[
  {"name":"Audacity","category":"daw","url":"https://www.audacityteam.org/","cost":"free","platform":["win","mac","linux"],"tags":["recording","edit","foss"],"description":"A free, open-source editor for recording, basic audio edits, and dialogue cleanup.","source_url":"https://www.audacityteam.org/"},
  {"name":"Reaper","category":"daw","url":"https://www.reaper.fm/","cost":"paid","platform":["win","mac","linux"],"tags":["production"],"description":"A full digital audio workstation for production and audio post-production.","pricing_notes":"REAPER offers a 60-day evaluation. Continued use requires a paid license; confirm which license applies to your use.","source_url":"https://www.reaper.fm/purchase.php"},
  {"name":"LMMS","category":"daw","url":"https://lmms.io/","cost":"free","platform":["win","mac","linux"],"tags":["beats","foss"],"description":"An open-source starting point for making beats and building music productions."},
  {"name":"BandLab","category":"daw","url":"https://www.bandlab.com/","cost":"free","platform":["web","ios","android"],"tags":["collab"],"description":"A browser-based digital audio workstation with collaboration in its workflow."},
  {"name":"GarageBand","category":"daw","url":"https://www.apple.com/garageband/","cost":"free","platform":["mac","ios"],"tags":["beginner"],"description":"An Apple music-making starting point for beginners on macOS and iOS."},
  {"name":"Cakewalk by BandLab","category":"daw","url":"https://www.bandlab.com/products/cakewalk","cost":"varies","platform":["win"],"tags":["production"],"description":"A legacy Windows DAW. See the official transition guidance for Cakewalk Sonar.","pricing_notes":"Legacy entry retained for reference: Cakewalk by BandLab reached end of life in December 2025. Consult the vendor about moving existing projects to Cakewalk Sonar and check the successor’s current access terms.","source_url":"https://help.cakewalk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360021858293-What-happened-to-the-old-SONAR-What-happens-to-everything-I-paid-for"},
  {"name":"Ardour","category":"daw","url":"https://ardour.org/","cost":"freemium","platform":["win","mac","linux"],"tags":["foss"],"description":"An open-source multitrack audio workstation for recording and production."},
  {"name":"Waveform Free","category":"daw","url":"https://www.tracktion.com/products/waveform-free","cost":"free","platform":["win","mac","linux"],"tags":["production"],"description":"A Tracktion digital audio workstation listed for music production."},
  {"name":"Studio One","category":"daw","url":"https://www.presonus.com/products/studio-one","cost":"varies","platform":["win","mac"],"tags":["production"],"description":"The Studio One production workstation; check the current product and edition at the source.","pricing_notes":"The older catalogue grouped editions and trials together. Confirm current product availability and paid or trial terms at the vendor; a continuing free edition is not established here."},
  {"name":"SoundBridge","category":"daw","url":"https://soundbridge.io/","cost":"freemium","platform":["win"],"tags":["lightweight"],"description":"A lightweight digital audio workstation for music production.","pricing_notes":"The official site lists a free version with a track limit and paid options with additional features. Check the current limits before committing a project.","source_url":"https://www.soundbridge.io/en/amplifier"},
  {"name":"Bitwig Studio","category":"daw","url":"https://www.bitwig.com/","cost":"paid","platform":["win","mac","linux"],"tags":["production"],"description":"A digital audio workstation for clip-based music production.","pricing_notes":"The official trial is limited to 30 days. After it expires, demo mode disables saving and exporting; a paid license is needed for continued full use.","source_url":"https://www.bitwig.com/support/shop_license_activation/bitwig-studio-trial-48/"},
  {"name":"Qtractor","category":"daw","url":"https://qtractor.sourceforge.io/","cost":"free","platform":["linux"],"tags":["foss"],"description":"An open-source digital audio workstation for Linux."},
  {"name":"DaVinci Resolve","category":"video","url":"https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve","cost":"freemium","platform":["win","mac","linux"],"tags":["edit","fairlight"],"description":"Video editing and audio post-production with the Fairlight workspace."},
