Best Free Composing Software? Thread

Does someone have recommendations for the best free composing software for games? One which can make like real or pseudo-real noises? Like a violin, guitar, etc?

Nothing really worthwhile for free. But Reaper is a very cheap DAW and there are a lot of low-cost/free VSTs you can use with it.

Check this post for free VSTs: Filmandgamecomposers.com

Keep your eyes open for Cubase LE. That's often bundled with pieces of equipment like keyboards/effects pedals/audio interfaces and the like. It's what Hanz Zimmer uses! ^^ Well, almost... Then you can use all those free VSTs you just got. =)

I used to make music that sounded like Hans Zimmer on FL Studio, no lie.

Try it out and like every other digital audio workstation, you can download VST PLUG-INS. Learn how to torrent if you're broke like me. Worry about the legalities later.

Depends what sort of music you want to have. It is good to know what sort of results you want to have before knowing what program to choose.

If you are interested, I have pretty detailed review for a free notation software over here: Eluukkanen.com

I really like Digital Performer (9), you can get it used pretty cheap sometimes.

Motu.com

Free? Reaper for sure! and you can also use the free Kontakt Version and find Free VST for it on the web for starters.

If you are planning in investing a little more, I would go with Cubase, Logic or Protools. Those are the standard in the film and game industry. If you record live music, usally they deliver the stems of the recording in a Protools project, so you If you don´t have it... whoops!

Hope that helps!

Cakewalk use to compete with Cubase and is now completely free. I must say though Cubase is better but like anything quality has a price tag. Cakewalk is a great program though to use to get started.

I second Reaper! Although it technically costs $60, the free trial has no restrictions at all and never ends. Paying is optional really. I constantly switch between this and FL Studio.

Ableton Live is very intuitive and creative to start composing and producing for videogames, I think it has a free trial version, but you can't save your projects unless you have an official license!

I actually use Ardour on linux(also has a windows version) as traditional Digital audio workstation like cubase nuendo etc. and for loops and electronic music you can use the free program LMMS for linux or windows ( is an alternative to FL Studio) . a complete suite of audio this two programs installed on a pc, one for recording music(ardour) and the other to make loops or piano roll songs.

Hey man!

I do professional work with orchestral sound libraries, so this is my field.

Free DAWs are available, but they don't come with good plugins to use. GarageBand is an exception, but unless you have a Mac that really isn't an option.

One of my students uses LMMS. It has an unintuitive workflow, but if you can transition it works, and also takes 3rd-party plugins.

Someone here mentioned Reaper. I have a friend who uses that, and he strongly recommends it. He also says it's as good as the fully professional DAWs like ProTools and Logic, but frankly I doubt that. Still, it will do more than get you started, and I think they still have that thing going on where if you agree to be COVID safe you get it for free. Otherwise, it's only $60.

I've got a lot of experience in this field. Feel free to reach out to me in messages if you have more questions!

P.S. Spitfire Audio has a free orchestra. Well, it says it's $50, but if you take a survey on their website you get it for free. Their product LABS also has a lot of great free instruments I've used myself, though they tend to be very specialized

Reaper is definitely a good option if you don't have a Mac.

If you're looking for MIDI data to plug into that DAW you should check out something a friend and I have been working on at strofe.com.

It uses AI to help anyone compose their own song that they can own/use wherever! Even if you're a musician who knows your stuff it's pretty helpful to make template songs that you can customize as much as you want in a DAW.

calls the uncle speearow and be happy

www.lintr.ee/crystalyatri

Hi, not free but cheap and very powerful you can get : Reason.
FREE there is audacity.

Sound design is hard when trying to recreate real instruments. I would recommend Spitfire Labs for VST's. Echo Sound Works, FuntionLoops, Mode Audio, and Samplephonics are just a few sample/loop companies with tons of freebies. The free Kontakt is great, too!