The Best Beat Making Software of 2023

Great beat making software can make a world of difference for your music production game. All of the software below are pretty easy to get started with, but powerful enough to produces mixes to a commercial standard.

1. Ableton Live 11

The Ableton Live 11 is a well-rounded software that can step up your beat making game. With a wide range of electronic drum and synth plugins, this software is a particularly great choice for electronic music production.

One of the most loved features of the Ableton Live is the dual views that make it an excellent choice for both studio work and live performances.

The session view integrates very nicely with MIDI controllers such as Ableton Push 2. On the other hand, the arrangement view functions as a good old DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) for studio music arrangement, mixing, and mastering.

Ableton Live has a bit of a learning curve. I remember being a bit confused initially about the two different views in particular, but once you get up and running, this is simply one of the best choices for beat-making software.  

2. Magix Music Maker

If you’re looking for affordable, beginner-friendly beat making software, the Magic Music Maker DAW is a great option.

With the intelligent song creation tool, all you have to do is select a Soundpool and a song template, and let the Song Maker do its magic. You can also add instruments and song parts to spice things up a bit. Getting inspired has never been easier! 

What’s more, you can customize the user interface by arranging all the elements just the way you want. It’s also worth noting that Magix Music Maker still supports 32-bit plugins, thanks to the integrated VST Bridge.

And while the Magix Music Maker is intended for beginners, that doesn’t mean experienced producers won’t enjoy it. There’s no learning curve here, meaning that as an experienced DJ or producer, you won’t have to waste time figuring out how to use it. 

The only downside with this software is that it’s somewhat limited on features compared to other DAWs on the market.

3. Image-Line FL Studio

Image-Line’s FL Studio (previously called FruityLoops) gained much of its worldwide popularity after spreading among EDM and hip-hop artists. The software is super fun to use, even for complete beginners. It’s also pretty affordable compared to other options. 

FL Studio boasts a really nice workflow that makes it easy for you to create unique beats with just a mouse and keyboard.

On top of that, you get over 80 built-in plugins and instruments to kick your beat making game up a notch. From automation to distortion and equalization.

IMO, FL Studio isn’t as good for overall music production in comparison to Ableton Live, Apple Logic, Cubase, etc, but it’s still amazing beat-making software that many producers around the world use on a daily basis.

4. Apple Logic Pro

Available exclusively on Mac, Apple’s Logic Pro is an excellent option for anyone looking for a more advanced alternative to Garageband. So whether you want to record or mix beats, this full-fledged DAW won’t disappoint you. 

It flaunts a large virtual instrument and plugin library that lets you develop unique, soul-touching beats. The user interface is pretty sleek and organized, allowing you to unleash your creativity without having to deal with a cluttered workspace. 

I also like the flexible mix window, and I bet you’d fall in love with it, too. It allows you to add up to 8 sends and 15 insert effects per channel.

Our only problem with Logic Pro is that there’s no Windows version, which is expected for an Apple-engineered piece of software. But if you own a Mac, there’s nothing that should stop you from giving it a go.

5. Waveform Free

If you don’t want to pay for beat making software, you might want to consider trying out Waveform. This is the only 100% free DAW on the list. And it has earned a spot simply because it offers a full-blown beat making experience without costing you a dime. 

Waveform sports a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for you to navigate your arrangements. In addition, it offers unlimited third-party plugin support.

While Waveform is feature-rich, it’s a no-brainer that the Pro version will have some extra perks, like a larger plugin library.

Beat Making – Drum Beats

If the stock plugins on your DAW are not enough, there are some great Drum VST plugins that you can try. 

The XO plugin gives you all the tweaking power you need to tune your sounds. It also has an intuitive sequencer with Accentuator and Groove templates for unmatched beat creation.

Another good option is the Atlas 2 plugin, with its efficient sample sorting system and an extensive library of supported formats. 

Beat Making – Synths

DAWs already have stock synth plugins, but if you want to go to the next level, then get a pro plugin like the Serum. It supports real-time wavetable manipulation that enables FM/RM/AM/Oscillator Sync and other creative waveform modification techniques. 

Not to mention, you can either import audio from your library, create your very own wavetables from scratch, or try out a mix of both. 

Beat Making – Samples

Creating great EDM or hip-hop beats requires a lot of experimenting, and for that, a big sample collection really helps. Loopcloud and Splice are some of the best online sampling libraries out there. You’ll find millions of samples on them that can inspire your next hit songs.

Polishing Your Beats

Adding the final touches to your beats before distribution is an essential step that shouldn’t be overlooked. 

The iZotope Ozone 9 Advanced is a great plugin that you can use to master your beats. It’s a total game-changer that’ll give your beats the ultimate polish. 

The plugin has an intuitive GUI that makes it easy for you to tweak your tracks. Plus, its master rebalancing works like a charm. Simply press the Vocals, Drums, or Bass button and adjust the slider to target the component you want.  

Moreover, you can seamlessly adjust the frequencies of your tracks with the Match EQ module.

Summary

I hope this guide has helped you pick the best beat making software for your needs. 

Can’t make up your mind yet? I can give you a few hints. If you’re looking for powerful software with all the plugins and features you could need, the Ableton Live 11 would definitely appeal to you.  

Do you want an easy-to-use DAW that won’t set you back too much? The Magix Music Maker would be a good choice for you.  

Finally, the Apple Logic Pro is also a really great option for Mac users.