Ever ventured online in search of free music resources, only to end up feeling more lost than when you started? Free lessons are buried under clickbait, gated content traps you in endless marketing funnels, and "free trials" just lead to hidden subscription fees. Frustrating, right?
That's why we put together this list of free music tools and plugins, including a bunch we created ourselves! Whether you're a seasoned producer or just strumming your first chords, we're sure you'll find at least one of these resources helpful. We're constantly working on new tools to assist with composing, recording, and sharing your music, so keep an eye out to ensure you don't miss out on the latest! Or, you can drop your email in the pop-up, and we'll loop you in whenever we add to the list.
Hover over the links to learn more about each tool – practical applications, use cases, and helpful info...
Releasing music can be expensive. That's why we built this free AI cover art generator. It makes it easy to create and iterate on stunning cover art to promote your albums and singles.
Coming soon...
A Spotify Canvas is a short looping visual that complements your music. This free AI tool instantly generates videos that fit the vibe of your song.
Coming soon...
Struggling with writer’s block? Stuck on the last line of your verse? This AI songwriting assistant will help you find the perfect phrase to finish your song.
This chart is specially made for producers who work with MIDI keyboards, synths, or pianos. It simplifies scale reading and comprehension by focusing on hand shapes instead of note names or scale degrees.
Want to brush up on your chord knowledge? This is a useful resource for beginners and pros alike. It includes the most commonly used major and minor guitar chords, along with their proper fingering.
Get quick access to all the essential elements of music theory with this invaluable interactive cheat sheet. Easily find information on keys, scales, modes, notes, chords, and intervals all in one place.
Whether you're a novice or a seasoned pro, getting your home studio's signal flow right can feel a bit daunting. This chart has everything you need to get started recording and troubleshoot your studio!
This free tool lets you hear what your mix sounds like on a variety of speaker systems. Make sure your listeners hear your song exactly like it sounds in the studio, regardless of their device or speaker system.
Do you ever question if your recording is good enough to be part of a hit? Stop second-guessing – this checklist helps you identify & fix common issues that keep recordings below the industry standard.
Whether you're fine-tuning your rough mix before mixing or giving your final mix a once-over before mastering, these checklists will guide you through every step to ensure your tracks are ready-to-go.
Say goodbye to manually counting beats and struggling to find the right key. Our free BPM checker and key guesser instantly analyze your samples and tracks, giving you the exact tempo and key you need.
From practicing with your instrument to preparing to record, this handy online metronome and tuner will help in a pinch. Use it to make sure you're in tune and tighten up your timing!
Producers, musicians, and engineers all speak similar languages. But that doesn't mean we always understand each other. This dictionary lists standard studio vocab so you can collaborate with confidence.
Our team's 'Holy Grails': tiered lists of our most lusted-after instruments and pro audio gear. Legendary mics, synths, preamps, and audio interfaces that fit into any budget.
Ever yearn for that "modern, in-your-face" sound? Enter OTT Compressor, your secret weapon for injecting explosive energy and making your track stand out from the rest of the mix.
This multi-band maestro isn't your average compressor. It works its magic on individual frequency ranges, pushing the highs and lows while pulling back the middle, creating a hypnotic pumping effect that's perfect for electronic, dubstep, and aggressive genres.
Forget scrambling to fix bad gain staging after the mixdown. mvMeter2 empowers you to nail your levels before you mix, ensuring pristine audio throughout.
Why is this crucial? Pushing audio too hard or too soft into analog gear or analog-modeled plugins results in a loss of headroom, nasty distortion, and sound that's lacking that rich, punchy analog vibe.
mvMeter2 acts as a guiding light, helping you maximize headroom and clarity throughout your mix. With precise readings and adjustable reference levels, you can ensure every element sits perfectly in its sonic space.
Tired of tracks that sound too sterile and digital? How about adding a live element or two to your mix? With this first-of-it's-kind plugin, you can access and collaborate with talented session musicians—all from the convenience of your DAW!
With PerforMIDI, you can elevate your music with authenticity and energy that's nearly impossible to replicate in-the-box. You can compose your own pieces and get them recorded to create truly unique productions and set your music apart from the crowd. The plugin also makes it simple to replace any dull, uninspired virtual instrument tracks with vibrant live performances.
Disclaimer: While PerforMIDI is free to download, you'll need to purchase credits to use some of its collaborative features.
Do you crave that rich, full-bodied vocal sound heard on countless hits? Look no further than iZotope Vocal Doubler, your instant ticket to effortless vocal and instrumental thickening and depth.
This plugin isn't just another doubler. It combines subtle pitch variations, natural timing shifts, and adjustable width to sculpt a realistic, layered vocal effect that blends seamlessly with your original track.
Use it subtly to give your vocals or instruments more 'oomph' with increased width and presence, or apply it liberally for a more experimental, digital sound.
iZotope Vinyl provides you with everything you could possibly want in a vinyl record effect. Need to add lo-fi flavor and record-scratching effects to your tracks? From dust, scratches and mechanical noise to warp and wow, Vinyl's got you covered.
Vinyl takes you on a journey through time with its authentic vinyl textures ranging from the 1930s to the 2000s, adding rich analog character to your tracks.
Classic plate, spring and room reverbs sound great on most sources and undoubtedly have their uses, but sometimes you need something a bit more... out of this world.
If you're searching for a gateway epic soundscapes, otherworldly delays, and lush reverbs that transcend the ordinary, look no further. Valhalla Supermassive is your portal to a galaxy of sonic possibilities.
Supermassive offers 7 unique modes, ranging from shimmering halls and cathedral echoes to pulsating delays and spacey ambiences. Each mode is meticulously crafted, offering unparalleled depth, character, and control.
From virtual choir instruments, to high-fidelity EQ plugins, to analog synths and instrument emulators, Native's free software catalog is filled with goodies. We recommend you start by downloading the free Komplete Start production bundle, then explore the rest of the collection.
Other notable tools include some fantastic iZotope software like Audio Lens, which lets you upload a reference track to compare against your master EQ curve, and Guitar Rig 7 Player, which sets you up with a comprehensive toolkit of amp emulation and guitar pedal options.
Need inspiration? Sick of using the same tired old virtual instruments from your usual lineup? With 100 essential synths, keys, basses, pads, and more, these favorites from Arturia's extensive collection are the perfect remedy.
The collection spans a wide range of styles, making it suitable for virtually any genre you can imagine. And did we mention that it's free? So, dive in, explore the presets, and let your imagination run wild.
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