Free DAW & Music Making Software

PRACQ

PRACQ is a free sequencer stand alone application developed by pracq.com. Compatible OS(s): Windows, macOS.

PRACQ is:

A simple melodic step sequencer (This program does not produce sounds by itself.).

A standalone MIDI program for Windows/Mac.

Controlled by Novation Launchpad or dedicated Android app.

Designed for non-player’s sketch.

What’s New in Ver0.63:

Novation Launchpad X, MiniMK3 support.

Features:

32 steps and 28-key keyboard.

Flexible loop play.

Scale Builder for keyboard.

MIDI file export.

Edit commands (Copy, Paste, Transpose, …).

Multi-track.

and so forth.

PRACQ CTRL – Controller app for Android (instead of Launchpad): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pracq.pracqctrl

Manuals: http://www.pracq.com

Video: {See video at top of page}

http://www.pracq.com

Podium Free

Podium Free is a free sequencer stand alone application developed by Zynewave. Compatible OS(s): Windows 64b.

Podium Free is a modern DAW that supports recording and editing of audio and MIDI, and hosts VST2 instrument and effect plugins.

Podium Free is a fully functional freeware edition of Podium. It is identical to the commercial Podium version except for the following feature limitations:

MIDI interface setup is limited to one input and one output.

64-bit mixer engine option is disabled.

Plugin multiprocessing is disabled.

ReWire is disabled.

Surround-sound playback is disabled.

http://zynewave.com/

Pocket Beats Drum Machine

Pocket Beats Drum Machine is a free sequencer and drum sampler stand alone application developed by Dream Engine Interactive. Compatible OS(s): iOS.

Pocket Beats Drum Machine is drum sequencer for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. It was designed to overcome some of the problems of programming complex polyphonic drum patterns. Pocket Beats makes it a breeze to create precision drum loops with rapid retriggering and drumrolls. It takes just seconds to create complex rhythms using the touch-based grid interface.

Pocket Beats is made by Dream Engine Interactive and powered by our mobile-optimized Dream Audio Engine featuring custom DSP code. With Pocket Beats Drum Machine, you’ll be able to tweak sounds with distortion effects pads. You can also experiment with a range of speeds, anywhere from 10-999 BPM, while still preserving sound quality.

Pocket Beats was created by MIT and MIT Media Lab grads to create precision drum beats on the go. Our drum kits were designed by a Berklee grad to help get you started and inspire you to create your own loops. It’s easy enough for the beginner to use, but robust enough to satisfy a serious musician.

New drum kits and feature upgrades will be added regularly.

Features

Pocket Beats now works with Audiobus

Polyphonic drum loops with up to seven instruments.

Multi-touch grid interface to easily visualize the relationship between each instrument.

Mute/solo individual instruments.

Two touch-controlled effects pads.

10-999 BPM tempo control.

Drumrolls and retriggering: instantly glitch any beat.

Five free drum kits with more available for purchase in several genres.

Export your loops as .wav files or ringtones.

Upgrade to the Pro version to import your own samples, mix and match instruments, and get more control over effects.

Pocket Beats Drum Machine is available for free on the app store. Try it now.

Pocket Beats Drum Machine Pro is available as an in-app purchase for $4.99.

For more information, visit pocketbeats.com or the Pocket Beats Facebook page. Follow us on Twitter @pocketbeatsapp.

http://www.dreamengineinteractive.com/

Open Sound World

Open Sound World is a free host application developed by Amar / Open Sound World. Compatible OS(s): Windows, macOS, Linux.

Open Sound World is a scalable, extensible programming environment that allows musicians, sound designers, and researchers to process sound in response to expressive realtime control.

It combines a familiar visual patching paradigm with solid programming language features such as a strong type system and hierarchical name spaces.

OSW also includes an intuitive model for specifying new components using a graphical interface and high-level C++ expressions, making it easy to develop and share new music and signal processing algorithms.

OSW now includes support for VST instrument and effects plug-ins under Windows, with LADSPA support coming soon.

http://osw.sourceforge.net/

ocenaudio

ocenaudio is a free audio editor plugin developed by ocenaudio. Compatible OS(s): Windows 64b, macOS, Linux.

ocenaudio is a cross-platform, easy to use, fast and functional audio editor. It is the ideal software for people who need to edit and analyze audio files without complications. ocenaudio also has powerful features that will please more advanced users.

This software is based on Ocen Framework, a powerful library developed to simplify and standardize the development of audio manipulation and analysis applications across multiple platforms.

http://www.ocenaudio.com/

Notenspeicher

Notenspeicher is a free step sequencer VST plugin developed by WOK. Compatible OS(s): Windows.

Notenspeicher is a simple to use plugin to record a MIDI sequence step-by-step and play it back at selectable speed and transposition.

It can memorize up to 64 steps (notes and pauses) per preset. Playback is synced to host from 1 note per bar up to 64 (incl. dotted/triplets).

Features::

Record MIDI notes step by step (pause steps are set by button).

Playback when host is running, when a MIDI key is pressed or step by step.

Step button reacts also on MIDI CC#64 (sustain).

Sequence is transposed by incoming MIDI notes.

