Barry Vercoe's Csound is a modular cross platform software synthesis program and audio processing system. Unlike many similar programs, there are no limits to the amount of oscillators or filters one can use.
Software for editing audio and music files, usually of a raw nature, for example, WAV files.
Editors usually apply their effects to sound files as a whole and seldom address music composition. If your editor is for music composition, check to see if you should submit under Notation, Sequencers, or Trackers.
GigaSampler is a music software product that streams samples in real time directly from a hard disk when played via a keyboard controller or other MIDI device. Conventional samplers are usually limited to RAM. By using the hard disk, GigaSampler is able to work with very large, complex, ultra-dynamic sample definitions of instruments.
Max is a graphical programming environment for music and media applications. Max was originally developed at IRCAM (Institut de Recherche et Coordination Acoustique/Musique, Paris, France) by Miller Puckette. David Zicarelli further developed Max for commercial release, first by Opecode, now by Cycling 74. MSP is a set of extensions to the Max graphical programming environment that lets you do real-time synthesis and signal processing.
jMax is a Java open source version of Max.
Music notation programs usually employ the traditional treble and bass clef staff layout for the display and editing of notes. Program capability can range from handling just a single melody line up to complete orchestration.
Please submit free software packages for processing guitar tablature.
In many audio applications it is desirable to be able to pre-program blocks of music or other content to be played back over several minutes or hours without any human intervention. This allows more efficient use of personnel and easy re-use of programming. Audio or music playback automation software is designed for this purpose.
This category contains companies that develop software for use in the automated playback of music or other audio programming for radio stations, the Internet, DJs, and nightclubs.
Software that puts out a sequence of values which can be understood by a synthesizer. An analog sequencer generates
control voltages, and a MIDI sequencer generates MIDI values.
Synthesizers create unusual sounds electronically or mechanically. Often come as analog hardware but there are software synthesizers that can achieve similar effects.
For software that simulates classical synthesizers or implements virtual synthesizers never made in analog.