Music making is a passion and it’s absolutely not a big deal these days with hundreds of apps available on the internet. Yes, there ample free apps available that can help you churn out a professional quality feet thumping piece without spending a dime.
From making full tracks on your smartphone or tablet, or simply using an exclusive hardware sequencer instead of a computer, internet is the best source that can help you make music digitally.
The LinuxSampler is an open-source audio sampler with high stability, efficiency, and very low latency, providing professional-grade features, comparable to both hardware and commercial Windows/Mac Software samplers.
Mac Os Open Source
That being said, there is still no alternative to a PC where you can download and install a music making software or DAW (digital audio workstation) and record music, organize and mix complete tracks directly from the desktop, seamlessly. Bonus – when done in the right way, these tracks are of release quality.
Windows is the most used platform in the world and so, if you are hunting for the best Windows software for making music, we have the ultimate list for you in this post. While some are completely free to download and work with, some offer the free trial version before you invest in the Pro version. So, read on to find your pick..
Audacity
Audacity is an open source software that’s one of the most popular music editors with already millions of downloads. This cross-platform app works with not just Windows, but also with MacOS and Linux.
This program allows you to not only record music from several different sources, but also post-process nearly any type of audios. With the help of this software, you can also add different effects to your music, fine-tune the pitch, bass, and treble, and even assess tracks using its tool for frequency analysis.
Your tracks are presented as editable waveforms by the software that can be edited by the users. As a user you can also edit the music track using the cut, copy, and paste features or even use its wide range of added plug-ins to improve the series of effects and the audio assessment. The program comes with an in-built support for plug-ins like LV2, LADSPA, and Nyquist.
Supported Platforms: Windows, Mac, and Linux
Price: Free
Get it here: https://www.audacityteam.org/download/
AbletonLive Lite 9
The Live Lite 9 version of Ableton is a restricted version of the program, however, it’s one of the best software for music making out there. The best part about it is that it’s free to download and is compatible with both Windows and Mac. With the paid version you get an additional 4GB of sounds.
What’s amazing is that, you get upto eight recording tracks for free if you choose not buy the upgraded version. It also comes equipped with a range of effects and tools that help you to make high-quality music tracks. You can also add MIDI tools like keyboards with it. It can be easy to use if you already know how the music making programs work. Ableton is an industry level software that’s used by many musicians and producers to create music and record.
Supported Platforms: Windows, Mac
Price: Free version available; upgrade starts from $99
Get it here: https://www.ableton.com/
FL Studio
If you are a first-timer, looking to start with a music making software, FL Studio is the best option for you. It’s been in the scene for quite some time now and is one of the most popular DAW software till date. From sound correction, cut-paste, or stretching to pitch shifting or the works, it’s got all the usual protocols you could think of. The biggest plus point of this program is its interface which is especially designed to suit the beginners.
While you can refer to the YouTube video tutorials for any explanation required on any feature, you also get 30 synth software along with it for out-of-the-box usage. So, for those who have just bought a controller and want to try out some sounds to start with, you do not need to spend those added bucks. Whether you want to record in it using microphone, do the usual editing and mixing, or use the MIDI keyboards, it fulfils all the essential requirements of a music software. Bonus – it comes with an extremely user-friendly interface.
Supported Platforms: Windows only
Price: Free trial available; Full version starts at $99
Get it here: https://www.image-line.com/flstudio/
Mac Music Software Open Source D Encaissement
Magix Acid
While it may not be the leading software in the category with a dated looking interface, it still takes pride with its strongest features like automatic audio time-stretching and pitch shifting. Bonus- it also features the MIDI now.
Yes, it may not be the best performing software on the list, but Magix Acid is definitely fast, competent, and user-friendly. It’s been recently owned by Magix and the version 8 is about to be launched that indicates towards a much-needed change with an all-new user-interface. It’s also touted to come up with 64-bit and VST3 support.
Supported Platforms: Windows
Price: Free trial available; Upgrade starts at $90
Get it here: https://www.magix.com/in/music/acid/
Tracktion T6
Tracktion T6 is a two years old program that still boasts of loads of features. It’s a software with a simple design making it easy to understand and use. The interface is a workspace where you get all that is required in a single window. The workspace helps you avoid the inconvenience of jumping to various screens.
