What is music production software?
As a workstation for synths, sampled instruments, effects, and loads more, music production software brings everything together in one place. Synths, sampled instruments, and effects do everything you hear, but sequencers and arranging tools are equally important for taking your music from initial ideas to finished tracks. There’s a number of companies offering music making software for PC and Mac, and you can pick and choose the tools you need from each depending on the music you make. The majority of Native Instruments’ music making software runs either standalone or in your DAW (Digital Audio Workstation). Some examples of popular DAWs on the market include Ableton Live, Logic, Cubase, Pro Tools and FL Studio.
Native Instruments software
Native Instruments offers Maschine, which can be used to sketch and arrange projects both in the studio and for live performances. Kontakt is our sampling platform, which acts as a host to a huge number of sample-based instruments for music production. Reaktor is music making software with a twist, and offers both a huge library of synths and effects, plus user-generated instruments, and a means of building your own music production software such as instruments, sequencers, and effects.
Free music production software
When it comes to the best free music making software, Komplete Start is a great choice. With thousands of studio-quality sounds this music production software is easy to download and get started with. Komplete Start comes with loads of synths, effects, sampled instruments and loops to fit loads of different genres and approaches to music production. As far as free music making software goes, it packs a serious punch. This music software comes with over 6GB of lead instruments, synths, pads, drums, percussion and more. If you’re looking for a music composition software to get started with, you’ve come to the right place.
Kontakt
With hyper-realistic sample libraries, Kontakt is the definitive sampling music software, powering an enormous selection of sampled instruments. Many of Kontakt’s libraries are multi-sampled, meaning this music software not only has recordings of every possible note but also different intensities and dynamics. Played in hundreds of different ways, these instruments will drop straight into your studio setup and bolster it with unique, rare, and otherwise unplayable instruments. Kontakt can be a simple sampler, instrument host, and a deep sonic scripting library when needed.
Maschine Production Systems
Maschine is a beatmaker, drum machine, sequencer, sampler, synth, and much more. 16 high-resolution drum pads and intuitive interface mean a completely hands-on, seamless workflow for producing, playing live, integrating with outboard gear, and creating sounds, tracks, and beats. If you want to leave the laptop behind, Maschine+ brings the iconic Maschine production workflow into a standalone hardware device. For those on the move, Maschine Mikro is our take-anywhere solution.
Komplete
Komplete is one of the best music production software options because you get so much in one bundle. It’s the go-to production suite for artists, musicians, and sound designers. Whether you’re expanding your beatmaking palette or need new specialist tools for professional composition and sound design, there’s a Komplete for you. Choose your bundle, and save up to 90% on the combined cost of the individual products.