OtherMacPrograms

Creates MIDI and karaoke files. Other abc notation programs can create sheet music or convert MIDI files to abc notation.

An improved audio system preference pane (which crashed my System Preferences in Mac OS X 10.3.4...)

Free, closed-source recording software (downloadable from the links on the right hand of the above page) for use only with two Griffin USB devices: and PowerWave (which is an audio interface and amplifier). Final Vinyl lets you easily record your old LPs into your Mac and even has an EQ (equalisation) switch. Other uses are obvious.

Apple's built-in tool for recording and mixing music. Listed as "free" because it comes with all new Macs. If your Mac does not have it, it's currently around $100 as part of, which is still a good deal for example if you use the included application. GarageBand features software instruments, good effects, lots of built-in loops, and an incredibly easy-to-use interface, but has only very limited editing of either audio or MIDI. See GarageBand for a review and a comparison between Audacity and GarageBand.

Can convert a MIDI file into a WAV file that can then be edited with Audacity. You can use soundfonts from sites like (which has open source sound samples and soundfonts) to customize instrument sounds in Timidity.

Amadeus II
Audio editor, supports AIFF, MP3 and Ogg Vorbis and VST plug-ins.

Audiocorder
Good for long recordings, VOX, or scheduled recordings

Intuem
Originally focused on MIDI, but now has both MIDI and audio features. Very Mac-like interface.