Free stuff for musicians

As we get into 2023, times are tough. 

We are in a global economic crisis. Money is tight, and making a living from doing what you love can seem daunting, if not impossible. 

I wholeheartedly believe musicians shouldn’t be priced out of doing what they love. 

And the good news is that there are free resources that allow musicians to create and, even more importantly, promote their art FOR FREE.

So I have put together a list of free software for you to use for no money and get your music out there. 

These free software and services will cover all of your basic needs, so let’s dive in…

Recording – Audacity

Audacity is a free recording software. If you want to record your own tunes, either to document ideas or turn them into a release that you can ultimately sell, then Audacity is a great place to start. 

Released in May 2000, Audacity has been around for over two decades, and it runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, and other Unix-like operating systems.

A major plus point to Audacity is that it’s not overwhelming and is easy to use from the start. 

A drawback is that it can’t record midi, but to be used for free; it is a powerful tool at your disposal. 

The newest Audacity 3.2.0 version is a gigantic release, adding: VST3 support, Realtime Effects support and the ability to upload and share audio with their new sister service, audio.com.

In terms of sound quality, Audacity supports 16-bit, 24-bit and 32-bit. Moreover, sample rates and formats are converted using high-quality resampling and dithering.

As plug-ins go, they support LADSPA, LV2, Nyquist, VST and Audio Unit effect plug-ins. Also, Nyquist effects can be easily modified in a text editor – or you can even write your own plug-in. Pretty cool. 

Graphic Design – Canva

We are not all blessed with an eye for graphic design, and that’s ok. Because with websites like Canva, you don’t need to be. 

Canva is great if you want to create release artwork, banners, posters, merch, social media headers, profile pics, etc.

There are excellent free templates to get you started, so you can customise designs to suit your brand. 

It’s also a great site for making music videos and vlogs.

Best of all, there is a FREE version with excellent features to make your website, social media, and releases look professional.

Canva is a brilliant resource and one not to be overlooked!

Video editor – Shotcut 

Shotcut is an excellent site for editing videos. 

If you’d like to make professional live recordings to share on your socials, simply record it on your phone and edit it in shotcut. 

It’s a great resource for beginners as it is not overwhelming and easy to learn. 

Shotcut is available for Windows, Mac and Linux. It also supports a wide range of formats; no import is required, meaning native timeline editing is possible. Perfect!

Streaming – Streamyard

Streamyard offers live streaming, perfect for musicians who want to reach a larger audience from the comfort of their own space. 

Best of all, there is nothing to download or install, and it is easy to get started. 

Also, Streamyard streams to Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and other platforms easily so you can reach as many people as possible. 

The free version allows two hours/mo of local recordings and six on-screen participants. 

Currently, if you subscribe to a paid plan, there is a 7-day money-back guarantee. 

So why not give it a go? You have nothing to lose!

FVMusicBlog January 2023