Many music producers today start their journey by recording music and creating beats with free music maker apps.
To tell the truth, there are so many free music making apps to choose from that it can be hard to decide which one is right for you. Well, we’ve narrowed down the list to 5 of the best apps for creating beats, play with MIDIand audio recording.
Industry standard DAWs like Cubase, Ableton and FL Studio are quite expensive. While some split the cost into tiers and offer different levels of functionality, these free music production apps for mobile and desktop give you all the features you’ll need to start making music.
These free applications will allow you to easily create your own music. We’ve included beat maker apps for PC and Android, online DAWs where you can make music without paying a dime, and a famous free music maker app for Mac and iOS devices. See, we’ve really covered all the bases…
So let’s stick around and talk about the best apps where you can make music for free.
1. Roland – Zentracker – Best Free Music Maker App
Roland’s Zentracker is our favorite free app for creating music and it’s available for iOS and Android.
Zentracker is our favorite free music maker app for many reasons. First, you can work with audio and MIDI. Second, Zentracker allows you to insert new recordings over part of the old ones during playback in addition to the standard recording. Third, Zentracker gives you unlimited audio channels!
You can plug two effects into each channel at once, and each channel also has two sends. Additionally, Zentracker uses a “freeze track” feature that converts everything to audio. Therefore, you can keep creating even if your phone’s processor starts to slow down.
The free version of Zentracker gives you Compressor, Reverb, EQ, Delay, Chorus, Flanger and Auto Wah! And Roland also gives you 200 built-in sample loops with the free version. That said, some effects require payment
Finally, Zentracker uses intuitive automation and allows you to collaborate with other artists on the same project in different places.
2. Garageband (iOS & Mac) – best music maker app for Mac & iOS
GarageBand comes with all iPhone, iPad and Mac devices and is a fantastic application to create easily and for free. In fact, it’s an entry-level DAW, and its workflow is based on Apple’s flagship digital audio workstation, Logic Pro.
Garageband is a free app that’s easy to get started with. It contains professional samples of all kinds of instrument presets, loops and other samples, and you can also record your own audio and insert it on audio tracks in Garageband.
You’ll find 32 audio tracks, a sequencer, live DJ looping and more in the free iOS app for creating music. A simple set of controls makes it easy to produce and record music on the go.
3. Cakewalk – BandLab – best music maker app for Android, Chromebook and PC
Bandlab is a free app to create music on iPhone, Mac, Android, Chromebook and PC. It has 120 professional instruments and you can also connect your own instruments.
While DAWs like Ableton, FL Studio, and Logic Pro will give you a plethora of features for a premium price, Cakewalk’s BandlLab will give you most of the same features for free. In fact, seasoned producers and recording artists may find something valuable.
In addition, the audio or MIDI channels have quite powerful plugins. For example, you’ll find an EQ, compressor, tube overdrive emulator, and a selection of console modules. But you can add additional effects like reverb, tape emulation, etc.
Better yet, you can also access the projects you create on the BandLab mobile app on the desktop software!
4. Spotify – Soundtrap – best online beat maker
Similar to BandLap and Zentracker, Soundtrap is also available for iOS and Android devices. Created by Spotify, Soundtrap works on your phone, tablet and computer.
As a result, Soundtrap is the best beat maker app for iPhone and Android devices, as well as Mac and Windows computers! Soundtrap is packed with features with a seamless workflow, and that’s why it’s one of the best music creation DAWs.
Soundtrap features an AutoTune effect, automation capabilities, and over 4,000 pro-quality samples and presets that you can use however you see fit. Moreover, Soundtrap gives you a range of virtual instruments, loops, one-shots and you can also record your own audio.
When it comes to collaboration, Soundtrap provides space for collaboration between friends and fellow artists. Soundtrap lets you watch featured tutorials as soon as you sign up, so you definitely won’t get lost and can just get stuck quickly. It is quite easy to navigate through its easy to use interface.
However, some effects require you to pay like Zentracker. Still, Soundtrap is a fantastic tool for capturing any idea on the spot!
5. Roland – Zenbeats – beat maker app for iPhone and Android
Finally, Zenbeats is another free Roland music maker app for Android and iOS. Like Zentracker, its interface and workflow will keep you in your creative zone.
In fact, the main selling point of Zenbeats is that it’s built around a vintage of new classic Roland sounds! Zentracker is easy to use and encapsulates the history of Roland sound creation.
Ultimately, Zenbeats converts Roland’s story into an accessible beat-making app. You’ll find a plethora of presets, swatches, and creative tools that will blast your creative palette into the sky. You can also purchase hip-hop and electronic sample packs within the app.
Zenbeats lets you record to multiple tracks, generate ideas, and immediately transfer stems to a DAW. Playing vintage Roland synths is a favorite pastime for many producers, and Zenbeats provides a generation.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have your freeware, it’s time to get to know your DAW/free app choice so you can record your songs and make your beats.
But the gifts don’t stop there! Developers are constantly releasing free instrument and effect plugins for PC and Mac DAWs, and you can find the best free virtual instruments here.
Let us know which free music production app you picked in the comments and let us know what you think!
Find the perfect samples for your free music making apps at RouteNote Create. Download 100 royalty-free one-shots, loops, effects, and full sample packs now for $2.99!
