Comparison of MIDI editors and sequencers
Notable software MIDI editors and sequencers are listed in the following table.
| Software | Platform | License | Developer | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anvil Studio | Windows | Freeware for main software | Willow Software | ||
| Aria Maestosa | Linux, Mac OS, Windows | GNU GPL | Aria (SourceForge) | Supports extended MIDI automation (volume, pitch bend, modulation, etc.), can view/edit notes in linear midi view or musical view (sheet-like), automatic or manual channel management | |
| Ardour | FreeBSD, Linux, Mac OS | GNU GPL | Paul Davis, and The Ardour Community | MIDI support began with version 3. | |
| Audio Evolution | Mac OS, Windows | Proprietary | eXtream Software Development | ||
| Bars and Pipes Professional | AmigaOS | Freeware | Blue Ribbon Software | ||
| Band-in-a-Box | Mac OS, Windows | Proprietary | PG Music | ||
| BRELS MIDI Editor | Windows | GNU GPL | Free, open source, managed by Breno de Lima Sarmento | ||
| Steinberg Cubase | Mac OS, Windows (also previously for Atari ST) |
Proprietary | Steinberg | ||
| Deluxe Music Construction Set | AmigaOS, Mac OS | Proprietary | Electronic Arts | ||
| Digital Performer | Mac OS | Proprietary | Mark of the Unicorn (MOTU) | ||
| Dinothesus | Linux, Mac OS, Windows | Open Source | Jani Verkkomäki | ||
| DirectMusic Producer | Windows | Freeware | Microsoft | part of DirectMusic SDK | |
| Domino | Windows | Freeware | takabosoft | ||
| Finale | Mac OS, Windows | Proprietary (Freeware version exists) | Makemusic, Inc. | Composition and sequencing program, with various versions, including freeware (v. 2008 and earlier) "NotePad" version. | |
| FreeWRL | Linux, Mac OS | GNU GPL | Open Source, managed by John A. Stewart | integrates 3D graphics with MIDI devices | |
| FL Studio | Windows | Proprietary | Image-Line | ||
| GarageBand | Mac OS | Proprietary | Apple | Import only, saves to native format | |
| Genome MIDI Sequencer | iOS | Proprietary | White Noise Audio Software | Pattern based sequencer, imports and exports MIDI. | |
| Guitar Pro | Linux, Mac OS, Windows | Proprietary | Arobas Music | ||
| Guitar Practiced Perfectly | Linux, Mac OS, Windows | Proprietary | Outsource 3 | ||
| GNMIDI | Windows | Shareware | Günter Nagler | MIDI file converter, Karaoke editor | |
| GNU LilyPond | FreeBSD, Linux, Mac OS, Windows | GNU GPL | Export only | ||
| harmonySEQ | Linux | GNU GPL | Open Source, managed by Rafal Cieslak | Customizable set of synchronized MIDI sequencers, each repeating short sequence, designed to aid with music composing and live performances, acts as automatic accompanist or controls an external drumkit. | |
| Indaba Music | Mac OS, Windows | Proprietary | |||
| JFugue | Linux, Mac OS, Windows (Java-based) | GNU LGPL | Programming library (API) | ||
| KeyKit | Linux, Windows | Free for non-commercial use, source available | |||
| Klee | Mac OS, Windows | Proprietary | Defective Records Software | Software step sequencer, modeled after hardware Klee sequencer | |
| Live | Mac OS, Windows | Proprietary | Ableton | ||
| Logic Pro | Mac OS (also previously for Windows & Atari ST) |
Proprietary | Apple/Emagic(formerly known as C-Lab | ||
| LMMS | Linux, OpenBSD, Windows | GNU GPL | No support for exporting to MIDI; DAW; VST, LADSPA support. As of 4/30/2011 no MIDI aftertouch support | ||
| M185 | Mac OS, Windows | Proprietary | Defective Records Software | Software step sequencer, modeled after hardware for Roland System 100M | |
| MAGIX Samplitude | Windows | Proprietary | MAGIX | ||
| Making Waves | Windows | Proprietary | Making Waves Audio | Audio and MIDI sequencing, Multi Track audio recording, full VST plugin support | |
| Master Tracks Pro | Mac OS, Windows | Proprietary | GVOX (orig. dev.: Passport Designs) | Full-featured GUI MIDI sequencer with notation screen (requires supplied Anastasia TrueType or Type1 font), event editor, MCI, SMPTE sync., etc. Tested to work under Win 7. | |
