Python Music Libraries Compared

The 49 main Python libraries for making, analyzing, and generating music — what each is actually for, so you pick the right one the first time.

Library	Category	License	Install	Best for
Abjad	Composition & notation	GPL-3.0	`pip install abjad`	Algorithmically composing and engraving complex contemporary notation.
ACE-Step	ML & generative	Apache-2.0	`Clone the repo, pip install -e ., then run: acestep`	Fast, openly-licensed music generation you can build products on.
Amphion	ML & generative	MIT	`git clone the repo and build the conda env via env.sh`	Research and experimentation across speech, singing and audio generation models.
aubio	Audio analysis	GPL-3.0-or-later	`pip install aubio`	Lightweight real-time note-onset, pitch, and tempo detection.
AudioCraft (MusicGen)	ML & generative	MIT	`pip install -U audiocraft`	Text-prompted music and sound-effect generation and neural-codec research.
AudioLazy	Synthesis & DSP	GPL-3.0	`pip install audiolazy`	Learning and prototyping DSP and stream processing in Python.
Bark	ML & generative	MIT	`pip install git+https://github.com/suno-ai/bark.git`	Prototyping generative speech and sound from text prompts.
Basic Pitch	Audio analysis	Apache-2.0	`pip install basic-pitch`	Converting monophonic or polyphonic recordings into MIDI for editing or composition.
Bespoke Synth	Trackers & modular	GPL-3.0-only	`Download binaries from bespokesynth.com or build from source; Python livecoding is built in`	Modular-synth and livecoding enthusiasts who want to build patches and script them live.
CREPE	Audio analysis	MIT	`pip install crepe`	Precise fundamental-frequency tracking of single-voice audio (vocals, solo instruments).
DDSP	ML & generative	Apache-2.0	`pip install ddsp`	Neural audio synthesis and timbre transfer with interpretable, controllable DSP.
Demucs	ML & generative	MIT	`pip install demucs`	High-quality offline stem separation for remixing, karaoke, or sampling.
Essentia	Audio analysis	AGPL-3.0-only	`pip install essentia`	Comprehensive, production-scale audio feature extraction and music description.
FL Studio MIDI Scripting API	DAW & host scripting	Proprietary	`Built into FL Studio (v20.7+); place a device_*.py script in the scripts folder`	Developers building MIDI hardware-controller integrations for FL Studio.
FoxDot	Live coding	CC-BY-SA-4.0	`pip install --user FoxDot (needs SuperCollider)`	Beginners learning live coding in a familiar Python-like syntax.
Frescobaldi	Composition & notation	GPL-2.0-or-later	`pip install frescobaldi, or use the installers from frescobaldi.org`	Engraving publication-quality scores with LilyPond.
isobar	Composition & notation	MIT	`pip install isobar`	Building generative, pattern-based music and sonification pipelines.
librosa	Audio analysis	ISC	`pip install librosa`	Music information retrieval and audio feature extraction for research and ML.
madmom	Audio analysis	BSD-2-Clause	`pip install madmom`	Research-grade beat, downbeat, and onset detection with pretrained models.
Magenta	ML & generative	Apache-2.0	`pip install magenta`	Learning classic deep-learning approaches to symbolic music generation and reusing pretrained models.
MIDIUtil	MIDI tools	MIT	`pip install MIDIUtil`	Simple, dependency-free generation of MIDI files from code.
Mido	MIDI tools	MIT	`pip install mido`	Reading, writing, and sending/receiving raw MIDI messages and files.
mingus	Composition & notation	GPL-3.0	`pip install mingus`	Exploring and computing Western music theory in Python.
music21	Composition & notation	BSD-3-Clause	`pip install music21`	Analyzing and manipulating symbolic scores and computational-musicology research.
MusPy	Composition & notation	MIT	`pip install muspy`	Preparing and converting symbolic music datasets for machine-learning research.
note-seq	ML & generative	Apache-2.0	`pip install note-seq`	Representing and converting symbolic music data in ML generative pipelines.
Partitura	Composition & notation	Apache-2.0	`pip install partitura`	Research pipelines that parse and analyze symbolic music across formats.
Pedalboard	Synthesis & DSP	GPL-3.0	`pip install pedalboard`	Batch audio processing, applying effects, and hosting VST/AU plugins from Python.
pretty_midi	MIDI tools	MIT	`pip install pretty_midi`	MIR/ML preprocessing: extracting features and piano rolls from MIDI files.
pydub	Synthesis & DSP	MIT	`pip install pydub`	Quick, scripted audio-file editing and format conversion.
pyFluidSynth	MIDI tools	LGPL-2.1-or-later	`pip install pyfluidsynth`	Programmatically playing MIDI/notes through SoundFont software synthesis.
pyo	Synthesis & DSP	LGPL-3.0	`pip install pyo`	Writing real-time synthesis and DSP patches directly in Python.
python-rtmidi	MIDI tools	MIT	`pip install python-rtmidi`	Sending and receiving real-time MIDI messages to hardware or software ports.
python-sounddevice	Synthesis & DSP	MIT	`pip install sounddevice`	Recording and playback of audio in Python scripts and realtime callback pipelines.
RAVE	ML & generative	CC-BY-NC-4.0	`pip install acids-rave`	Live/real-time timbre transfer and generative audio inside DAWs and Max/PD.
ReaScript	DAW & host scripting	Proprietary	`Built into REAPER (Lua/EEL2 embedded); Python must be installed separately and enabled`	REAPER users automating workflows or building custom tools and extensions.
Renardo	Live coding	GPL-3.0	`pip install renardo`	Live-coding performances and algorithmic music using FoxDot-style Python syntax.
Riffusion	ML & generative	MIT	`Clone the riffusion repo, or use the web app`	Experimenting with spectrogram-based generation, or quick song sketches on the web.
Sardine	Live coding	GPL-3.0	`pip install sardine-system`	Python programmers who want to live code with MIDI/OSC/SuperCollider.
SCAMP	Composition & notation	GPL-3.0	`pip install scamp`	Composers who want to script music and get both audio playback and notation.
SoundFile	Synthesis & DSP	BSD-3-Clause	`pip install soundfile`	Loading and saving audio files as NumPy data in analysis and DSP pipelines.
Spleeter	ML & generative	MIT	`pip install spleeter`	Fast batch stem separation when speed matters more than peak quality.
Stable Audio Open	ML & generative	MIT	`pip install diffusers transformers torch soundfile`	Generating instrumental loops and sound effects locally with open weights.
Supriya	Synthesis & DSP	MIT	`pip install supriya`	Driving SuperCollider synthesis and sequencing from Python, including offline rendering.
thebeat	Audio analysis	GPL-3.0	`pip install thebeat`	Cognitive/behavioral timing and rhythm-perception experiments.
torchaudio	Audio analysis	BSD-2-Clause	`pip install torchaudio`	Audio feature extraction and dataset/transform pipelines within PyTorch ML.
Troop	Live coding	See project	`Download a release or run the server/client scripts; requires a backend language`	Small groups wanting to co-edit live-coding sessions, especially FoxDot ensembles.
Vortex	Live coding	GPL-3.0	`pip install -U tidalvortex (needs Python 3.11+, liblo, Qt 6)`	Python users wanting TidalCycles-style algorithmic patterns without Haskell.
YuE	ML & generative	Apache-2.0	`Clone the repo and run the inference scripts`	Self-hosting open full-song generation with vocals from your own lyrics.

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