How To Make Music On Your Computer Without Instruments Now (2023)

Musicians, who are used to play only with live instruments can be confused about the fact that people produce mainstream music by only using a laptop.

Nowadays, everyone is able to produce music only by using a laptop. All instruments are recorded and designed with third party plugins and anyone is able to make music with them using some sort of music production software.

In some better designed VSTs, you can’t even hear the difference between digital sounds and real recorded ones.

In this article, I will cover all what does it take to create music without having any expensive studio equipment or instruments in your room.

How To Make Music On Your Computer Without Instruments.

Music Production Software

First of all, we need to have a digital audio workstation, in order to be able to write music. I would recommend choosing from the most popular software on the market:

After this step is completed, we can discuss further steps on how to make music on your laptop.

VSTs, Plugins, Sound Packs

In order to create music without real instruments, we will need to get virtual ones.

(Video) how to make music on a computer Without instruments (Easy)

There are probably so many VST plugins on the market so that there shouldn’t be any problem finding good virtual instruments.

However, virtual gear costs money as well. So it might be challenging to find good alternatives for low budget instruments, sounds.

I will show you the best ways to get with a low budget and have great sounds.

There are great sites, that are not selling sounds as a whole package, but they sell it in single units. So it allows you to pick only sounds from the package that you want and don’t pay for the whole set.

Low Priced Tools That Give Huge Value

Splice

Costs: 100 credits = 7.99$ / month

With 1 credit you can buy one sound. With 3 credits you can buy 1 preset of a certain VST.

I’ve personally used it for at least 2 years and music production without this service would be impossible. It is very handy when you need certain sounds. This website is designed to find any sound fast. There are filters that allow you to sort by genre, tempo, style, instrument type, key and much more. It really makes music production easier with this tool in hand.

(Video) How to Make a Beat Using Your Computer Keyboard | No Instruments Required!

Sounds.com

Costs: 150 credits = 9.99$ / month

I’ve found it just recently and it looks promising. You can find there the same convenience for filtering your sounds and finding exactly what you need.

This site seems to have a bit smaller selection than splice, but as I see it has better quality sounds, that makes them stand out.

Also, genres are structured more accurately than in splice. So it makes it even easier to navigate between sounds.

High Budget Tools – For Next Level Production

I would recommend checking out Native Instruments VSTs bundles packs. These have the best quality and are trusted among big artists.

  • Komplete Start kit is a free version. It is perfect if you are not sure if you are ready to go with this package since you are able to test it for free. This package includes over 2000 studio-quality sounds, various synths, recorded samples, effects.
  • Komplete 12 Ultimate kit is a bit more expensive. But it has over 25,000 sounds and over 220GB of instruments and effects. This will be much more than you need. It will cover any style you produce since it has over 60 VST products.

What does it cover?

  • 13 synthesizers
  • 20 sampled instruments
  • 5 drum and percussion instruments
  • 15 effects
  • 10 expansions

For more in-depth information check this link.

(Video) How to Make Music on Computer - Using Virtual Instruments in Tracktion

If this kit does not fit your needs, you can check out Native Instruments Machine catalog. There you can listen to all expansion packs separately and buy them in single units.

We’ve explored the most necessary steps that without them music production would not be possible. Now we are going to reveal also very important steps in making music without instruments, that are optional, but very helpful when producing.

Music Theory

Music Theory Basics

If you are going to create music, it would be useful to have a basic understanding of how to create proper melodies, chords, or how to arrange your songs.

Song Structure

Every style has its own rules on how it is supposed to sound or to be structured. So these things will make your music-making journey much easier if you will know what has to be implemented, what tempo is appropriate, what sounds are popular etc. Otherwise, don’t be too careful about this part, since creativity also plays a big role here, so when you learn the rules, make sure to break them!

Music History

There is the whole music history to study how it evolved, what people were trying to achieve with music, what was its purpose, what music was considered as good music and why it was so. So It would help to avoid mistakes by learning from the past in order to not reinvent the wheel, or not remake the same mistakes.

