How To Make Beats Online For Free: Your Essential Guide to Free Beat-Making Tools

In a time where the internet allows you to make entire production-ready beats and songs without needing a complex – and, more importantly, expensive – DAW, there has never been a better time in history to start getting into music production. You can make beats online in your web browser; you can do it for free. With numerous free websites offering a variety of powerful online beat-making tools, you can easily make your beats, bringing your unique musical ideas to life. 

Whether creating your first beat or cooking up complex hip-hop beats, platforms like Soundtrap and Splice offer a range of free online beat-maker tools for music production. And when you’ve finished your creation, it’s just as easy to save and share your beats, bringing them to the ears of listeners worldwide. The best part is you can do it all online for free, transforming your passion for music into a tangible reality. So let’s dive into the best sites and apps that allow you to do it all online for free.

But before we dive in, bookmark these other lists to bulk up your sample library further:

• FREE TRANCE SAMPLES
• FREE TECHNO SAMPLE PACKS
• THOUSANDS OF FREE HIP-HOP SAMPLES
• THE BEST FREE 808 SAMPLE PACKS
• THOUSANDS OF FREE FUTURE BASS SAMPLES

BandLab

Creating your music has become more accessible than ever before, thanks to Bandlab. This innovative, browser-based music creation tool eliminates the need for a complex DAW, making it easy for beginners and experienced musicians. With over 18 million users across 180 countries, Bandlab has become a popular social music platform that allows creators to craft and share their music, connect and collaborate with other artists, and engage with a worldwide community of music enthusiasts. 

BandLab offers a wealth of resources to assist in launching or enhancing your music production journey. Its MIDI editor and extensive library of loops and virtual instruments make sophisticated music creation feel seamless. Artists can experiment with sounds ranging from pianos to brass, and even drum machines. The mobile app ensures that inspiration is never stalled by location, and with BandLab’s mastering services, you can achieve professional-level audio quality effortlessly. 

BandLab’s X-Factors Are:

• Seamless Collaboration: BandLab unites music creation with tools for collaboration, creating a platform where artists can share their process, work together, and connect with fans worldwide.
• All-encompassing Tools: From its extensive MIDI editor and library of virtual instruments to BandLab Mastering and Cakewalk, BandLab equips users with an impressive range of tools for music creation, making it a comprehensive solution for all your music production needs.

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SoundBridge

This DAW is seamlessly intertwined with Skytracks.IO, which enhances its functionality and supports effortless collaborative projects. Whether it’s managing cloud-based projects from the main screen or a time-stamped commenting system for effective communication with collaborators, Soundbridge stands as a testament to the future of music production and teamwork. The platform skillfully blurs the lines between local projects and cloud files, making it a versatile tool for artists and producers.

In terms of functionalities, Soundbridge is armed with all the fundamental features that you would expect from a DAW. A sequencer view, mixer view, file browser, automation, and an insert FX rack are all a part of the platform. The built-in FX might be minimal, but this free-to-use DAW certainly doesn’t fall short in providing a responsive and easy-to-learn workflow. Also, it boasts RitMix, an MPC-style drum machine equipped with quality sounds and various built-in effects. The concept of a completely free DAW, that operates both locally and in a browser is not only innovative but also highly accommodating for music producers in the modern age.

Soundbridge’s X-Factors Are:

• Revolutionary Cloud Integration: Soundbridge’s deep integration with Skytracks.IO sets it apart. It effortlessly bridges the gap between local and cloud-based projects, offering a smooth collaborative experience.
• Versatility and Accessibility: Soundbridge provides an array of tools that are comprehensive yet easy to use, making it suitable for both novice and experienced music producers. Furthermore, its ability to operate locally and in a browser adds a layer of convenience and versatility that’s hard to match.

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AudioSauna

AudioSauna takes the complexity out of music creation. It offers an intuitive online tool enabling you to build music from scratch or by utilizing the presets in its virtual analog and frequency modulation synthesizers. These two synthesizers are bundled with numerous preset sounds from numerous instruments, which can be tweaked according to your preferences. The platform further elevates your creative possibilities by enabling modifications to parameters, thereby generating unique audio samples that can be used in your music projects. The piano roll feature facilitates note placement and editing, expanding your control over the music creation process.

A standout feature of AudioSauna is its mixer tool allowing you to control various settings through your computer keyboard or mouse easily. This tool allows you to examine the progress of your composition and modify settings such as tempo, reverb, and tape delay, adding a layer of customizability and convenience to your music production process. Even though the platform has two original synthesizers and a sampler, it can create more through the Track menu. While it is relatively simple to use, AudioSauna’s capabilities are wide-ranging, providing enough options to facilitate the creation of novel sounds.

