The best free music-making software 2021

By Cat Ellis 22 January 2021

Free music-making software including audio workstations, plugins and effects

The best free music-making software will allow you to compose and record music, without all the bells and whistles and costs of paid-for software.

Free music-making software is great if you like the sound of getting musically creative on your computer without the financial outlay. Programs designed to help with the music creation process can be outrageously expensive, but they are the sot of tools that people use to make a living. That said, there is an impressive selection of free music-making software out there that will serve as a great introduction to what’s possible without putting a strain on your pocket.

The best free music-making software is Apple Garageband, which is the perfect introduction to music production and provides a clear path to Apple’s pro-level DAW. It’s not your only option though, and we’ve rounded up four other excellent music-making tools here so you can choose the right one for you.

You might be surprised at the quality that’s to be found here. Given the price tags often attached to music production software, you’d be forgiven for expecting free tools to cut too many corners to make them worth bothering with. Thankfully, opting for free music-making software need not mean making huge compromises.

The best free music-making software at a glance:

1. GarageBand

The best free music-making software

Reasons to buy

Reasons to avoid

Apple’s long-standing digital audio workstation has come a long way since we first saw it in 2004, and although it still lacks a couple of key features (such as MIDI export and the ability to control external hardware via MIDI), GarageBand offers more than enough to get you going.

Apple has done a very good job at creating the perfect gateway drug into music production, and a clear path to Logic Pro X (Apple’s fully-functional professional DAW) is plain to see.

Shared features include Drummer, the seriously easy to use groove-maker, which includes multiple genres styles, easy controls and a ton of pattern and fill variations. You’re also treated to content from the Apple Loops sound library. And to further ease the transition, a familiar interface to Logic.

Although limited to 255 tracks per song, GarageBand is an immensely powerful and easy to use DAW that seems to be getting better with age.

2. Waveform Free

The best free DAW

Reasons to buy

Reasons to avoid

The folks at Tracktion seem to have hit on a rather canny business model by releasing older versions of their DAW for free, with nothing taken out.

The convention seems to be to make the version two iterations before the current one available to download without charge. You might not get all the latest features, but you’ll receive an update each time the company updates its flagship DAW, which it does almost yearly. The latest version to have its price tag shaved off its Waveform Free.

Every section is scalable, so you can adjust to suit your workflow and the bottom panel changes to to display whichever parameters you’ve selected elsewhere on the screen.

Waveform Free also features an unlimited number of audio and MIDI tracks, all depending on your hardware capabilities of course, and is able to host multiple plugin formats including VST and Audio Units.

Note that Before you can download the software, you’ll be prompted to enter an email address and password to create an account. When you run the software for the first time after installing it, you’ll see a notification that it’s running in demo mode, but don’t worry – click ‘Unlock…’ then enter the address and password you set earlier, and all the features will become available.

Create your own music

Showing 1 — 14 of 14 results

Music Maker Jam

With the new free music app MUSIC MAKER JAM for Windows you can make your own amazing tracks — it’s fun and fast! Simply start the app, choose three free music styles and start combining sounds to make your own songs.
Choose from a wide range of professionally produced loops and arrange them any way you want on up to eight tracks. Change the tempo, adjust the pitch and mix your songs using cool realtime effects. Ready for a remix? Just shake your tablet to reorder the tracks and create a unique version of your song. It’s a great way to find some inspiration for your next jam session!

MUSIC MAKER JAM offers intuitive control making music production even more fun and easy than you ever imagined. All of the sounds are perfectly synchronized to keep you on the beat every step of the way.
The app comes with four free styles. One of those is Dubstep, the other three are your choice and can be changed every month. This means that you have new loops on a monthly basis to keep your jams fresh and give you absolute freedom to experiment with your sound. And if that’s not enough, you can also expand your studio with new premium styles like Hip Hop, Drum&Bass, Techno, Movie Score, House, Metal and many more. In fact, there’s so much to mix and match you can take things to the next level and create your own new music genre!
Whether a quiet instrumental, a guitar-driven rocker for the radio or a pulsating dance track for the club, this app makes it all possible. Simply jam it out until you get the perfect sound or save your jams as projects so you can open them later for more editing. Record as many tracks as you want, share them as audio files and keep your listeners coming back from more! Music Maker Jam is available for free in the Windows App Store for all tablets.

Karaoke One

Karaoke One is the first «mobile talent show».

