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[mattx5]

I want to start composing some more complex pieces, and I'm wondering what some good PC software is.

Nothing too complicated, I'm not into creating trance/techno stuff, so I wouldn't really see myself using Fruityloops too heavily.

I'm looking for some software that I can use to insert multiple tracks (I'd mic my guitar and piano), add some effects, and something I can use to create some drum patterns.

Anybody deal with this kinda stuff?

 

[Vennt]

Just a bit

I use

* Reason 2.0 (For midi sequencing)
* Mackie's Tracktion (For mixing & mainly for access to FinalMix for the Mastering Stage.)
* Cubase (Ugh...don't like it myself but have it installed)
* Logic Audio (Better than Cubase, but I like to seperate my midi & audio these days.)

& I'm currently evaluating Cool Edit Pro (For Recording) & Ozone's iZotope (Mastering) as a replacement for Tracktion. (To sycrhonise working environments with another collaborator.)

It's a shame you didn't ask this question 6 weeks ago as you could have had Tracktion for free. (Dec 2004 offer).

Reason is great for knocking out Drum Patterns & Synth Pads, export as audio (Include a click track too, just in case) and then just use an audio sequencer to overdub your guitars, piano etc.

All the audio sequencers are actually pretty similar (Logic, Cubase etc.) and it's only after working with one or more a few times will you find one this works for you.

 

[mattx5]

Which program would you say is the most beginner friendly, yet still wields effective results? I want to ease myself into this stuff (I tried Fruityloops awhile back, I got the hang of it, but the whole concept still boggles my mind )

 

[miyuru]

Sort of a shameless plug, but it's not for me! My friend and his partner just started up their site where you can buy beats, etc.:

www.1995abeat.com

Check out the remix of "How We Do", it's actually really good/nice alternative to the original ^_^

 

[Tarazet]

I just use manuscript paper and a pencil, but then again, I can play the music myself. I don't need to use my computer.

 

[DopeyFish]

fact #1: Fruityloops isn't a trance program. You can make anything with it.

Which program would you say is the most beginner friendly, yet still wields effective results? I want to ease myself into this stuff (I tried Fruityloops awhile back, I got the hang of it, but the whole concept still boggles my mind )

Fruityloops is the easiest program of them all. Reason a little harder... and then when you start working with thinks like Native Instruments or Gigastudio... they are more over complicated than they really should be.

edit: Oh and nevermind about FL then... recording your guitar and overlaying in FL is sort of a pain in the ass. I haven't got FL5 yet, but i'd assume it's just as hard ;(

 

[mattx5]

I just use manuscript paper and a pencil, but then again, I can play the music myself. I don't need to use my computer.

Oh, I use paper and pencil all the time, but I like to hear the finished results without having to call together some people to play it for me. Oh, and I don't have a drum set, so that's why I'd like a program that can create drum patterns.

Edit: I really only wet my feet with Fruityloops before pushing it aside, so I'm not sure what it has to offer. Am I able to export guitar tracks into it, or would it be easier to export the FL tracks into an overall sound editing program and then add a guitar track?

Just what kind of music can I make with FL? Does it offer a wide variety of standard percussion sounds that I'd be able to use to create a drum pattern? When I was playing around with it, I just messed with one drum sound and some other synth stuff.

 

[Teknopathetic]

Buzz. www.buzzmachines.com

 

[Ill Saint]

Max/MSP
Ableton Live

 

[DopeyFish]

it offers a bunch of drum sets (though not that expansive)

I have been fiddling with the FL5 demo for the last 20 minutes... It's fairly straightforward entering sound clips now i think. Also the kind of music you make is dependant on a) what VSTs you have (the good ones are normally really $$$) or b) what sample sets you have. This is why it's always thought of as a trance/electronic step sequencer... because people only use what it was originally made for/whatever is the easiest music to make is.