The best part is, that every section is flexible enough and so, it helps you to fine-tune it according to your workflow. Moreover, whichever specifications you have selected elsewhere, the bottom panel turns into screen. With its more established DAW system, it certainly has an exclusive appearance. As bonus, the program comes with unending range of audio and MIDI tracks, however, it’s based on the hardware potential. Yes, it also supports several plugin formats such as VST, Audio Units, and more.
Supported Platforms: macOS/Windows/Linux (VST, AU and Linux VST)
Price: Free
Get it here: https://www.tracktion.com/products/t6-daw
DarkWave Studio
When looking for a free DAW software, DarkWave Studio is definitely worth a try. It’s not only free of cost, it’s also perfect for the Window users as it supports all platforms from XP to 10. What’s interesting is, it does not require much space for storage and can be easily discovered and downloaded online.
Among its many features are the Sequence Editor, Virtual Studio, Multitrack Hard Disk Recorder, and Pattern Editor. While the Pattern Editor helps you select digital music patterns and even edit them, the sequence editor enables you to arrange patterns to mix up the track patterns and any arrangements together. You can explore the recording options under its HD recorder tab. It also allows you to choose from the multiple plug-ins (19) that can help you add virtual effects to the music tracks.
Supported Platforms: Windows only
Price: Free
Get it here: https://www.experimentalscene.com/software/darkwave-studio/
Presonus Studio One Prime
Those looking for a free version of this efficient program can download their freeware edition which is Studio One Prime. For advanced features you can purchase the upgraded version that’s specifically for artists and professionals. Studio One is the basic version out of all which you can add to your software collection using any my.presonus.com account. The system requirements include a minimum of 4GB RAM and 30GB of storage within, and it works with the latest versions of Windows.
Despite lacking the advanced features in comparison to the upgraded version, the free version retains the same instinctive interface with drag and drop feature that helps you to create fresh tracks and even add effects. The USP of Studio One Prime is that it comes equipped with endless audio files, FX and virtual tools. Not just that, it also allows you to add nine local audio effects to your music pieces. Some of the mixing and control features that are retained in the free version are easy chain side routing, control link MIDI mapping, and latency compensation. Bonus – the freeware also offers multitrack MIDI and multitrack track change editing instruments. Overall, even being the curtailed version, the freeware still retains most of its essential tools.
Supported Platforms: Windows only
Price: Free; upgrade available for $450
Get it here: https://www.presonus.com/products/Studio-One/get-studio-one
Avid Pro tools
Those looking for tools especially designed for mixing music the professional way, Avid Pro Tools is just what you need. This advanced yet simple tool helps you to excel the industry standards. While it offers the usual facility to create, record, mix, edit, master, and more, it also comes with the advanced version (Avid Audio Engine) that’s loaded with a super speedy processor, 64-bit memory, latency input buffer of its own that helps during any delays, and an innate metering.
Time-stretch to alter the tempo, or Elastic Pitch which is somewhat similar to the autotune that helps rectify harmonies are among the other features to name a few. What’s more? It also comes packed with 70 effects and plug-ins, and other features like channel stripping, compressors, EQ’s reverb, and so on.
Supported Platforms: Windows or Mac
Price: Free Trial available; upgrade starts at $24.92
Get it here: https://www.avid.com/pro-tools
Ardour
It’s a fantastic piece of software that works perfectly well with Windows, Linux, and OS X. The version 5 comes with an all revamped graphic user interface that’s sorted with tabs. Ardour also sports loads of new features that efficiently assist you while making any alterations to the tempo, mixing, writing scripts, or using the plug-ins. The biggest plus point of this DAW software is that it’s free and open source, while the subscriptions start from as low as $1 month.
Supported Platforms: Windows, Linux, OS X
Price: Free (Open Source); Subscription starts from $1
Get it here: https://ardour.org/
AmpliTube Custom Shop
Although it’s a curtailed version of AmpliTube 4, it’s still a completely operational application for guitar rig modelling. There are 24 models in the free version and there’s a lot in the offering for the guitarists to record into their laptop directly. The tones offered by AmpliTube are genuine and there’s an amazing standard of customizations available which includes the microphone selection and replacement.
The biggest bonus however, is the custom shop feature. But, if you are looking for more features, you will have to purchase the paid version. for additional stompboxes, amp models or cab sims.
