Start Making Music
Free & affordable tools to
start producing music today
Whether you are writing your first chord progression or scoring a film, the right software makes all the difference. Here is a curated list of the best DAWs, sample libraries, and synth plugins — from completely free to professional-grade — to help you build your setup.
The best music production software depends on what you want to create. A beginner may want a free DAW like GarageBand, Cakewalk, or BandLab. A producer may need a powerful synth like Vital or Serum. A composer may want orchestral sample libraries like BBC Symphony Orchestra or Spitfire LABS. The options below are organised by category and budget to make it easy to find the right fit.
Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs)
Best DAWs for Music Production
A DAW is the main software used to record, edit, mix, and produce music. The right DAW depends on your workflow, budget, and experience level.
Free
Audacity
One of the best free audio editors for recording, editing, and exporting. Ideal for simple recording, podcast editing, vocal cleanup, and basic multitrack work.
audacityteam.org
BandLab Studio
A free online DAW for recording music, making beats, and collaborating in the browser. Strong option for beginners who want free music production software without installing anything.
bandlab.com
Cakewalk
A free desktop DAW with professional-style recording, MIDI, and mixing features. A solid option for Windows users looking for a full-featured free studio DAW.
bandlab.com/products/cakewalk
Waveform Free
A free DAW for recording, songwriting, beatmaking, and mixing. Good all-purpose music production software for users who want more depth than a simple audio editor.
tracktion.com
GarageBand
One of the best free DAWs for Mac users. Offers built-in virtual instruments, loops, recording tools, and an easy workflow for beginners making music on Apple devices.
apple.com/mac/garageband
Budget
REAPER
A low-cost DAW known for flexibility, customization, and performance. One of the best budget DAWs for recording, mixing, editing, and advanced workflow control.
reaper.fm
Ableton Live Intro
A budget-friendly version of Ableton Live for beatmaking, loop-based composition, and electronic music production. Ideal for producers who want Ableton's workflow at a lower price.
ableton.com
FL Studio Fruity Edition
An affordable DAW for beatmakers, producers, and electronic musicians. Popular for step sequencing, loop creation, and MIDI-based production.
image-line.com
Bitwig Studio Essentials
A lower-cost entry into Bitwig's modular music production environment. Strong for electronic music, creative routing, and experimental workflows.
bitwig.com
Cubase Elements
An affordable DAW for recording, MIDI composition, and songwriting. Good choice for users who want a traditional studio DAW at a budget price.
steinberg.net
Professional
Logic Pro
One of the best professional DAWs for Mac users. Widely used for songwriting, music production, orchestral composition, and mixing.
apple.com/logic-pro
Ableton Live Standard / Suite
One of the most popular DAWs for electronic music production, live performance, and creative arrangement. Widely used by producers who need a fast, flexible workflow.
ableton.com
Cubase Pro
A professional DAW known for advanced MIDI editing, composition tools, and detailed studio production features. Popular with composers, producers, and engineers.
steinberg.net
Pro Tools Studio
One of the best-known professional DAWs for recording studios, audio editing, and mixing. Commonly used in professional recording and post-production environments.
avid.com/pro-tools
Reason+
A subscription-based music production platform built around virtual instruments, effects, and a rack-style workflow. Popular with producers who like creative sound design.
reasonstudios.com
Sample Libraries
Best Sample Libraries for Production & Composition
Sample libraries give producers and composers access to realistic instruments, drums, orchestral sounds, cinematic textures, and other ready-to-use sounds.
Free
Spitfire LABS
One of the best free sample library collections for cinematic music, ambient production, and emotional textures. Includes pianos, strings, pads, and experimental sounds.
labs.spitfireaudio.com
Pianobook
A large collection of free sampled instruments made by a community of composers and sound designers. A great source for unique sample libraries and creative inspiration.
pianobook.co.uk
BBC Symphony Orchestra Discover
One of the best free orchestral sample libraries for beginners. A good starting point for composers writing orchestral, film, or game music.
spitfireaudio.com
Komplete Start
A free music production bundle that includes sample-based instruments, synths, sounds, and effects. A strong free toolkit for beginners building a software instrument collection.
native-instruments.com
Kontakt Player
A free sample player used to run many Kontakt-compatible libraries. One of the most useful free tools for accessing the wider sample library ecosystem.
native-instruments.com
Budget
Spitfire Originals
A line of affordable sample libraries for composers and producers who want polished cinematic sounds at a lower price.
spitfireaudio.com
Abbey Road One Selections
Smaller orchestral sample library expansions for cinematic music production and media composition.
spitfireaudio.com
Decent Sampler Ecosystem
Free and low-cost sample libraries for producers who want accessible instruments and creative sounds without a large upfront cost.
decentsamples.com
Professional
Kontakt
One of the most important sample platforms in modern music production. Many of the best commercial sample libraries run on Kontakt, making it a core tool for composers and producers.
native-instruments.com
Albion One
A professional orchestral and cinematic sample library often used for film scoring, trailer music, and game composition.
spitfireaudio.com
BBC Symphony Orchestra Core
A more advanced orchestral sample library for composers who need more control, realism, and detailed articulations.
spitfireaudio.com
BBC Symphony Orchestra Professional
A high-end orchestral sample library for serious composition, mockups, and professional scoring work.
spitfireaudio.com
EastWest ComposerCloud
A subscription service giving access to a large catalog of professional sample libraries for orchestral music, cinematic production, and world instruments.
soundsonline.com
Synth Plugins
Best Synth Plugins for Music Production
Synth plugins are essential for electronic music production, sound design, pop production, cinematic textures, basses, leads, and pads. Options range from free beginner tools to professional instruments used in commercial music.
Free
Vital
One of the best free synth plugins for wavetable synthesis, electronic music production, and modern sound design. Highly popular for offering advanced features at no cost.
vital.audio
Surge XT
A powerful free synth plugin with deep sound design features and multiple synthesis methods. A strong option for producers who want a serious free VST instrument.
surge-synthesizer.github.io
TyrellN6
A free virtual analog synth plugin with a classic tone and simple workflow. A good choice for warm analog-style sounds.
u-he.com
Analog Lab Play
A free preset-based instrument with a curated set of synth and keyboard sounds. Useful for musicians who want fast access to polished sounds without deep programming.
arturia.com
Budget
Vital Pro
Expands on the free version of Vital with more presets, wavetables, and bundled content. A good upgrade for users who want more out of one of the best wavetable synth plugins.
vital.audio
Analog Lab Intro
A budget-friendly synth and keyboard plugin designed around presets and quick workflow. Useful for songwriters and producers who want ready-to-use sounds.
arturia.com
Professional
Serum 2
One of the best paid synth plugins for electronic music, pop production, and modern sound design. Widely used for basses, leads, and highly detailed synth programming.
xferrecords.com
Pigments
A professional synth plugin combining wavetable, granular, virtual analog, and other synthesis methods. Strong for producers who want versatility and a visual workflow.
arturia.com
Analog Lab Pro
A premium preset-based instrument with a larger library of synth and keyboard sounds. Ideal for musicians who want a wide range of polished sounds without deep programming.
arturia.com
Build your setup, then explore the theory
Once you have your DAW, instruments, and samples in place, Chord Scale Reference gives you the music theory to use them effectively — from scale and chord identification to Neo-Riemannian voice leading, chord substitutions, and progression building. All free, all in the browser.