  {"name":"Ableton Education","category":"edu","url":"https://www.ableton.com/en/education/","cost":"edu","platform":["win","mac"],"tags":["daw"],"reviewed":"2026-01","description":"The official starting point for Ableton education offers and eligibility."},
  {"name":"Avid Education","category":"edu","url":"https://www.avid.com/education","cost":"edu","platform":["win","mac"],"tags":["pro-tools"],"reviewed":"2026-01","description":"Explore official Pro Tools offers for students and educators."},
  {"name":"Steinberg Education","category":"edu","url":"https://www.steinberg.net/education/","cost":"edu","platform":["win","mac"],"tags":["daw"],"reviewed":"2026-01","description":"Find education information for Cubase, Nuendo, and related products."},
  {"name":"Adobe Creative Cloud Students","category":"edu","url":"https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/buy/students.html","cost":"edu","platform":["win","mac"],"tags":["audition"],"reviewed":"2026-01","description":"Official student offers for Creative Cloud, including audio and video tools."},
  {"name":"iZotope Education","category":"edu","url":"https://www.izotope.com/en/shop/education-pricing.html","cost":"edu","platform":["win","mac"],"tags":["plugins"],"reviewed":"2026-01","description":"The education store for iZotope audio production tools."},
  {"name":"MuseScore","category":"notation","url":"https://musescore.org/","cost":"free","platform":["win","mac","linux"],"tags":["sheet"],"description":"Free, open-source desktop notation software for writing and editing musical scores.","pricing_notes":"This entry refers to the free MuseScore Studio desktop notation application at musescore.org. Score-sharing services and mobile products are separate offerings.","source_url":"https://musescore.org/en"},
  {"name":"musictheory.net","category":"learn","url":"https://www.musictheory.net/","cost":"free","platform":["web"],"tags":["theory"],"description":"A browser-based starting point for learning music theory."},
  {"name":"Open Music Theory","category":"learn","url":"https://openmusictheory.com/","cost":"free","platform":["web"],"tags":["theory"],"description":"An online music theory resource included in the learning guide."},
  {"name":"MIT OCW Music","category":"learn","url":"https://ocw.mit.edu/search/?q=music","cost":"free","platform":["web"],"tags":["courses"],"description":"Music and music technology course materials from MIT OpenCourseWare."},
  {"name":"Freesound","category":"samples","url":"https://freesound.org/","cost":"free","platform":["web"],"tags":["sfx","cc"],"description":"A sound-effects library with Creative Commons licenses that vary by file.","license_notes":"Read the Creative Commons license attached to each sound. Attribution, commercial-use restrictions, and other conditions differ across files."},
  {"name":"OpenGameArt","category":"samples","url":"https://opengameart.org/","cost":"free","platform":["web"],"tags":["game","sfx"],"description":"Game assets, including audio and sound effects. Check each asset license.","license_notes":"Check each asset’s license and attribution instructions. Do not assume all assets share the same commercial-use or redistribution permissions."},
  {"name":"BBC Sound Effects","category":"samples","url":"https://sound-effects.bbcrewind.co.uk/","cost":"free","platform":["web"],"tags":["sfx"],"description":"A sound-effects archive. Read the usage terms before choosing sounds for a project.","license_notes":"Do not assume free access grants commercial-use rights. Check the archive’s terms for your exact use and whether a separate license is needed."},
  {"name":"Free Music Archive","category":"samples","url":"https://freemusicarchive.org/","cost":"free","platform":["web"],"tags":["music","cc"],"description":"A music library with different licenses across its catalogue.","license_notes":"Licenses vary by recording. Confirm commercial use, attribution, adaptation, and redistribution permissions for the chosen track."},