Supported Platforms: Windows and Mac OS (64-bit only)
Free Mac Music Software
Price: Free version available
Get it here: https://www.ikmultimedia.com/shop/
LMMS (Linux Multimedia Studio)
One of the best multi-platform music making software around, Linux Multimedia Studio is also compatible with Windows and Mac. It’s a free and open source program that works just perfect for all levels of music creators. The program comes packed with five editors and a wide range of synthesizers that can further fine-tune your music tracks. The tracks can be further imported to both MIDI and Hydrogen Project files along with the Song Editor. Moreover, the application also supports plug-ins like VST and LADPSA that can be mixed with several additional effects into the tracks.
Supported Platforms: Windows, Linux, Mac
Price: Free
Get it here: https://lmms.io/
Hydrogen
Hydrogen is another open source music making software that’s more of a digital drum program that sounds like a drum. The Windows version is in the beta stage. It comes with a GMkit that’s pre-installed and includes tools like Pedal HH and Cowbell drum kits, Jazz, Snare Jazz, Ride Rock, Ride Jazz, Snare, Stick, and more.
You can also get access to its endless patterns through the pattern sequencer and can even link patterns together in a music track. The Mixer offered by the program is another useful tool that can help you to tune the drum volume and also add some added special effects. From importing and exporting song patterns into tracks to organizing different drum audio effects on a file to overlap them, there’s a lot that Hydrogen offer its users for free.
Supported Platforms: Windows and Mac
Price: Free
Get it here: http://hydrogen-music.org/
Propellerhead Reason
Although a not so widely known software, Propellerhead Resaon is indeed a stable offering in the category so far. It’s a compact system with drag and drop interface, is fast enough, and of course, offers an exceptional workflow for middle to semi-pro range music makers.
It comes with a strong mixing console and makes for a great DAW software for guitar recordings or bass as it comes with amps and speakers. Additionally, it’s efficient in cutting and splicing music files automatically. Bonus – it supports all MIDI hardware.
Supported Platforms: Windows and Mac
Price: Free version available; upgrade starts at $99
Get it here: https://www.propellerheads.se/en/reason
While there are umpteen such music making software around that one can use for creating a professional piece, the above listed programs are definitely for those who want to create a masterpiece. So, make your choice and rock the stage with a brilliant sounding track.
I find passion in writing Tech articles around Windows PC and softwares
If you are an audiophile and need some free and open source Linux music server software to create your own self-hosted live streaming audio server for your massive collection of music files then you are at right place.
We already coveredbest open source Linux based media server software to build your own media server using old home PC. The media server tools, we have listed in that article are can also be used as music servers such as Plex, Kodi and Emby media servers. Apart from these server software, we are also going to list few dedicated open source and free DIY audiophile music server software here in this listicle, have a look maybe they somehow help you…
But before diving into the article let me tell, who need such kind music server software?
A person, who has a large collection of music or just want to create his own Spotify like a server to stream music locally or remotely anywhere both on Desktop PC (like Windows, MAcOS, and Linux) and mobile platforms like Android, iOS, and Windows-based smartphones.
The purpose os a music server is to deliver a music track which stored on the server storage when requested by the client. These Music HTTP servers should be capable of providing music files over the local area network and to other computer connected to the internet.
The Open source software category has a wide range of multimedia server software; capable enough to turn your computer into a Jukebox. It does not end here, even there is a dedicate Linux music server distro called VortexBox which comes in the form of bootable ISO file and can directly convert you old bare metal PC into a full-fledged music server.
Note: If you are using these software to stream music over the internet (commercially) then be sure that you have copyright ownership of those tracks if they come under the copyright. However, for personal or music under free licenses can be stream without any issue.
List of Best Free Linux Music Server Software
Build your own audiophile music server using free and opens source software
- Plex
- Emby Server
- Subsonic
- Ampache – Music Streaming Server
- Madsonic
- Airsonic
- Serviio
- Daphile- Dedicated Headless Music Server
- VortexBox music server distro
- Icecast
- Mopidy
- Sockso
- Jinzora
- Music Player Daemon
Plex – Media Server
Yes, we know that the Plex is the media server but it is all rounder player. Means it can use to stream music and video both including images. The reason it is on the top list because of its client application availability. The Plex is almost available for every device such as Android, iOS, Smart TV, Windows phone, Apple Tv, XBox one, Plays station and more. It uses a client-server architecture to work as a home theatre PC. You can install the Plex server on Windows, MacOS. Linux like Ubuntu, FreeBSD and on other NAS server platform and Docker. That’s why it is one of the best music server software available for free. See: How to install Plex media server on Ubuntu
Emby Server
It is open source media server which let you handle the home videos, music, and photos both locally and remotely. It is available as a client for both Desktop PC and smartphones. Emby apps are available for Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, Roku, Xbox, Home Theater Computers, and more. The parental control and dlna services are also there. The interface of this media cum music sever is really beautiful and I am using it for my personal usage. Their server application is available for Windows, MacOS, Linux, FreeBSD, NAS, and Docker. You may want to know: How to install Emby server on Ubuntu to create your own music server.
