Drum2Notes turns a phone recording, an uploaded file or a YouTube link into drum notation for kick, snare, toms and cymbals that you can play back, fix in its Edit Mode and export as PDF, MIDI or MusicXML, in the browser or in iPhone and Android apps. Know before choosing it that Klangio contradicts itself on full mixes: the App Store listing says it works only with drum recordings, while the website and Google Play say it transcribes drums with other instruments playing, so run a free 20-second demo on your own song first.
- Best for
- Chart from a recording, Try free, Editable output
- Not for
- Drummers who need to know before paying whether it will handle a full band mix, since Klangio's own listings disagree.
- Someone does it better
- Paradiddle.ai separates the drums from the mix before transcribing and publishes its own dated accuracy figure, where Drum2Notes describes no separation step and gives no figure.
- Free tier
- Unlimited demo transcriptions of the first 20 seconds of a recording, with PDF download only and the Edit Mode switched off; full songs, MIDI, MusicXML and editing need a ticket.
Sources (15)
- Inputs: record, upload or YouTube link.
Record, upload or paste in a YouTube link of music.
source - Website says it works with other instruments playing.
Capable of transcribing drums, even multiple other instruments playing simultaneously.
source - Google Play listing says the same.
Transcribes drums even when other instruments are present
source - App Store listing says drums only.
As the name suggests, Drum2Notes will work only with drum recordings.
source - App Store listing says no instrument separation.
The note recognition can't separate multiple instruments.
source - Exports.
Export your notes as sheet music PDFs, quantized or unquantized MIDI files and MusicXML.
source - Editor.
Adjust your notes directly in the app, with our Edit Mode.
source - Platforms.
Use Drum2Notes directly in your browser and as mobile apps for Android and iOS.
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Drumscrib is a drum-only service from a one-person team that turns a full studio recording into a drum PDF in standard or Agostini notation plus a synthetic drum MP3 of the detected hits, and it writes flams, drags and ghost notes. Know before choosing it that it is still in beta (version 0.4), there is no free try on your own song, and fixing notes means paying extra for the MuseScore file and editing it in MuseScore.
- Best for
- Pay per song, From a full mix, Chart from a recording
- Not for
- Drummers who want to correct the chart in the browser or test the tool free on their own song before paying.
- Someone does it better
- DrumConvert lets you edit the score in the browser and exports MusicXML, while Drumscrib's editing needs a paid MuseScore file opened in outside software.
- Free tier
- No free transcription of your own song; three sample transcriptions on the homepage, with PDF, audio, MuseScore and MIDI files, can be downloaded free.
- Stores
- App Store not on this store. Google Play not on this store. Maker
Sources (12)
- Full mix input.
one complete track (original recording, can be a mix with other instruments)
source - Upload formats.
Allowed file types: (.wav, .mp3, .m4a/.mp4 (audio))
source - Custom PDF output.
Custom PDF (notation (standard/agostini), formatting (+/- pages))
source - Synthetic drum track.
A tempo-corrected MIDI track with all detected drum hits replaced with MIDI sounds.
source - Beta status.
It's in beta, there are still some transcription errors, but it gets better and better.
source - Free samples only.
Download these free sheet music and backing tracks made automatically by Drumscrib.
source - Editing happens in MuseScore.
Can you edit the transcription? Yes, with the MuseScore file included as an extra.
source - Best input per the vendor.
it works best on "modern" pop/rock/metal studio recordings.
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Paradiddle.ai splits the drums out of a full song, then gives you engraved drum notation with a playback cursor locked to the recording, flags the hits it was least sure of for a quick check, and exports MusicXML or MIDI. Know before choosing it that it is a new web-only service (terms dated 2026-07-01) whose pages name only MusicXML and MIDI exports, with no PDF export listed and no app.
- Best for
- Chart from a recording, From a full mix, Editable output, Pay per song
- Not for
- Drummers who want a printable PDF straight from the tool or a phone app.
