Advice on beginners music production programs

Fanny Cradock

Hey folks,

I'm looking for advice on a cheap (around the 50 EUR mark) and easy program that I could do a little music production on. I'm really only looking for hobby purposes, so something that it's easy to mix, match and chop some samples and loops. As this will probably be gathering virtual dust before long, I'm really looking for a complete package and I'm not willing to shell out on a midi keyboard or anything like that.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Cheers

DamagedTrax

have a look at this.

http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/musicstudio

i started out on an earlier version of this (anyone remember sonic foundry acid music? )

its cheap and does what you're after and also comes bundled with some loops.. also supports midi as far as im aware.. quite a good package for less than €50

tubedude

Garageband!!
But thats mac.....
Or cockos reaper... never used it, but people say it's good value....
Or Audacity maybe....??

af_thefragile

I herd many good things about Reaper and its free... isn't it?...
And with the 50eur you could probably get yourself a MIDI keyboard?...

studiorat

http://www.cockos.com/reaper/

Is a free Digital Audio Workstation. You'll need a sound card/interface to get sound in and out of the computer if you don't have one already. I've never used it myself but they are much of a muchness if you are starting out. It should do everything you want it to do.

If you don't have an interface something like this is pretty cheap and has enough in's and outs. http://www.thomann.de/gb/esi_esu_22.htm would do the trick. Actually there's a free copy of cuebase LE to get you started with the interface.

€71 isn't too bad to get started for. Before your new hobby turns into a money pit;)

Fanny Cradock

Cheers for the tips! I was going to give Fruity Loops a bash, but I may try reaper instead. studiorat, I assume an on-board sound card will do?

::Edit::

It's a tiny dl and I'm already up and running. Thanks guys.

studiorat

Fanny Cradock wrote: »

I assume an on-board sound card will do?

for the moment!

Anima

If you're making electronic music, I'd go with FLStudio. You get a ton of stuff with it, its very modular, not difficult to get started with and when you buy it first, you get free updates for life. So when FlStudio 1535353 comes out you'll be able to get it for free.

seannash

just to add to the list
http://ardour.org/

reaper is probably the one i hear abut the most alright.never tried any of them though

squibs

http://www.cockos.com/reaper/

Is a free Digital Audio Workstation.

<pedantic>Its not free - it costs $50. You can try it without it being crippled for as long as you need, but you are supposed to pay for it if you find it useful</pedantic>

Reaper is powerful but not as user friendly as some of the others IMO.

FL studio is good for dance, but poorly suited for multitrack recording. Cubase, Pro tools, Sonar, Ableton should all have lite or home versions for about the money you mention - all worth a look.

ICN

Buy an edition of Computer Music Magazine from Easons this month Mate.

They have lots of free software on the DVD meach month.

Synths / samples / Drum machines / fx etc...


It'll get you going for a while with the basic elements anyway.

Fanny Cradock

Brilliant! I'll see how reaper works out over the next few weeks with a view to upgrading to something a little more powerful if needs be. I'll also pick up a music mag.


Thanks very much everybody!

cue brute

Fanny Cradock wrote: »

Brilliant! I'll see how reaper works out over the next few weeks with a view to upgrading to something a little more powerful if needs be

reaper is as powerful as it gets