AudioSauna’s X-Factors Are:

• Flexible and User-Friendly Interface: The platform offers an easy-to-navigate interface that allows for high levels of customization, from note placement to tweaking the tempo, enabling you to create unique sounds tailored to your style.
• Rich Set of Presets and Synthesizers: With two synthesizers loaded with numerous presets, AudioSauna gives you a vast array of options for creating and modifying sounds, making it an excellent tool for experimenting with different musical styles and tones.

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Soundation

Perfect for beginners yet engaging for more experienced creators, Soundation doesn’t compromise on the features found in traditional DAWs like Ableton or Logic. Instead, it provides impressive tools and capabilities like loop and sample libraries, various effects, MIDI loops, presets, and virtual instruments. The aim is to empower musicians and producers to create music quickly and easily online.

Soundation also includes a distinctive collaborative feature, enabling multiple users to work on the same project simultaneously with all changes saved in the cloud, thereby fostering a seamless, cooperative music creation process. The platform incorporates a vast loop library of 20,000 royalty-free samples and 12 virtual instruments that can be utilized, ranging from drum machines to sampled instruments. Furthermore, Soundation’s beatmaker, a sequencer and sampler combo, is loaded with quality kits and sounds, offering both premade beats that you can tweak or the option to import your audio for personalized beat-making. All these features are designed to make your music production journey fun and inspiring, even if you are starting.

Soundation’s X-Factors Are:

• Powerful Collaboration Tool: Soundation’s collaboration feature allows multiple users to work simultaneously on the same project, saving all changes in the cloud and eliminating the risk of lost work.
• Beatmaker Feature: Offering a sequencer and sampler loaded with high-quality kits and sounds, the beatmaker tool in Soundation allows you to tweak premade beats or import your audio, providing a creative and engaging environment for beat creation.

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Audiotool

While it may require a stable internet connection and a modern browser for optimal functionality, the potential of this platform is boundless. Audiotool offers a unique, node-based setup where plugins are connected via wires, creating a unique and immersive production environment.

Despite some technical hiccups, Audiotool provides a comprehensive set of features. You can find plugins and samples on the right side, transport controls and BPM at the top, plugin viewer in the center, and the timeline and piano roll at the bottom. It offers great customization and control, allowing for track automation and personal sample usage. Audiotool even supports MIDI keyboard connectivity, a feature many web-based DAWs lack. It’s worth noting, however, that the platform might be resource-intensive and need a large screen for comfortable usage.

Audiotool’s X-Factors Are:

• Node-based Setup: Unlike most DAWs, Audiotool adopts a unique, node-based approach to connect plugins via wires, offering an innovative and engaging music production experience.
• MIDI Keyboard Support: Audiotool stands out from many online DAWs by providing the capability to connect a MIDI keyboard, giving you more hands-on control over your music production process.

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Amped Studio

The newly released 2.0 version presents an innovative feature called Web Audio Module (WAM) technology, akin to VSTs, allowing external instruments to be utilized within the platform. Further adding to the versatility of this DAW, Amped Studio also offers ‘Hum & Beatz Note Detection,’ allowing users to convert vocalized melodies and beatbox rhythms into notes and drum patterns.

The impressive flexibility of Amped Studio is evident in its ability to layer instruments and vocals on the same track in the same region, allowing for audio and MIDI content to be played simultaneously. Notably, the platform doesn’t limit the number of virtual instruments and effects you can add, giving you infinite possibilities. In addition to its vast features, the updated version comes with an enhanced VOLT synthesizer and a colorful studio interface. It operates on a free subscription model with optional paid expansions, making it accessible for budding music producers.

Amped Studio’s X-Factors Are:

• Web Audio Module (WAM) Technology: Amped Studio uses WAM technology, an innovative feature that allows external instruments within the platform, akin to VST or AU plugins in desktop DAW applications.
• Hum & Beatz Note Detection: This unique feature allows users to transform vocal melodies and beatbox rhythms into notes and drum patterns, facilitating a unique and intuitive music creation process.

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Sampulator

Sampulator, an accessible web-based production app, is a great tool for any level of beatmaker who appreciates the art of sampling – taking fragments of pre-recorded music and repurposing them as new instruments or song elements. With a wide range of modern sound samples, including classic 808 kick drums and familiar DJ Khaled ad-libs, Sampulator is a treasure trove for beat creators. Its interface is sleek and user-friendly, color-coding different sound categories and mapping them to your keyboard for a finger-drumming experience.

In Sampulator, you can record and manipulate your beat sketches directly on a grid. The simple process, which involves pressing the ‘shift’ key on your keyboard, allows for easy adjustment of the beat length, BPM, and time signature. This platform allows you to slide the BPM from as low as 70 (typical for Trap music) up to 150 (common for Electronic music). Moreover, Sampulator provides multiple editing options, allowing you to line up sounds, copy samples for additional hits, and layer different instruments and sounds to craft your beat.

