Unlike the other picks on this list, Maschine is more of an all-in-one musical instrument than a strict piece of recording or beat-making software, with a workflow that's tailored for tapping into users’ creativity and expediting the actual beat-making process. Native Instruments Maschine offers musicians, producers, and beatmakers an entire integrated beat production system built from a combination of software and hardware, winning it our pick for the best beat-making software overall. Pros: - Unique combination of cutting-edge beat-making hardware and software - Integrated 24-bit/96 kHz audio interface with line and headphone outputs - Huge sound library and intuitive controls for quick creative workflowĬons: - Software element isn’t a full-featured digital audio workstation - Library and sound expansion packs require additional purchase - Sampling workflow is a bit clunky Specs: - System Compatibility: Windows, Mac - System Requirements: Mac: macOS 10.14 or later Windows: Windows 10 & 11 RAM: 16 GB minimum Processor: Intel, Apple Silicon - Plugin Format: VST, AU We took care to pick software that provides users with large libraries of instruments, samples, and other sounds along with robust sound-editing tools to ensure the most creative freedom possible. Versatility: At the end of the day, beat-making software is an artistic tool, and the most versatile artistic tools are always the most useful. There are plenty of great beat making and music production software options currently on the market, so we carefully narrowed down this list using a few key criteria. Best Overall: Native Instruments Maschine - Best for Hip Hop and Rap: Ableton Live - Best for Beginners: Image Line FL Studio - Best for Windows: Bitwig - Best Free: Apple GarageBand How We Picked the Best Beat-Making Software Whether you’re an experienced beat maker looking for a new go-to instrument that seamlessly integrates hardware and software, an existing musician looking to branch out into different genres, or a beginner looking to dive into the world of beat making, this definitive list of the best beat-making software is a great place to start. In today’s computer-powered era, the best beat-making software makes it easier than ever for producers and musicians to tap into their inspiration and push the bounds of their creativity regardless of budget or skill level.

From trap and techno to house and hip hop, electronic music production and beat-making software have changed a lot since the heyday of hardware samplers and analog synths.

What software to make beats