Which music software - PC

[celticpilgrim]

Could anybody recommend a useful software package to start off with? i'd like to get into putting some stuff together but have no idea as to where to start, which software is good for starting off with - so not too big a budget to blow either

Any suggestions gratefully received.

CP

[OMNIO]

You may have more luck in the 'Computers Gadgets and Stuff' section.

I have used Fruity Loops before - mainly just to mess about though. I was sent it by a friend so didnt really have anything to lose.

I think 'Reason' is another popular one.

Most of these programs have a 'free trial' which you can download from the Authors websites which is Probably the best way to get a feel for which is right for you.

[dudleybloke]

reason and cubase are good and fairly easy to get to grips with.
logic is ok but dated now,
depends on what you want to be doing realy.

[RemainAllHoof]

FL Studio for sounds, Kristal for layering.

[celticpilgrim]

not dancey trancey stuff, perhaps a bit of rock, bit of more ambient type stuff.


not got a clue, me!!!

[RemainAllHoof]

What I said.

Kristal is good for layering irrespective of the music. FL Studio can get any sound you want, although it appears dancey on the face of it. It's down to you to use the tools to suit your needs.

[davepoth]

http://traverso-daw.org/

Partly because it's free. But mostly because it's actually bloody good.

[Incorrigible]

Recording your own stuff ? Guitar, drums, vocals, samples ? whole band ? What gear have you got at the moment ?

[RemainAllHoof]

Rather than start a new thread, apart from FL Studio, does anyone know similar but free synth software?

[gbbird]

I can heartily recommend Cubase as an excellent piece of kit. Does pretty much everything a professional sound engineer would want, but beginners can soon get to grips with the basics

[Joyrider1]

I can recommend Reason - been using it for years and love it. Loads of built in sounds for you to get started with, just get a MIDI keyboard to plug in via usb and youre off

[maxxy5]

If you are into rock and thinking of recording audio, you need to think beyond software, because your standard PC generally cannot handle decent audio signals - and some cannot even handle pro music software. I have a basic external soundcard usb/midi box to record audio and Sonar sequencer software, both from Cakewalk, but that set up is pretty old now, and it was basic back when I bought it. My point is that software might not be the most important thing to start with, particularly with live audio.

[Spiritual_Beggar]

Can I just say......


If you're just starting out...seriously SERIOUSLY consider getting yourself NI's Maschine!!

http://www.native-instruments.com/#/en/products/pr...


What a piece of kit that is! And much easier to get to grips with than Reason, Ableton, Cubase, etc I found. Those pieces of software are brilliant (and easy to use in conjunction with the Maschine 'Hardware' kit.....but they take a bit of getting used to.



The only bit of software I have found easier to use than Maschine was Sony's AcidPro.....but that's more for loops & arrranging than actually 'creating' your own sounds.

Edited by Spiritual_Beggar on Thursday 25th August 23:36

[timbob]

I get the feeling that this won't be what the OP is after, but it may be of benefit to others in the thread...

Reaper is well worth a look - it has all the functionality of all the top end DAWs, and a few extra bits besides. It might take a bit of getting used to (it took me a couple of days fiddling to find out how to make it do what I wanted - coming from Cubase and Pro Tools).

Best bit - there's an entirely free, uncrippled 30 day trial version, and the full licensed version is only $60.

http://www.reaper.fm/