Image credits: Apple
Best music-making apps in 2024
The world of music production has been revolutionized by the power of smartphones and mobile apps. In 2024, musicians and aspiring artists have a vast array of sophisticated yet user-friendly options for creating music right from their mobile devices. The market for smartphone music production software is booming, driven by advancements in AI and machine learning technology that simplify the creative process. Major players like Apple, KORG, Arturia, and Roland have rolled out innovative apps that put professional-grade recording, editing, and mixing capabilities in the palm of your hand. With cloud integration, these apps provide seamless connectivity and unlimited storage for backing up projects. The best music making apps of 2024 offer an unprecedented level of accessibility, empowering both industry professionals and enthusiasts to craft brilliant compositions from virtually anywhere.
Major companies are investing heavily in feature-rich, AI/ML-powered music creation apps that bring pro studio capabilities to smartphones. This has lowered the barrier to entry, allowing small businesses and independent artists to thrive in music production without massive overhead costs. With affordable subscription models and free tiers, these apps are proliferating globally, especially in Asia-Pacific.
Top Music-Making Apps for Android & Apple list
- Minimoog Model D Synthesizer
- Korg Module
- Reason Compact
- Real Drum
- Garageband
- Drum Pad Machine Apps
- djay
- Simply Piano
- Guitar Elite Apps
- Tape It
1. Minimoog Model D Synthesizer
The Minimoog Model D App offers a software rendition of the Minimoog Model D®. Available for iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, and Mac, the app provides easy access to over 160 presets and introduces modern functionalities such as four-note polyphony, an arpeggiator, and a looping recorder. Supporting AUv3 Audio Unit extensions for integration with Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs), the Minimoog Model D App seamlessly combines analog heritage with contemporary features. Its historical significance, tracing back to its 1970 introduction adds a touch of nostalgia without overshadowing its practical attributes. With MIDI support, Bluetooth LE controller compatibility, and Ableton Link, this app caters to musicians seeking a balanced blend of classic and modern sound exploration for their music production in 2024. For those ready to upgrade to the next level, Moog offers a Minimoog VST plugin for desktop-based DAWs allowing unprecedented control over the synthesizer.
Purchase Moog Minimoog Here2. Korg Module
KORG Module Pro offers unparalleled sound quality accessible to all. The free version provides a taste of the exceptional piano and keyboard sounds, setting a high standard for mobile music creation. This high-quality sound module app for iOS boasts a professional sound library, turning your iPad/iPhone and a MIDI keyboard like the KORG microKEY into a portable studio with studio-quality keyboard and grand piano sounds. Noteworthy features include the ability to customize your sound set with over 30 sound libraries available from the Store page, AUv3 support, and an ultra-low latency sound engine. KORG Module Pro is not just an app; it’s a gateway to a world of high-quality virtual instruments, landing it a spot on the best music-making apps in 2024 list. For example, Korg offers the M1 softsynth plugin, a virtual replica of the original 1988 M1 synth that can be heard in almost every record from the late 80s and into the 90s.
Purchase Korg M1 Here3. Reason Compact
Reason Compact delivers a powerful mobile-ready version of the renowned desktop DAW. Smart tools, explainers, and a full-featured studio enable on-the-go idea sketching, while three instruments allow for the creation of beats, melodies, and basslines. From customizable drum kits to cutting-edge synthesizers, Reason Compact provides a range of features, unlocking progressively to accommodate users at their own pace. With real-time collaboration options, compatibility with external MIDI keyboards, and easy-to-understand explainers, it’s the ideal pocket studio for solo artists and collaborators alike. Best of all, the app seamlessly connects with other music apps and integrates with Reason’s desktop studio for a versatile experience.
Purchase Reason 12 Here4. Real Drum
Real Drum redefines the drumming experience on smartphones and tablets. With a focus on accessibility and versatility, this app transforms your device into a virtual drum kit, allowing you to play any song effortlessly, anywhere. Real Drum provides video lessons and interactive play-along loops to enhance your skills. The app’s diverse range of high-quality sounds (Similar to that of VQ Drums) caters to users without access to physical drum kits The app offers the user deep customization abilities, enabling the design of personalized drum kits to share with friends and on social media. With features like MIDI support, multitouch capability, and a subscription-based Premium Version for an enhanced experience, Real Drum stands as a comprehensive and user-friendly drum app, catering to drummers, percussionists, and music enthusiasts of all levels.