Creativity And Passion First. Theory Second

It is also doable without music theory. I’ve started to make music without any knowledge and still got to work with big artists. But it only makes harder to make melodies, so make sure to learn it as you go

MIDI Controller – For Beat Makers

If you spend a lot of time producing beats, rhythmic parts, MPC controller would make your life much easier.

(Video) Making A Beat Without A Computer Part 2 Routing Your Instrument and Gain Staging Your Audio

Machine Studio. This is the ultimate beat-making machine, that would make your flow to the next level. It has not only pad buttons, but it also provides visual feedback to better understand your programmed music. Also navigation panels, ultra-precise jog wheel allows you to navigate through your sounds much faster.

You can map out all the instruments that you have straight to this machine studio sampler. It is especially convenient to play with Native Instruments Machine Expansion Packs. It has a lot of packages that some of them definitely will grab your attention. Make sure to check out this link to see all these packages.

But can I produce music without being able to play any instrument?

The answer is of course why not? There are a lot of famous music producers in the scene that do not know how to play a single instrument! For example, we can name Deadmau5. In his masterclass, he mentions that he has to draw melodies in his software since he can’t play any instrument. Axwell (from Swedish House Mafia) also does not play any instrument.

Music producer’s main goal is to make great music, not to play it via instrument. Ability to play an instrument only can make it easier to express your ideas, but that’s that. These days major importance is in mastering how to control sounds in software, but not a real instrument.

Benefits of making music without instruments

Producing music with a laptop helps you to save lots of money since you don’t need all the instruments and recording gear to have for recording purposes. Furthermore, you don’t need to have any skills for playing a certain instrument in order to create music. Everything is achievable only using a laptop.

Conclusion

That’s it for this overview of music production without real instruments. These days it is even more important to master virtual instruments since they provide better flexibility and uniqueness than real ones. So make sure to learn as much as you can about them, master them and surprise everyone with it. Good luck!

FAQs

Can you make music on computer without instruments? ›

The One and Only Thing You Need to Make Music

A digital audio workstation (DAW) is really all you need, which is a software used for recording, editing, and producing music. You can actually download a free DAW to your computer or phone right now and have absolutely everything you need to start on your first track.

Can I create music without any instruments? ›

While it's true that writing a song is easier if you play guitar, piano, or other instrument, playing an instrument is not a requirement for being a good songwriter. Being a good songwriter requires: A good musical ear. Connecting with the audience.

How do you make a song without an instrument? ›

How to Write a Song If You Don't Play an Instrument
  1. WEB SITES. Here are some online music creation web sites you can use to create accompaniment for your melody and lyrics or provide a music track to write to. ...
  2. PRE-RECORDED SONG TRACKS. ...
  3. MUSIC SOFTWARE. ...
  4. CO-WRITE. ...
  5. BAND IN A BOX (PC or Mac) ...
  6. LEARN THE CHORDS.
16 Apr 2022

Can you make music with just a computer? ›

To get into computer music production, the first thing you'll need is not surprisingly, a computer. Even cheap desktop and laptop computers should be able to handle a recording project from recording through to mix and mastering. However, three things will determine the maximum workload capacity of your system.

Can you produce music with a keyboard? ›

For those of you very new to music production, a MIDI keyboard is generally a keyboard that you can plug into a computer or synth. It won't make any noises by itself – unlike electric pianos – but it has a huge amount of versatility because it can control anything in a computer.

What is the easiest software to make music? ›

GarageBand also happens to be one of the easiest platforms to use for making great music. It allows you to create a song with up to 255 tracks and even offers a virtual session drummer.

How can I compose my own music? ›

10 Techniques for Writing Memorable Songs
  1. Compose a catchy melody. ...
  2. Use all types of chords. ...
  3. Create a memorable rhythm. ...
  4. Build your song around a riff. ...
  5. Write a song you can play live. ...
  6. Step away from your instrument to write. ...
  7. Get ambitious with song structure.
10 Dec 2021

Where can I create my own music? ›

Create your own music
  • Music Maker Jam. FreeOffers in app purchases. ...
  • Karaoke One. FreeOffers in app purchases. ...
  • Z Mobile : Music Editor. FreeOffers in app purchases. ...
  • MuseScore 3. Free. ...
  • edjing 5: DJ turntable to mix and record music. FreeOffers in app purchases. ...
  • SongPop Classic. ...
  • GuitarTab - Tabs and chords. ...
  • Hip-Hop Pad.