Do you have a PC with Windows 10 and do you like singing? Are you looking for the app to have fun alone and with your friends in your living room with your Xbox One? You’re in the right place, find what you are looking for, install now this app.

Music is not just listening but also singing and sharing of emotions.
You can sing the hits of the moment and retrace the history of international music songs.
Have you ever thought that you could become famous as users of TikTok, Instagram or Facebook?
Record and share your performances, your video clips and your audio notes, just two simple steps: choose your song and start singing.

Translate your talent into fun. Do you know that karaoke singing lowers the stress of modern life?

SHARE YOUR TALENT, create your video clip and share it in the Karaoke One social network, it’s simple and fun and you’ll find many other karaoke lovers like you.

INTERACT WITH THE COMMUNITY and follow other users, comment on the videos and show your appreciation for their talent with our new «You Rock» reaction.

GET FOLLOWER and scale up the charts with your talent. Become the King or Queen of the week and keep your position every month. Do you accept the challenge? Who receives more views and more YOU ROCK will go to the top of the leaderboards.

WEAR THE CROWN, are you the Queen or the King of Karaoke One? Become Premium!
Either a new promotion every month, don’t miss it. With less than € 0.20 per day you can have access to the entire catalog, without limits, without advertising and in high definition. We don’t want to sell you anything, but only to share with you a new experience of fun, allowing our company to invest and innovate our product every day. You’re one of us?

Are you the next Ed Sheeran or Lady Gaga? Show us. We look forward to listening to you.

What if the app stops working? Write an email to support@karaokeone.tv, we are here for you.

MuseScore 3

Create, playback, and print sheet music for free. MuseScore is cross-platform, multi-lingual, open source music notation software. It features an easy to use WYSIWYG editor with audio score playback for results that look and sound beautiful. It supports unlimited staves with up to four voices each, dynamics, articulations, lyrics, chords, lead sheet notation, import/export of MIDI and MusicXML, export to PDF and WAV, plus online score sharing.

MuseScore can upload scores directly to the score sharing site musescore.com. Program support is provided on musescore.org.

Features supported by MuseScore include:

* Unlimited score length
* Unlimited number of staves per system
* Up to four independent voices per staff
* Score creation wizard and templates
* Automatic part extraction and transposition
* Repeats, including segnos, codas, and measure repeats
* Dynamics, articulations, and other expression markings, with playback support for most
* Custom text markings
* Lyrics
* Chord symbols
* Jazz notation, including lead sheets, slash notation and a “handwritten” font for text
* Swing and shuffle playback
* Mixer for instrument levels and effects
* Percussion notation
* Early music notation
* Cross-staff beaming
* Import of graphics
* Custom key signatures
* Additive time signatures
* User-defined score styles

Most elements in MuseScore are laid out automatically but can also be positioned manually. The capabilities of MuseScore can be extended via plugins, and the growing repository on musescore.org contains many plugins submitted by users.

MuseScore includes a set of sounds that reproduce common instruments (as defined by General MIDI) without taking up a lot of disk space or memory, but you can also substitute any SoundFont you prefer for a wider variety of sounds or for more realism.

MuseScore can import and export MIDI and MusicXML files, and it can also import from Capella and several other programs. MuseScore can export to PDF, PNG, and other graphic formats, to WAV and other audio formats, or to Lilypond for an alternative layout and print option.

Music Editor : Trim, Extract, Convert and Mix Audio

Your search for complete audio editing tools ends here. The music editor is one stop shop for all your audio editing needs. This Audio Editor comes with Audio Cutter/Trimmer, Audio Joiner/Merge, Audio Mixer, Audio Extractor, Audio Convert/ Format Changer and many more easy to use tools.

Create Ringtones, Mix Songs and create mashups, Combine Songs and make a mixtape, Change Audio Format, Extract Video to mp3 and much more.

Features: Music Editor is a fast and easy to use app to edit and merge audios on the go.

=> MP3 Cutter: Use audio Cutter to Cut Best Part of Your Audio Song and create awesome ringtones using this Song Cutter.

=> Audio Merge/Joiner: Mix two Audios of any format to create new remixes. You can select the part of Audios you want to mix and you can also control the volume of both audios in your mashup. Preview your creation and save your mixes.

=> Audio Mixer: Combine songs using Audio Mixer and create your mixtape.

=> Mp3 Converter or Audio Format Changer: Convert Audio files from one format to another.