| Midianal | Windows | Freeware | T Andrews | Suitable for analysing midi files. Import a midifile and export the data in CSV format. | |
| MIDI Converter Studio | Windows | Shareware | ManiacTools | MIDI file converter, karaoke converter | |
| MidiPatterns | Mac OS | Proprietary | Amedeo Farello | Multitrack, pattern-oriented sequencer. | |
| Midisoft Recording Session | Windows | Proprietary | Midisoft | Score editor, MIDI commands editor, player, mixer | |
| Midish | Linux, OpenBSD | BSD | lightweight MIDI sequencer and filter with shell-like interface; can play, record, edit, sync to other audio/MIDI software | ||
| Midisoft Studio | Windows | Proprietary | Midisoft | Score editor, MIDI commands editor, player, mixer. Next generation of "Recording session" | |
| Mixcraft | Windows | Proprietary | Acoustica | Audio and MIDI sequencer. Support for VSTis, MIDI recording, editing, and playback. | |
| Mozart | Windows | Proprietary | David Webber | Music notation software for simple tunes to full scores of up to 64 parts. | |
| MU.LAB | Mac OS, Windows | Proprietary | MUTOOLS | available in three versions: free, XT, and UL | |
| MusE | Linux | GNU GPL | |||
| MuseScore | Linux, Mac OS, Windows | GNU GPL | Werner Schweer | Music notation software with full MusicXML support | |
| Music studio Frieve | Windows | Shareware | Frieve | Plays 1 minute until registered. VST hosting pianoroll editor and score. Help button is in Japanese, but has a help file.(If it does not work on startup, unpack with 7zip!) | |
| Musink | Windows | Proprietary | Lee Reid | Music notation freeware with MIDI output, loop, and playback functionality | |
| Notation Composer | Windows | Proprietary | Notation Software, Inc. | Music notation software with full MIDI sequencing capability; MusicXML export | |
| NoteEdit | Linux | GNU GPL | Defunct; last stable release Sep. 2006. | ||
| NoteWorthy Composer | Windows | Proprietary | Noteworthy Software | Can import and export MIDI data, but only edit and display it as a musical score. | |
| Overture (software) | Mac OS, Windows | Proprietary | Geniesoft | Notation/tab/piano-roll, MIDI/step sequencing, VST/VSTi host | |
| Podium | Windows | Proprietary | Zynewave | ||
| PianoRollComposer | Windows | free | http://jdmcox.com | ||
| Pizzicato | Mac OS, Windows | Proprietary | Arpege Music [1] | Music composition and notation software, MusicXML compatibility, quality sound bank included | |
| PriMus | Windows | Proprietary | Columbus Soft | ||
| Pro Tools | Mac OS, Windows | Proprietary | Avid | ||
| Qmidi Studio | Windows | Proprietary | DevEd - Independent Game Designs | ||
| Qtractor | Linux | GNU GPL | Audio/MIDI multi-track sequencer application written in C++ with the Qt_(framework) | ||
| REAPER | Mac OS, Windows | Proprietary | Cockos | Supports Guitar Tabs and MIDI2Tab conversion with TabEditor plug | |
| Reason | Mac OS, Windows | Proprietary | Propellerhead | ||
| Renoise | Linux, Mac OS, Windows | Proprietary | Demo version available | ||
| Rosegarden | Linux | GNU GPL | Audio, MIDI sequence, record. Win VST support, LADSPA, JACK. | ||
| Scala | Linux, Mac OS, Windows | Freeware, noncommercial | Manuel Op de Coul | Specializes in tuning; converts ascii score file to MIDI | |
| Sekaiju | Windows | GNU LGPL | kuzu / openmidiproject | Can use track list window, piano roll window, event list window and musical score window, and they are printable. All kind of MIDI events including meta event and system-exclusive event are editable. Can select Japanese or English language. | |
| Seq24 | Linux, Windows | GNU GPL | MIDI loops sequencer | ||
| Sequera | Mac OS | Proprietary | Juno Ju-X | Stand-alone software step sequencer, with numbers of unique approaches. | |
| Sibelius | Mac OS, Windows | Proprietary | Sibelius | Features live scoring of sheet music from MIDI input. | |
| Sonar | Windows | Proprietary | Cakewalk | ||
| TuxGuitar | FreeBSD, Linux, Mac OS, Windows (Java-based) | GNU GPL | Tablature editor | ||
| Z-Maestro | Windows | Proprietary | "Lite" version: limited tracks, I/O. |