- Someone does it better
- Klangio's Drum2Notes runs as iPhone and Android apps as well as in the browser and exports a PDF sheet, while Paradiddle.ai is web only with MusicXML and MIDI exports.
- Free tier
- Your first transcription is free with an account and no card; after that you buy song packs or subscribe.
- Stores
- App Store not on this store. Google Play not on this store. Maker
Sources (9)
- Separates drums before transcribing.
We split the drums out of the mix and run them through a model trained on real records, not loops, not MIDI.
source - Upload input; links only tried.
Drop in an audio file: studio cut, live take, a phone recording of your own demo. Got a link? We'll try that too.
source - Synced cursor, editing, exports.
Get engraved, editable sheet music with a cursor locked to the audio. Fix anything, export MusicXML or MIDI.
source - Review queue.
flags the handful of hits it was least sure of and tells you why.
source - Export formats.
Edit any note, then export MusicXML (for Sibelius, MuseScore, Dorico) or MIDI.
source - Free first song and billing.
Your first transcription is free, no card. After that, buy songs in a pack or go unlimited.
source - Credit packs or subscription.
transcriptions are paid for with credit packs or a subscription.
source - Terms date.
Last updated: July 1, 2026
source
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Songscription transcribes drums as one of nine instruments it lists, from an uploaded file, a YouTube, Instagram or TikTok link, or a browser recording, and lets you fix notes in its editor before exporting PDF, MIDI, MusicXML or Guitar Pro. Know before choosing it that drums are not its focus: Songscription calls its drum model one of its newer ones and itself advises isolating the drums with a separate stem-splitting tool when they sit in a band recording.
- Best for
- Try free, Editable output, Chart from a recording
- Not for
- Drummers who want a tool built around drum notation rather than a general transcriber where drums are one instrument among many.
- Someone does it better
- DrumConvert is built for drums and isolates the drums in the mix itself, while Songscription tells you to split the stems with another tool first.
- Free tier
- A Free plan with 30-second transcriptions, always available with no card, plus a 14-day trial for longer transcriptions; PDF, MIDI, MusicXML and Guitar Pro exports are unlocked on the paid plans.
- Stores
- App Store not on this store. Google Play not on this store. Maker
Sources (10)
- Drums are one of many instruments.
Transcribe piano, guitar, bass, violin, flute, trumpet, saxophone, drums, or vocals on their own
source - Inputs.
paste a YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok link, or record audio directly.
source - Exports.
These can be exported in PDF, MIDI, MusicXML, or GuitarPro format.
source - Editor.
You can also ask Annie, the editor's AI assistant, to make changes for you in plain words.
source - Free plan.
Yes, there's a Free plan with free 30-second transcriptions, always available and no card required.
source - Monthly credits on paid plans.
600 credits / month
source - Isolate drums first with another tool.
If your drums are inside a band recording, isolating them first with a stem-splitting tool gives the model a clearer signal.
source - Drum model is new.
the drum model is one of our newer ones
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NotaGen's drum page turns an MP3, WAV, FLAC, M4A or OGG file into five-line drum notation with an ASCII drum tab underneath, and does the same free in your browser for a drum MIDI file, which suits drummers learning to read or checking a programmed groove. Know before choosing it that audio goes through a general multi-track transcription before the drum channel is pulled out, every hit is quantized to sixteenth notes at one dynamic, and very fast fills or triplets may simplify.
- Best for
- Chart from a recording, Learn to read
- Not for
- Drummers who need dynamics, accurate triplet fills or a polished printable chart from audio.
- Someone does it better
- Paradiddle.ai separates the drums before transcribing and gives an editable engraved score with a cursor locked to the recording, while NotaGen renders a quantized chart from general multi-track MIDI with uniform dynamics.
- Free tier
- Drum MIDI files turn into notation and ASCII tab free in the browser with no sign-up; audio transcription needs an account and credits.
- Stores
- App Store not on this store. Google Play not on this store. Maker
Sources (10)
- What the drum tool does.