=> Audio Extractor or Video to Audio Converter: Convert Video to an Audio File i.e. Extract audio of any video and save it in any audio format you like. You can also select the part of Video you want to convert in Audio.

edjing 5: DJ turntable to mix and record music

Having won over more than 30 million users worldwide, the world’s #1 DJ app that transforms your device into real DJ vinyl turntables finally releases its new version: edjing 5!
Create amazing FREE mixes in just a few seconds and liven up your parties, wherever you are.

Remix +50 million tracks

— Music library (access to all your local music)
— Soundcloud integration
— Deezer integration (requires a Premium account)
— smart search feature that displays results for all your music sources on the same screen
— queue system to prepare the upcoming songs
— advanced sorting: browse by alphabetical order, BPM, or Time

THE DJ IS YOU
Remix in an instant thanks to edjing’s ultra user-friendly interface and its palette of over 20 DJ effects and functions.
Then share your best work and let your talent be discovered!

EDJING 5 HAS FINALLY ARRIVED
With the new edjing 5 audio system, the result of five years of R&D, you can benefit for free from the best sound rendition ever developed.
This revolutionary technology enables you to scratch and mix like a pro on vinyl turntables, giving you access to:

Many new DJ features in a single mixer:
— advanced BPM adjustment using the ‘Tap BPM’ function with beats synchronization
‐ automated audio effects sync on the beats of your songs (Loop, Cue, Seek. )
‐ new FX: Roll and Roll Filter
‐ a ‘Slip’ mode that can be activated for Loops and Scratch
‐ sound effects can now be adjusted manually
‐ option of adjusting the crossfader curve

Enjoy a better mix control with a new user‐friendly mixer interface:
‐ a revised interface for managing your DJ FX, with faster access to your favorites ones directly from your turntables
‐ new, dynamic spectrums
‐ a new BPM edition menu

And also:
— automated and precise BPM detection for your songs
‐ continuous Sync
‐ a wide audio spectrum for optimized beats detection
‐ pro audio FX: Flanger, Echo, Loop, Hot Cues, Equalizer
‐ ultra precise scratch on vinyl
‐ HD recording of your mixes in .wav format

LET EDJING MIX MUSIC FOR YOU WITH AUTOMIX
— ‘Automix’ mode to let the app run your sets for you
— automatic sync of the played tracks during the Automix
— ‘Queue’ function: to prepare the next song of your remix in advance

MORE DJ EFFECTS?

You can also improve your audio effects collection by purchasing new effects in our Store:
‐ audio FX: Steel, Gate, Filter, Phaser, Bliss, Reverb
‐ rhythmic FX: Beatgrid, Roll, Roll Filter, Double Flipping
‐ customized skins for your turntables: Gold, Metal, Neon, Ghetto, Diamond
‐ ‘Pre‐cueing’ function for perfect transitions

To keep up-to-date on our latest news, follow us on:
www.edjing.com/free

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/edjingApp
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/b/100711776131865357077/100711776131865357077
Instagram: http://instagram.com/edjingofficial/
Twitter : http://twitter.com/edjing
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/edjingfficial

Problems or queries about edjing?
Please contact our support team now: support@edjing.com

Music Maker Windows Store Edition

Make your own music with Music Maker.Access intuitive operation, a massive sound library and professional software instruments and produce music on your PC using just mouse and keyboard. Start pumping feel good sounds through your speakers in just a few clicks!
Download now — and discover your own sound in no time at all!

INCLUDES ALL THE BASICS
425 sounds & loops in 7 pitches
Bonus: 7 free sound packs: Trap, Rock, Techno, Hip Hop, Chillout, House and Score
3 software instruments: Revolta 2 Synthesizer, Concert Grand LE, Vita 2 Sample Player
Legendary virtual guitar amplifier Vandal SE

MAKE MUSIC
Build your beats: Combine sounds using drag & drop, play instruments and record vocals or rap. Includes lots of useful tips for finding your way in music production as well as giving you inspiration. Make music for free in a way that’s more intuitive and creative than ever before.

MUSIC EDITING
Start with the rhythm and lay out the foundation for your own song with loops from various genres – almost all sounds are available in 7 different pitches. Or simply click together your own grooves directly within the program using virtual drum machines. You can add extra loops per drag & drop. All the melodies, basses and drums can be combined with each other and will automatically be matched to the tempo of your song. With the integrated MIDI editor and the option to load your own recordings into the virtual recording studio, you can create your own, truly original sound.

