Music making software...?

Delvis · 31 Oct 2009 at 13:10

Hello all

Just wanted to ask what some of you guys use to make music? I'm trying to find a piece of free kit, feel like dabbling in making a few songs again

It'll be Hardstyle/Hardcore Trance type stuff....Obviously it would be nice to just go out and use something like Reason 4 or something, but that costs way too much, however great it is

Any pointers in the right direction would be appreciated...Tried using PropellerHeads ReBirth RB-338, but its not my cup of tea.

Thanks all

TFleming · 31 Oct 2009 at 13:28

Fruity Loops if your just getting started (if you dont mind illegal downloading)

As for free stuff, your not going to find anything that you can produce a decent track on.

Delvis · 31 Oct 2009 at 13:30

yeah thats what i'm avoiding to be honest.

Got the demo of FL Studio, not sure how much is available in it though...I just like the way reason works and looks...shame it costs an arm and a leg

TFleming · 31 Oct 2009 at 13:31

Indeed but to be honest your not going to get anything good for free, you get what you pay for basically

.

Delvis · 31 Oct 2009 at 13:58

TFleming said:
Indeed but to be honest your not going to get anything good for free, you get what you pay for basically .

Naturally, like anything.

Just thought I'd get some opinions, as I doubt everyone has £500 to splash on some software

"andy" · 31 Oct 2009 at 13:58

ableton live all the way

download the trial and then run through the tutorial lessons

you will never look back and will end up buying it with the heavy student discount they offer.

TFleming · 31 Oct 2009 at 14:04

throw him in at the deep end

Delvis · 31 Oct 2009 at 14:12

"andy" said:
ableton live all the way

download the trial and then run through the tutorial lessons

you will never look back and will end up buying it with the heavy student discount they offer.

Shame I'm not a student

How long does the trial last and can you actually save it?

TFleming said:
throw him in at the deep end

Hah, nah i've used Reason a fair bit, so know how to do a few bits and have made some songs on it.

SexyGreyFox · 31 Oct 2009 at 15:00

Cakewalk Sonar user here for many years but there used to be a decent freeware programme called Reaper.

markweatherill · 31 Oct 2009 at 15:25

I like Sonic Foundry's Acid for purely sample and loop based music creation.
There's a free version.

NickK · 31 Oct 2009 at 15:45

Are you looking for a sequencer or a software synth? For example:
Reason = software synth with sequencer
Ableton = sequencer with effects and "live"
Logic 9 = live support and sequencer with effects
Cubase = grand daddy sequencer

My m-Audio keyboard came with Ableton lite. I could check if I've got my AL that came with my mAudio keyboard if you're interested I can then shove it in the post. I use Reason 3 (I lost the receipt to upgrade to 4 grr!) and I've never really got on with Ableton.

NickK · 31 Oct 2009 at 15:48

I tell a lie - it was my mAudio Audiophile MIDI interface that comes with ProTools 7 and Ableton Lite 5.2.

"andy" · 31 Oct 2009 at 15:53

Delvis said:
Shame I'm not a student

How long does the trial last and can you actually save it?

i think you can save on the newer trials (8) trial is 30 days

you can also get cheaper lite versions which limit the amount of channels/instruments you can use at once

blix · 31 Oct 2009 at 15:59

It's a professional tool that might take you a while to learn, but Microsoft Songsmith.

Delvis · 31 Oct 2009 at 16:14

Thanks all for the replys, didn't expect to see this many when I got back in

NickK said:
Are you looking for a sequencer or a software synth? For example:
Reason = software synth with sequencer
Ableton = sequencer with effects and "live"
Logic 9 = live support and sequencer with effects
Cubase = grand daddy sequencer

My m-Audio keyboard came with Ableton lite. I could check if I've got my AL that came with my mAudio keyboard if you're interested I can then shove it in the post. I use Reason 3 (I lost the receipt to upgrade to 4 grr!) and I've never really got on with Ableton.

Well...reason pretty much did what I needed it to do...create a song from scratch within reason and apply the various affect using the instruments...If that makes sense...So not so sure

NickK said:
I tell a lie - it was my mAudio Audiophile MIDI interface that comes with ProTools 7 and Ableton Lite 5.2.

ooh nice one, I'll try out the demo first, see how I get on with it and let you know if that's cool?

was going to look at Reaper, but it appears to cost money now

NickK · 31 Oct 2009 at 16:24

That's fine. Just noticed Pro Tools is a demo :/ but I have the A lite in my hand along with the full unlock serial number.

Delvis · 31 Oct 2009 at 16:33

Bah, bleeding demo isn't downloading