What is music called with no instruments? ›

Although a cappella is technically defined as singing without instrumental accompaniment, some groups use their voices to emulate instruments; others are more traditional and focus on harmonizing.

What is a song without instruments called? ›

a cap·​pel·​la ˌä-kə-ˈpe-lə variants or less commonly a capella. : without instrumental accompaniment. The choir sang the chants a cappella.

What can I use instead of music? ›

synonyms for music
  • melody.
  • opera.
  • piece.
  • rap.
  • rock.
  • singing.
  • soul.
  • tune.

Can you make music with laptop only? ›

You can make music with just a laptop. Do take into account that you will need some multi track recording software. This software is mainly called a digital audio work station or DAW for short. With this DAW you can start creating music with just a laptop.

What is the easiest free software to make music? ›

With that out of the way here are the 10 best free DAW apps to get you started creating music on your computer:
  1. Audacity. Audacity is the original free DAW. ...
  2. Garageband. ...
  3. Ableton Live Lite. ...
  4. Tracktion Waveform Free. ...
  5. Pro Tools First. ...
  6. Ohm Studio. ...
  7. Cubase LE. ...
  8. Soundbridge.

What is the best app to make music for free on PC? ›

These are the best free music-making programs on PC and Mac: Waveform Free – best free digital audio workstation. Studio One Prime – best free audio recording software. Audacity – best free audio editor.

Can a keyboard be as good as a piano? ›

A keyboard can have non-weighted or weighted keys, and the sound is from either MIDI or a built-in speaker. Keyboards are in no way like a real grand piano, but in some respects, they can be a better instrument depending on how you look at it.

Can I produce music without knowing play instruments? ›

The short answer is "yes." You can produce music if you don't play an instrument. Within all industry-standard music production software, it's possible to program notes and play back your arrangements using virtual instruments.

Can a keyboard play like a piano? ›

Yes, learning piano on a keyboard is possible. The layout of keys is identical on both instruments. The songs you learn to play on a piano will transfer directly to a keyboard, and vice versa, with little adjustment needed for small differences in the width of the keys or the amount of pressure needed to play them.

Which app is free for making music? ›

Music Maker Jam is one of most widely used application for making music on Android. This app lets you create your own tracks using various loops, beats and other instrumental sources.

What is an app to make music? ›

GarageBand is without a doubt the most popular & one of the best mobile music-making app available, exclusively for iOS users. It makes it easy to play, record, and share music, and its sound library is full of free instrument packs and loops. With Live Loops, you can make electronic music easily and enjoyably.

Is there a free app to make music? ›

BandLab is the best free music recording and leading social music creation platform with more than 50 million users worldwide. BandLab lets you make and share music, no matter your skill level or background. Our multi-track Studio is a music maker that lets you record, edit and remix your music.

Is making music hard? ›

Yes, in general making music is hard. Musicians have a gift for doing so, which they spend years cultivating. But that doesn't mean you can't develop and learn this skill too. We have an abundance of resources online and tools that can help us create music easier and make it more fun.

Is it hard to produce music? ›

Being a music producer is difficult for a number of reasons. The first one is that it takes a long time to get to a level where your music is actually worth releasing. There are intricacies involved in music production that not only take a while to understand in theory, but require deliberate practice.