FINE-TUNING
Achieve professional sound and fine-tune your tracks by modifying sound with audio effects and syncing elements.

WANT MORE?
Discover thousands of professionally recorded loops, tons of new features and even more instruments in the Music Maker Store. It’s where you can also access the latest Soundpools too.

GuitarTab — Tabs and chords

GuitarTab is a viewer which provides access to more than 800000 free tabs.

It includes GuitarPro tabs, Guitar tabs, Bass tabs, Chords and Drum tabs. Additional there can be searched for information about the found tracks and artists via Last Fm.

☆ Access to more than 800000 guitar tabs & chords
☆ Opens .gp3, .gp4, .gp5, .gpx and .gp tabs
☆ Download function
☆ Searching for YouTube music videos for songs
☆ Search filter by guitar tablature type
☆ Displays in portrait and landscape mode
☆ Favorite management
☆ Adjustable Autoscroll
☆ Displays diagrams for chords
☆ Displays your search history

SongPop 2

Guess the song with SongPop 2! Take this musical quiz and play online with people from all around the world. Challenge your friends with trivia that includes songs from all musical styles. If you love trivia and music, you will love SongPop, the most famous song trivia game!

Guess the Song with SongPop 2!
Listen to more than 100,000 real music clips from artists such as the award-winning Billie Eilish, the renowned Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, Cardi B, classic tunes from Queen, and more in the world’s most popular music quiz game. Guess the correct artist and song title faster than everyone else to win!

Challenge Your Friends with Musical Trivia!
Are you always the first one to guess that song playing at a party? Challenge your friends on your favorite playlists to see who is the best at guessing in this song game: Who will be the fastest to find the name of that song and get to the highest worldwide ranking? With SongPop 2, master playlists, discover new songs and artists, and claim your trophies!

Compete with Music Lovers from All Around the World!
We offer different ways of playing this trivia game. In Party mode, you compete against hundreds of players in daily multiplayer tournaments in SongPop 2. Can you get the most prestigious badges from this music battle?

Develop Your Music Knowledge!
In Practice Mode, meet Melody, the SongPop mascot, and practice your song quiz skills with her in solo mode. All playlists are free so you can try to guess that song you heard in a commercial, and discover more music samples every day. Buy your favorites and challenge your friends in this music trivia guessing game. Find your best matches every day: Play with users who share the same musical taste and have some fun.

There Is Music for Everyone!
SongPop is a music trivia song game for all generations, with questions on dozens of music genres, such as today’s top hits, classic rock songs, legendary country favorites, the best rap and hip hop songs of all times, and great pop artists; but also indie bands, Latin hits, and much more! There are song collections for every decade, from the early ’60s to the latest hits, covering all the music history of the years in between! New music, worldwide contests, and more playlists added every day!

djay Pro

djay Pro provides a complete toolkit for DJs of all skill levels. Built specifically for Windows 10, djay Pro seamlessly integrates with your music library, giving you instant access to all your favorite songs and playlists. Pristine sound quality and a powerful set of features including high-definition waveforms, four decks, audio effects, and hardware integration give you endless creative flexibility to take your sets to new heights.

Music Library
• Unified media browser
• History and Queue
• Expanded mode

Streaming Integrations*
• TIDAL: 60+ million tracks, high quality sound (TIDAL Premium or HiFi)
• SoundCloud: 200+ million underground and premium tracks (SoundCloud Go+)
• Exclusively curated selection of DJ friendly songs available for free through SoundCloud
• Match: Powerful song recommendations through TIDAL and SoundCloud

*NOTE: As of July 1, 2020, Spotify will no longer be playable through 3rd party DJ apps. To help djay users with this change, we’ve introduced new streaming services with the option to transfer your existing streaming library. Please visit algoriddim.com/streaming-migration to learn how to migrate to a new supported service.