  {"name":"Sonniss GDC","category":"samples","url":"https://sonniss.com/gameaudiogdc","cost":"free","platform":["web"],"tags":["game","sfx"],"description":"Sound-effects bundles for game audio. Keep the license for the specific bundle you use.","license_notes":"Read and retain the license supplied with the exact bundle. Check permissions for your project and any restrictions on standalone redistribution."},
  {"name":"Vital","category":"plugin","url":"https://vital.audio/","cost":"freemium","platform":["win","mac","linux"],"tags":["synth"],"description":"A synthesizer listed in the production guide for instrument and sound-design workflows."},
  {"name":"Surge XT","category":"plugin","url":"https://surge-synthesizer.github.io/","cost":"free","platform":["win","mac","linux"],"tags":["synth","foss"],"description":"An open-source synthesizer in the instruments and effects catalogue.","source_url":"https://surge-synthesizer.github.io/"},
  {"name":"Helm","category":"plugin","url":"https://tytel.org/helm/","cost":"free","platform":["win","mac","linux"],"tags":["synth"],"description":"A synthesizer included in the production guide’s instrument collection."},
  {"name":"Dexed","category":"plugin","url":"https://asb2m10.github.io/dexed/","cost":"free","platform":["win","mac","linux"],"tags":["synth"],"description":"An FM synthesizer included in the production guide."},
  {"name":"Hydrogen","category":"plugin","url":"https://hydrogen-music.org/","cost":"free","platform":["win","mac","linux"],"tags":["drums"],"description":"A drum-focused tool for building the rhythmic part of a production."},
  {"name":"Youlean Loudness Meter","category":"plugin","url":"https://youlean.co/youlean-loudness-meter/","cost":"freemium","platform":["win","mac"],"tags":["mastering","lufs"],"description":"LUFS metering for checking loudness in mixing and mastering workflows."},
  {"name":"VCVRack","category":"utility","url":"https://vcvrack.com/","cost":"freemium","platform":["win","mac","linux"],"tags":["modular"],"description":"A modular synthesis environment for exploring connected audio modules."},
  {"name":"FFmpeg","category":"utility","url":"https://ffmpeg.org/","cost":"free","platform":["win","mac","linux"],"tags":["cli","convert"],"description":"Command-line audio conversion, trimming, and loudness workflows."},
  {"name":"SoX","category":"utility","url":"https://sourceforge.net/projects/sox/","cost":"free","platform":["win","mac","linux"],"tags":["cli"],"description":"A command-line audio utility included in the production guide."},
  {"name":"Voicemeeter","category":"utility","url":"https://vb-audio.com/Voicemeeter/","cost":"free","platform":["win"],"tags":["routing","stream"],"description":"A virtual mixer for routing Windows audio in podcast and streaming setups."},
  {"name":"BlackHole","category":"utility","url":"https://existential.audio/blackhole/","cost":"free","platform":["mac"],"tags":["routing","stream"],"description":"A virtual audio device for routing audio on macOS."},
  {"name":"FMOD","category":"game-audio","url":"https://www.fmod.com/","cost":"freemium","platform":["win","mac","linux"],"tags":["middleware"],"description":"Game-audio middleware included in the interactive audio guide."},
  {"name":"Wwise","category":"game-audio","url":"https://www.audiokinetic.com/","cost":"freemium","platform":["win","mac"],"tags":["middleware"],"description":"Audiokinetic game-audio middleware for interactive audio workflows."},
  {"name":"Godot Audio","category":"game-audio","url":"https://docs.godotengine.org/en/stable/tutorials/audio/index.html","cost":"free","platform":["win","mac","linux"],"tags":["engine"],"description":"The official Godot documentation for working with audio in the engine.","pricing_notes":"This entry links to engine documentation. Check the separate licenses of any code, audio assets, or plugins you use in a project."},
  {"name":"Unity Audio","category":"game-audio","url":"https://docs.unity3d.com/Manual/AudioOverview.html","cost":"free","platform":["win","mac","linux"],"tags":["engine"],"description":"The official Unity manual’s overview of engine audio features.","pricing_notes":"The linked manual is accessible online. This label describes documentation access, not the licensing or pricing of the Unity engine."},
  {"name":"OBS Studio","category":"podcast","url":"https://obsproject.com/","cost":"free","platform":["win","mac","linux"],"tags":["stream","record"],"description":"A recording and streaming tool included in the podcast workflow."},
