music making on PC

sodiumlightbaby

Can anyone suggest the easiest and not too expensive way of creating music on a pc.

what software is good and easy to follow ?
what hardware do i need ?

do i need an actualy midi keyboard, and if so where sells them ?

I dont want to buy a synth, coz i cant play keyboard...i'm interested in 80's electronic/new wave/electro pop music, so two finger keyboard playing shouldnt be a problem so if i can get all teh sounds in a package and then buy a midi to actually play...i guess this is the way ?

any help ?

JJSolutions

I bought magix music maker years ago. I tried a number of recording programs since then - cubase etc but i keep going back to magix

I record rock music - the program i got was more geared towards dance - it had 3 cds of sample sounds and loops,

Their app has eveything you need but without any complicated stuff - just choose your track and click record. I dont use midi so not sure how good it is for that.

Gav_b

If your intrested in making music using samples and software synthesisers then all you need is a copy of Reason. http://www.propellerheads.se/
Best way to get an overview of Reasons features is read this review from sound-on-sound magazine:
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/mar01/articles/propellorhead.asp

Also your going to need a good soundcard, recommend checking out the Echo Mia: http://www.echoaudio.com

When using Reason you can pencil in notes instead of playing them, a midi keyboard is not essential, especially if your making heavily sequenced stuff like they did in the 80's.
If after a while you get sick of making music this way, I recommend getting a Midiman Oxygen 8 midi controller keyboard.
http://www.midiman.com

mike65

...and start to buy Computer Music magazine, its full of useful info and software on the cover CD! Also join the mags forum -
http://forum.midiaddict.com They very helpful (most of the time!)

Mike.

AcEy

You probably want to get a Creative Audigy card, they come with a external box which you can plug a microphone jack into and also a Midi Keyboard. For software I would recomend Cool Edit pro as It is a 64 track mixer and you can add loads of effects. A midi Keyboard is only usefull if your making dance music and stuff so thats it really, good luck.

Slosh

Take a look at Tracktion from www.rawmaterialsoftware.com - Highly recommended..

_CreeD_

A midi controller KBD is your primary way of inputting data to your software, it doesn't matter the style (Dance/Pop/Orchestral, synths strings or guitar etc.). While most sequencers will allow you to draw your notes in a Piano roll view using a KBD is much more intuitive and efficient (I don't play properly either, but it's easy enough to get your timing reasonable enough that you can just edit your sequence after recording from the KBD).

For all in ones Reason as was mentioned or Cakewalk's Project 5 are both excellent choices (Reason is more dance oriented though and is a closed format, whereas with P5 you can use the vast array of DX and VST fx and instruments already available for other software).

Bobo

I'm selling this if your interested. The post is on the For Sale section. Link here.

Thanks,
Bobo.

Originally posted by sodiumlightbaby
Can anyone suggest the easiest and not too expensive way of creating music on a pc.

what software is good and easy to follow ?
what hardware do i need ?

do i need an actualy midi keyboard, and if so where sells them ?

I dont want to buy a synth, coz i cant play keyboard...i'm interested in 80's electronic/new wave/electro pop music, so two finger keyboard playing shouldnt be a problem so if i can get all teh sounds in a package and then buy a midi to actually play...i guess this is the way ?

any help ?

here.