Subsonic
The is another well known free music server software to stream your favorite music on the go. It supports MP3, OGG, AAC and any other audio or video format that streams over HTTP. The transcoding engine of the Subsonic allows you to stream lossy and lossless formats by converting to MP3 on-the-fly.
It can work with any network media player such as VLC, Windows media player, iTunes Winamp, and XMMS including embedded Flash player. The tag parsing and editing of MP3, AAC, OGG, FLAC, WMA and APE files are also possible using the Jaudiotagger library.
Also the Subsonic provide a wide range of language support which is up to 28 along 30 different user themes to suit your personality. The user can also set his own personal avatar. Now come to the availability of the Subsonic server, it can be installed on Windows, MAcOS, Linux, Red Hat / Fedora, Synology NAS and also available as a Stand-alone version (all platforms), and WAR version (all platforms).
The Subsonic client app is available for Android, iPhone, Windows Phone, Mac, Sonos, Chrome and more. It means, if you go for Subsonic then you will not going to get compatible issues. The videos streaming in the Subsonic is paid. However, if you need a server application just for streaming the Music then you can go for it. You can also listen what you’re playing on the Last.FM using automatically register, via the built-in Audioscrobbling support.
Play music directly on the server’s audio hardware using the jukebox mode and also it is very easy to install on Raspberry Pi and Odroid C2 boards.
Madsonic
Madsonic is a web-based media library and media streamer with jukebox functionality. Based on Java technology, Madsonic music server software can run on most of the platforms, including Windows, MacOS, OSX, Linux and Unix variants. Apart from a personal streaming media server, it can also be used a jukebox locally. To stream and play music from Madsonic sever either you can use different clients those support the Madsonic or Subsonic REST API or web browser via an intuitive web interface.
It is a completely open source and free Media streaming software and a fork of closed source Subsonic Server. So, if you don’t want to pay for Subsonic then you can use the MediaSonic. Some key features of it are Easy to use interface,
Flexible and adaptable, Supports most media formats, Customizable user experience, Integrates web services and Mobile Apps.
Ampache – Music Streaming Server
Ampache is another popular free and open source music streaming server software. It is web-based audio/video streaming application and file manager. The Ampache allows to stream music directly into the browser using the HTMl5 player on almost any internet enabled device. To get the lyrics of songs you can also connect the Ampache to ChatLyrics and Lyrics Wiki to import Metadata from MusicBrainz. It provides Subsonic API backend which allows the user to use Subsonic clients. Ampache supports multiple network music players to play songs such as VLC, WinAMP, Foobar2000, Windows media player and almost any player that has the HTTP stream capability. Furthermore, it can also work with Plex, DAAP clients, UPnP/DLNA and XML-API clients.
Airsonic
Airsonic can be said as an open source alternative to closed source Subsonic media server but with all capabilities because it is a fork of Subsonic. It is free and web-based media streamer designed to handle the very larger collection of music files stored on your local disk. However, it mainly optimized for Mp3 streaming but can support any audio or video streaming over HTTP like from OGG and AAC to WMA, FLAC, and APE.
With help of transcoder plug-ins, Airsonic can convert any audio format, including WMA, FLAC, APE, Musepack, WavPack and Shorten. It can also work as a local jukebox.
Airsonic comes with an integrated Podcast receiver and as based on Java technology it can run almost all platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux and Unix variants.
Mopidy
Mopidy is also open source and free MPD and HTTP music server written in Python that runs in a terminal or in the background on Linux computers or MacOS with some network connectivity.
For controlling the Mopidy from frontend you can install some extensions. Also, it can be easily run on the Raspberry P either using Raspbian or Arch Linux to create an affordable Jukebox.
Moreover, has the capability to play music from your local disk and from cloud services like Spotify, SoundCloud, and Google Play Music via an extension on phone, tablet, desktops or web clients.
