Mobile music production has never been more accessible and efficient. With the proliferation of powerful smartphones and tablets, you can now create beats, melodies, and full-fledged tracks on the go. Whether you’re a seasoned producer or just starting your music-making journey, there’s an app for you. In this article, we’ll explore ten fantastic music-making apps that cater to a wide range of needs and skill levels.

1. BandLab

BandLab is a versatile music-making app that offers a complete digital audio workstation (DAW) experience on your mobile device. With its intuitive interface and huge selection of exclusive samples and templates, it’s an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced producers. BandLab allows you to record, edit, and arrange your tracks seamlessly. Collaborative features also make it easy to work on projects with other musicians in real time.

Price: Free with in-app purchases | Visit BandLab

2. Groovepad

If you’re into creating electronic dance music or beats, Groovepad is one of the most popular music-making apps out there. With its vast library of sound packs and a straightforward interface, you can effortlessly put together catchy loops and rhythms. Groovepad is an ideal choice for those looking to experiment with electronic music genres. Like many other apps on this list, it’s free to download but offers a huge selection of sounds to purchase in app.

Price: Free with in-app purchases | Visit Groovepad

3. iMPC Pro 2

iMPC Pro 2 is an iOS exclusive app that draws inspiration from the classic Akai MPC hardware. It’s tailored for hip-hop and electronic music enthusiasts. The app is a feature-rich rich sophisticated app that provides you with a range of drum kits, sample manipulation tools, and a sequencer. Perfect for creating groovy, rhythmic compositions. Its tactile feel and MPC-style pads give you an authentic music-making experience. Unlike many of the apps on this list, the iMPC has more professional-grade features. For example, it can be expanded by inter-app audio in many areas and integrated into other production environments.

Price: $24.99 | Visit iMPC

4. Koala Sampler

Koala Sampler is a unique app that specialises in creative sampling. With a straightforward and visually appealing interface, you can easily record in sounds from your device, chop them up, and sequence them into mesmerizing beats. It’s a go-to choice for anyone interested in experimenting with samples and turning them into fully-fledged sample-based compositions. For more info on the latest add-ons to Koala Sampler check out this post.

Price: $4.99 | Visit Koala Sampler

5. FL Studio Mobile

FL Studio Mobile, an extension of the renowned FL Studio desktop software, offers a comprehensive mobile music production experience. It’s a powerhouse for music creation, allowing you to compose, arrange, and mix tracks with an array of virtual instruments and effects. If you’re serious about producing high-quality music on your mobile device, FL Studio Mobile is a fantastic choice.

Price: $14.99 | Visit FL Studio Mobile

6. Roland Zenbeats

Roland Zenbeats is a versatile cloud-based, cross-platform music creation app that suits both beginners and professionals. It features an array of legendary Roland-inspired virtual instruments, effects, and loops that allow you to craft your sound. The app’s seamless integration with MIDI controllers and Roland hardware makes it a favourite among electronic music producers. You can browse the store for sounds as well as song templates and even tutorial lessons.

Price: Free with in-app purchases | Visit Roland Zenbeats

7. Soundtrap by Spotify

Soundtrap, now a part of Spotify, is a cloud-based music production platform that offers an intuitive interface for collaborative music creation. With its online accessibility, you can work on your projects from anywhere. It’s perfect for musicians and songwriters who want to create music together, no matter where they are in the world. With a host of processing and mastering tools, SoundTrap boasts that your tracks will be Top 50 ready. Which begs the question, how many big hits have been the result of music-making apps?

Price: Free with a premium option | Visit Soundtrap

8. GarageBand iOS

For Apple users, GarageBand iOS is an exceptional starting point for mobile music production. Like its Mac OS big brother, this user-friendly DAW provides an extensive library of virtual instruments and loops, making it easy to create music right on your iPhone or iPad. While you can seamlessly use 3rd party plugins, all the sounds and samples offered by Garageband are completely free making this one of the best value music-making apps. They are constantly adding new collections so you will never be stuck for sonic inspiration. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned musician, if you own an Apple device GarageBand iOS is a no-brainer, providing a powerful yet accessible music-making experience.

Price: Free | Visit GarageBand iOS

9. Ableton Live Mobile

Ableton Live is a household name in the world of music production, and its mobile counterpart is no different. While it’s a streamlined version of the desktop software, Ableton Live Mobile still packs a punch. It’s excellent for creating loops, tweaking synths, and experimenting with effects, making it a must-have for electronic music enthusiasts. If you’re an Ableton user the app is free to download making it a fantastic on-the-move solution for when inspiration strikes.

Price: Included with Ableton Live Suite | Visit Ableton Live

10. Spire:

Spire by iZotope is an accompanying app to their compact audio interface of the same name. The app is a unique music production app that combines powerful AI technology with your creative input. Specialising in multitrack recording It helps you compose music by providing intelligent suggestions and musical insights, making it a valuable tool for both novice and seasoned musicians. The app encourages experimentation and can be a valuable resource for sparking new ideas. There is a pro version available with additional tools including some amazing sound cleaning tools.

Price: Free with in-app purchases | Visit Spire

Summary

With these ten remarkable music-making apps, you have a world of musical possibilities at your fingertips. Whether you’re composing, recording, or performing, these apps cater to various genres and styles. The choice is yours, and it largely depends on your musical preferences and goals.

Remember that these apps provide a great starting point, but the key to creating exceptional music is practice and creativity. As these apps are either free or reasonably priced you are free to experiment with different apps, discover their unique features and let your imagination run wild. Your mobile device can be your portable music studio, waiting to bring your musical ideas to life.

We hope this guide has helped you find the perfect music-making app to suit your needs and preferences.

Remember – RouteNote Create subscriptions start from as little as $2.99. You also get 10 FREE credits to spend on samples along with access to our FREE sample pack bundle when you sign-up!