Sampulator’s X-Factors Are:

• Wide Range of Modern Samples: Sampulator hosts a collection of samples spanning from the classic 808 kick drum to recognizable DJ Khaled ad-libs, offering diverse sounds to beatmakers.
• Versatile Beat Sketching and Editing: Sampulator provides a simple and interactive interface for recording and adjusting beats on a grid, making it easy to control the length, BPM, and time signature of your creations. Furthermore, you can copy samples, line up sounds, and layer different instruments and sounds to enhance your beat.

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Soundtrap

Soundtrap, a ‘freemium’ online Digital Audio Workstation (DAW), offers a platform to create music right from your web browser, making music production accessible to anyone, anywhere. Established in Stockholm, Sweden, Soundtrap revolutionized online music creation by becoming the world’s first cross-platform, collaborative DAW, earning accolades and widespread use in consumer and educational spaces. Soundtrap comes in three versions, one catering to music makers, offering a wealth of loops, instruments, sound effects, auto-tune capabilities, and more. The platform’s “Amplifier” facilitates the connection of external mics and instruments, while the Patterns Beatmaker allows for easy drum groove programming.

Soundtrap’s free version is packed with an impressive array of virtual instruments, effects, and sound effects from freesound.org, making it an ideal starting point for novice music creators. The paid version offers exceptional value while opening up a vast loop library, nearly a thousand instruments, auto-tune, high-quality bounces, and more. Soundtrap also automatically masters your song when saved, optimizing overall loudness and subtly enhancing lows and highs. While Soundtrap doesn’t possess the complexity of a professional DAW like Pro Tools, it fills its niche by providing an easy-to-use, fun platform for those who want to dive into music production without complications.

Soundtrap’s X-Factors Are:

• Accessible and Collaborative: As a cross-platform, web-based DAW, Soundtrap democratizes music production by enabling anyone to create and collaborate on music projects directly from their browser.
• Variety and Versatility: Whether using the free or paid version, Soundtrap offers an impressive array of virtual instruments, sound effects, loops, and more, providing users with a broad palette to create their music. The automatic ‘mastering’ feature also enhances the finished product, ensuring your creation sounds its best.

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Roland50.studio

Developed by Roland, this platform has been upgraded with the SH-101, adding to the existing TR-808 and TB-303 in the lineup. The tools available here aren’t simply digital replicas of the hardware but are innovative pattern players that simplify the music creation process while still packing a punch with their stellar sound and attractive interface. For immediate and impressive rhythms and basslines, users can either plot their own patterns or opt for the Random button.

The SH-101, the latest addition to the platform, features a simple oscillator mix control, filter, and modulation. It introduces a new arpeggio with every press of the Arpeggio button and comes with a pitch bend, portamento, and a choice of three colors—notably, Roland50.Studio supports recording and exporting your creations as a wav file, an excellent feature for budding producers. Intriguingly, the website teases four locked spaces for new instruments, with countdowns indicating their imminent arrival, generating anticipation for what’s next.

Roland50.Studio’s X-Factors Are:

• Instant Music Production: With Roland50.Studio’s simple yet effective pattern players, users can quickly produce impressive rhythms and basslines, all within the convenience of a web browser.
• Evolving Platform: The continuous addition of new tools, like the SH-101, and the anticipation of future instruments gives users more to explore and expand their creativity. The ability to record and export music adds value for those wishing to take their creations beyond the platform.

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WebSynths Grooves

WebSynths.com is an engaging, browser-based microtonal synthesizer with features that equip you with the necessary tools to create unique music. Despite its minimalist design, it offers a variety of options and functions, allowing you to experiment with numerous presets, including pads, basses, percussive sounds, and pulsing leads. If you’re inclined to design your patches, WebSynths allows you to save, export, and load them effortlessly. MIDI keyboard compatibility is also a highlight for those who prefer hands-on interaction, with on-screen and keyboard playability for those using MIDI-supported browsers like Chrome.

WebSynths’ sound quality is comparable to professional VSTi or AU instrument plug-ins. Its polyphonic, 3-oscillator synth structure may appear simple initially, but delving deeper reveals its intricate capabilities. With over 130 preset patches, various waveforms, filters, pitch, and amplitude envelopes, and a unique microtonal tuning system, you can create sounds that suit your preference. It’s just as effective for those who want to explore its novel synth capabilities as for those seeking pro-sounding production.

WebSynths’ X-Factors Are:

• Powerful Features in a Minimalistic Design: WebSynths maintains a simple user interface while still packing robust functionalities, including various oscillators, filters, envelopes, and over 130 presets.
• Microtonal Tuning System: Its unique microtonal tuning system, combined with the ability to save, export, and load custom patches, provides a vast scope for sound design and creativity.

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