Sep 21, 2021 MuseScore is another best free beat making software for Windows and MAC. Home Tips Top 10 Best free Beat making software packages for Windows and Mac in 2019 Top 10 Best free Beat making software packages for Windows and Mac in 2019 If you are fond of typical classical music beats, then some software packages can be installed to fulfill your.
- GarageBand is an obvious choice when it comes to free beat making software. Meant for Mac machines, it is perfect for any beginner wanting to create music in their makeshift studio.
- Best Free Music Making Software for Windows & Mac Devices in 2021. Below we have listed some of the best music making software with their offerings. Keep reading to know more about them. Ableton Live is the first software in the list of the best music making software for Windows and Mac.
As a beginning music producer, you may not be ready to spend money on expensive equipment, including a digital audio workstation.
Luckily for you, you don’t need to spend money to build your own home recording studio.
In this post, we’re going to uncover the top free beat making software on the market.
We evaluated the options based on the essential features every beat maker needs:
A step sequencer, a native sampler, and compatibility with third party plugins.
So which is the best free beat making software?
MPC Beats is the newest choice, and is excellent for traditional beat making workflows.
Also, Cakewalk is the most full-featured program, but has a steep learning curve for beginners and is only available for Windows.
Finally, Waveform Free and LMMS are simple and intuitive programs, but have limitations which separate them from truly competing with the established paid options.
Generally speaking, your decision will ultimately come down to your particular needs. All of the options on this list are good choices, but your long term plans as a beat maker will be the determining factor.
Before we get into the full analysis, let’s clear up a few common questions…
Should you use free beat making software?
If you are a beginner, your best option to start making beats is to choose a free digital audio workstation.
Why pay for software before you know what you need from it?
During your early phases as a music producer, you will need to learn the basics of music production, and all DAWs – free and paid – provide a similar workflow.
Choosing a free beat making platform will help you get the hang of beat making before you know what works best for your needs.
Once you’ve learned the basics and are ready to commit to making music regularly, then you should start looking into the paid offerings.
Is free beat making software safe to download?
It’s important to be cautious when downloading any software, especially if it’s coming from a questionable vendor.
In the case of downloading music production tools, all the choices on this list are offered by reputable software companies.
You should feel safe that there won’t be any issues when downloading these programs. However, just be sure you download them directly from the vendor’s website.
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s cover the best choices for free beat making software.
Top Choices
First, let’s take a look at our recommendations for the best free beat making software.
Cakewalk by BandLab
Cakewalk by Bandlab is a Windows only software based on a paid program called SONAR Platinum.
It comes with a variety of native plugins, a step sequencer, mixer, and third-party plugin support.
Cakewalk is a very stable platform, supported with frequent updates, and has powerful mixing capabilities with its ProChannel modules.
On the surface, this DAW is a dream for most producers…
However, because of its professional capabilities, the interface may feel confusing as a beginner, and the workflow may also feel less intuitive than other simpler programs.
It’s also limited to Windows only, which is a problem if you plan to collaborate with other producers who use another operating system.
Finally, for music samplers, Cakewalk lacks a dedicated audio editor, and doesn’t include a built-in sampling plugin.
Overall, Cakewalk is a powerful music production platform for a specific set of users. It’s perfect for intermediate producers who use Windows and don’t rely on superior sampling features.
If that sounds like you, then Cakewalk might be the best compromise for anyone who wants powerful beat making software for free.
Pros
- Supported with frequent updates
- Powerful mixing capabilities with its ProChannel modules
- Includes bundled loops and instruments
- Support for third-party plugins
- Includes a step sequencer
Cons
- Lacks an audio editor
- Windows only
- No sampling plugin included
Waveform Free
Waveform Free, by Tracktion, is a simple to use program with everything you need as a beat maker.
It comes bundled with all the essential plugins, including a sampler and mixing suite (EQ, reverb, delay, chorus, phaser, compressor/limiter, pitch-shifter and high/low-pass filter).
Unlike Cakewalk, Waveform features an intuitive interface where all functionality is managed in a single view. It’s especially friendly for beginners with a popup window for most functions, accessible by hovering your cursor over the audio files.
Waveform also has professional-grade automation capabilities, cross platform support, and full support for third-party VST plugins.
The only downside is its limited mixing capabilities, which shouldn’t affect most beat makers getting started with free software.
Overall, Waveform is very simple and intuitive, especially for beginners. If your focus is beat making combined with simple mixing capabilities, then this is a great choice.
Pros
- Bundled with essential plugins
- Automation capabilities
- Full support for VST plugins
- Cross platform support
- Supports MIDI, step sequencing and sampling
Cons
- Limited mixer
MPC Beats
The latest entrant into the free DAW space is MPC Beats, developed by AKAI.
