This article presents a comprehensive review of several free 8-bit music maker apps that are available for both Android and iOS operating systems. The apps were evaluated based on their user interface, functionality, sound quality, and overall performance. The purpose of this review is to provide users with a detailed analysis of the various features and capabilities of these apps to help them choose the most suitable option for their specific needs. Whether you are a professional musician or a hobbyist looking to experiment with 8-bit music, this review will provide you with valuable insights to help you make an informed decision.
We have compiled a list of 5 Free 8-Bit Music Maker Apps For Android & iOS for your consideration, which have undergone rigorous testing and evaluation by our team of experts.
Table of Contents
5 Free 8-Bit Music Maker Apps For Android & iOS
1. Medly
Medly is a music-making application suitable for both beginner and experienced musicians. It offers a simple interface packed with advanced tools for creating studio-quality productions. Users can start for free with the Starter Pack of 17 instruments and over 100 loops and samples. Alternatively, they can try Medly Member free for 7 days to unlock over 3000 instruments, loops, and exclusive features. Medly breaks songs down into Sections, making it easy to add notes, audio samples, and loops, copy, paste and rearrange them to build a song. The History tool enables users to quickly rewind and undo changes.
Medly offers over 300 instruments available for Members, each interaction was carefully designed with touch in mind, from adding a note to complex multi-note editing, allowing users to quickly try out different sounds and find their style. Users can edit, snap, and trim their audio clips to their liking. They can record or import audio or use a sample from Medly’s vast audio library. As a Member, they can record and import audio up to 30 seconds and bring their songs to the next level with professionally recorded vocals by Medly’s talented artists.
Point Perfect Automation is another feature of Medly, which automatically changes volume, echo, and other effects to add fades and pitch bends to sounds. Users can snap between points and beats to achieve point perfect precision and use the selection tool to edit multiple automation points together. Lastly, they can open the effect picker to quickly see the automation graphs of all effects within a Section.
Medly allows users to share their songs quickly on SoundCloud or as a video, audio, MIDI, or Medly file. They can also connect Medly to other apps using Inter-App Audio or play in time using Ableton Link. Medly is made in Canada by a small team working relentlessly to make it possible. Users can share their thoughts on Medly with the team on Facebook, Twitter, or by email.
2. TonePad
TonePad, a music-making application, has been described as “a bit like musical crack” by Synthtopia. It is a user-friendly method for creating and composing music. Simply by touching the screen and observing the notes light up, users can develop songs.
For optimal sound quality, it is suggested that headphones be used. There are plans for expanding customization features in the future. If satisfied with the app, users are encouraged to leave a review. Any further inquiries can be directed to support@tonepadapp.com.
3. Music Maker JAM
Music Maker JAM is a free music app for DJs, beat makers, producers, or music lovers. The app allows users to create or remix music beats and tracks using loops from a variety of musical genres such as Trap, EDM, Rap, Dubstep, Hip-Hop, House, Garage, Pop, Rock, and many more. The app is user-friendly and suitable for beginners or professionals.
Music Maker JAM provides over 300 Mix Packs with more than 500,000 loops, allowing users to make music or remix music beats. With available musical genres including Trap, EDM, Rap, Hip-Hop, House, Pop, Rock, Dubstep, Jazz, Latin, Techno, Garage, DnB, and more, the possibilities are endless.
Users can record their tracks with a perfect mix on the 8-channel mixer or jam live for friends at a party. They can also change tempo and harmonies, arrange song parts, and play around with real-time effects like reverb, stutter, delay, and more. Additionally, users can make beats and remix tracks by shaking their smartphone or tablet.
Music Maker JAM offers a feature to sing or rap on tracks by recording their voice and mixing their vocals into their beats. Autotune effects can also be applied for ultimate results, like a real trap beat maker. Users can choose from all the instruments they could want, and share their songs directly on YouTube, SoundCloud, Facebook, TikTok, and other social networks.
The Music Maker JAM community has created and uploaded more than 10 million tracks, which users can join and become friends with artists, influencers, fans, followers, DJs, music producers, and more. Music Maker JAM is available on various devices, allowing users to create their own music and become a beat maker anytime and anywhere.
To gain more information about Music Maker JAM, users can visit the website or social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
4. nanoloop
Nanoloop is a mobile-optimized sequencer/synthesizer/sampler software package that runs smoothly on a wide range of smartphones and tablets. It is designed to be easy to use, with an interface that can be customized with adjustable font/icon size and white/black color schemes to fit any screen resolution.
The software features an easy-to-use sequencer suitable for rhythm and melody, with automation of all parameters. It has 8 channels, each of which can be a synth or sampler, with 8 patterns per channel. Users can load samples from SD-card, sample via microphone, trim samples, and re-sample. Nanoloop also includes a polyphonic FM-, PWM- and noise synth, a song editor with loop function, and the ability to send and receive projects via e-mail. It is compatible with iOS version and allows for WAV and Ogg Vorbis export. Sharing projects and audio in Dropbox and SoundCloud is also possible when these apps are installed.
The interface of Nanoloop has been simplified, with a long press on an icon revealing info and/or a menu in most cases.
The FM synth in Nanoloop offers a maximum of flexibility within a small set of parameters. It comes with a stereo modulator detune effect and covers a wide range of sounds, from clean bells and Rhodes-like sounds to spheric pads, thick beats, basses, and exotic sounds and noises.
The stepsequencer in Nanoloop visualizes the rhythmic structure in a compact 4×4 square matrix, making it easy to lay out patterns.
The sampler in Nanoloop allows for recording up to 6 seconds via microphone or loading samples from SD-Card (WAV with 8, 22, 44 or 48 KHz). It includes A/D envelope, loop function, and start offset, and comes without effects.
It is important to note that Nanoloop does not require an internet connection.
5. Piconica
The 8-bit sound app offers a variety of sound options including different wave types and octave ranges. The app includes Square wave (Duty cycle 12.5%, 25.0%, 50.0%, 75.0%), Triangle wave, White noise (Long cycle, Short cycle), and Wave instrument * 8 (32 sample wave * 16 amplitude) options. The app also includes features such as volume envelope and sweep control (Pitch shift). Additionally, users can edit the wave instruments as needed.
The keyboard section of the app offers 96 keys with the option for 1 or 2 rows and a width range of 1 octave up to 8 octaves.
The recording section of the app supports WAVE file format with options to play, rename, send/share, and delete files. All recordings are saved in the default storage com.klikki.lab.picopico directory.
In terms of MIDI capabilities, the app offers temporary support.
It’s important to note that the app will access storage for recording purposes only and no other reason.
Lastly, the app features a knob with options to tap for one step or touch and move to adjust.