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THE AUDIO MAGAZINE / RESOURCES

Recording Utilities – Free Music Software & Plug-ins

Free recording utilities, converters, hosts and infrastructure that support a production workflow. These tools may not generate sound themselves, but can help capture, organize, route or deliver it. Check the actual task, required companion applications and file-format support before choosing a utility for an important session.

These are researched directory entries, not hands-on reviews. Optional purchases, account requirements and limited editions are identified on product pages. Format availability can differ by operating system.

74 listings

Ardour source edition

Ardour Contributors

Ardour is a multitrack workstation for recording, editing, routing and mixing audio and MIDI.

LinuxmacOSWindowsAudio EditingDAW & Multitrack RecordingRecording Utilities
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Audacity

Audacity Team

Audacity combines waveform editing with multitrack recording, effects processing and file conversion.

LinuxmacOSWindowsAudio EditingRecording Utilities
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AudioMass

AudioMass Project

AudioMass is a browser-based audio editor for waveform work, recording and multitrack arrangements.

Web browserAudio EditingDAW & Multitrack RecordingRecording Utilities
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BandLab Studio

BandLab

BandLab Studio is an online music workspace for recording parts, arranging tracks and collaborating remotely.

AndroidiOSiPadOSWeb browserDAW & Multitrack RecordingLive PerformanceRecording Utilities
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Cakewalk Sonar Free

BandLab Technologies

Cakewalk Sonar offers a Windows production environment for recording, arranging and mixing audio and MIDI.

WindowsDAW & Multitrack RecordingRecording Utilities
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Cantabile Lite

Cantabile Software

Cantabile Lite is a free reduced plug-in host for Windows.

WindowsLive PerformanceRecording Utilities
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Carla

DISTRHO

Carla is a plug-in host with routing and patchbay facilities.

LinuxmacOSWindowsDAW & Multitrack RecordingLive PerformanceRecording Utilities
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ConjureAlign

ConjureDSP

ConjureAlign compares a recording with a sidechain reference to estimate time offset and polarity.

LinuxmacOSWindowsMetering & AnalysisRecording Utilities
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CUETools

CUETools Contributors

CUETools provides utilities for working with lossless audio, cue sheets and disc-oriented archives.

WindowsAudio EditingRecording Utilities
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Dolby On

Dolby

Dolby On is a mobile recording application for capturing musical ideas and performances with automatic audio processing.

AndroidiOSAudio RestorationLive PerformanceRecording Utilities
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DuckTool

DsgDnB

DuckTool provides sidechain-controlled level ducking with a visible envelope and controls for its shape.

LinuxmacOSWindowsCompressors & DynamicsRecording Utilities
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EasyEffects

EasyEffects Contributors

EasyEffects provides system-level audio processing for supported Linux desktops, with chains of effects applied to input or output streams.

LinuxAudio RestorationCompressors & DynamicsEqualizersRecording Utilities
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Ecasound

Ecasound / Kai Vehmanen

Ecasound is a command-line audio-processing environment for recording, playback and multitrack signal chains.

LinuxmacOSWindowsAudio EditingRecording Utilities
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Exact Audio Copy

Andre Wiethoff

Exact Audio Copy extracts audio from compact discs with a workflow focused on reliable reading and error reporting.

WindowsAudio EditingRecording Utilities
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FMIT

FMIT Contributors

FMIT is an instrument-tuning and frequency-inspection application.

LinuxmacOSWindowsMetering & AnalysisRecording Utilities
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foobar2000

foobar2000

foobar2000 is an audio player with a configurable desktop workflow and separate mobile editions.

AndroidiOSiPadOSmacOSMetering & AnalysisRecording Utilities
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fre:ac

fre:ac Project

fre:ac is an audio converter and CD-ripping application with a graphical interface.

LinuxmacOSWindowsRecording Utilities
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Free Suite

Venn Audio

Free Suite collects utility and processing tools for everyday audio work.

LinuxmacOSWindowsCompressors & DynamicsEqualizersRecording Utilities
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GarageBand

Apple

GarageBand brings audio recording, software instruments and loop-based arrangement into one application.

iOSiPadOSmacOSDAW & Multitrack RecordingOrchestral & Acoustic InstrumentsRecording Utilities
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GVST Plug-ins

GVST

GVST provides a collection of free effects and utilities for mixing, signal control and related production tasks.

LinuxmacOSWindowsAudio RestorationCompressors & DynamicsEqualizersRecording Utilities
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HOFA 4U BlindTest

HOFA

BlindTest supports listening comparisons while reducing the influence of knowing which source is playing.

macOSWindowsMetering & AnalysisRecording Utilities
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Availability, licensing and system requirements can change. Verification refers to official documentation and download availability, not installation or hands-on testing. Check the developer's current terms before installing.

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