A curated list of software, hardware, and other resources to create music.
I use this knowledge to produce music as my alter ego Leo Mask. Check it out at leomask.com
- Ableton
- Ardour
- Bitwig
- Cubase
- Garage Band
- Giada - Minimal audio tool for DJs, live performers and musicians.
- GridSound - Free online DAW implemented with the Web Audio API.
- LMMS - Comprehensive open source, cross platform DAW.
- Logic Pro X
- Pro Tools
- Reaper - Complete digital audio production app for Windows and macOS.
- Rytmik Studio - Music creation software.
- Zrythm - Cross-platform DAW.
- Alda - A music programming language for musicians.
- ATM CLI - Command line tool for generating and working with MIDI files.
- Aubio - Segmentation, pitch detection, tapping the beat and producing midi streams.
- Band.js - Music composer interface for the Web Audio API.
- Blip - Looping and sampling with the Web Audio API.
- CSound - A sound and music computing system.
- Dplug - Library to make audio plug-ins with the D programming language.
- Euterpea - In Haskell embedded language for computer music applications.
- Faust - Functional programming language for sound synthesis and audio processing.
- FourVoices - Automatic music generator for four-part writing.
- Houdini Music Toolset - Adding MIDI functionality to 3D program Houdini.
- Klasma - Chiptune music composition kit.
- libsoundio - Cross platform audio input and output library.
- LickCreator - Online web based music notation.
- Leipzig - Composition library for Clojure and ClojureScript.
- Magenta - Music and Art Generation with Machine Intelligence.
- Magiclock - Feel MIDI clock beat via the magic trackpad.
- meSing.js - JavaScript singing synthesis library.
- Microm - JavaScript library to convert browser microphone to mp3.
- Music Suite - Haskell based language for describing music.
- Nashville - Convert Nashville Number System (NNS) entries to chords.
- Node Speaker - Output PCM audio data to the speakers.
- Octavian - Utility to reason about notes, frequencies, and intervals.
- Orca - Esoteric programming language to create procedural sequencers.
- Overtone - Open Source toolkit for designing synthesizers and collaborating with music.
- Pedalboard.js - JavaScript framework to develop audio effects for guitars.
- Pippi - Computer music with python.
- PitchFinder & Node PitchFinder - Javascript (and node c++ addon) with pitch detection algorithms
- React Music - Create beats with React.
- Repitch - Real-time polyphonic MIDI-controlled audio pitch shifting.
- Rust Music Theory - A music theory guide written in Rust.
- Scribbletune - Create music with JavaScript.
- Sharp11 - Music theorization and improvisation engine.
- Slang - Simple audio programming language implemented in JavaScript.
- Spectmorph - Analyze samples of instruments, and combine (morph) them.
- Spleeter - Source separation library (e.g. extract drums from a track).
- Step Sequencer - Elm step sequencer for programming drum beats.
- Teoria - JavaScript library for music theory.
- TidalCycles - Programming language to describe polyphonic, polyrhythmic, and generative music sequences.
- timbre.js - JavaScript library for objective sound programming.
- Tonal - Functional music theory library.
- Tone.js - A Web Audio framework for making interactive music in the browser.
- Tuna - An audio effects library for the Web Audio API.
- VCV Rack - Open source virtual modular synthesizer.
- Vexwarp - JavaSCript library for audio time stretching and pitch shifting.
- Vivid - High quality audio in Haskell with SuperCollider.
- Amsynth - Synthesizer with a classic subtractive synthesizer topology.
- Helm - GPL licensed polyphonic synth with lots of modulation.
- Surge Synthesizer - Open source digital synthesizer.
- NSynth Super - Open source AI synth from the Google Magenta team.
- Yoshimi - Software audio synthesizer.
- Agordejo - Music production session manager.
- Auxy - Modern instruments for mobile creators.
- Composer's Sketchpad - Sequencer that combines musical staff paper with an artist's sketchbook (iOS only).
- Dragonfly Reverb - Open source audio effects for Linux, macOS, and Windows.
- Fluajho - Simple SF2 soundfont host and player for Linux.
- IXI Programs - Apps for creating musical instruments and environments.
- KXStudio - Collection of applications and plugins for audio production.
