I'm sorry if this is off topic. Please delete it if you feel it is.

I just need some advice on software for creating music. I've posted these questions in a muisc forum, but I really trust and respect the opinions of people here, so I thought I'd ask here, too...

I'm an amateur musician. I play a few instruments, I sing, and I've been composing songs pretty much all my life. But now I want to use my PC to actually produce some of these songs. My trouble is I don't know which software to use.

I have my instruments, and a good microphone, but I'm not really interested in buying hardware. I'm just looking for a way to get the most professional sounding results from my PC using software alone.

I'd appreciate advice on any of the following areas:

1) Music creation software
This is the main thing I need - something to build the music on my PC. I'm familiar with tracker software (when I was younger I made a lot of 4 channel 8 bit music on the Amiga with software like Protracker and Octamed) but maybe tracker software isn't the best way to make music these days? I really don't know. I'm looking for something professional and high quality, with a lot of control and options, I don't mind getting technical (I'm a computer programmer!). Is there an "industry standard" for this sort of software? I am prepared to pay.

2) Mastering software
Once I've made my music, I'll need to master it. Will I need seperate software for this, or is there some kind of all-in-one solution? I would personally prefer to do it all in the same program, so that the samples don't have to be resampled more than once.

3) Synthesiser software
I've never actually used a synth, but I generally understand how they work and, more importantly, I know how I'd like to use them in my music. Can anyone recommend a good software synthesiser? Also, is there any synth program designed specifically for creating instruments (such as leads) rather than for generating patterns? Other people's samples are nice, but I really want original instruments in my music, too.

4) Samples
I've already managed to collect a lot of samples from various places, but I've never found a large collection of samples on the Web anywhere. Are there any "official" sample sites where you can get tons of samples, or do you just have to go out and buy sample CDs? NB: I won't be releasing any of my muisc commerically, or playing it in public, so I don't care what legal status the samples have.

5) Sound editor
I always loved Sound Edit on the Mac. But is there anything like that on the PC? Specifically, something that lets you edit multiple tracks side by side (Sound Forge doesn't let you do this!). Naturally, I want to know the "best" sound editor, with the most features.

6) Tutorials on sound editing
I actually think I'm pretty good at editing sound. I've been doing it for a long time now and I've developed a lot of techniques. But I'm sure there's a lot I could learn still. Does anyone know of any "professional" tutorials anywhere? Specifically, on optimising vocals or remastering old recordings (I have a bunch of old tapes that I keep meaning to clean up and put on CD).

7) Vocals software
I'm interested in having as wide a range of vocal effects as possible. Is there any good software designed specifically for processing/filtering vocals? Or should an all-purpose sound editor do everything I need?

8) Scratching
I'd love to do a bit of "record scratching" in my music. I'm not a DJ and I don't own a record player (let alone the facilities to produce my own records!) so I was wondering if there's any software that lets you "scratch" your sound samples with real time mouse control? This would be cool.

9) MIDI software
I'll admit it: I know absolutely nothing about MIDI. I've never needed to use it. Presumably, I don't even need to use it if I'm not connecting to any hardware? Still, I'd like to be able to create MIDI files because my mate has a mobile phone that accepts MIDI ringtones, and I could make him some ringtones. Can anyone advise me on software for creating/editing MIDI?

I'd really appreciate any suggestions you guys can give on any of this stuff. And feel free to pick me up on any incorrect assumptions I may have made - I'm here to learn!

Finally, does anyone know any other forums where I might get specific help to any of the above questions? (For example, a forum dedicated to vocal processing?)

i'm not expert ... but ...

1) Music creation software
n-Track Studio

2) Mastering software
Nero Burning Rome

3) Synthesiser software
you should check Sonic Foundry (now Sony)

4) Samples
no idea

5) Sound editor
you should check Sound Forge (now Sony) or Adobe Audition

6) Tutorials on sound editing
www.google.com

7) Vocals software
no idea

8) Scratching
you should check Sonic Foundry (now Sony)

9) MIDI software
no idea

This post has been edited by kwanbis: Nov 15 2003, 04:23

what about good ole wavelab?!
I remember the father of a friend of mine who is also producing music (some dance/pop stuff, ATB and whatnot) using wavelab.
AFAIK it's the best all in one programm in that area.

Ha ha ha!

Sorry. I wasn't being lazy! I've done a lot of searching for that kind of thing, but not had much luck so far.

This post has been edited by Grand Dizzy: Nov 15 2003, 12:06

Hi I was looking for a topic like this because I'd like to hear some advice of a pro about software for music creation and editing.

I don't know much about it but I heard that Propellerheads REASON is very good for creating music.

Because I think the title is not significant enough I'll start a new topic for that. I'll put a link to this thread as well! Hope you don't kill me!

Redirect to THIS thread.


JD

Cakewalk Sonar 3 Producer Edition
Wavelab
Logic
Nuendo
SoundForge
Audition
Protools if ya have a mac
etc, etc

Sonar is probably the best "All in one" solution.

For free you could try Audicity.

For discussion of all these topics ad-nauseum go to kvr vst.

You can actually do quite a bit with free software alone. Your choice of software depends a lot on what kind of music you want to make.

//offtopic: NICE ICON


In every field of work (@computer) you can find some freeware. But IMO usually it lacks in usability.
Most freeware is more complex to use than expensive tools.