How do you write a hit song? ›

The Hit Songwriting Formula (8 Tips For 2020)
  1. Song Length. Song length seems to be an integral part of the hit songwriting formula. ...
  2. Don't Bore Us, Get To The Chorus. ...
  3. Hook Line And Sinker. ...
  4. Key To Success. ...
  5. Ideal BPM. ...
  6. Keep The Verses Short and Simple. ...
  7. Extend The Chorus With A The Pre-Chorus. ...
  8. Hit Songwriting Structure.
12 Aug 2019

How do beginners make free music? ›

For absolute beginners, we recommend BandLab. The free cloud-based DAW is as simple as they come, allowing users to record audio, arrange tracks, sample live or pre-recorded sounds, play virtual instruments, add effects, and even master your music with nothing else but a mouse and keyboard.

Can anyone create a song? ›

Anyone can write a song! All you really need is some basic knowledge of a melody instrument like a guitar or a piano, an idea, and the proper methodology. As long as you know how to brainstorm ideas for your song, how to write lyrics, and how to put a song together, you can call yourself a songwriter.

What is the highest female voice? ›

Soprano: this is the highest singing voice, with the highest tessitura. It is also the most common female voice. Sopranos are given prominent singing roles, and are often the protagonists of the opera. They can sing from the middle C to two octaves higher (that is, an interval of 15 full notes in total).

Which instrument has no neck? ›

sarangi, also called saran or saranga, short-necked fiddle used throughout South Asia, particularly for folk and classical Hindustani music. Measuring about 76 cm (30 inches) long, the instrument has a roughly rectangular slightly waisted body and broad fretless neck generally carved from a single piece of wood.

What is it called when you sing without words? ›

More specifically, the term most often used to describe singing without words is to vocalize. Vocalizing is usually sung on an open vowel sound or (ah, ee, etc.), is typicality structured both melodically and rhythmically. Similarly, 'Songs' using any/all of these sounds without words is generally called a “Vocalise.”

Who is the highest male voice? ›

Tenors. Tenors are the highest male voice and, like sopranos, they are capable of delivering thrilling high notes and often have a brilliant shining timbre.

Why can I sing better without music? ›

You find music a distraction and can concentrate better without it, so you really do sing better without music. You sing the same both ways but without music you have no pitch to compare yourself with so you sound fine, but with music you can hear quite clearly that you are, in fact, singing out of tune.

What is music called with no voice? ›

An instrumental is a recording normally without any vocals, although it might include some inarticulate vocals, such as shouted backup vocals in a big band setting. Through semantic widening, a broader sense of the word song may refer to instrumentals.

What do you called a person who loves music? ›

melomaniac (plural melomaniacs) One with an abnormal fondness of music; a person who loves music. [

How can I say good voice? ›

euphonious
  1. agreeable.
  2. clear.
  3. dulcet.
  4. harmonious.
  5. mellifluous.
  6. melodious.
  7. musical.
  8. rhythmic.

How can I make my own music at home for free? ›

7 Essential Free Apps for Making Music On The Go
  1. GarageBand (iOS) It goes without saying that GarageBand is an incredible app considering it's free to download. ...
  2. Groovebox (iOS) ...
  3. Figure (iOS) ...
  4. BandLab (Android/iOS) ...
  5. Suggester (iOS) ...
  6. Beat Maker Go (Android/iOS) ...
  7. n-Track Studio DAW 9 (Android/iOS)
14 Jul 2022

What is the best website to make music for free? ›

10 Best Online Music Makers in 2021
  • AudioSauna.
  • Soundtrap.
  • PatternSketch.
  • Soundation.
  • Text to Speech.
  • Looplabs.
  • Online Sequencer.
  • Autochords.
13 Sept 2022

Is there a music app for PC? ›

With iTunes for Windows 10, you can manage your entire media collection in one place. Subscribe to Apple Music to access millions of songs. Buy music and movies from the iTunes Store. And sync content from your computer to your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.

What is the best music maker for PC? ›

  1. Ableton Live. An inspiring DAW with a next-level workflow. ...
  2. Image-Line FL Studio. A unique DAW that's kickstarted many electronic music producers' careers. ...
  3. Apple Logic Pro. Amazing value and great performance on the Mac. ...
  4. Steinberg Cubase. ...
  5. PreSonus Studio One. ...
  6. Cockos Reaper 6. ...
  7. Reason Studios Reason. ...
  8. Bitwig Studio.
9 Jun 2022

What is it called when you make music without instruments? ›

A cappella (/ˌɑː kəˈpɛlə/, also UK: /ˌæ -/, Italian: [a kkapˈpɛlla]; Italian for ''in the style of the chapel'') music is a performance by a singer or a singing group without instrumental accompaniment, or a piece intended to be performed in this way.

