Author Topic: Tools for creating / recording music (Read 2511 times)

Drake Blackpaw · « **on:** August 11, 2003, 01:05:53 pm »

Most of my musical background is playing guitar, however I've recently delved into the world of creating electronic music on the computer.

I currently use FLStudio for creating drum and synthesizer loops. I will be taking a short online class starting next week on using Reason. I have a miniKorg synth that I use as a keyboard controller when working with these programs. So far I'm only using the basic samples and virtual synths that come with these programs.

For recording guitar and vocals I have a copy of n-track.

So what does everyone else on here use for creating or recording music on the computer? Also, are there any particular sample packages or soft synths that you really like for your music?

Drake

Kattywampus · « **Reply #1 on:** August 11, 2003, 01:49:23 pm »

Dude, you need to get Anvil Studio! It's for General MIDI. It's the best software I've ever found for that price range....FREE! You'll love it. I think it's at..www.anvilstudio.com

Drake Blackpaw · « **Reply #2 on:** August 11, 2003, 03:13:17 pm »

Quote (Kattywampus @ Aug. 11 2003, 1:49 pm)

Dude, you need to get Anvil Studio! Â It's for General MIDI. Â It's the best software I've ever found for that price range....FREE! Â You'll love it. Â I think it's at..www.anvilstudio.com

I like the price. I'll check it out when I get home.

BabyTiger · « **Reply #3 on:** August 14, 2003, 12:59:36 pm »

I have Pro Tools and Sound Forge for creating music. Both are really good programs.

DJStripes · « **Reply #4 on:** August 14, 2003, 01:07:36 pm »

Let me see...

FruityLoops 4.2 FL Edition, Sonic Foundry ACID 4 Pro and SoundForge Studio, Native Instruments Reaktor 4, and bunch of VST and VSTi plug ins... all bought with academic licenses.

Still can't believe I don't have a MIDI controllor...

'>

ComposerFox · « **Reply #5 on:** November 15, 2003, 01:15:26 pm »

I don't have much in terms of making computer-generated music, as my music is aimed at live performance mostly. For that reason I use Sibelius. I suppose I could get some equipment that would make my midi sound better, but I don't know much about that sort of stuff and probably wouldn't know where to look, or if I got some how to use it. I can't play a piano-style keyboard so sythesizers wouldn't be of any good. o.0 Being on a Mac sort of limits my options sometimes too.
Live performance is always so much more fun anyways.

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Drake Blackpaw · « **Reply #6 on:** November 17, 2003, 12:22:48 pm »

Quote (ComposerFox @ Nov. 15 2003, 1:15 pm)

Live performance is always so much more fun anyways.

'>

I definitely agree that live performance is a lot of fun. I'm the lead guitarist in the band I play with and enjoy performing live.

For anyone looking to get into computer based music you should check out the magazine Computer Music. It comes with a CD containing a free sequencer and several soft synths. The magazine costs around 14 dollars, but the amount of software you get free with it is incredible.

snarfle · « **Reply #7 on:** March 08, 2004, 07:48:01 am »

Being webtv, cant do computer based music. But thats ok. As I rather like useing hardware synths. I mainly play synthesizers & bass. A little bit of guitar too. For synths I use the Access Virus kc, Novation KS4, Clavia Nord lead2x, and a Alesis QS6.2 with the Eurodance Qcard added. For bass guitar I use BC Rich Warlock, & Spector NS2000 4stringers. For guitar a BC RICH Warlock and a Epiphone G1275 doubleneck 12/6 string. For recording I use a Yamaha multitrack recorder. Recently got a Zoom harddisk multitrack recorder with built n cd burner. Still figuring it out. Lol. Does electronica dance type stuff and atmospheric ambient stuff. Is fun and a release or form of expression for me.

Taren · « **Reply #8 on:** March 19, 2004, 11:04:17 pm »

I use Audacity to put together audio mixes for my radioshow. Works like a charm and is freeware =3

P_Z · « **Reply #9 on:** July 21, 2004, 03:40:46 am »

I have tried many music software, but i found that only 1 is good for making real music - Modplug Tracker. (www.modplug.com) It creates module files (created in the 80's , at first used in Amiga computers) , which can be considered midi-like music files that use real .wav instruments. Try it out ,im recommending it 100%!

Fire_Aurora · « **Reply #10 on:** July 22, 2004, 07:12:15 pm »

Iv only used one program for creating music on the comp. and that was Soundtrack. It comes with Final cut pro (pricey) But Im at school, which makes it free for me (except for tuition which is killing me! ':dead:'

) Its fun to play on though, you can make almost any music beat ever thought up

'>

AussieRoo · « **Reply #11 on:** October 02, 2004, 05:39:32 am »

I have FL Studio 4 but I just recently got it and I don't have all the plugins. I really don't know much about it either. I have no idea and no real interest in MIDI plugins, but it might be nice to know a wee bit about them. I made one song completely in FL Studio, and I can play all the guitar in that song on the guitar I have. I don't know a drummer or bassist, but my friend is good at fill guitar. I haven't finished the song quite yet, and the lyrics are not even made yet, but I'll put the unfinished version on my site for all to listen to.

« **Reply #12 on:** October 02, 2004, 08:12:32 am »

I've just got Sonic Foundry ACID pro. meh it serves me well for what I need to do!

'>

Drake Blackpaw · « **Reply #13 on:** October 02, 2004, 10:42:03 am »

Quote (AussieRoo @ Oct. 02 2004, 5:39 am)

I have FL Studio 4 but I just recently got it and I don't have all the plugins. Â I really don't know much about it either. Â I have no idea and no real interest in MIDI plugins, but it might be nice to know a wee bit about them. Â I made one song completely in FL Studio, and I can play all the guitar in that song on the guitar I have. Â I don't know a drummer or bassist, but my friend is good at fill guitar. Â I haven't finished the song quite yet, and the lyrics are not even made yet, but I'll put the unfinished version on my site for all to listen to.

You may want to check out the KVR-VST site. They are many musicians on there who use FL Studio and can help out with any questions you have about it. The Melancholy Train song on my site was all done in FL Studio.

KVR-VST is a site dedicated to computer music technology that supports open standards such as VST and DX instruments and effects. They have a very active forum for discussing music and is a great place to learn of cool free plug-ins that you can use in FL Studio and other hosts. They also run a monthly song creation contest. The Melancholy Train song was created for that contest. And to give this a tiny bit of furry content, you will even run into another skunk and a rabbit that post regularly on that site. Everyone takes them posting as there furry persona's in stride and even play along every so often.

I'll soon be switching to Tracktion for audio recording. It provides a much simpler interface for recording vocals and guitars. It is also able to control FL Studio and Reason using ReWire, so I can access all of my musical computer tools through it's interface. I was finding the audio recording capabilities of FL Studio cumbersome, which led me to look for something else to use for capturing my guitar playing.