AKAI is famous for its world-class hardware samplers, and its new software is a fresh take on the MPC workflow.
MPC Beats provides all the essential tools for Hip Hop beat making:
Virtual drum pads, a step sequencer, time-stretching capabilities, third-party plugin availability, support for a MIDI controller, and audio effects.
MPC Beats also comes with a 2 GB collection of drum kit samples and loops, with additional expansion packs available for purchase in their online store.
For seasoned music producers, you could also use this software as a plugin within other DAWs such as FL Studio and Logic Pro X, which means you can continue to use the software even after you’ve upgraded to a paid option
Overall, MPC Beats is the best choice for Hip Hop producers who may upgrade their DAW later, and would like to incorporate a robust sampling workflow into their process.
Pros
- Includes an advanced step sequencer, virtual drum machine and sampler
- Akai provides a free training video series for beginners
Cons
- The newest option, which means it does not have an established community of producers
GarageBand
GarageBand is a music production suite built for Mac OS by Apple.
It’s simple and intuitive for most beginners, includes a large library of loops and virtual instruments, and supports several third-party plugins.
It also gets regular updates and additions to the sound library with each release of Mac OS.
The layout and workflow are similar to Logic Pro X, which makes the transition fairly smooth if you decide to upgrade to professional grade software in the future.
However, Garageband is less than ideal for beat makers because of its limited step sequencing and sampling capabilities.
Overall, Garageband is great for MIDI sequencing and recording, and is easy to get started with if you own a Mac.
Pros
- Extensive instrument and loop library
- Wide support for third party plugins in AU format
- Frequently updated and supported by one of the biggest companies in the world
Cons
- Limited mixer
- Mac OS only
- Limited step sequencing and sampling capabilities
LMMS
LMMS is an open-source software that is compatible with all major operating systems.
It was designed for simple beat making, and offers a similar workflow to FL Studio.
LMMS includes a step sequencer, piano roll and playlist, and is bundled with several virtual instrument and effect plugins.
Compared to other options, the user interface is somewhat clunky and unappealing. Some users have complained that it can sometimes be unstable, and support is fairly slow to respond to requests for help.
Overall, LMMS has all the basic features that a beat maker needs. It also has a thriving producer community, and is a great choice for producers who want a smooth transition to FL Studio.
Pros
- Bundled with sounds, virtual instruments and effect plugins
- Cross platform support
- Includes a step sequencer
Cons
- No audio recording
- Stability issues
- Limited support for third party VSTs
- Limited mixer
- Cannot change the tempo of a sample without changing its pitch
- Limited audio editor
Studio One Prime
Studio One Prime by PreSonus is an established DAW that is excellent for producers whose focus is sound design or audio recording.
The free version offers unlimited audio tracks and mixer channels, time-stretching, multi-track comping, full MIDI support, advanced automation, and Studio One’s simple side-chain routing workflow.
However, the software is offered as a trial for its premium offering, which means certain features are missing from the free version.
Overall, Studio One offers a professional grade software – with limitations. If audio recording and mixing are your priority, then Studio One may be a good choice for your needs.
Pros
- Includes a step sequencer
- Extensive mixing capabilities
Cons
- No sampler plugin included
- Limited MIDI editing functionality
- No third-party plugin support in the free version
Which Free DAW will you choose?
Regardless of which software you choose, all the digital audio workstations on this list will help you make high quality beats.
The decision of which to choose comes down to your workflow as a producer.
For a complete production suite, choose a tool like Cakewalk or Studio One Prime. Just beware the limitations in these options due to their freemium pricing.
Alternatively, choose LMMS or Waveform Free for standalone software that won’t require you to upgrade. These options will allow you to get as close to a premium, full-featured DAW experience, but are slightly limited in their quality and support.
Otherwise, if you are looking for a pure beat making experience, then look no further than MPC Beats, which provides one of the best beat making workflows for Hip Hop production.
Again, take a moment to consider the workflow that fits your needs, and test the top choices for yourself to find the best tool for you.
Making music with digital tools doesn’t have to be expensive.
In fact, you can do practically every important task in music production using free software.
You might have already seen free VST effects and virtual instruments available online.
You’ll definitely need a good selection of those, but the first and most important tool to make music is your DAW.
But finding a free DAW that does everything you need for your workflow can be challenging. There are lots of them out there, each with different features and limitations.
Even so, there are plenty of great freeware DAW options if you know where to look.
In this article I’ll go through the best free DAWs and help you find the one that works for you.
Free DAWs vs Paid DAWs
Before you start looking for a free DAW you should consider your needs to make sure freeware is the right choice.
There are plenty of effective free DAWs out there, but many of them have reduced features and functions compared to full-fledged DAWs.
