Awesome Music Production

A curated list of software, hardware, and other resources to create music.

[!TIP] I use this knowledge to produce music as my alter ego Leo Mask. \ Check it out at leomask.com!

Table Of Contents

Software
Services
Datasets
Misc
Hardware
Community
Knowledge
- Misc
- Articles
- Research

Software

Audio Workstations

Ableton
ACID - A DAW known for its loop-based music creation.
Ardour
Bitwig
Cubase
FL Studio - A complete software music production environment.
Garage Band
Giada - Minimal audio tool for DJs, live performers and musicians.
GridSound - Free online DAW implemented with the Web Audio API.
Helio - Libre music composition software.
LMMS - Comprehensive open source, cross platform DAW.
Logic Pro X
Meadowlark - Open-source, cross platform DAW.
Mixcraft - DAW software for Windows.
Pro Tools
Radium - Tracker-like music editor with additional GUI controls.
Reaper - Complete digital audio production app for Windows and macOS.
Remixlive - A dynamic music creation tool that lets you play loops and sounds.
Renoise - Complete, multi-platform DAW with a music-tracker based approach.
Rytmik Studio - Music creation software.
Stargate DAW - All-in-one DAW and plugin suite for Windows, macOS and Linux.
Studio One - Complete DAW and live show sequencing.
TuneFlow - Free, AI-powered DAW that provides lyrics/music generation, stem separation, MIDI transcription, as well as full editing and mixing capabilities.
Waveform Pro - A DAW designed for the needs of modern music producers.
Zrythm - Cross-platform DAW.

Libraries

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.
Augmented Audio - Library for audio programming written in Rust.
Band.js - Music composer interface for the Web Audio API.
Blip - Looping and sampling with the Web Audio API.
Cane - A small MIDI sequencer DSL designed around vectors and euclidean rhythms.
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.
Glicol - Graph-oriented live coding language and music/audio DSP library written in Rust.
Gwion - A strongly-timed programming language aimed at music creation. Heavily inspired by ChucK.
Houdini Music Toolset - Adding MIDI functionality to 3D program Houdini.
Klasma - Chiptune music composition kit.
Kord - Music theory binary and library for Rust and JavaScript.
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.
Megra.rs - A Rust library for algorithmic music composition.
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
Pop2Piano - Pop audio-based piano cover generation.
PureScript Ocarina - Web-audio library for interactive media and games.
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.
Sardine - A music live coding library for Python.
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.
Verovio - Music notation engraving library.
Vexwarp - JavaSCript library for audio time stretching and pitch shifting.
Vivid - High quality audio in Haskell with SuperCollider.

Synthesizers

Altitude - Advanced hybrid synthesis workstation.
Amsynth - Synthesizer with a classic subtractive synthesizer topology.
Apricot - Efficient hybrid synthesizer with a massive sound.
Fluctus - Simple 3-operator FM synthesizer.
Helm - GPL licensed polyphonic synth with lots of modulation.
[Integrate] - Old-school virtual analog synthesizer.
NSynth Super - Open source AI synth from the Google Magenta team.
OpenUtau - Open source vocals synthesis platform.
Regency - Multi-tiered phase distortion system.
SAW - A simple synthesizer with a clean UI and straightforward functionality.
Surge Synthesizer - Open source digital synthesizer.
Yoshimi - Software audio synthesizer.

Apps

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.
JJazzLab - Easily generate dynamic backing tracks for any song.
Konfyt - Digital keyboard workstation for Linux.
KXStudio - Collection of applications and plugins for audio production.
Laborejo - MIDI sequencer based on classical music notation.
Line - CLI MIDI sequencer and language for live coding.
Luna - MIDI sequencer.
Max - Visual programming language for music and multimedia creation.
Melodics - Desktop app to teach playing MIDI keyboards, pads, and e-drums.
MIDI Tapper - Shape music performances with multi-touch gestures.
Midica - Music programming language and desktop app for MIDI generation.
Ninjas 2 - Sample slicer audio plugin and standalone app.
Ossia Score - Sequencer for audio-visual and interactive shows.
Patroneo - Simple pattern based midi sequencer.
Polyphone - A soundfont editor for quickly designing musical instruments.
Samplr - Multi-touch music making app for iPad.
SeekMIDI - Graphical multi channel MIDI sequencer.
Seq24 - Minimal loop based midi sequencer.
Sonic Pi - Live coding music synth for everyone.
Sonic Visualiser - Visualize, analyze, and annotate music audio recordings.
Spire - iOS multitrack recording app with FX & mixing features.
Transcribe! - App to help transcribe recorded music.
Ultimate Vocal Remover - AI-powered vocal remover.

Webapps

108 - Minimal beat machine.
AI Duet - A smart piano that responds to you.
Arpeggiator - Web Audio Arpeggiator.
Audio Motion Interface - Use smartphone motions to control a synthesizer.
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.
Loudness Penalty - Check how loud your track is and how much it will be penalised by online streaming services.
mix check studio - Check your mixes and masters for common issues.
[Musical Chord Progression Arpeggiator] - Sketch out musical chord progressions.
MyNoise - Background noises and interactive soundscapes.
Piano Genie - Machine learning augmented piano app.
QuasiMusic - Quasiperiodic tilings of the plane as sound triggers.
Qwerkey - Keyboard tonnetz.
Reactor - Online DJ controller connected to SoundCloud.
Repeater Orchestra - An orchestra of repeaters which repeat the conductor.
Roland 50 Studio - Online playground with emulations of classic Roland devices.
Scale Explorer - Visual scale explorer.
Song Maker - Simple step sequencer.
Sononym - Visual sample browser.
Splice - Music creation and collaboration platform.
Strudel - Web-based environment for live coding algorithmic patterns.
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.