Do you need equipment to produce music? ›

Music production software and equipment

You don't need tons of expensive gear to get started as a producer. But you will need a handful of key pieces. I'm talking about equipment like a computer, DAW and something to listen to your sounds.

What does a computer need for music production? ›

What Are The Minimum PC/Laptop Specs For Music Production?
  • A minimum of 2.4Ghz quad-core processor power (i5, i7)
  • At least 4GB of RAM.
  • A 64-bit operating system.
  • A minimum of 500GB of internal storage (HDD or SSD)
  • A 13″ screen.

How can I compose a song at home? ›

Here's how to make a song:
  1. Be honest about your skill level.
  2. Play around on your instrument.
  3. Find the tone of the song.
  4. Begin fleshing it out.
  5. Come up with a rough draft.
  6. Give the song some breathing room.
  7. Come back and get to work.
  8. Come up with a second draft.
30 Jun 2020

How do I make my own music? ›

To start producing your own music at home, follow these steps:
  1. Learn how to write melodies.
  2. Learn how to write lyrics.
  3. Download and learn how to use a DAW.
  4. Record your song using the DAW or write the music within the DAW.
  5. To do this, set your tempo and key.
  6. Create a drum beat.
  7. Add the bassline.

How can I compose a song? ›

Great songwriters use these ten practical tips when composing new music and lyrics.
  1. Compose a catchy melody. ...
  2. Use all types of chords. ...
  3. Create a memorable rhythm. ...
  4. Build your song around a riff. ...
  5. Write a song you can play live. ...
  6. Step away from your instrument to write. ...
  7. Get ambitious with song structure.
10 Dec 2021

Where can I produce music for free? ›

List of the best free music production software
  • GarageBand. OS: macOS. ...
  • Qtractor. OS: Linux. ...
  • LMMS. OS: Windows, macOS, Linux. ...
  • Audacity. OS: Windows, macOS, Linux. ...
  • Ardour. OS: macOS. ...
  • DarkWave Studio. OS: Windows. ...
  • Hydrogen. OS: Windows, macOS, Linux. ...
  • SoundBridge. OS: Windows, macOS.
22 Mar 2022

What do I need as a beginner producer? ›

Home Studio Essentials For The Beginner Music Producer
  • Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) The Digital Audio Workstation is the hub of your music production studio. ...
  • Microphone. ...
  • Speakers (Studio Monitors) ...
  • Headphones. ...
  • Audio Interface. ...
  • Plugins. ...
  • External Hard Drives and Backups. ...
  • Cables.

Which PC is best for making music? ›

12 Best Desktop Computers for Music Production
  • Apple iMac M1 2021.
  • DELL XPS 8940.
  • ACER Aspire TC-885.
  • Apple iMac M1 2020.
  • HP Envy All in one Computer.
  • SkyTech Legacy 2070.
  • HP Pavilion 690.
  • Apple iMac Pro.
29 Aug 2022

What kind of laptop do I need to make beats? ›

The best laptops for music production today
  • MacBook Pro 14-inch (2021) ...
  • Apple MacBook Air (M1, 2020) ...
  • Asus ROG Strix Scar 15 (2022) ...
  • Dell XPS 17 (2021) ...
  • MacBook Pro 16-inch (2021) ...
  • Surface Laptop Studio. ...
  • Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 Alan Walker Special Edition. ...
  • Asus ZenBook Pro Duo 15 UX582L.
6 Oct 2022

Can I use a mini PC for music production? ›

For music production, a mini PC is perfect as it makes little to no noise and consumes very little power. They are so small that they can be mounted to the back of your monitor – saving precious desk space.

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