BYOD
ChowDSP
BYOD is a modular guitar-processing environment for connecting different distortion and supporting stages.
View details →THE AUDIO MAGAZINE / RESOURCES
Standalone – Free Music Software & Plug-ins
Find permanently free recording tools, instruments, effects and audio utilities for desktop, mobile and the browser. Each listing explains its purpose, compatibility and important free-edition restrictions, with links to the official source.
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.
200 listings
Cabbage
Cabbage Audio
Cabbage provides tools for building audio instruments and effects around Csound with graphical controls.
View details →Cakewalk Sonar Free
BandLab Technologies
Cakewalk Sonar offers a Windows production environment for recording, arranging and mixing audio and MIDI.
View details →Cantabile Lite
Cantabile Software
Cantabile Lite is a free reduced plug-in host for Windows.
View details →Carla
DISTRHO
Carla is a plug-in host with routing and patchbay facilities.
View details →Cecilia
Ajax Sound Studio
Cecilia is an audio-processing environment for transforming recorded sound with configurable modules.
View details →Chataigne
Chataigne / Ben Kuper
Chataigne connects and maps control information among software and devices.
View details →ChucK
ChucK Team
ChucK is a programming language for real-time synthesis and music creation, with explicit timing built into its design.
View details →COLONY
13x Audio
COLONY groups drive, movement, space, pumping, width and noise-related color around an ENERGY macro.
View details →Csound
Csound Community
Csound is a programmable sound-synthesis and signal-processing system with a long history in computer music.
View details →CsoundQt
CsoundQt Contributors
CsoundQt is a graphical development environment for Csound projects.
View details →CUETools
CUETools Contributors
CUETools provides utilities for working with lossless audio, cue sheets and disc-oriented archives.
View details →Decent Sampler
Decent Samples
Decent Sampler is a sample-instrument player used by a wide range of independent sound-library makers.
View details →DeltaWave
DeltaWave
DeltaWave compares audio recordings with alignment and difference-analysis tools.
View details →Demucs
Meta Research / Demucs Contributors
Demucs is a music-source-separation project with command-line and Python workflows.
View details →Denemo
Denemo Project
Denemo provides graphical music entry with LilyPond-based engraving.
View details →Dexed
Digital Suburban
Dexed is a six-operator FM synthesizer associated with Yamaha DX7-compatible patch editing and playback.
View details →Dolby On
Dolby
Dolby On is a mobile recording application for capturing musical ideas and performances with automatic audio processing.
View details →drumkv1
rncbc / Rui Nuno Capela
drumkv1 is a sample-based drum instrument organized for programming and performing percussion.
View details →EasyEffects
EasyEffects Contributors
EasyEffects provides system-level audio processing for supported Linux desktops, with chains of effects applied to input or output streams.
View details →Ecasound
Ecasound / Kai Vehmanen
Ecasound is a command-line audio-processing environment for recording, playback and multitrack signal chains.
View details →Exact Audio Copy
Andre Wiethoff
Exact Audio Copy extracts audio from compact discs with a workflow focused on reliable reading and error reporting.
View details →FamiStudio
FamiStudio Contributors
FamiStudio is a composition environment for Nintendo Entertainment System style music and homebrew soundtracks.
View details →Faust
Faust Community
Faust is a functional programming language for designing audio signal processors and instruments.
View details →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.