Many music producers today start their journey by recording music and creating beats with free music maker apps.
To tell the truth, there are so many free music making apps to choose from that it can be hard to decide which one is right for you. Well, we’ve narrowed down the list to 5 of the best apps for creating beats, play with MIDIand audio recording.
Industry standard DAWs like Cubase, Ableton and FL Studio are quite expensive. While some split the cost into tiers and offer different levels of functionality, these free music production apps for mobile and desktop give you all the features you’ll need to start making music.
These free applications will allow you to easily create your own music. We’ve included beat maker apps for PC and Android, online DAWs where you can make music without paying a dime, and a famous free music maker app for Mac and iOS devices. See, we’ve really covered all the bases…
So let’s stick around and talk about the best apps where you can make music for free.
1. Roland – Zentracker – Best Free Music Maker App
Roland’s Zentracker is our favorite free app for creating music and it’s available for iOS and Android.
Zentracker is our favorite free music maker app for many reasons. First, you can work with audio and MIDI. Second, Zentracker allows you to insert new recordings over part of the old ones during playback in addition to the standard recording. Third, Zentracker gives you unlimited audio channels!
You can plug two effects into each channel at once, and each channel also has two sends. Additionally, Zentracker uses a “freeze track” feature that converts everything to audio. Therefore, you can keep creating even if your phone’s processor starts to slow down.
The free version of Zentracker gives you Compressor, Reverb, EQ, Delay, Chorus, Flanger and Auto Wah! And Roland also gives you 200 built-in sample loops with the free version. That said, some effects require payment
Finally, Zentracker uses intuitive automation and allows you to collaborate with other artists on the same project in different places.
2. Garageband (iOS & Mac) – best music maker app for Mac & iOS
GarageBand comes with all iPhone, iPad and Mac devices and is a fantastic application to create easily and for free. In fact, it’s an entry-level DAW, and its workflow is based on Apple’s flagship digital audio workstation, Logic Pro.
Garageband is a free app that’s easy to get started with. It contains professional samples of all kinds of instrument presets, loops and other samples, and you can also record your own audio and insert it on audio tracks in Garageband.
You’ll find 32 audio tracks, a sequencer, live DJ looping and more in the free iOS app for creating music. A simple set of controls makes it easy to produce and record music on the go.
3. Cakewalk – BandLab – best music maker app for Android, Chromebook and PC
Bandlab is a free app to create music on iPhone, Mac, Android, Chromebook and PC. It has 120 professional instruments and you can also connect your own instruments.
While DAWs like Ableton, FL Studio, and Logic Pro will give you a plethora of features for a premium price, Cakewalk’s BandlLab will give you most of the same features for free. In fact, seasoned producers and recording artists may find something valuable.
In addition, the audio or MIDI channels have quite powerful plugins. For example, you’ll find an EQ, compressor, tube overdrive emulator, and a selection of console modules. But you can add additional effects like reverb, tape emulation, etc.
Better yet, you can also access the projects you create on the BandLab mobile app on the desktop software!
4. Spotify – Soundtrap – best online beat maker
Similar to BandLap and Zentracker, Soundtrap is also available for iOS and Android devices. Created by Spotify, Soundtrap works on your phone, tablet and computer.
As a result, Soundtrap is the best beat maker app for iPhone and Android devices, as well as Mac and Windows computers! Soundtrap is packed with features with a seamless workflow, and that’s why it’s one of the best music creation DAWs.
Soundtrap features an AutoTune effect, automation capabilities, and over 4,000 pro-quality samples and presets that you can use however you see fit. Moreover, Soundtrap gives you a range of virtual instruments, loops, one-shots and you can also record your own audio.
When it comes to collaboration, Soundtrap provides space for collaboration between friends and fellow artists. Soundtrap lets you watch featured tutorials as soon as you sign up, so you definitely won’t get lost and can just get stuck quickly. It is quite easy to navigate through its easy to use interface.
However, some effects require you to pay like Zentracker. Still, Soundtrap is a fantastic tool for capturing any idea on the spot!
5. Roland – Zenbeats – beat maker app for iPhone and Android
Finally, Zenbeats is another free Roland music maker app for Android and iOS. Like Zentracker, its interface and workflow will keep you in your creative zone.
In fact, the main selling point of Zenbeats is that it’s built around a vintage of new classic Roland sounds! Zentracker is easy to use and encapsulates the history of Roland sound creation.
Ultimately, Zenbeats converts Roland’s story into an accessible beat-making app. You’ll find a plethora of presets, swatches, and creative tools that will blast your creative palette into the sky. You can also purchase hip-hop and electronic sample packs within the app.
Zenbeats lets you record to multiple tracks, generate ideas, and immediately transfer stems to a DAW. Playing vintage Roland synths is a favorite pastime for many producers, and Zenbeats provides a generation.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have your freeware, it’s time to get to know your DAW/free app choice so you can record your songs and make your beats.
But the gifts don’t stop there! Developers are constantly releasing free instrument and effect plugins for PC and Mac DAWs, and you can find the best free virtual instruments here.
Let us know which free music production app you picked in the comments and let us know what you think!
Find the perfect samples for your free music making apps at RouteNote Create. Download 100 royalty-free one-shots, loops, effects, and full sample packs now for $2.99!