There are plenty of effective free DAWs out there, but many of them have reduced features and functions compared to full-fledged DAWs.
A free DAW is perfect for you if:
- You just want to try out music production with a basic DAW
- You absolutely can’t stretch your DAW budget at all
- You only need a DAW for a few parts of your workflow
Many of the apps I’ll be including on this list are free versions of respected pro DAWs. These are perfect if you think you plan to purchase a full DAW eventually and just need to try out a few different options.
Finally, if you’re looking for a full-fledged production solution, consider expanding your budget slightly if you can.
There are a handful of respected DAWs that aren’t exactly free, but cost significantly less than the big names. The most common of these is Cockos Reaper, which costs only $60 USD.
But, if you’re looking for an easy way to piece together ideas and play with samples try LANDR’s new sampling and beat making tool Creator.
It’s a free online beat maker that uses pitch-shifting and time-stretching technology to help you piece together up to eight unique samples on LANDR Samples!
The 10 Best Free DAW Apps
With that out of the way here are the 10 best free DAW apps to get you started creating music on your computer:
What Is The Best Beat Making Software For Mac
1. Audacity
Audacity is the original free DAW. It’s an open source multi-track audio editor and recorder that works on many different operating systems.
If you’re only dealing with audio tracks, Audacity is a perfectly functional free DAW solution.
The main drawback is that Audacity does not act as a MIDI sequencer. That means there are no MIDI tracks for you to use with your virtual instruments.
Using plugins in Audacity is also a little different from pro DAWs, so it might not be the perfect fit for a full production workflow.
Despite that, Audacity is an excellent free resource that’s well worth including on this list.
Editors note: Following the recent acquisition of Audacity by MuseScore some have voiced concern around privacy and spyware embedded within the app.
Pros:
- Solid audio editing capabilities
- Unlimited tracks
Cons:
- No MIDI compatibility
- Privacy and spyware concerns
2. Garageband
Apple’s entry level DAW Garageband comes bundled with every computer that runs Mac OS.
Apple’s entry level DAW Garageband comes bundled with every computer that runs Mac OS.
That means if you’re reading this on a Mac computer, you already have it!
Garageband is well-known for introducing many musicians to recording. But despite its reputation as a beginner app it’s still surprisingly effective for making music.
Garageband combines the ease-of-use and smart design Apple is known for with some powerful features for music production.
Don’t overlook Garageband if you’re a Mac user in need of a free DAW.
Pros:
- Super verstatile, modern interface
- Comes with a lot of software instruments and effects
Cons:
- Very limited compared to Logic Pro
- Only available for Apple users
3. Ableton Live Lite
Ableton Live is probably the biggest name in DAWs when it comes to electronic and sample-based genres.
It’s easy to see why. The unique “session view” makes using loops to compose songs incredibly easy. It’s built-in pitch shifting and time stretching in the warp feature are powerful and easy to use.
Ableton Live Lite is the stripped down version of Live that Ableton provides bundled with popular software and hardware packages.
Many audio interfaces, MIDI controllers, plugins and even iOS apps offer a license for Live Lite.
You’ll need a few of these items to set up your home studio, so you might want to look out for a bundle that includes a copy of Live Lite.
It’s a limited version of Live that will help you get the feel for this extremely popular DAW.
Live Lite gives you a total of 16 tracks with any combination of audio and midi channels. It allows up to four inputs and outputs at the same time.
Pros:
- Uses Ableton’s well loved workflow
- Good range of effects and instruments included
Cons:
- Limited to eight tracks
4. Tracktion Waveform Free
Tracktion Waveform Free is an impressive fully functional freeware DAW.
Unlike some of the other DAWs on this list it has no limitations to track count or simultaneous recording.
It can host VST and AU plugins and works on PC or Mac.
Traktion offers a paid upgrade to Waveform Pro for advanced users, but it’s not necessary to buy the full version to unlock any essential features for music creation.
Waveform Free is designed to be easy to use for beginner producers and features some slightly different design concepts than other free DAWs.
Pros:
- Unlimited tracks and compatible with VSTs
- Easy to use interface
Cons:
- Simplified interface might make be confusing for standard DAW users
Many audio interfaces, MIDI controllers, plugins and even iOS apps offer a license for Live Lite.
5. Pro Tools First
Pro Tools First is the introductory edition of the industry-standard DAW Pro Tools.
It includes many of the powerful features that make Pro Tools the DAW of choice for professional studios all over the world.
But it comes with some limitations that might make you think twice. With First you can record up to 16 tracks of audio and use up to 16 virtual instrument tracks in a session.
On top of that, you can record only four tracks at the same time.
Despite these limitations, Pro Tools First lets you get started with the DAW you’ll likely be using if you go on to work in a professional studio. That’s a major benefit!
