Find music software for your setup.
Discover DAWs, instruments, effects, notation, and free tools for your particular workflow. Factual comparisons and setup guides to help you make music.
Explore Categories
View all directory →Recording & production
Record, produce, and arrange complete songs.
Notation & sheet music
Write scores, orchestrate, and prepare instrumental parts.
Songwriting & composition
Explore chords, accompaniment, and composition assistance.
Orchestral & film scoring
Find orchestral sounds and cinematic scoring libraries.
Synths, samplers & pianos
Build sounds and find expressive keyboard instruments.
Guitar, bass & drums
Virtual rigs, rhythmic foundations, and instrumental accompaniment.
Setup Guides
Build a free composing setup on Windows
Use free editions of MuseScore Studio, Waveform Free, and BBC Symphony Orchestra Discover to write notation, create a MIDI handoff, and make an orchestral audio sketch.
Kontakt Player vs. Kontakt: how to check which version a library requires
Use the library maker's product page and Native Instruments' compatibility guidance to identify Player libraries, full Kontakt libraries, and misleading installation errors.
Create an orchestral mockup from a MuseScore MIDI export
Move a MuseScore score into a DAW and build a clear first orchestral mockup with BBC Symphony Orchestra Discover, while preserving the notation source.
Comparisons
Dorico vs. MuseScore Studio for orchestral composition
A documentation-verified way to choose between Dorico and MuseScore Studio when you need to write, hear, and share an orchestral score.
Cubase vs. REAPER for composing and film scoring
A practical, source-led comparison of Cubase and REAPER for MIDI composition, orchestral mockups, audio production, and scoring to picture.
Verified Free Tools
Start making music without spending. We've curated genuinely free editions and tools — no expiring trials.