Upload a song recording or a drum MIDI file and read the drum part back as standard drum notation and an ASCII drum tab
source - Audio goes through multi-track MIDI first.
For audio, an AI model transcribes the recording into a multi-track MIDI file first.
source - Free MIDI path, credits for audio.
Audio transcription requires signing in and uses credits, while the MIDI path stays free.
source - MIDI download and editing.
You can also download the transcribed MIDI itself and refine it in an editor.
source - Uniform dynamics.
every hit is written at a uniform dynamic
source - Refine the result in the MIDI editor.
treat the result as a strong first draft you can refine in the MIDI editor
source - Sixteenth-note grid limits.
Very fast fills or triplet-based patterns may simplify slightly under this grid.
source - Cost per song in credits.
Audio transcription runs on our AI model and costs a few credits per song.
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DrumConvert takes a YouTube link, an audio or video file or a recording made in the browser and returns a drum score you can adjust in its built-in editor and export as PDF, MIDI or MusicXML, with a Solo mode for drum-only takes and a Multi-instruments mode that isolates the drums in a mix. Know before choosing it that it is a subscription with a monthly conversion quota, the free plan stops each conversion at 30 seconds, and the vendor says results depend heavily on how clearly the drums sit in the mix.
- Best for
- From a full mix, Try free, Editable output, Chart from a recording
- Not for
- Drummers who transcribe only a few songs a year and do not want a monthly subscription.
- Someone does it better
- Backbeat Forge separates and transcribes on your own computer for a one-time license and lets you review the chart with a stem mixer over the separated drums and accompaniment, while DrumConvert is a cloud subscription with monthly quotas.
- Free tier
- A Free forever plan with conversions limited to 30 seconds, PDF, MIDI and MusicXML export and 10 sheet edits.
- Stores
- App Store not on this store. Google Play not on this store. Maker
Sources (9)
- Inputs.
YouTube link, audio/video file, or direct recording on browser.
source - Multi-instruments mode isolates the drums.
Isolation of the drums in your mix and faithful transcription, note for note.
source - Solo or full mix.
Transcribes drums, whether they are solo or integrated into the mix.
source - Built-in editing.
Adjust your sheet music immediately after generation.
source - Exports.
PDF, MIDI, and MusicXML ready to use anywhere.
source - Free plan limit.
Conversion limited to 30 seconds
source - Free first 30 seconds.
The first 30 seconds are free.
source - Input quality matters.
Drum transcription depends greatly on the clarity of the drums in the mix.
source
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Play Drums Online turns a YouTube song, or your own MP3 on a paid plan, into drum notation inside its site, isolates the drum stem so you can set the drum and backing track volumes separately, and lets you play the result as sheet music that lights up in time, as a rhythm game with an e-drum kit, or fix it in its MIDI editor. Know before choosing it that the free plan includes one transcription, MP3 upload and PDF download need a paid plan, and only the Premium plan lists unlimited AI-generated sheets.
- Best for
- Learn to read, From a full mix, Try free
- Not for
- Drummers who need MusicXML for notation software or want to upload their own audio without paying.
- Someone does it better
- DrumConvert exports MusicXML for notation software, which Play Drums Online does not list; its exports are PDF and MIDI.
- Free tier
- A free account includes one AI transcription from a YouTube search or link; MP3 upload and PDF download need a paid plan (Basic or Premium), and only Premium lists unlimited AI-generated sheets.
- Stores
- App Store not on this store. Google Play not on this store. Maker
Sources (9)
- MP3 or YouTube input.
Turn any MP3 or YouTube link into drum sheet music automatically transcribed by AI in seconds.
source - Isolates the drum stem.
Our AI isolates the drum stem, transcribes every kick, snare and hi-hat into a playable drum tab
source - Sheet lights up in sync.
Drum sheet music scrolls and lights up in sync with the song
source - MIDI editor.
Every note can be moved, added or removed, so you can correct the AI or add your own interpretation.
source - Exports.
Export as MIDI for your DAW or as a printable PDF drum sheet.
source - Free plan allowance.