[Circle of 5ths Explorer]: https://frazierpianostudio.com/resources/circle-of-fifths-explorer/

[Musical Chord Progression Arpeggiator]: https://codepen.io/jakealbaugh/pen/qNrZyw

Virtual Reality

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.

Guitar, Ukulele, …

Chordata - A dummy chord-book for mandolin, ukulele and guitar.
Fretboard - Online Guitar fretboard viewer to study scales and chords.
Guitarix - Virtual guitar amplifier for Linux running on JACK.
SmartGuitarAmp - Guitar plugin using neural networks to emulate real world hardware.
UkeGeeks - Creates fingering diagrams by reading plain text or ChordPro ukulele songs.
Ukulele Chord Detector - Website for identifying chords and showing notes on a fretboard.
[Ukulele Chord Finder]
Ukutabs - Source for ukulele tabs, chords, tips, tools, guides

[Ukulele Chord Finder]: https://frazierpianostudio.com/resources/ukulele-chord-finder/

Services

AI Music Creation

Humtap
LAIVE
Omnizart - Transcribe vocals, drums, chords, beats, and more.
Splash - AI-powered music creation platform.
Suno AI - AI-powered music composition and production platform.

Music Distribution

Music Promotion

MusicWall - Free music landings for artists, producers, and engineers.
SubmitHub - Submit your music to bloggers and curators.

Sound / Sample Providers

BigSoundBank - 2800+ Free and Royalty Free Sounds
Musical Artifacts - A place for sharing and preserving sound and music related software, samples, presets and more.
PremiumBeat - Curated, high-quality music and sound effects.
Soundstripe - Royalty-free music and sound effects for video.
Splice - Royalty-free samples, one-shots, loops, MIDI, and presets.

Datasets

Free MIDI Chords - Collection of free MIDI chords and progressions.
SigSep - Publicly available datasets for research on source separation.

Misc

BandLab - All in one social music creation platform.
Sequencer Electronics - Online shop for music apps and plugins.

Hardware

Synthesizers

dadamachines - Toolkit to create automated analog sounds.
[LittleBits Electronic Music Inventor Kit]
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.

[LittleBits Electronic Music Inventor Kit]: https://sphero.com/products/littlebits-electronic-music-inventor-kit

MIDI Controllers

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.
Haxophone - Electronic musical instrument resembling a Saxophone.
Joué - Expressive and modular MPE controller.
LinnStrument - Grid based expressive MPE controller.
Lumatone - Hexagonal isomorphic keyboard.
MIDILodica - Breath-controlled, 3D printed, open-source MIDI device.
Mimu Gloves - Expressive wearable musical instrument.
Morph - Expressive MPE touch controller with swappable hardware interfaces.
MPK mini - Cheap and functional mini keyboard controller.
Neova - Expressive finger ring.
NuEVI - Electronic valve instrument MIDI controller.
[Open Woodwind Project] - Electronic aerophone.
OpenDeck - Hardware platform to build custom MIDI controllers.
QuNexus - Small and portable MPE keyboard.
ROLI Blocks - Portable snap-together MIDI controller with both desktop and mobile interfaces.
Striso - Expressive MPE controller with a grid-based layout.
[XVI Desktop] - USB 16 Channel Fader Bank with CV, I2C, and MIDI.

[Open Woodwind Project]: https://hackaday.io/project/2992-the-open-woodwind-project

[XVI Desktop]: https://michigansynthworks.com/products/xvi-desktop-usb-16-channel-fader-bank-with-cv-i2c-and-midi

Instruments

Chapman Stick - 8, 10, or 12 string fret-board tapping instrument.
Harpejji - Electric stringed musical instrument.
Karlax - Multi sensor expressive Clarinet like instrument.
Keytam - Tunable guitar-tambourine hybrid.
LAVA Guitar - Acoustic realism and effects in a portable guitar.
Musical Instrument Challenge - List of DIY instruments.
Nux Mighty Plug Pro - Amplifier tones and effects in a compact device.
Orba - Ball shaped, hand sized musical instrument.
OTTO - Sampler, sequencer, multi-engine synth and effects in a box.
Oxi One - Portable grid-based sequencer and synthesizer.
Pocket Piano - Piano and a wide range of sounds in a compact design.
PocketDrum - Electronic drums in your hands, anytime, anywhere.
Travel Sax 2 - Authentic saxophone vibes with MIDI for exploring new musical horizons.

Workstations

Polyend Tracker - Compact standalone workstation with a tracker UI.

Community

Music Encoding Initiative - Community-driven, open-source effort to define a machine-reabable music notation encoding.
Poly Expression - Forum for expressive instruments and controllers.

Knowledge

Misc

Audio Working Group - Add advanced sound & music synthesis capabilities to the Open Web Platform.
Awesome Livecoding - A curated list of livecoding languages and tools.
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.
Know Your Theory - Interactive tutorial to learn theory fundamentals.
Linux DAW - Listing of open source audio software for Linux.
Music Theory - The exciting universe of music theory.
muted.io - Interactive music theory tools and visual references.
SFZ Format - Main reference for creating instruments with the SFZ format.
Sound hacking and music technologies
Music Production Chips - Community-managed collection of tips & tricks for music production.
youtube.com/i_0DXxNeaQ0 - The science and mathematics of music.