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THE AUDIO MAGAZINE / RESOURCES

Open source – 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.

188 listings

0CC-FamiTracker

0CC-FamiTracker Project

0CC-FamiTracker is a tracker for composing music around Nintendo Entertainment System sound hardware and expansion sound chips.

WindowsDAW & Multitrack RecordingSynthesizers
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Aeolus

Aeolus / Fons Adriaensen

Aeolus is a synthesized pipe-organ instrument for Linux audio systems.

LinuxOrchestral & Acoustic Instruments
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Airwindows TapeDelay2

Airwindows

TapeDelay2 creates delay effects with tape-associated behavior rather than perfectly clean digital repetitions.

LinuxmacOSWindowsDelays
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Airwindows ToTape6

Airwindows

ToTape6 is a tape-inspired processor from Airwindows, combining several behaviors associated with recorded tape.

LinuxmacOSWindowsDistortion & Saturation
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Ambisonic Toolkit

Ambisonic Toolkit

Ambisonic Toolkit provides resources for working with Ambisonic sound fields in supported audio environments.

LinuxmacOSWindowsSpatial & Surround Audio
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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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Aria Maestosa

Aria Maestosa Project

Aria Maestosa is a MIDI editor that presents music through familiar views including notation, piano roll, guitar and drum editing.

LinuxmacOSWindowsMIDI ToolsNotation & Scoring
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Arty FX

OpenAV Productions

Arty FX is a coordinated collection of audio effects for Linux production systems.

LinuxCompressors & DynamicsDelaysDistortion & SaturationModulation Effects
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aubio

aubio Contributors

aubio supplies audio-analysis tools for tasks such as detecting onsets, estimating pitch and following musical timing.

LinuxmacOSWindowsMetering & AnalysisMIDI Tools
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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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Audiveris

Audiveris Project

Audiveris performs optical music recognition, turning images of printed notation into editable musical data.

LinuxmacOSWindowsNotation & Scoring
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B.Choppr

B.Shapr / B.Oops Project

B.Choppr creates rhythmic chopping and level patterns in a compatible LV2 host.

LinuxModulation EffectsSound Design
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B.Jumblr

B.Shapr / B.Oops Project

B.Jumblr rearranges buffered audio through a pattern-oriented interface.

LinuxModulation EffectsSound Design
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B.Oops

B.Shapr / B.Oops Project

B.Oops is a pattern-oriented glitch effect for rearranging and processing audio.

LinuxModulation EffectsSound Design
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B.Shapr

B.Shapr / B.Oops Project

B.Shapr is an LV2 effect that uses editable shapes for modulation-oriented processing.

LinuxModulation EffectsSound Design
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BambooTracker

BambooTracker Contributors

BambooTracker is a tracker for composing music for the Yamaha YM2608 sound chip associated with the NEC PC-9801 family.

LinuxmacOSWindowsDAW & Multitrack RecordingSynthesizers
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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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