- Laborejo - MIDI sequencer based on classical music notation.
- Luna - MIDI sequencer.
- Max - Visual programming language for music and multimedia creation.
- Melodics - Desktop app to teach playing MIDI keyboards, pads, and e-drums.
- Midica - Music programming language and desktop app for MIDI generation.
- MIDI Tapper - Shape music performances with multi-touch gestures.
- Ninjas 2 - Sample slicer audio plugin and standalone app.
- Patroneo - Simple pattern based midi sequencer.
- Samplr - Multi-touch music making app for iPad.
- SeekMIDI - Graphical multi channel MIDI sequencer.
- Seq24 - Minimal loop based midi sequencer.
- SFZ Designer - Visual sample mapping tool to create SFZ files.
- Sonic Pi - Live coding music synth for everyone.
- Spire - iOS multitrack recording app with FX & mixing features.
- 108 - Minimal beat machine.
- AI Duet - A smart piano that responds to you.
- Arpeggiator - Web Audio Arpeggiator.
- Baroque Dances - Procedurally generated classical music.
- Beat Push - Online music production with built-in parallel drum and synth machine.
- beatboxer - Simple drum machine.
- BlokDust - Interactive music-making app to build synths and sounds.
- Chords - Text based chord progression editor.
- Circle of 5ths Explorer
- Djenerator - A metal breakdown generator.
- Frequency Explorer - A microtonal additive synthesizer + sequencer
- Funklet - Drum machine and library of famous drum patterns.
- Jamwithchrome - Play music live with your friends online.
- Keithwhor.com/music - Musical Keyboard - JS Dynamic Audio Synth.
- Klangmeister - Live coding environment for the browser.
- Klank - Sound and animation in the browser using PureScript.
- Landr - Automatic audio mastering.
- Lissajous - A tool for programmatic audio performance in the browser.
- Loopjs - Live Electronic Music Performance Software.
- Looplabs - Cloud based music studio.
- Matrix Piano - Virtual 2D piano to use the PC keyboard as an instrument.
- Musical Chord Progression Arpeggiator - Sketch out musical chord progressions.
- MyNoise - Background noises and interactive soundscapes.
- Piano Genie - Machine learning augmented piano app.
- Reactor - Online DJ controller connected to SoundCloud.
- Repeater Orchestra - An orchestra of repeaters which repeat the conductor.
- Scale Explorer - Visual scale explorer.
- Song Maker - Simple step sequencer.
- Sononym - Visual sample browser.
- Splice - Music creation and collaboration platform.
- SuperCollider - Platform for audio synthesis and algorithmic composition.
- Synth Time - Simple synthesizer.
- Synthi-JS - A JavaScript emulator of the legendary EMS Synthi A synthesizer.
- TimeStretch - Online tool to loop, speed up, slow down, and pitch shift sections of an audio file.
- ToneBasic - Programmatic sound generation in the browser.
- Websynths - Free browser-based microtonal midi instrument.
- QuasiMusic - Quasiperiodic tilings of the plane as sound triggers.
- Qwerkey - Keyboard tonnetz.
- Block Rocking Beats - Play with music in a virtual sound studio.
- Electronauts - DJ simulation with 8 digital instruments.
- Exa - The infinite instrument.
- Lyra VR - Room scale music creation app.
- Modulia Studio - App for music creation and performance.
- Paradiddle - Virtual reality drum kit.
- SoundStage - Music sandbox built specifically for room-scale VR.
- Synthspace - Modular synth VR environment.
- Chordata - A dummy chord-book for mandolin, ukulele and guitar.
- Fretboard - Online Guitar fretboard viewer to study scales and chords.
- SmartGuitarAmp - Guitar plugin using neural networks to emulate real world hardware.
- UkeGeeks - Creates fingering diagrams by reading plain text or ChordPro ukulele songs.
- Ukutabs - Source for ukulele tabs, chords, tips, tools, guides
- Ukulele Chord Finder
- SongRiffer - Organize and browse riffs and song ideas.
- SigSep - Publicly available datasets for research on source separation.
- BandLab - All in one social music creation platform.
- Sequencer Electronics - Online shop for music apps and plugins.
- dadamachines - Toolkit to create automated analog sounds.