Four Deck Mixing
• Horizontal / vertical layouts
• Crossfader assignments (left, right, thru)

Waveform Layouts
• Horizontal / vertical
• Two deck / four deck
• Variable zoom level

Sampler
• Live sampling and preset editing
• Pre-bundled content

Recording
• AAC / WAV (not available for streamed tracks)

Automix
• Automatic, beat-matched mixes
• Queue and Playlist automation
• Automatic transitions

Advanced DJ Tools
• Sync
• Cue Points
• Looping
• Skipping
• Scrubbing
• Slip Mode
• Beat grid editing

Audio FX
• Up to three chain-able audio effects per deck
• XY-Pad and Instant FX
• Over 30 additional, state-of-the-art audio effects powered by Sugar Bytes (available via In-App Purchase)

Audio Processing
• Advanced time-stretching (up to +- 75%)
• Pitch shifting (up to +- 1 octave)
• Audio mixing with adjustable crossfader curves
• EQ, panning, and highpass/lowpass filtering
• Audio Limiter

Audio Analysis
• BPM and beat detection
• Flexible beat grids with support for straight and dynamic tempo
• Frequency-based colored waveforms
• Key detection
• Auto-gain / Normalize
• Multi-core batch analysis

Hardware Integration
• Native support for over 60 MIDI controllers by Pioneer DJ, Numark, Reloop, Denon, Hercules, and others
• MIDI Learn
• External Mixer Mode
• Support for multi-channel USB audio interfaces

Built for Windows 10
• Support for Touch + Desktop
• Native UWP application
• 60 frames per second graphics engine
• Enhanced for Surface Studio with PixelSense Display
• Support for Surface Dial (location-aware)
• Extensive keyboard shortcuts

A supported streaming subscription and an internet connection is required to access songs from a streaming service from djay Pro. No recording available for streamed songs. As of July 1, 2020, Spotify will no longer be playable through 3rd party DJ apps.

Streaming service availability and pricing may vary depending on country, currency and service.

To use songs from iCloud in djay Pro, please download them first via iTunes. No support for DRM protected songs. No support for streaming offline tracks.

Hip-Hop Pad

Hip-Hop Pad is a great app for creating hip-hop beats and music on your phone. In this application, more different sounds for the game. It is possible to record your game and then listen. Or you can write hip-hop bit, and then under him play.

Contacts:
http://vk.com/dubsteppad
http://fb.com/dubsteppadwp
@ArtMosby
artmosby@gmail.com

FL Studio Mobile

Create and save complete multi-track music projects on your Windows Phone, Tablet or PC. Record, sequence, edit, mix and render complete songs.

WANT TO TRY BEFORE YOU BUY?

Install FL STUDIO 20 for macOS / Windows and you can use the FL Studio Mobile Plugin. This is identical to the App, as a plugin inside FL Studio. Get it here: http://www.image-line.com/downloads/flstudiodownload.html

• High quality synthesizers, sampler, drum kits & sliced-loop beats
• Step sequencer for fast percussion programming
• Configurable virtual piano-keyboard & Drum Pads
• Class compliant MIDI controller support. Play instruments and link to knobs/sliders
• MIDI file import and Export (Single-track or Multi-track)
• Audio recording, track-length stem/wav import
• Mixer: Per-track mute, solo, effect bus, pan and volume adjustment
• Effects include: Auto Ducker, Chorus, Compressor, Limiter, Distortion, Parametric Equalizer, Graphic Equalizer, Flanger, Reverb, High-Pass/Low-Pass/Band-Pass/Formant (Vox) Filters, Delays, Phaser and Stereoizer to enhance your mix
• Piano roll editor to enter notes & chords or to edit recorded performances
• Intuitive screen layout configurable to work with all screen resolutions and sizes.
• Save and load your songs, export to WAV, MP3 & FLAC
• Load your projects in the FL STUDIO Plugin Version of this App# and take them to the next level!
• Wirelessly share project data with other FL Studio Mobile Android, iOS and Windows App instances.

IN APP PURCHASES

FL Studio Mobile includes in-app purchases for some sample library content for the DirectWave sample player. You CAN load your own content however and do not need to buy content if you want to make your own.

Included Instrument modules: Drum Sampler, DirectWave Sampler, GMS (Groove Machine Synth), Transistor Bass, MiniSynth & SuperSaw.

Included Effect modules (all Effects modules are included): Auto Ducker, Auto-Pitch (pitch correction), Chorus, Compressor, Limiter, Distortion, Parametric Equalizer, Graphic Equalizer, Flanger, Reverb, Tuner (Guitar/Vocal/Inst), High-Pass/Low-Pass/Band-Pass/Formant (Vox) Filters, Delays, Phaser and Stereoizer.