Purchase VQ Drums Here5. Garageband
GarageBand transforms your iPad and iPhone (Limited to only iOS devices) into a capable DAW allowing you to create music wherever inspiration strikes. The Live Loops feature introduces DJ-style music creation, making it accessible and enjoyable for everyone. The app offers a plethora of instruments, loops, and sound packs through the Sound Library, providing endless creative possibilities. Whether playing virtual instruments, recording performances, or utilizing smart instruments like Smart Strings and Smart Basses, GarageBand ensures a user experience. With the addition of features like the Beat Sequencer, Visual EQ, Bitcrusher, and Overdrive, the app caters to both beginners and experienced musicians. The integration of iCloud Drive facilitates seamless collaboration and sharing across devices, while the option to create custom ringtones adds a personalized touch, making it one of the best music-making apps in 2024 When comfortable, this entry-level DAW prepares its users to make the jump to a full-fledged desktop-based software like Bitwig Studio, allowing them to take their productions to the next level.
Purchase Bitwig Studio Here6. Drum Pad Machine Apps
Drum Pad Machine is the ultimate app that lets you create professional-level drum arrangements effortlessly. The app offers several genres to choose from, including Hip-hop, Drum and bass, Trap, Dubstep, House, and more. With a range of instruments such as Drum & Piano, and studio effects like Tempo Regulation and EQ, you have all the necessary tools for creating unique sound designs, earning it a spot as one of the best music-making apps In 2024. The Beat School feature provides lessons for each sound pack, allowing you to improvise freely and confidently. Effortlessly share your musical creations with the world through quick sharing options. Take your music-making experience to the next level with this powerful and easy-to-use tool. For an even more enhanced experience, consider upgrading to the Drum Pad Machine Premium Subscription. This will give you access to all sound packs, weekly new releases, and an ad-free environment, allowing you to craft your musical journey seamlessly. For advanced musicians, a similar yet more capable desktop software Sequence may be a stronger option to look into.
Purchase Sequence Here7. djay
djay by Algoriddim is an award-winning software that introduces cutting-edge technologies like NEURAL MIX™ 2.0, Crossfader Fusion™, and Fluid Beatgrid™, in a modern interface. Stream music seamlessly with TIDAL, SoundCloud, Beatport, and Beatsource integrations. djay Pro has a powerful audio engine, advanced library management, and supports over 100 MIDI controllers, which makes it an ideal software for DJs. While a PRO subscription is available, intermediate users may find Traktor Pro 3 to be a more capable alternative.
Purchase TRAKTOR PRO 3 Here8. Simply Piano
Check out Simply Piano; an app perfect for all skill levels and can be used with any piano or keyboard. It offers a variety of songs and courses to guide you from basic sheet music reading to playing with both hands. With personalized workouts and instant feedback, Simply Piano adapts to your age and skill level, making it easy to learn without any prior knowledge and one of the best music-making apps In 2024. The skills the app teaches set users up perfectly to transition to live performances or music production, utilizing advanced sampler instruments such as Gemini for Kontakt. Developed by Simply, an award-winning music education app company, you can access all courses with a premium subscription for continuous learning and improvement.
Purchase Gemini Here9. Guitar Elite Apps
Guitar Elite offers a realistic experience of playing a guitar on your mobile device. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, the studio-recorded sounds will give you an unparalleled mobile experience (Similar to Strum Guitar for Kontakt’s capabilities). You can choose to play chords with buttons or by forming them directly on your device. Guitar Elite adapts to your playing style, matching chords to the position of your fingers. You can also learn songs from others by watching them play. Whether you opt for chord buttons or prefer the unique feature of forming chords directly on your device, Guitar Elite adapts to your playing style, seamlessly finding matching chords to the position of your fingers. Capture your favorite tunes by recording them and share your musical creations with a global community, or enhance your skills by learning shared songs through the insightful experience of watching others play.
Purchase Strum Guitar Here10. Tape It
Tape It is a professional songwriting app designed by musicians for musicians. It is an easy-to-use tool that helps you organize and share your musical creations. With 20+ free features, you can group recordings into mixtapes, collaborate seamlessly, and sync across devices with EU-encrypted cloud technology. You can also upgrade to the Tape It Professional version for enhanced recording capabilities, stereo recording, lossless quality, and support for external microphones. As users gain experience with the app, the transition to more capable software like Waveform Pro 11 for example, will be exponentially easier.
Purchase Waveform Pro 11 HereRead More
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