- LittleBits Synth Kit - Snap-together modular synthesizer built in partnership with KORG.
- Modal 002R - 8 or 12 voice digital/analogue hybrid 3U rack.
- OP-1 - A powerful portable music workstation. with sampler, multi-track support, and onboard synth generation.
- Organelle - Intuitive controls with a powerful and flexible sound engine.
- Pocket Operators - Tiny, low-cost digital instruments.
- ZynAddSubFX - Polyphonic fully featured musical software synthesizer.
- Zynthian - Open hardware swiss army knife of synthesis, equipped with multiple engines, filters and effects.
- Artiphon - Guitar like MPE controller.
- Bela - Computing platform for creating responsive interactive applications.
- C-Thru Music Axis - Hexagonal and harmonic table based controller.
- Continuum Fingerboard - Linear piano like MPE playing surface.
- DIY Controller - DIY midi controller with simple buttons.
- Dodeka Stellar - Linear and isomorphic MIDI keyboard.
- dualo du-touch - Accordion like controller with hexagonal pads.
- Eigenharp - Grid, breath pipe, and touch strip enabled MPE instrument.
- Erea Touch - Seamless polyphonic MIDI Controller with LED touch surface.
- Joué - Expressive and modular MPE controller.
- LinnStrument - Grid based expressive MPE controller.
- [Lumatone] - Hexagonal isomorphic keyboard.
- Mimu Gloves - Expressive wearable musical instrument.
- Morph - Expressive MPE touch controller with swappable hardware interfaces.
- MPK Mini mkII - Cheap, functional, excellent starter controller.
- Neova - Expressive finger ring.
- NuEVI - Electronic valve instrument MIDI controller.
- Open Woodwind Project - Electronic aerophone.
- OpenDeck - Hardware platform to build custom MIDI controllers.
- Poly Expressive - Foot controller.
- QuNexus - Small and portable MPE keyboard.
- ROLI Blocks - Portable snap-together MIDI controller with both desktop and mobile interfaces.
- XVI Desktop - USB 16 Channel Fader Bank with CV, I2C, and MIDI.
- Chapman Stick - 8, 10, or 12 string fretboard tapping instrument.
- Harpejji - Electric stringed musical instrument.
- Karlax - Multi sensor expressive Clarinette like instrument.
- Keytam - Tunable guitar-tambourine hybrid.
- Musical Instrument Challenge - List of DIY instruments.
- Orba - Ball shaped, hand sized musical instrument.
- OTTO - Sampler, sequencer, multi-engine synth and effects in a box.
- Polyend Tracker - Compact standalone workstation with a tracker UI.
- Poly Expression - Forum for expressive instruments and controllers.
- Audio Working Group - Add advanced sound & music synthesis capabilities to the Open Web Platform.
- Awesome Sheet Music - Curated list of tools to create, edit, and display sheet music.
- Awesome WebAudio - A curated list of awesome WebAudio packages and demos.
- Digital Filters Introduction - Jupyter notebooks and a geometric interpretation of digital audio filters.
- Frazier Piano Studio - Blog posts, videos, and apps.
- SFZ Format - Main reference for creating instruments with the SFZ format.
- Know Your Theory - Interactive tutorial to learn theory fundamentals.
- Music Theory - The exciting universe of music theory.
- youtube.com/i_0DXxNeaQ0 - The science and mathematics of music.
- Sound hacking and music technologies
- Detecting piano notes with web audio
- DeepAudioClassification - Finding the genre of a song with deep learning.
- Learning Synths - Learn the basics of using synthesizers.
- Modeling Music with algebraic data types
- Musimathics - The mathematical foundations of music.
- Sound, Motion, Notation - Information and Art.
- Terry Riley's "In C" - A Journey Through a Musical Possibility Space.
- Theory Pages - Music Theory for Musicians and Normal People.
- Training a Recurrent Neural Network to Compose Music
- Visual Music & Machine Learning Workshop for Kids
- Guthman Musical Instrument Competition
- Harmony Explained - Progress towards a scientific theory of music.
- Musical User Interfaces - Rethink how audio software is designed.
- Universal Music Translation Network
- Virtual Reality Musical Instruments: State of the Art, Design Principles, and Future Directions
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