Notenspeicher is available for 3€ from the developer WOK. A demo version is available.

http://www.wokwave.com

NanoHost

NanoHost is a free host and wrapper Stand Alone application developed by Tone2 Audiosoftware. Compatible OS(s): Windows 64b, Linux.

What is NanoHost?

Tone2 NanoHost is a free, minimalist host application which can load VST-synths. Furthermore, it can act as a wrapper which converts VST-synthesizers into standalone applications.
This tiny tool works best for live-performance, sound-design, jam-sessions and testing.

What is special about NanoHost?

It is free, requires no registration and you are allowed to share it with your friends.

It requires no installation. You can run it directly from a USB-stick or CD.

There is no plugin-scanning required since a plugin can be loaded directly – no matter where it is located on the hard-disc.

Because of low-level code-optimization it offers highest performance and can operate with lower latency than conventional hosts.

The GUI refreshes with an extremely high frame-rate (120 Hz). That’s why you will experience smoother animations and graphics than with other hosts.

NanoHost itself requires nearly no space on the screen. As a result there is more space available for the interface of the VST-plugins.

The software is very small. It requires (nearly) no hard-disc space and is loading extremely fast.

Unlike conventional hosts the soundcard settings can be configured individually for every single plugin. This allows you to achieve the best possible performance for your VSTs.

NanoHost is very easy to use and offers context-sensitive help.

Features

It can convert a VST-synth into a standalone-application. You just need to rename NanoHost.exe to the name of the plugin.dll and copy it to the same directory. When you start plugin.exe, the VST-synth is wrapped and loaded automatically.

The output of a plugin can be recorded to a wav-file in high quality.

NanoHost can create random patches.

It offers a soft-clipping algorithm with low distortion and tube-sound.

Scrollbars allow you to work also with plugins larger than your screen resolution. It is possible to display also only a part of the plugin’s interface.

Midi-notes can be transposed and Midi-channels can be filtered. There are several Midi-velocity curves available.

Your current sound-bank can be stored and loaded automatically.

It is also compatible with very old 32-bit plugins.

It does work also with older computers.

Technical data

Supported operating systems: Windows XP / Vista / 7 / 8 / 8.1 / 10 (32-bit or 64-bit), Linux with Wine.

Supported plugin formats: VST 2.x (32-bit or 64-bit).

Supported soundcard-drivers: ASIO, MME, Direct Sound.

Supported samplerates: 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88 kHz, 96 kHz, 176 kHz, 192 kHz.

Supported patch formats: *.fxp and *.fxb.

Supported format for recordings: 32-bit WAV in stereo.

http://www.tone2.com/

My First Step Sequencer

My First Step Sequencer is a free step sequencer VST plugin developed by ndc Plugs. Compatible OS(s): Windows, macOS.

My First Step Sequencer is a simple 16-(or 8-)step sequencer aimed at children. It comes with a shuffle mode and a note randomize button, as well as a scale-forcing control, to make it so that you can only select notes within a particular scale.

The notes are represented by animal heads in the carriage windows, with the velocities being represented by flowers on the carriage doors. The octave can be changed by clicking the body of the engine. A signal at the bottom right is a global mute – setting it down will stop the plugin from outputting MIDI data. The arrow at the bottom left can be used to display a number of advanced options, left to right:

Shuffle.

Number of steps (16 or 8).

Scale: lets you ignore certain notes, to enforce a particular scale.

Notes: Switches between displaying the notes as animal heads, or their actual values.

Random: randomizes the note values.

http://www.niallmoody.com/ndcplugs

Music Maker Jam

Music Maker Jam is a free sequencer stand alone application developed by MAGIX. Compatible OS(s): Windows, iOS, Android.

Music Maker Jam is available for Windows 8 and Android smartphones & tablets.

App Highlights and Included Features:

Four free soundpools with professionally produced loops: Hip Hop, Minimal, Rock, and Jazz.

A step sequencer which allows for easy harmony adjustment.

The ability to record/edit songs in real time while adding sound enhancing effects.

An eight-track 8 loop mixer for easy, complete song mixing.

A board which provides clear overview of all tracks selected including defined song details.

Customizable background images.

A “shake” function to explore new loops.

A “tilt” function to adjust saturation levels on the effects board.

The ability to combine different styles of music with the loop selector.

The ability to record and live edit tracks, save as an audio file, and share with friends.

http://www.magix.com/

Music Studio Independence / Producer

Music Studio Independence / Producer is a free sequencer and DAW stand alone application developed by Frieve. Compatible OS(s): Windows.

MSI is a MIDI/Audio sequencer/multitrack, basic features include:

MIDI sequencer

256 multi track + tempo, meter and key track(total 259 tracks).

64 MIDI input, 64 MIDI output.

Max measure : 9999.

Meter : 1/1~99/32.

Resolution : 960.

Tempo : 5~500.

Data format : MSF(Music Studio File) and SMF format 0,1.

Audio

256 mono tracks.

8 stereo or surround busses.

44 insert and 54 stereo/surround effects (5 inserts per track).

Output : 16ch(max).

Input : 64ch(max).

Frequency : 32kHz, 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz.

Sample bits : 16bit, 24bit (32 or 64bit floating processing).

Data format : MSF(Music Studio File), WAF(Wave Audio File) and wave file.

Supports MME and ASIO.

http://www.frieve.com/english/index.html