MANUAL / SUPPORT / TRAINING / VIDEOS

Please help us to help you! Register FL Studio Mobile (the App will pop-up a link) and visit the support forum to report bugs/problems: http://support.image-line.com/redirect/flmobile_forum

* «FL Studio» desktop PC version (sold separately) is installed, on average, over 30,000 times each DAY making it one of the world’s most popular and exciting music production systems. You can download the demo version of the FL Studio Desktop PC version and use the FL plugin version of FL Studio Mobile.

# FL Studio Mobile is available on Windows, Android and iOS (sold separately).

edjing PRO — Music DJ mixer

The world first DJ app finally releases its professional version: edjing Pro, a full featured DJ system!

You don’t need bulky controllers anymore.
edjing Pro has been designed to propose the same features as the ones offered by a DJ controller, while improving their usage!

SOBER AND ERGONOMIC INTERFACE THOUGHT OF BY AND FOR PRO DEEJAYS
— Direct access to all the essential djing features
— Large audio spectrum for optimum beat localizations, making it easier to adjust your songs settings and bpm matching
— Songs bpm directly visible on the mixing interface
— Direct access to your music library in a single click, with all your songs, titles, albums and playlists
— DJ FX organised between structuring sound effects and coloring sound effects for an easy navigation
— Colored identification of sound effects in use within the audio spectrum to find your way around in a single look

SMART MUSIC LIBRARY
— Music library (access to all your local music)
— Soundcloud integration
— Deezer integration (requires a Premium account)
— smart search feature that displays results for all your music sources on the same screen
— queue system to prepare the upcoming songs
— advanced sorting: browse by alphabetical order, BPM, or Time

THE MOST POWERFUL SOUND PROCESSING SYSTEM
— Low audio latency for accuracy and comfort in mixing
— Perfect beatmatching: DJ sound effects perfectly synchronized with the beat
— New automatic track synchronization with continuous beatmatching resetting between songs

THE SAME LEVEL OF FEATURES AS PROFESSIONAL DJ CONTROLLER
— 2 broadcast channels to mix 2 tracks at once
— Bpm detection and direct visualization
— Ultra-concise scratch
— Pre-Cueing
— 4 editable Hot Cue per channel
— 3-band Equalizer and filters available on each channel
— Automix mode
— Color effects to give more depth to your mix such as Super Filter or Delay
— Echo Out to achieve automatic transition exits
— Rhythmic effects synchronized on the beats like Beatgrid, Roll Filter
— Freeze feature to isolate and focus the audio spectrum on a specific song segment and play the freezed beats while automatically matching it on the beatlist and the bpm
— Custom beats thanks to the “Tap BPM” mode: adjust the beats manually as you like using natural sweep and pinch gestures.
— Record your mix in .wav

MIXFADER COMPATIBILITY
Control edjing with the world’s first wireless crossfader: Mixfader.
More information on themixfader.com
In order for edjing to detect and connect to your Mixfader, the app needs permission to access Mixfader, and you need to pair Mixfader and your device. You can activate Bluetooth and authorize the access directly from the settings of your device.

ABOUT EDJING PRO
Website: http://edjing.com/pro
Contact: support.pro@edjing.com
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/pages/edjing-Pro/1574512199467994

Vintage Synth

Vintage Synth is guiding you into an amazing world of electronic sound synthesis. Create unprecedented sounds by using the numerous control knobs. This retro look sound machine is reminiscent of the good old analogue synthesizers giving you a slight touch of nostalgia. The multi-touch interface allows playing polyphonically on the keyboard while the sound can be adjusted to your desire. You will be amazed when you dive into new soundscapes with Vintage Synth.

StaffPad

WRITE MUSIC, NATURALLY.
StaffPad is a groundbreaking music notation application, featuring advanced handwriting recognition. Write music, using your digital pen*, and StaffPad will transform your handwritten notation into a beautifully typeset score which you can then edit, play back, print or even share the parts in real-time with musicians, using ScoreSync. For composers and musicians, StaffPad revolutionizes the art of writing and creating music.

*IMPORTANT NOTE: STAFFPAD **REQUIRES** A DEVICE WITH ACTIVE PEN CAPABILITIES. DESIGNED FOR SURFACE.

MUSIC RECOGNITION
StaffPad has been designed from the ground up for pen input. Simply write your music straight on to the screen, using your device’s pen. As you move from bar to bar, StaffPad will convert your handwriting into a beautifully engraved score. You can draw notes, beams, stems, articulations, accidentals, slurs, ties and more. It’s the most natural way to write music on digital device, ever.

