Top 5 Free Music Software You Can't Live Without

As a professional composer and musician, I am always coming across the latest and greatest music software. Check out these awesome music software programs, categorized according to cost. Enjoy!

Free Music Software Programs

1. Audacity If you haven't downloaded Audacity yet, head on over to Sourceforge and download this powerful and totally free music editing software program. You can record and edit audio, and even apply some basic effects. Panning and volume controls are available, too. This is a great introductory audio editing program if you are just curious about music technology and mixing or even if you are teaching a music course.

2. Supercollider Supercollider is not for the faint of heart. This highly complicated computer software scripting language predated Max/MSP. Incredible sound synthesis (like this clip "Danse Amoeba"), original and absolutely amazing (and in real time) can be created once you have mastered the scripting language. This is a great music software program for the computer science pro who wants to tinker in electronic music. Cost - Totally Free at http://supercollider.sourceforge.net// .

3. Soundhack I first ran into Soundhack several years ago while finishing up my grad work at FIU. It's a nifty little music program which allows you to mish and mash audio files. Soundhack has a tight community of electronic musicians and composers who help each other out (check out their FB profile.) You can also download other fun free music software programs from Soundhack.

Almost Free Music Software Programs

4. Apple's Garageband Garageband may be the most powerful "free" music software tool out there. Even pros like to use this program for quick and easy music production and mixing. Garageband is included with every Mac, so technically it's free (if you discount the cost of buying a Mac). The program allows you to mix MIDI, record audio, and even do some very basic mastering.

5. Finale Notepad If you don't have the money to shell out for professional music notation programs like Sibelius and Finale, then check out Finale's kid cousin Finale Notepad. Currently Finale Notepad costs $10. Yep, for the cost of a pizza, you can have a powerful music notation program that allows you to create professional quality sheet music and basic MIDI realizations of your work. Many educational professionals have found Finale Notepad to be absolutely necessary to teach classes, write music, and create high quality sheet music. If the $10 price tag is still a bit much for you to spare, you can also check out Noteflight.com, which offers similar options for free online.

So save a little bit of cash and enjoy these amazing free music software programs!