tracks.

3. Reaper

• Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux.
• Purpose: recording, mixing, mastering.
• Price: from $ 60, there is a free 60-day trial.

A full-fledged virtual studio created by the developers of the legendary Winamp player. One of the few similar programs that can be run on Linux - however, the versions are still experimental.

Reaper works successfully on relatively weak computers. It allows you to comfortably record, mix, perform mastering, and the output is high-quality sound. It is very convenient here to edit files from many tracks, create mixes and arrangements, and achieve a unique sound of compositions.

Reaper has a built-in converter as well as tools to sync with Sound Forge Pro and Adobe Audition. VST plug-ins or hardware devices for direct data capture and processing can be connected to the program. Supported protocols ASIO, DirectSound and WaveOut.

4. Sound Forge Pro

• Platforms: Windows, macOS.
• Purpose: recording, mixing, mastering.
• Price: from € 299, 30-day free trial available.

A virtual studio that has consistently ranked on The Best Music Editors & Audio Editing Software 2020 lists of the best in its field for over 20 years. It is suitable for studio recording and sound processing, professional mixing and mastering, loop checking and sample editing, includes a wide palette of built-in instruments and plug-ins.

Sound Forge Pro clearly displays all the key sound parameters, so it is comfortable to work with, for example, bass and treble equalizers. In addition, the "large" program runs surprisingly fast thanks to deep internal optimization and produces results without loss of quality.

Sound Forge Pro's built-in DeNoiser sound recovery module is considered one of the best on the market. It suppresses almost any noise: if you record sound in a city or a crowded place, you can achieve inspiring results.

5. Ableton Live

• Platforms: Windows, macOS.
• Purpose: recording, mixing, mastering.
• Price: from $ 199, with a free 90-day trial.

This program is used by many DJs. Ableton Live makes it easy to create, edit and play music in real time, write grooves right at the party. A user-friendly interface, a universal set of instruments, sounds, samples and loops - everything you need for a comfortable creative process.

The Ableton Live library includes 13 different instruments and 56 effects for processing audio and MIDI tracks: Echo, Pedal, Beat Repeat, Amp, Vocoder, Glue and others. The program automatically recognizes MIDI keyboards and other controllers and, by the way, sometimes the license for Ableton Live can be found in the box with such devices.

One of the most interesting built-in tools in the studio is Wavetable. This is an updated synthesizer that allows you to flexibly transform sound using wave tables. They were compiled by analyzing sound from real synthesizers and other analog instruments. Sound synthesis in Ableton does not require deep knowledge of physics - just change the waveform with the mouse and listen to what happens.

6. Mixcraft

• Platforms: Windows.
• Purpose: recording, mixing, mastering.
• Price: from 5,200 rubles, there is a free 14-day trial version.

The main advantage of this virtual studio is the high quality of the built-in effects. Here you will find a variety of virtual instruments, samples and filters that will allow you to work with sound at a professional level, make effective remixes and arrangements. A handy step sequencer will help you perfect your songs.

The library contains more than a dozen VST plug-ins, over 8 thousand loops and samples. You can also import Loop Libraries such as those from Apple's GarageBand and ACID Studios.

Another feature of Mixcraft is the ability to work with videos. This includes voice acting, editing of original tracks, and basic tools for a video sequence: cut, paste and more.

7. FL Studio (FruityLoops)

• Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
• Purpose: recording, mixing, mastering.
• Price: for PC - from $ 99, there is a free trial with no time limits; for iOS, Android - from 399 rubles.

A powerful virtual studio in which it is especially convenient to work with electronic music, hip-hop, dubstep and other similar directions. A rich library of loops and samples will help you assemble a cool track in just a few minutes.

In FL Studio, you can make interesting arrangements and achieve a unique sound of popular tracks. The studio supports VST and VST2 plugins, integration of third-party instruments, and can receive data from multiple MIDI inputs at the same time.

There are many presets available for each virtual instrument and effect in the program. There is also a window of ready-made templates and a convenient piano roll - to make it easier to select bars and notes.