  {"name":"Descript","category":"podcast","url":"https://www.descript.com/","cost":"freemium","platform":["win","mac","web"],"tags":["edit","transcription"],"description":"An editing and transcription resource for podcast and spoken-audio work."},
  {"name":"Spotify for Podcasters","category":"podcast","url":"https://podcasters.spotify.com/","cost":"free","platform":["web"],"tags":["hosting"],"description":"A podcast-hosting resource; follow the official site for the current product offering."},
  {"name":"Ferrite Recording Studio","category":"podcast","url":"https://www.wooji-juice.com/products/ferrite/","cost":"freemium","platform":["ios"],"tags":["mobile","edit"],"description":"An iOS recording and editing resource for mobile podcast workflows."},
  {"name":"Mixxx","category":"live","url":"https://mixxx.org/","cost":"free","platform":["win","mac","linux"],"tags":["dj","foss"],"description":"An open-source DJ tool for live music workflows."},
  {"name":"Focusrite","category":"hardware","url":"https://focusrite.com/","cost":"paid","platform":["win","mac","linux"],"tags":["interface"],"description":"An audio-interface manufacturer featured in the hardware guide."},
  {"name":"Audient","category":"hardware","url":"https://audient.com/","cost":"paid","platform":["win","mac","linux"],"tags":["interface"],"description":"An audio-interface manufacturer featured in the hardware guide."},
  {"name":"Bandcamp","category":"distribution","url":"https://bandcamp.com/","cost":"freemium","platform":["web"],"tags":["release"],"description":"A platform included in the guide to releasing and distributing music."},
  {"name":"SoundCloud","category":"distribution","url":"https://soundcloud.com/","cost":"freemium","platform":["web","ios","android"],"tags":["release"],"description":"A music-sharing and release platform in the distribution catalogue."},
  {"name":"DistroKid","category":"distribution","url":"https://distrokid.com/","cost":"paid","platform":["web"],"tags":["streaming"],"description":"A distribution service for sending music to streaming platforms."},
  {"name":"iZotope Learn","category":"learn","url":"https://learn.izotope.com/","cost":"free","platform":["web"],"tags":["mixing"],"description":"Production articles and learning material on mixing and mastering."},
  {"name":"FMOD Learn","category":"learn","url":"https://www.fmod.com/learn","cost":"free","platform":["web"],"tags":["game-audio"],"description":"Official learning resources for FMOD game-audio workflows."},
  {"name":"Wwise Learn","category":"learn","url":"https://www.audiokinetic.com/learn/","cost":"free","platform":["web"],"tags":["game-audio"],"description":"Official Audiokinetic learning resources for Wwise."},
  {"name":"Blackmagic Fairlight Training","category":"learn","url":"https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve/training","cost":"free","platform":["web"],"tags":["video","mix"],"description":"Official training for video and audio mixing in DaVinci Resolve."},
  {"name":"Global Game Jam","category":"community","url":"https://globalgamejam.org/","cost":"free","platform":["web"],"tags":["jam"],"description":"A game-jam community to explore alongside the game-audio learning path."},
  {"name":"itch.io Game Jams","category":"community","url":"https://itch.io/jams","cost":"free","platform":["web"],"tags":["jam","game"],"description":"A directory of game jams for finding creative projects and events."},
  {"name":"ElevenLabs","category":"learn","url":"https://elevenlabs.io/","cost":"freemium","platform":["web"],"tags":["ai","tts"],"description":"A text-to-speech resource linked from the AI audio guide.","license_notes":"Confirm the plan’s commercial-use terms, voice permissions, attribution, and data handling before creating or publishing audio."},
  {"name":"OpenAI Whisper","category":"learn","url":"https://github.com/openai/whisper","cost":"free","platform":["win","mac","linux"],"tags":["ai","transcription","foss"],"description":"An open-source speech-to-text project linked from the local transcription guide.","license_notes":"Review the repository license and respect the rights and consent requirements for the recordings you transcribe."}
]