Software Which Is Suitable

[Jo Blo]

Hi everyone!

 

I'm fairly new to the forums and have been looking around for music software for

composition. I've tried fruity loops, but I don't think that suited my needs (I only gave it a brief

look at so it may be because I didn't learn enough).

 

After looking around for music software there seems to various types suitable for

different needs. I got a bit lost amongst which one suited me and thought maybe

some people experienced with software could help.

 

I was after software where I could plug a keyboard in and use it to compose. I

was wanting to be able to compose classical music as well as modernish

music (instrumental) including electronic sounds and beats with the software.

Being able to have dynamic control, emphasis and stylistic techniques which an

instrument can do is important to me for the right effect.

 

I have Windows operating system and do not mind paying money if I have to or

buy instrument packages seperately.

 

Thanks!

[SmokeyJoe]

Well, I'm biased, but in the right hands Fruity Loops/FL Studio can do just about anything you want it to. The only downside is it has a massive learning curve so about 90% of it's capabilities will be locked away in "wait, it can do that?" territory until you figure them out. I've been using various versions of the program since 2005 at least and I'm still nowhere near figuring out all the bells and whistles, but I can be a slow learner sometimes and haven't really taken advantage of any tutorials or guides.

 

If you're planning on hooking a keyboard up, I know FL Studio has a MIDI import function that's pretty easy to use, and I believe there's a way to use a keyboard as a controller to program things directly into the piano roll editor instead of having to save what you play as a midi file first and then import it. Haven't messed with a midi-to-computer interface yet though so I'm not entirely certain.

[starise]

Well JoBlo.........err....I think from what you've said so far I would need to generalize and say most of them now will do that basically. I say basically because there is good better and best. And my best may not be your best idea of software...all of them usually have two kinds of recording and song construction...linear recording and loops based recording.

 

Do you want to start  and mainly work with a bunch of beats? If so, I would look at Bitwig or Ableton. Do you want to record linear? and add beats or loops to it later? If so, I would look at one of the good all around packages like Sonar( my personal favorite) or Cubase. Pro Tools started out as a strictly linear computer recorder so it would also fill those shoes.

 

You can "plug a keyboard in" any of them either audio or midi. Easy to use midi learn can be very helpful for what you want to do.

 

Your patience in learning the software is critical.....in the more complicated programs there are layers of pages and features you might not readily see the first time you try a demo. Some people become frustrated when they don't pick up everything the first several times they use it. It's easy to arm a track and hit record but much more difficult to spend the time necessary to get into the actual mixing features of any given program. 

[TapperMike]

I read that. I was pulling my hair out with Ableton Live when I first got it. I figured with all the prior daw experience I had it would be a snap. I had to take a rest from using it and then.... Then I stumbled upon some youtube videos and got down to brass tacks with the help files / manual.

[starise]

Hey were did he go? I wanted to know what he chose......seeing as he only had two posts there isn't much history there. Don't you hate it when you try to help someone and they disappear?...If you weren't some kind of a poser, I hope you had a good software experience. May the wind be at your back and sweet honeysuckles grow around your grave.

 

I sometimes wish these things would evolve a little..it's usually like. Me have guitar/keyboard...me want to record.Me want to be star. Here try this **** product......quibbling amongst users ensues. My Ableton make great hip hop in da crib. No succa......my Cubase will kick your ***. Mensa member enters- extrapolates...goes over everyone's head. This is the gosh darned internet.Why expect more?  But I really do try to help.

[LeonellCassio]

I've used Fl studio, abelton, logic and protools.
They're all great. My Daw of choice is Fl studio 11 for no other reason than that I am experienced in that Daw. 

All daws has their pros and cons (Abelton has awesome samples and Logic X's compressor is great) but you can almost to the same things in all of them.

[jenellegarrett]

Selecting the correct software package(s) is vital for the production of good artwork. A good eye for balance, an artists imagination  and the attention to detail are obviously equally important. 

Over the years many customers have brought us ‘masterpieces’ which have taken many hour of hard work to produce and they have been totally unsuitable. To produce a 6 panel 1/3 A4 folded leaflet with accurate margins and gutters etc in a package such as Microsoft Word or a give a way package from your latest cereal packet is virtually impossible! I hate to see people become stressed and waste valuable time by using the wrong package. Do some research and speak to others before making a decision. 

[starise]

Good points.

 

I would look at those software companies who offer either limited capability or temporary downloads for free. This way you can see for yourself. Uninstall if it doesn't float your boat. Much better than buying something you aren't comfortable with.

 

I would stay far away from anything hacked that you can get for free. Those are usually older less capable limited versions. You can't get factory support for something that was hacked. Worst of all it was stolen. 

 

In looking over the internet you might read anything. . Just because "they" like it whoever "they" are doesn't mean you will. Try before you buy is nest if possible. Understand that 

there will be a learning curve. Everything doesn't immediately pop out at you the first use.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Richard Tracey]

Just on the topic of companies that let you try out their products for free.. I have just downloaded Abelton Live 9 for a 30 day free trial. You get access to everything in their Suite package, which is the top package. I have been wanting to give Abelton a try for a while now as I have heard good things about it, but didn't want to fork out so much money for another DAW without trying first.

