Muse review
A free, open-source choice for local piano and multitrack transcription.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Muse is a free, open-source desktop application for musicians and producers who want editable MIDI from recorded or imported audio. It supports solo-piano transcription with left/right-hand separation, as well as multi-instrument transcription across up to 13 tracks. Audio can come from a microphone or from MP3, WAV, OGG, and FLAC files. With versions for Windows, macOS, and Linux, Muse is suited to users who prefer local processing over uploading performances to an online service.
Its strongest advantage is the combination of transcription scope and local operation. Muse can handle piano-focused work while also supporting multitrack arrangements, and its built-in MIDI playback includes per-track mute and solo controls for reviewing the result. CUDA and Apple Silicon MPS acceleration can support compatible hardware, while local processing keeps audio on the desktop. This makes Muse a practical fit for producers and musicians working with recorded performances who want a direct path from audio to MIDI.
The main trade-off is focus: Muse produces MIDI rather than notation, and it is centered on a desktop workflow instead of a broader connected ecosystem. Users who need notation export or integrations with other music platforms should choose an alternative designed around those capabilities. Muse is the better fit for free, local transcription across solo piano and up to 13 tracks, particularly when microphone recording, common audio formats, and built-in MIDI playback matter more than cloud collaboration or notation tools.
Muse pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Transcribes solo piano with left/right-hand separation
- Supports multitrack transcription across up to 13 tracks
- Processes audio locally with CUDA and Apple Silicon MPS acceleration
- Where it doesn't
- No notation export
- Desktop-only workflow across Windows, macOS, and Linux
- No listed integrations with external music platforms
Muse fact sheet, pricing and score →
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