I mainly use Logic Pro, Ableton, and Pro Tools as my main DAWs (also known as Digital Audio Workstations). I also use Final Cut Pro, and Adobe Premiere Rush for my video editing. As a sound designer, I use several different plugins (most of them are free and stock plugins from the DAWs, and most of them are paid VSTs, and effect plugins from companies like Native Instruments, Spitfire Audio, Arturia, etc).

Most of my compositions are produced using MIDI based instrumentation.  However, I do want to still write music using real traditional instrumentation and not always through MIDI instrumentation, and sampling.

What equipment will you need for music production?

– A Computer

– A Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)

– A MIDI Keyboard

– An Audio Interface

– A pair of studio headphones

– A pair of studio monitors

– Optional: A notation software program

Free Plugins/Tools

If you’re starting out on your production/composing journey, hear this;

You really don’t need to spend a lot money on expensive software. You can make great sounds using what comes with your DAW whether it’s Logic Pro, or Ableton, or consider looking up some free alternatives to industry-standard software instruments (FYI, i did that when I was educating myself about Music Production software). Once you’re ready to upgrade (and you got cash in the bank), go for whatever sound you’re going for and buy some great sounds from Native Instruments, Spitfire Audio, Arturia, etc.

Here are some free plugins/vsts that I recommend for beginning composers/producers. Note: The production companies for these tools do not sponsor my website.

VITAL

Vital is a software synth plugin that is a great free alternative to Serum (Xfer Records). The “Basic Plan” is free to download. It comes with 75 presets, and 25 wavetables. It costs extra with additional plans, but the free plan allows me with more creativity.

Learn more about Vital here

HELM

Helm is a software synth plugin that is a free alternative to Serum (Xfer Records). The “Basic Plan” is free to download. It comes with 75 presets, and 25 wavetables. It costs extra with additional plans, but the free plan allows me with more creativity.

Learn more about Helm here

VALHALLA SUPERMASSIVE

Valhalla Supermassive is a free effect plugin that creates amazing reverb, and delay effects. If you’re an ambient producer like myself, this creates a lot of atmospheric sounds on piano or synth patches. You don’t need Valhalla’s Vintage Verb, Delay, Shimmer, or Room plugins to create such great sounds.

Learn more about Valhalla Supermassive here

SPITFIRE AUDIO – LABS

If you’re getting started with cinematic composition or ambient composition, then I strongly recommend Spitfire Audio’s free library of sounds known as LABS. It has tons of free cinematic sounds such as soft piano, strings, ambient sounds, and other effects.

Learn more about Spitfire Audio LABS here

DECENTSAMPLER

DecentSampler is a free Sample instrument plugin where you can load certain sounds from third party sound libraries like Pianobook. There’s other free sample libraries on the website Decent Samples.

Learn more about DecentSampler here

PIANOBOOK

Pianobook has a load of free sounds, and samples for composers including piano sounds, string sounds, synth sounds, and even effect sounds. The sound libraries will require the use of Logic Pro’s Sampler plugin (formerly the EXS sampler), DecentSampler (information below), and Native Instruments Kontakt Player (will require the full version).

Learn more about Pianobook here

Saturation Knob

Saturation Knob is a free saturation plugin from Softube.

Learn more about Saturation Knob here

MUSESCORE STUDIO (FORMERLY MUSESCORE 4)

MuseScore Studio is a free notation software plugin that is easy to use and easy to notate various kinds of musical settings. You can even publish the sheet music once it’s completed to the MuseScore website, and even on YouTube (as a notation video). It’s a part of MuseScore which offers sheet music of various kinds of music (mostly for free, but requires a subscription for some of the pro sheet music). 

Learn more about MuseScore 4 here