AN ORCHESTRA IN THE TIP OF YOUR PEN
StaffPad contains a unique playback engine that interprets your written score and renders an amazingly realistic playback. The app includes detailed playback of nearly 60 instruments as standard. For truly professional results, you can purchase additional add-ons from Orchestral Tools, Spitfire Audio, Cinesamples and others that bring the next level of realism previously impossible to achieve with notation.

StaffPad is powerful. Everything from a basic piano lead sheet to a full symphony score can be written with StaffPad.

SCORESYNC
StaffPad is designed for composition. When it comes to bring your score to life with real musicians, tap the ScoreSync icon, and your score is broadcast to any connected StaffPad Reader devices. From then on, any changes or rewrites you make are instantly updated on all the Readers. Likewise, you’re in control of playback — press play and all the Readers start playing together, in perfect sync, with smart page turns, and even a click track if you need detailed timing accuracy. ScoreSync takes the hassle out of creating parts and removes the formatting and printing stages altogether. Make changes and rewrites in an instant, try out different keys — unleash your creativity — every musician will be right there with you, all on the same page.

PEN AND TOUCH
By combining the power of digital inking and multitouch, we can offer a no-compromises approach to virtual manuscript. Use your finger to move around the score, and pinch to zoom — with butter-smooth scrolling. When you want to write music, just use the pen. Use your eraser button on the pen to remove both ink strokes and existing notation. You can also draw freehand on the score, using the sketch layer, to quickly brainstorm and leave notes/comments for yourself and others.

PRINT YOUR RESULTS
If you need to print your score on paper, StaffPad intelligently lays the score out for you, and generates all the parts, whilst offering a few simple options for customization.

SHARE YOUR WORK
StaffPad allows you to easily share and export your work. You can export MIDI and MusicXML, should you wish to continue working on your score in other programs. You can also export your score to MP3/WAV format, or quickly email an MP3 of your work in just a couple of taps. StaffPad also supports import of MusicXML and MIDI files for easy interchange of scores with other programs

VERSIONS
Sometimes it’s necessary to try different ideas out, but you need to be sure you can always return back to where you started from in case it doesn’t work out. Versions allows you to keep multiple different versions of your score within the same file, and you can flip back and forth between them in an instant. Want to try a different key? Sure, just create a Version, try out your idea, and toggle between them to compare.

FENBY — VOICE ASSISTANT
A voice activated composer assistant allows you to interact with your score using your voice. Want to change the key signature to G major at bar 10? No problem — tap the assistant and say «Change to G major». The assistant can quickly help you set up your score, add instruments, set the tempo, the key signature, the time signature, add bar lines and more. * IMPORTANT: Currently, the voice assistant is available in US and UK English only.

EXPRESS YOURSELF
StaffPad is the first notation application which allows you to easily draw dynamics/music expression right onto the staff, with smooth Bezier curves and a beautifully simple freehand drawing experince. By toggling the automation layer, you can elegantly draw in additional dynamics detail, which can enhance the realism of playback without compromising the existing dynamics markings on your score. You can also automate playback volume, and pan.

CHORDS
Want to quickly add chords to your part? No problem. Just toggle «Show Chords», and chord symbols are automatically to your staff, which update as you change the notation. You can always manually edit and enter them if you prefer. A unique Chord Staff analyses the entire score and renders a harmonic overview of the piece — or gives you an easy way to generate a chord chart if you don’t need notation.

TEMPO STAFF
Create details tempo maps without overwhelming your score with metronome markings. The Tempo Staff features the same point-based editing, and Bezier curve and

PROFESSIONAL FEATURES
StaffPad intelligently handles transposing instruments, allowing you to write in concert pitch and toggle to transposing when you’re ready, or when printing. You can write music in multiple voices, transpose selections, reverse stem directions, quickly repeat bars and insert text intuitively via the quick input tiles. Quick symbols provide the easiest way to enter trills, tremolos, fermatas, rehearsal marks, pedal markings, hairpins and much more.

EDUCATION
StaffPad is designed for professional composers and musicians, but it’s also a great learning tool for students. Within the application there are multiple video tutorials explaining how to use the app, and key musical concepts.

COMPATIBILITY:
StaffPad REQUIRES a device with a digital pen (also known as an active digitizer) and multitouch capabilities in order to function as designed*. If your device does not support pen and touch, the app will not function correctly. Support will not be available to users attempting to run StaffPad on an incompatible device.