Linux is an attractive platform for professional audio production. It is an extremely stable operating system that has good support for audio hardware. Using a Linux machine as the focus of your recording setup opens a world of possibilities for an affordable price.

Software that creates music can often be expensive. The heavyweight Cubase, Apple LogicPro, FL Studio, Adobe Audition, and Sony ACID Pro are all impressive software music production environments. Unfortunately, they cost hundreds of dollars and are released under a proprietary software license. Fortunately, there is a good range of open source software that lets you produce professional quality recordings.

Here is our pick of the best Linux software for musicians. With a good background in music, talent, and patience, coupled with open source software you can be truly creative and innovative.

To provide an insight into the quality of software that is available, we have compiled a list of 21 sublime open source music creation tools. Hopefully, there will be something of interest here for anyone who wants to kickstart a music career.

Now, let’s explore the 21 music tools at hand. For each title we have compiled its own portal page, a full description with an in-depth analysis of its features, screenshots, together with links to relevant resources and reviews.

Make Music Ardour Record, edit and mix with this digital audio workstation LMMS Digital audio workstation Pure Data Real-time computer music software package resembling Max SuperCollider Real time audio synthesis programming language LinuxSampler Professional grade software audio sampler Cecilia CSound-based graphical environment for music Hydrogen Advanced drum machine MusE MIDI/audio sequencer Mixxx Advanced DJ software Audacity Multi-track audio editor and recorder Qtractor Audio/MIDI multi-track sequencer Rosegarden Sophisticated MIDI (and audio) sequencer and notation editor Soundgrain Graphical interface to control granular sound synthesis Guitarix Virtual guitar amplifier ZynAddSubFX Powerful realtime, multi-timbral software synthesizer Giada Hardcore audio tool for DJs, live performers and electronic musicians Rakarrack Multi-effects processor emulating a guitar effects pedalboard Yoshimi Software synthesizer JAMin JACK Audio Connection Kit Audio Mastering interface LilyPond Produce musical scores that are engraved with traditional layout rules MuseScore Graphical WYSIWYG music score typesetter

Return to our complete collection of recommended free and open source software including our latest additions.

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