FL Studio's interface may seem confusing and unfriendly at first, but it's easy to customize. Separately, we note the availability of mobile versions - in our opinion, it will be easier for beginners to get used to them.

8. Virtual DJ

• Platforms: Windows, macOS.
• Purpose: DJing, mixing.
• Price: for home use (without connecting to a hardware base for professional DJs) - free of charge; for professional and commercial use - from $ 19 per month or from $ 299 with no time limit.

DJ Console Emulator is an interesting environment for working with audio files in real time. With it, home parties will sparkle with new colors: in Virtual DJ, you can create scratches and change beats on the fly, mix tracks with high quality, including in automatic mode.

The program allows you to mark up to nine key points in tracks and quickly move between them. The built-in library contains a wide selection of mixing and effects instruments, from classic flangers and chorus to more exotic options. A very high quality vinyl imitation is also available in Virtual DJ.

The interface with two decks allows you to keep everything you need close at hand, and the colored indicators of the spectral analysis of the sound of each deck are considered a chip of the emulator. In the environment, you can flexibly work with external media, record playback tracks in real time, and even broadcast sound to digital radio stations.

9. Presonus Studio One

• Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.
• Purpose: recording, mixing, mastering.
• Price: Studio One 5 Prime - Free Studio One 5 Artist - $ 99.95 Studio One 5 Professional - $ 399.95

Virtual studio for full-fledged work with sound at a professional level. It is being developed by Presonus, a manufacturer of sound cards, mixers, audio interfaces and other equipment. Licensed codes for Studio One are often provided with equipment.

It is convenient to record sound from various devices in the application and save it as separate tracks for later editing. You can mix audio and create MIDI files, perform audio saturation with analog modeling, and embed VST effects not only into tracks as a whole, but also into individual composition objects.

10. Cakewalk by BandLab (formerly Sonar)

• Platforms: Windows.
• Purpose: recording, mixing, mastering.
• Price: is free.

A full-fledged virtual studio that covers the entire process of music production: from recording to publishing on popular streaming services. A clean interface and powerful tools allow this free package to compete with more popular editors.

Cakewalk makes it easy to compose and record compositions, adding an unlimited number of audio and MIDI tracks to each project. It's easy here to edit music, create arrangements, create dynamic mixes with a beautiful and bright acoustic picture.

Cakewalk supports an extensible library of ProChannel modules: reverb, resonant filtering, dynamic compression and more. Dozens of compressors and effects are available, there is a built-in MIDI track editor and support for the proprietary CAL scripting language.

There are also apps from BandLab for making music on iOS and Android.

11. MAGIX Music Maker

• Platforms: Windows.
• Purpose: recording, composing loops.
• Price: Music Maker - Free Music Maker 2021 Plus Edition - 59 euros; Music Maker 2021 Premium Edition - 99.99 euros.

Even if you don't have any experience in creating music at all, with Music Maker you can get started. The emphasis here is on ease-of-use, but Music Maker professionals will also find interesting features.

First of all, a solid collection of beats, melodies and vocal fragments is available in the program. They can be combined to create compositions and loops. Just drag and drop the elements you want into the editing window and listen to how they sound together.

You can also use virtual instruments in Music Maker, from synthesizer to strings and drums. Conveniently connect a MIDI keyboard or electronic drums to create interesting contemporary compositions. Finally, there is a library of ready-made effects and templates.

12. Pro Tools

• Platforms: Windows, macOS.
• Purpose: recording, mixing, mastering.
• Price: Pro Tools First with a limited set of features - free; standard Pro Tools - from $ 29.99 per month; Pro Tools Ultimate - From $ 79.99 per month, free trials available.

Professional virtual studio for creating high-quality audio - from recording to final mastering. The starter version is useful for students, inexperienced musicians and podcasters. Standard is aimed at hobbyists, producers, and sound engineers. And Ultimate is designed for professional sound engineers, audio mastering and post-production specialists.