Seems to be decent so far, but quite a large learning curve.

[starise]

Ableton looks tempting to try again. I haven't worked with it in a long time so I'm sure much has changed. Thanks for that info. I set about looking to see who else offers their software as a free trial. Here's what I located so far.

 

Magix is  very inexpensive and capable program for any beginner and onward. I'm even tempted to bite on it since I own Magix Movie maker and I qualify for discounts on it sometimes. Free 30 day trial.

http://www.magix-audio.com/us/trial-versions/

 

FL Studio- I don't know much about this one. A lot of users like it. Free trial download with  limitations on saving.

http://www.image-line.com/downloads/flstudiodownload.html

 

Cakewalk Sonar Platinum- I'm a little partial here since this is my main DAW. It's a deep program for newbs, but there are tutorial videos and help files to get you started. If you don't like the initial appearance there are skins and if you have a graphic editing program  you can make your own. 

http://www.cakewalk.com/Products/SONAR/Try-SONAR?gclid=Cj0KEQiA56_FBRDYpqGa2p_e1MgBEiQAVEZ6-1HrkOiCJudVGk1oW4VAXxF2y-jXMEuNOTJ0uSaCBKcaAswv8P8HAQ#start

 

Reaper- A music software program that has had a lot of help in development from it's community. Free trial download.

http://www.reaper.fm/download.php

 

Cubase Pro 9 seems to be in limbo. A trial download seems to be in the works.

https://www.steinberg.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=251&t=110872

 

Reason Free 30 day trial no restrictions-

https://www.propellerheads.se/en/reason/tryreason

 

Bitwig- Free trial with saving and exporting disabled.

https://www.bitwig.com/en/download

 

ProTools- Free Trial. You need an ilock to download.

http://connect.avid.com/Pro-Tools-Trial.html

 

Studio One- Free entry level version-

http://www.presonus.com/press/press-releases/Studio-One-3-Prime

 

 

 

 

 

[TapperMike]

I can never go back to ableton live.  Not ever.  Year after year I'd try to make it work for me.  Year after year the same issues kept on coming up.  Bugs that were never fixed and were resolved in other daw titles. 

 

That being said ... in general  Almost all daws operate the same on principal.  Almost all (pay) daw's come with high quality instrument and effects plugins.  And very few cannot accept third party apps.  Work flow and visual display is all that's left.  Most major upgrades over the last few years have been about sound libraries and effects.  

 

With regards to Ownership vs Loanership.  I'm on the fence with that one for software in general.  I don't open my daw everyday.  I may open it up on occasion.  Loanership (subscription)  Can be a benefit to the consumer who only occasionally uses the software.   Loanership is mostly about... Anti-piracy and corporate expenditures.  Just as in transportation needs for a large company where it is prudent to lease as opposed to buy vehicles.  Leasing software that is maintained by a third party makes an accountants job easier.

 

On the other hand... Loanership doesn't force the subscription service to try any harder to bring new things to the table or deal with recurring issues.  Once you have the subscription you can easily be locked into it due to how businesses are structured and by requirements of going back and reworking older material.  Of course what you should do is always save the individual tracks as that so you can import those into a different daw if the situation requires is.

[starise]

On 2/23/2017 at 2:38 PM, TapperMike said:

On the other hand... Loanership doesn't force the subscription service to try any harder to bring new things to the table or deal with recurring issues.  Once you have the subscription you can easily be locked into it due to how businesses are structured and by requirements of going back and reworking older material.  Of course what you should do is always save the individual tracks as that so you can import those into a different daw if the situation requires is.

 Old post I know.

 

I wanted to reply.

 

I see this several ways. Companies offering "loanership" need to deliver or their monthly paying customers will stop paying, same as any monthly service. In one sense, they feel more pressure to deliver updates and improvements to justify customer expense.

 

I'm trying to figure out who in the daw world is offering loanership. PT maybe? Steven Slate plug ins has a monthly pay as you go thing. If i didn't often use the software I wouldn't be interested in any kind of monthly plan. 

 

Yes a person can own software, but this is a misnomer because it will eventually become unusable through obsolescence. You can then still own a program that is of no use to you. What is most likely- The user is buying updates either yearly or through generational enhancements/fixes. In that sense it never pays to own a program that is totally static. The benefit to upgrades no matter how billed is tremendous. 

 

Pro Tools is the only monthly plan I can think of that absolutely requires payments, or did, depending. Cakewalk lets you buy software either yearly or monthly. Make no mistake, you can "own" it, but eventually it won't work and will become obsolete. I think it pays to keep up with it, even if it's only every two or three years. That way you get the updates necessary to keep you in the game. If you were really frugal you might get away with 5 plus years with no updates. That will depend on what you use it for and if there were changes that affect you since the purchase.