Your free plan includes 1 transcription.
source - Paid features.
Go unlimited with Premium plus MP3 upload and PDF downloads.
source - Subscription billing.
You will get billed once a month or year depending on your subscription.
source
1 more in the full Markdown version of this page.
Backbeat Forge is a desktop drum transcription workbench that separates the drums from a full mix on your own computer, or takes an isolated drum stem, keeps low-confidence hits open for review, and lets you correct kit piece, timing, velocity and articulation in a five-line score with a playhead that follows the source audio and a stem mixer. Know before choosing it that it runs only on Windows and Linux, imports local files only, has no MusicXML export, and editing plus PDF and MIDI export need the paid license.
- Best for
- Editable output, From a full mix, Chart from a recording
- Not for
- Mac, iPhone or Android users, and anyone who wants to paste a YouTube link.
- Someone does it better
- DrumConvert takes YouTube links and exports MusicXML in any browser, while Backbeat Forge needs a Windows or Linux computer, local files and has no MusicXML export.
- Free tier
- The free Community Edition runs drum detection and shows the five-line score; editing, quantization and PDF and MIDI export need the one-time Professional license.
- Stores
- App Store not on this store. Google Play not on this store. Maker
Sources (10)
- What it is.
a local drum-transcription workbench for turning a full mix or isolated drum stem into readable, editable five-line drum notation
source - Local drum separation.
Full mixes can use local HTDemucs drum separation; isolated stems skip that work.
source - Imports local files only.
A local full mix or isolated drum stem in WAV, MP3, FLAC, OGG, M4A, or AAC, plus percussion MIDI in .mid or .midi.
source - Playhead follows source audio.
Backbeat Forge follows the written playhead while the source audio plays
source - No MusicXML export.
Backbeat Forge does not currently advertise MusicXML export.
source - Free Community scope.
Community keeps drum detection and five-line score viewing available for evaluation.
source - One-time license.
One-time professional license with one machine-bound activation for one user, plus editing, quantization, PDF export, MIDI export, and offline updates.
source - Linux builds.
Use the DEB package on Debian/Ubuntu, RPM on Fedora/RHEL, or AppImage when you want a portable build.
source
2 more in the full Markdown version of this page.
Soundslice does not transcribe drums for you; it is a notation editor synced to a YouTube video or recording, with precise loops, slow-down without pitch change and, on the Plus plan, an auto-generated drum stem, so you can work a part out by ear and then practice from it. Know before choosing it that every note is yours to enter, and uploads, exports and stems need the paid plan.
- Best for
- Learn to read, Try free
- Not for
- Anyone who wants audio turned into drum notation automatically, since Soundslice says plainly that it does not do that.
- Someone does it better
- Paradiddle.ai and Klangio's Drum2Notes produce a first-draft drum chart from a recording in minutes, while Soundslice leaves every note to you.
- Free tier
- A free account lets you transcribe YouTube videos by hand in the notation editor with no limit on the number of slices; uploads, exports, auto-generated stems and MIDI note entry need the Plus plan.
- Stores
- App Store not on this store. Google Play not on this store. Maker
Sources (8)
- No automatic transcription.
Does Soundslice transcribe automatically? No. No software in the world does that with any reasonable degree of accuracy.
source - Free YouTube transcription.
With a free account, you can use Soundslice to transcribe YouTube videos.
source - Uploads need Plus.
With a paid account (the “Plus” plan), you can transcribe MP3 files and video files you’ve uploaded directly to our site.
source - Exports on paid plans.
You can export in MusicXML, GPX (Guitar Pro), PDF and MIDI.
source - Notes played against the recording.
listen to your transcribed notes overlayed with the original recording
source - Loops and slow-down.
Make precise loops, slow down without changing pitch, and navigate to exact moments.
source - Drum stem generation (Plus and above).
Auto-generate stems for vocals, drums and bass
source - General, not drum-specific.
Our player works beautifully with any type of music.
source
