There are some web-based electronic instruments out there like drum machines and synths that you can use right inside your web browser. Some of them allow you to record your output others do not.
The good the bad and the ugly
For each tool I’ve included a list of pros and cons and some notes about ease of use and capturing sound.
808303.studio
808303.studio is a new online music creation platform created by Yuri Suzuki, the Design Museum and Roland, which features Roland’s innovative Step Sequencer technique, as well as emulating the sound of the original TR-808 drum machine and TB-303 bass synthesizer. There are actually other vintage rhythm machines and synths in there too, explore!
It is a professional sounding online musical interface, which records your masterpieces and allows you to share your creations through social media, messaging and also as a download
Type of tool:
browser-based sound generator
Learning Curve:
Low ★☆☆☆
Pros:
It’s easy to figure this one out.
Just start clicking and it becomes clear!
+++ You can record your output ++++
Check the “about” section for a demo!
Cons:
None really, this is pretty fantastic.
Citizen DJ
https://citizen-dj.labs.loc.gov/
Make music using the free-to-use audio and video materials from the Library of Congress
Explore free-to-use sounds from the Library of Congress. Remix and combine with beats right in your browser. Download and use sounds with your favorite software
Type of tool:
browser-based sampler and rhythm generator
Learning Curve:
Low ★★☆☆
Pros:
It’s easy to figure this one out.
Just start clicking and it becomes clear!
+++ You can record your output ++++
Cons:
Osme of the parameters are limited, but explore!!!!
Cardboard Online Synth
https://www.gsn-lib.org/apps/cardboardsynth/index.html
synthesizer with many options to modify the sound; you can use your computer keyboard to play notes and it can also be played with a MIDI keyboard. If you are unfamiliar with the kinds of terminology of electronic musical instruments (like envelopes, OSCs and LFOs) it might take a little longer to figure out, but start twiddling some knobs and see what happens or even just use the presets at the bottom of the interface.
Here’s a little video tutorial
Type:
browser-based arpeggio synthesizer
Learning Curve:
Low ★★☆☆
Pros:
Allows you to record your output.
Very configurable, you can really shape your sounds.
Cons:
None, other than the possible learning curve.
Drumbit
http://drumbit.pluraldev.com/
Online drum machine with some nice features include the ability to record as a wav, add multiple pages of drum patterns, pan drums left or right, add a few effects, select from different kinds of genres (Jazz, Hiphop, latin, etc) and more.
Type:
browser-based rhythm generator
Learning Curve:
Low ★★☆☆
Pros:
It’s fairly easy to figure out, but if you are unfamiliar with the way a drum machine works it can take a few minutes to figure out the way the sequencer and multiple pages work as well as the other settings, but all in all this is EASY!
You can record/save an audio file (WAV format). You can save your pattern so you can open it again later and keep working on it.
Cons:
Sound sometimes seems to break up a bit during playback in the browser, but the recorded file seems unaffected.
