Links to Audio Software & Samples

Software Tools (Free)

Audacity [ website ]
Ardour [ website ]
MEAPsoft [ website ]
Sound Hack [ website ]
Goldwave [ website ]
Garage Band [ website ] *

Software Tools (Commercial)

Ableton Live [ website ]
Peak [ website ]
Digital Performer [ website ]
Logic [ website ]
Pro Tools [ website ]
Reason [ website ]

Free Samples

Freesounds [ website ]

Audio Programming Tools (Free)

Chuck [ website ]
Pure Data (pd) [ website ]
SuperCollider [ website ]
C Sounds [ website ]

* Garage Band is not free software but it does comes free with any new mac. If you own a mac but do not have it, it can be purchased via iLife for a reasonably low price.