10 Best Music Production Software in 2024

If you’re a musician or producer looking to take your craft to the next level, investing in good music production software is a must.

With the right software, you can transform your ideas into polished tracks and unleash your creativity in ways you never thought possible.

Firstly, music production software offers a range of tools and features that can streamline your workflow and help you create music with ease.

From virtual instruments to powerful effects plugins, these software programs can help you achieve the sound you’re after and enhance your tracks with professional-grade effects.

Moreover, music production software is incredibly versatile and can be used across a variety of genres and styles.

Whether you’re into electronic music, hip hop, or rock, there’s a software program out there that can cater to your specific needs.

There are many different music production software out there and here I have gathered the 10 best music production software for you.

1. GarageBand

GarageBand is a music production software that is only available for Apple users.

It is a popular choice among musicians and producers due to its user-friendly interface and powerful features.

Here it offers a vast library of virtual instruments, ranging from drums to keyboards to guitars. These instruments can be played using your computer’s keyboard or by connecting a MIDI controller, allowing you to create complex compositions with ease.

GarageBand includes a range of effects and mixing tools that can help you achieve the perfect sound.

GarageBand Features:

• Music production software
• Ideal for Apple users
• Ideal for musicians and producers
• User friendly
• Virtual instrument
• MIDI controller
• Create complex compositions

Price: Free

2. PreSonus Studio One 6

PreSonus Studio One 6 is a professional-grade music production software that offers a range of powerful features to help musicians and producers create their best work.

It offers a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to navigate and uses its extensive range of features.

From the Arranger Track to the Scratch Pad, the software is designed to help you streamline your workflow and make the creative process as seamless as possible.

Here it offers a range of virtual instruments, effects, and sample libraries to help you achieve the perfect sound.

PreSonus Studio One 6 Features:

• Professional great music software
• Free to use
• Navigate easily
• Designed for everyone
• Seamless
• Sample Libraries
• Achieve perfect sound

Price: Free/$99.95

3. Steinberg Cubase Pro 12

Steinberg Cubase Pro 12 is a powerful music production software designed for professional musicians and producers.

It offers a range of advanced tools and features that can help you create professional-grade music.

From its intuitive interface to its extensive range of virtual instruments, effects, and mixing tools, the software is designed to help you achieve the perfect sound.

Whether you’re working with a complex orchestral arrangement or a simple electronic beat, the software’s MIDI editing tools can help you achieve the perfect sound.

Steinberg Cubase Pro 12 Features:

• Ideal for perfect sound
• Easy to use
• Designed for professionals
• Extensive range of instruments
• Mixing tools
• Orchestral arrangement
• Simple electronic beat

Price: $579

4. ImageLine FL Studio 21

ImageLine FL Studio 21 is a music production software that stands out from the rest due to its unique workflow and powerful features.

One of the standout features of ImageLine FL Studio 21 is its intuitive interface, which allows for a highly customizable workflow.

The software is designed to be flexible, allowing you to arrange and organize your workspace in a way that suits your creative process.

From the Piano Roll to the Mixer, you can customize the interface to work the way you want it to.

ImageLine FL Studio 21 Features:

• Customization options
• Customize interface
• Creative Process
• Organize workspace
• Easy to use
• Mixer inbuild
• Customize everything

Price: $99

5. Ableton Live 11

Ableton Live 11 is a popular music production software that is loved by both beginners and experts alike.

The best thing about Ableton Live 11 is its session view, which allows you to create and perform with your music in a non-linear way.

You can easily experiment with loops and sounds, and record your ideas on the fly.

This feature is particularly useful for live performances and jamming sessions, making Ableton Live 11 the perfect software for live electronic musicians.

Ableton Live 11 Features:

• Beginner freinldy
• Easy to use
• Loops and sounds
• Record ideas
• Live performances
• Jamming sessions
• Perfect for live musicians

Price: $99

6. DarkWave Studio

DarkWave Studio is a free and versatile music production software that offers a range of powerful features for musicians and producers.

One of the standout features of DarkWave Studio is its modular design, which allows you to create your own custom signal flow using a range of virtual instruments and effects.

You can easily connect and route signals between different modules, and create complex and unique sounds that are not possible with traditional linear DAWs.

Here you will get built-in virtual instruments, such as its flagship Datsounds OBXD synthesizer and the ZynAddSubFX synthesizer.

DarkWave Studio Features:

• Free to use
• Versatile software
• Modular design
• Create a custom signal flow
• Tradition linear
• Built-in instruments
• Synthesizer is available

Price: Free

7. Audacity

Audacity is a free and open-source music production software that has been around for over two decades.

Despite its simplicity, Audacity offers a range of powerful features for musicians and producers.

The best thing about this software Audacity is its ability to record and edit multiple tracks simultaneously.

You can easily create complex arrangements by layering different instruments and sounds, and editing each track separately to achieve the perfect mix.

Audacity Features:

• Free to use
• Simple to use
• Range of features
• Edit multiple tracks
• Layer different instruments
• Edit track separately
• Perfect mix

Price: Free

8. LMMS

LMMS (Linux MultiMedia Studio) is a free and open-source digital audio workstation that allows musicians and producers to create music on multiple platforms including Windows, macOS, and Linux.

It is highly customizable and extensible, allowing you to add your own samples, instruments, and plugins

LMMS offers a range of powerful effects and plugins, such as its built-in compressor, reverb, and delay plugins.

These effects can help you shape and enhance your sounds, and achieve the perfect balance and clarity in your tracks.

LMMS Features:

• Free to use
• Open source
• Easy to use
• Available in all devices
• Powerful effects and plugins
• Built-in compressor
• Delay plugins

Price: Free

9. Bitwig Studio

If you’re looking for a powerful and innovative digital audio workstation, then Bitwig Studio might be just what you need.

This software offers a range of unique features and tools that allow musicians and producers to create their own music with ease.

Bitwig Studio supports a range of third-party plugins and instruments, allowing you to expand your creative possibilities even further.

From popular plugins such as VST and AU to experimental effects, Bitwig Studio can accommodate any plugin you throw at it.

Bitwig Studio Features:

• Popular Software
• Easy to use
• VST and AU experiment effects
• Automate
• Different plugins
• Third-party plugins

Price: $99

10. Waveform

Waveform is a digital audio workstation that provides musicians and producers with a range of powerful tools and features for creating their own music.

The software is designed to be both intuitive and creative, allowing you to focus on the music and bring your ideas to life.

Waveform is constantly evolving and improving, with regular updates and new features being added all the time.

The software is developed by Tracktion Corporation, a company with over 15 years of experience in creating innovative music production software.

Waveform Features:

• Free to use
• Digital workstations
• Musicians and producers can use it
• Create own music
• Regular updates
• Innovative music production software

Price: Free