Basically, you can say it a headless music server software that can be controlled by installing extensions and plays music via a browser or MPD client. With Mopidy’s extension support, backends for new music sources can be easily added. IF you are looking for hackable private music streaming server or personal music server then it is for you.
Serviio
Serviio is a free media server that can work as your private streaming server. It supports streaming of music, video or images on your connected home network. Apart from the free edition, it also has a pro edition with enhanced sharing possibilities. Serviio can work with Smart TVs, PPlayStation3, XBox 360, smartphones, tablets and more. For different devices, it uses a particular profile in order to tune the maximum potential of that device’s potential or minimize lack of media format playback support (via transcoding).
As it based on Java technology which allows this music server to run on most platforms such Windows, Mac and Linux including NAS like embedded systems.
Dedicated Music server operating system
VortexBox -Dedicated Linux Music Server Distro
VortexBox is a Fedora-based Music Sever Linux distribution that can easily turn your computer into a music server or Jukebox. It can automatically rip CDs to FLAC and MP3 files, ID3-tag the files, and download the cover art.
To play music files served by the VortexBox you can use any network-based player like VLC; it means you can use it to stream songs on Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android and iOS devices.
Daphile- Dedicated Headless Music Server
Daphile stands for Digital Music Convenience for Audiophiles which is a music server and player operating system meant to run as dedicated headless music server PC. It is based on open source Squeezebox Server, Squeezelite, and Linux.
The Daphile being a headless server which means not graphical user interface but that doesn’t mean it is complicated. After installing the Daphile you will get an IP address just open it in the browser and you totally control your music library from anywhere locally or over Internet remotely.
The Daphile Headless music server OS features Bitperfect and gapless playback, Extensive audio format support, Native DSD playback up to DSD512, PCM resolutions up to 384kHz/24bit, High quality audio resampling including PCM to DSD conversion, Convolution filtering for DRC and equalizer, “Play from RAM” to minimize CPU load and disk activity during playback, Automatic audio device configuration with multiplayer support, CD ripping with AccurateRip verification, automatic metadata tagging and cover art, Supports external file servers as music source, Easy configuration and installation through the web interface, WiFi hotspot support (if compatible hardware exists), Software update via web interface, Network-attached storage (NAS) service and last but not least Whole system included in just about 200MB ISO-file
Few other dedicated free music/ media server software and worth to try if you are a Windows/Linux user:
Top Open Source Software
Icecast 2
Best Mac Music Software
Icecast is an audio/video streaming media server that right now supports Ogg (Vorbis and Theora), Opus, WebM and MP3 streams. It can be used to create an Internet radio station or a privately running jukebox and many things in between.The Icecast support number clients for Windows, macOS and Linux/Unix some of them are liquidsoap
RoarAudio, butt (broadcast using this tool), Mixxx, Music Player Daemon (MPD), Traktor DJ Studio, Ices, DarkIce, DeeFuzzer, FreeJ, IceGenerator, Muse, Ezstream, Ladiocast macOS, Edcast reborn Windows, StreamS Live Encoder Windows, Cool Mic Android, KoalaSAN iOS, iCast iOS, ShoutVST and more…
Sockso – Personal Music Server
Sockso is a free, open-source, personal music host server which is really easy to setup to everyone. It available for Windows, MacOs, and Linux. If you do not want a high-end production music server and just basic need of streaming music or listen with your friends then Sockso can be used. IT is very simple to install just download and double-click on it. It supports MP3, OGG Vorbis, Flac, and WMA. Features GUI interface, Online flash music player, playlists, search, Download single tracks, or entire albums/artists or playlists and more capabilities.
Jinzora
List Of Free Open Source Software
Jinzora music server software allows streaming digital media through an internet connected computer, home stereo set or a hardware jukebox device.
Free Music Software For Mac
Music Player Daemon
Music Player Daemon (MPD) is a server-side application for playing a variety of sound files through plugins and libraries and can be controlled by its network protocol.
So, these are some best available open source free audio streaming software those will definitely help you to create your own self-hosted music streaming server. However, its all depend on one’s requirement but the Plex, Emby and Subsonic/Madsonic are few ultimate solutions to create the whole package of entertainment. I didn’t try the dedicated music server Daphile but you can do because of it really an interesting one…
If you have any question or want any installation guide on music server software, let us know, the comment box is all your!!
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