In Pro Tools, you can mix sound from different channels with high quality, apply sound processing options from a wide library, use virtual instruments and painstakingly edit compositions of varying complexity. The peculiarity of the program is that it is unlikely that it will be possible to pile something intuitively here: connoisseurs of this application are accustomed to working thoughtfully in order to ultimately combine a composition from many tracks into a finished stereo track.

Pro Tools requires specific hardware to run smoothly. In general, this is not a program, but rather a software and hardware complex in which software and hardware work closely together. But if you are determined to become a professional sound engineer, you definitely cannot do without a basic acquaintance with Pro Tools.

But podcasters or amateurs can do quite well without buying hardware. Free version of Pro Tools First to help.

13. Wavosaur

• Platforms: Windows.
• Purpose: recording, mixing, mastering.
• Price: is free.

A lightweight editor for recording and processing audio that supports a range of professional features such as ASIO drivers, VST plug-ins, multi-channel WAV file creation and real-time application of effects. It is convenient to create loops in Wavosaur, record and analyze compositions, perform batch conversion of audio files into the desired format.

You can download the program and start working right away - you don't even have to install anything. Here it is convenient to create drafts and sketches, perform simple operations: cut, copy and paste fragments, cut frequencies, convert mono to stereo and vice versa, invert and reflect fragments, increase and decrease the volume, add pauses.

Wavosaur is also useful for removing voices from compositions. You can perform pitch shifting, export files, batch apply effects and plugins. Finally, there are tools for spectral analysis of sound (2D and 3D spectrum output, sonograms), power per channel, real-time oscilloscope for inputs and outputs, signal synthesis.

14. AudioMASTER

• Platforms: Windows.
• Purpose: recording, basic processing.
• Price: from 690 rubles, there is a free 7-day trial period.

Compact audio editor created by a Russian company. The main advantage is the initially Russian-language interface.

"AudioMASTER" allows you to quickly cut and glue fragments of tracks, convert audio files to the desired format, record sound from a microphone and create ringtones for Android and iOS devices. It is convenient to extract sound from video and apply simple effects in the program.

But in general, "AudioMASTER" is an audio editor for amateurs. There is no support for popular plugins and multitrack mode. But you can successfully remove noise, change the voice, add an echo, or create the atmosphere of a certain place: a room, street, hall, and so on. And in the Platinum version, you can also work with video.

15. Sibelius

• Platforms: Windows, macOS.
• Purpose: music editor.
• Price: limited version of Sibelius First - free; standard version of Sibelius for 16 instruments - from $ 9.99 per month; the Sibelius Ultimate version starts at $ 19.99 per month and has a free 30-day trial.

A powerful score editor from the developers of Pro Tools that allows you to create and edit musical scores - from individual instrument parts to orchestral arrangements. An indispensable tool for composers and arrangers, students of music schools and conservatories, performers who work with instrumental parts.

The editor allows you to select and customize instruments for playing scores. The artificial intelligence system will make the sound of the finished composition as natural and realistic as possible.

Scores can be published in the cloud and work with files from other composers - a kind of social network for sharing knowledge and developing creativity. Sibelius also includes functions for creating scores from audio files and transcribing scans or photo music sheets, teaching and collaboration tools.

In addition, the Sibelius developers offer the Avid Scorch iPad app to work with ready-made scores. It turns your tablet into an interactive music rest for rehearsals and performances.

16. Guitar Pro

• Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
• Purpose: music editor.
• Price: $ 69.95, 30-day free trial available.

The most popular sheet music editor for acoustic and electric guitar, bass, ukulele, banjo and other similar instruments. It allows you to work with scores and tablatures for them, as well as create backing tracks for piano and drums.

Guitar Pro includes a functional MIDI editor, metronome, song player and other tools useful for guitarists. Here you can build and define the composition of chords, disassemble compositions, listen to parts, link lyrics to notes, apply effects to guitar parts.

The latest version of Guitar Pro 7.5 has added support for tablatures for 9- and 10-string guitars, expanded the orchestral bank and import in MIDI format. We also integrated mySongBook - a collection that includes more than 2 thousand ready-made tablatures of popular songs like Stairway to Heaven or Little Wing.