Pros:
- An excellent introduction to a pro-quality DAW
Cons:
- Major limitations in many categories
6. Ohm Studio
Ohm Studio is another full-featured DAW you can download for free. It’s the DAW project of popular plugin manufacturer Ohmforce.
Ohm Studio provides all the essential music creation features of a paid DAW without limits.
It’s built around collaboration with handy features to share your music with other people you’re working with.
Best Beat Making Software For Free
Pros:
- Collaborative design makes it easy to share ideas with others
- Comes with all the essentials and unlimited tracks
Cons:
- Basic design is not well suited for more advanced production
7. Cubase LE
Cubase LE is another solid free DAW. It’s the lite edition of Steinberg’s flagship recording app Cubase.
Cubase was one of the first digital sequencing apps and it’s been a popular DAW choice for decades.
Cubase LE brings the best of that legacy to free users with only a few limitations.
With LE you’ll be able to record up to 16 tracks of audio and up to 24 virtual instrument tracks.
It can record up to 8 tracks at once and comes with some of Steinberg’s excellent VST plugins and libraries for its HALion sampling platform.
Pros:
- Based on the powerful Cubase DAW
- Includes a large sample library and the HALion sampling platform
Cons:
- Limited to 16 audio tracks and 24 instrument tracks
- Only able to record 8 audio tracks concurrently
8. Soundbridge
Soundbridge is another excellent choice for a full-featured free DAW.
It contains all the important key features of a pro DAW but makes them as simple and easy to use as possible.
Its built-in drum machine and effects are excellent and it has a stylish interface that’s comfortable to work with.
Pros:
- Simple interface that’s easy to understand
- Built-in drum machine and effects
Cons:
- Limited features, doesn’t include many effects or instruments
9. REAPER
Reaper is not a free DAW, but it makes this list because it comes with a very long trial period and it’s ridiculously cheap at $60 USD.
This is by far the best DAW on this list because it works just as well as most paid DAWs, it’s completely open-source meaning you can customize it with user-generated skins and mods.
It has a fully-fledged recording interface and supports VSTs, so you can install whatever you need to get your track made and heard.
Just be prepared to eventually support the good people at Reaper with $60.
Pros:
- Fully-fledged, professional DAW
- Unlimited tracks, skinnable, full VST compatibility
Cons:
- Not free
- Doesn’t come with very many bundled plugins
10. Studio One 5 Prime
Studio One Prime is the introductory free DAW offered by Presonus. It’s essentially a watered-down version of the more advanced Studio One 5 DAW.
For a lite version of a paid DAW, Studio One 5 Prime comes with some distinct advantages. Namely, it allows for unlimited tracks unlike Ableton Live Lite, which limits you to eight.
You get a fully-fledged recording interface, sampling tool, drum machine and step sequencer.
It also comes with a handful of effects plugins.
All-in-all it’s a fairly complete entry point into zero-cost music production.
Pros:
- Unlimited tracks
- Compatible with PreSonus controllers
Cons:
- Doesn’t include very many software instruments
- No VST compatibility
11. MPC Beats
AKAI is well-loved for its legendary MPC line of groove boxes.
So it makes sense that they are moving into beat-making-oriented software with their MPC-inspired DAW, MPC Beats.
This free DAW is definitely geared towards beatmakers and hip hop producers, it’s essentially a free MPC with a DAW style timeline interface.
It also comes with some limited recording features and a handful of effects to warp and modify any sound.
Of course, it’s limited to eight tracks and two audio recording tracks and it’s only available on Windows.
So, if all you want to do is make electronic beats on your computer for free, this is a cool option with a unique workflow.
Pros:
- Classic MPC workflow in a computer format
- Beat maker oriented instruments
Cons:
- Limited tracks and recording capability
- Only compatible with Windows
12. Podium Free
Podium is another free DAW that’s only available for Windows users.
Despite its slightly dated-looking interface, it has a remarkably modern feel and workflow with a DAW style timeline and mixing board.
The free DAW also comes with full VST compatibility and unlimited tracks.
Its only drawback is that it was designed to use the quad-core CPUs that come standard on most laptops these days.
Since it can only operate on one core, it’s easy to overclock the CPU and cause a crash.
Aside from that, it’s a relatively solid DAW that makes for a decent entry point into music production, but only if you’re a PC user.
Pros:
- Great user interface
- Compatible with VSTs
Cons:
- Not modernized for today’s CPUs
- Only compatible with Windows
Free recording tools
Making music shouldn’t be a financial burden.
That’s why these free recording apps are so helpful for creators.
Whether you’re looking to try a demo version of a classic DAW or just make music without spending too much money, these free DAWs will help you do it.