Music software for beginners

[celticpilgrim]

Can anybody recommend some software for someone wanting to dip their toe in the water. I'm not in to dance/beats type stuff, but something I can run on a Casio midi-enabled keyboard (WK3500 and my laptop running windows 7)

Thanks in advance,

CP

[singlecoil]

Unless your keyboard has USB then you are going to need a midi interface anyway. The Steinberg UR22 (IIRC the type number) costs around £100 and comes with a free stripped down version of Cubase, so will do what you want very well. You will need a midi to midi lead and leads to connect the UR22 to your hi-fi (it has headphone output as well).

[sparks85]

Can I suggest Reaper as a DAW - trial version is unlimited so you can have a good play with it; its very intuitive, massively customisable depending on what you want to do. I tried a few different DAW's when I started out, it was by far the most intuitive for me.

[Bullett]

Does computer music still do their freebie one?
Good to dip your toes in the water and loads of tutorials on the site and in the magazine.

If you don't want to do beats stuff, how are you planning to get music into the PC? Mic/guitar will need and interface of some kind. Loads of cheap ones available and lots will also have midi for your keyboard.

Garageband on the ithing is good for pottering about.

[celticpilgrim]

I have Garage band on my ipad, but to be honest it feels like a cut down version compared to what I remember on an mac laptop i had a few years ago

[Jazzy Jefferson]

singlecoil said:

Unless your keyboard has USB then you are going to need a midi interface anyway. The Steinberg UR22 (IIRC the type number) costs around £100 and comes with a free stripped down version of Cubase, so will do what you want very well. You will need a midi to midi lead and leads to connect the UR22 to your hi-fi (it has headphone output as well).

Midi to USB converter cable is £25 and achieves the same thing
Download free software from Steinberg/Logic/Ableton etc.

Sorted

[Hoofy]

http://blipinteractive.co.uk/

That's definitely for beginners and free for desktops.