App Review: Soundtrap

Ebony Anderson-Brown reviews Soundtrap: a free browser-based music production program. You can access Soundtrap on your laptops, phones and tablets using the Chrome browser.

Soundtrap is an online music studio and one of our favorite online DAWs for making beats in our classrooms and workshops. It’s so easy to create, record and collaborate right in your browser (no download required!) for free. You can explore sounds and loops, use auto-tune, make beats and melodies and so much more. We asked a few of our workshop leaders their thoughts on the online DAW and here’s what they had to say. 

“What I like most about Soundtrap is the ability to work on projects but also collaborate on those projects quickly right on the website without any additional software,” says DJ/Music Producer Christian Vargas, aka El Blanco Niño.

“As a workshop leader, I enjoy talking to students about music beyond composition. Not only [do] I get to know the students better but I also get a better idea of how they see music as a creative outlet and what things they are listening to or watching that inspires them to make music.”

Soundtrap’s built-in drum sequencer, Patterns Beatmaker.

El Blanco Niño isn’t the only workshop leader who is a fan of Soundtrap’s ability to collaborate in real time. Jess Dilday, better known as PlayPlay, uses the collaboration feature regularly when running the Building Beats Virtual Beatmaking Airbnb Experience.

“Soundtrap's syncing feature makes it super easy to build a track with guests from all over the world in the virtual realm, as well as troubleshooting when needed. Any time I make changes to our shared project, I just hit "sync" and have them do the same on their end (and vice versa when they make changes). A super easy way to collaborate that makes this virtual experience truly special, and it's been cool to be able to make beats with people in South Africa, Ireland, London and more!”

The collaboration feature in Soundtrap, where you can chat with collaborators and sync changes in real time.

There’s more to Soundtrap other than its ability to collaborate with other beat makers in real time. Since you can open the program in any web browser, you can access the tool from almost any device. While that may sound convenient to most, for others it may raise some questions. 

“I've only explored Soundtrap mobile briefly for my summer workshops but from my experience it still gets the job done,” shares Sam Lee aka SammAyOnTheBeat. “Some features on the mobile version are hidden—like track view—unless you slide its view open or hold your device in landscape mode.”

It’s no secret that certain functions are a little tricky to navigate on mobile or tablet. Sam also shares that “the lack of a piano roll is disheartening for recording melodies or editing MIDI loops...not being able to switch around notes and program drums (Patterns Beatmaker) and melodies (Piano Roll) will not make for the most enjoyable experience.”

If you do choose to use Soundtrap on a mobile device or tablet, it’s best to understand the basics of the DAW before making some beats. Rayvaughn Cabey, aka DJ RAY BLK would agree with this after using the app on an iOS device. “Learn where all the edit functions are,” Cabey states. “The iOS version does not display buttons like, Save, Tempo, and Master volume.”

How to access the tools and menu on Soundtrap’s mobile app.

When it comes down to it, Soundtrap is overall an efficient and fun music DAW. Our Building Beats workshop leaders have provided both the pros and cons, but as a free app to anyone interested in learning how to make beats, it’s a no-brainer! Aside from their various features, Soundtrap also likes to partner with music production software companies such as Splice, to provide new sounds and loops. So be sure to check the loop library for updates!

Get started on creating your beat using Soundtrap by visiting our Toolbox. You can also learn a few tips from our Workshop leaders such as using the built-in beat sequencer Patterns Beatmaker with Jess Dilday, creating a Juice WRLD-Type Beat with DJ RAY BLK or even a Jersey club-Type beat with El Blanco Niño!

You can see all of our Soundtrap-related tutorials on our Youtube page.