Helm
Matt Tytel
Helm is a polyphonic synthesizer with a visual modulation system, step sequencing and integrated effects.
View details →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
hUGETracker
hUGETracker Contributors
hUGETracker is a tracker for composing music for Game Boy style sound hardware and compatible game projects.
View details →Hydrogen
Hydrogen Project
Hydrogen is a pattern-based drum machine for programming rhythms and assembling them into songs.
View details →IEM Plug-in Suite
IEM / University of Music and Performing Arts Graz
The IEM Plug-in Suite supplies Ambisonic and spatial-audio tools for encoding, decoding and processing sound fields.
View details →Impro-Visor
Impro-Visor Project
Impro-Visor focuses on jazz improvisation, lead sheets and harmonic practice.
View details →INScore
GRAME
INScore is an environment for designing interactive musical scores and performance displays.
View details →JACK Audio Connection Kit
JACK Audio Connection Kit
JACK is an audio and MIDI connection system for routing among compatible applications and devices.
View details →JamTaba
JamTaba Contributors
JamTaba is a client for networked musical collaboration using the NINJAM approach.
View details →Jamulus
Jamulus Contributors
Jamulus connects musicians for real-time performance over an internet connection.
View details →jsfxr
Chris McCormick / jsfxr Contributors
jsfxr generates short synthesized sound effects in a browser.
View details →JummBox
jummbus
JummBox is a browser-based composition tool derived from BeepBox, with expanded synthesis and sequencing controls.
View details →Kid3
Kid3 Contributors
Kid3 edits metadata across common audio-file formats and supports batch operations.
View details →Konfyt
Konfyt Contributors
Konfyt is a live keyboard workstation for organizing sound layers, patches and performance routing on Linux.
View details →LilyPond
LilyPond Project
LilyPond turns text-based music descriptions into engraved scores.
View details →Linux Studio Plugins
LSP Project
Linux Studio Plugins is a broad open-source processing suite for Linux production.
View details →LMMS
LMMS Project
LMMS is a pattern-oriented music workstation built around instrument sequencing, sample playback and mixing.
View details →LosslessCut
Mikael Finstad
LosslessCut performs suitable media cuts without reencoding the entire source.
View details →Luppp
OpenAV Productions
Luppp is a live-looping environment designed around clips and performance control.
View details →mda Plug-ins
Paul Kellett / mda
The mda collection contains classic lightweight instruments and effects that became widely used in computer-based production.
View details →MIDI Monitor
Snoize
MIDI Monitor displays incoming MIDI messages on macOS.
View details →mididings
mididings Contributors
mididings is a programmable MIDI router and processor with a Python-oriented configuration approach.
View details →MilkyTracker
MilkyTracker Project
MilkyTracker is a music tracker focused on module composition and the classic FastTracker-style workflow.
View details →Mixxx
Mixxx Team
Mixxx is an open-source DJ application for mixing and performing with recorded tracks.
View details →MobMuPlat
Daniel Iglesia
MobMuPlat connects a mobile interface with Pure Data based audio and control patches.
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.