Whether you’re producing or creating music, technology plays a central part in today’s audio production industry. Technology has changed the face of music, from how we listen to it to the soundscape itself. All of today’s digital tools can help musicians and producers push boundaries and express themselves in new ways. Today’s music consumers lean toward digital tracks, so even if there are some niche fans of vinyl or cassettes, you’ll need to be an expert at recording and distributing digital music to succeed in this field. As a music student, there are so many programs to help you learn music technology and start making your own tracks. From digital audio workstations (DAWs) to beat-makers and notation software, you can explore the world of music production now. Most apps and programs are user-friendly and allow you to jump in right away.
Music Notation
- MuseScore: Learn everything about this popular notation app and start producing sheet music. This is the perfect software for those who are uncomfortable transcribing.
- Sibelius: Sibelius is a favorite among music educators. In-depth video tutorials here will give you an idea of what to expect and how to use the software before trying it yourself.
- ScoreCloud: This software is described as “the Google Translate of music.” This excellent app will create sheet music from your tracks. Learn more about the music cognition technology that made it possible.
- The Best Music Transcription Software and Common Alternatives: Upwork recommends Transcribe!, ScoreCloud, and AnthemScore as the top choices for transcription software.
- The Best Software for Music Transcription: Audio Assemble’s favorite transcription software includes Sibelius, Transcribe!, ScoreCloud, AnthemScore, Soundslice, and Transapp.
Music Practice
- SoundSlice: This app creates “living sheet music” to take music practice to the next level. You can sync the sheet music to a video to analyze your performance, match it with an instructional video, or even create loops and transpose solos.
- Noteflight: Noteflight is powerful software with a lot of purposes. It can create, assess, record, and share music. It’s a favorite among music teachers because of how precisely it can analyze specific passages of music, allow students to change tempo, and assess their performance on any given part of a piece. Use the software to become a better performer or composer. It’s got great features for both endeavors.
- Ultimate Guitar: Ultimate Guitar has been a friend to string players for years. The site uses tablature to help guitarists learn how to play a song. This is a beginner-friendly way to help people who can’t read sheet music learn guitar or even a way for seasoned pros to focus on the finer points of a song. The vast library of tablature should include just about any song you can think of.
- Modacity: This is the note-taking app that musicians need. Create playlists of music to practice, record your performance, leave notes, and even connect with experts for practice tips through Modacity.
- Ten Practice Apps That Will Make You a Better Musician: This list favors guitar players, but there are so many exciting recommendations here that any musician should look at, like Humanome, Amazing Slow Downer, and 1Chart.
Recording and Producing
- Audacity: This popular digital audio workshop has everything a producer needs to make professional-quality audio.
- Ableton Live: Ableton Live is a professional recording, mixing, and designing suite. All music students need a DAW, and this is a great choice.
- Getting Started With Logic Pro X: There might be better choices for beginners than this software, but it is a strong choice for professionals. Keep in mind that this is an Apple product only available on Macs. If you’re already familiar with DAWs, consider making Logic Pro your next upgrade. There are a lot of tutorials out there to point you in the right direction.
- Soundtrap by Spotify: Soundtrap is a favorite DAW for hobbyists and professionals alike. Its user-friendly flow can help you produce professional-quality music quickly.
- Best DAWs on the Market: Find even more suggestions for the best DAWs from MusicRadar.
Creating Beats
- How to Make a Beat in FL Studio: Follow these instructions to start making beats in the popular program FL Studio.
- The Best Beat-Making Software: Popular Science reveals their choice for the best beat-makers.
- Make a Super Neat Beat in Reason: Reason is a fantastic beat-maker compatible with all of the popular DAWs. Check out this tutorial that will teach you how to use it to make a trap drum beat.
- Top Five Beat-Making Programs: Many of the best beat-making software can be found in popular DAWs listed here.
- The Best Beat-Making Software: Deviant Noise lists their favorite beat-makers, including tools like Maschine.