LMMS

LMMS is intended for authoring your music. In this regard, it is a comprehensive package that includes a song editor and multiple tools for music synthesizing and mixing.

The app may have an initial steep learning curve, mainly because it comes with lots of different features. This means that it may take some time to discover and learn how to use all of them.

Fortunately, there is a huge community supporting this app, and there is even a platform on which projects are shared. Regarding this, there are samples for you to try the application and realize its potential before you start with your creations.

One of the main tools in this package is the Song Editor, which allows composing your own music as well as mixing and synthesizing sounds. Additionally, there is an editor specifically intended for creating beats and basslines.

LMMS comes with many other valuable features. For instance, there is a Piano-Roll that you can use for editing patterns and melodies. Luckily, its FX mixer allows working with an unlimited number of FX channels and effects.

In terms of sound synthesis, for instance, LMMS can accuratelty simulate the sound of various instruments, like violins and pianos. It also comes with multiple native musical instruments, including ZynAddSubFx plugin, Native SoundFont and Native Commodore instrument emulators.

The application fully supports MIDI files. Similarly, it is compatible with such standards as SoundFont2, LADSPA and GUS Patches. Regrettably, due to limitations of your operating system, the Mac version cannot use VST plugins.

All in all, LMMS is a worth-trying open-source alternative to generally expensive music authoring applications. Good news that, besides being absolutely free to use, this product has versions for not only macOS but also Linux and Windows, which facilitates exchanging projects with others and across devices.