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Arm Arm Arm
* Dog in the Sand *
1038 Posts |
 Posted - 11/29/2004 : 01:04:05
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I recently had a chance to play around with a mac-only program called Garageband. It was great!
I'd like to find something similar in quality for the regular pc. Can anyone recommend a good music-making software program?
Thanks. |
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ivandivel
= Cult of Ray =
394 Posts |
Posted - 11/29/2004 : 02:32:00
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I'm not familiar with garageband, but I've been recording on a pc for some years:
What are you gonna use it for?
Recording audio, mixing/manipulating audio, programming/sequencing - or all? How much do you want to pay (there are alternatives)?
For recording and mixing audio - I'm familiar with the steinberg products - cubase sx and nuendo. Nuendo is the better one - stable and sounds very, very good. Recomended. I believe Sonar is more used in the US but I have never used it - and it does not support VST - which you need (there are workarounds though). Acid is also an option, however it is much more limited in its scope. Often used for remixing - but very limited sequencing options (which is a drawback if you use softsynths/samplers).
There are cheeper alternatives than these too - but I have no idea if they are any good.
If you just want to mess around, make som ideas and get decent results: try fruity loops. It was a cheapo drum-machine many years ago - but now it is a great tool for programming/sequencing, and you can record audio in it. Supports all kinds of standards (even Buzz-machines which are very cool), very intuitive and is by far the easiest way to start making music. It is NOT only for techno-heads, but not for serious audio recording and mixing. Best of all - use it as vsti-pluging in nuendo. Yeah.
Reason is not an option if you want/need to record/mix audio or use third party effects/synths. |
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frank black conspiracy
~ Abstract Brain ~
1126 Posts |
Posted - 11/29/2004 : 03:26:41
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Yeah Garageband is pretty fun to use. I've put down many a track using this.
I like the way its so easy to add filters and effects to the sound. Plug in an electro-acoustic and turn it into a beefed up fully distorted animal. complete with vinyl scratch 'n' cow bells. It's just so easy to use. |
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cvanepps
= Cult of Ray =
USA
442 Posts |
Posted - 11/29/2004 : 08:37:38
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Ivandivel, Garageband is the AOL of music making programs, no offense meant to those that enjoy using it. Garageband allows the user to very easily make music using pre-recorded loops of drums, bass, guitar, and I believe other instruments. If there's a PC program that does what Garageband does on Apple machines, I don't know about it.
Cubase, Nuendo, Pro Tools, Sonar, Audition (Adobe's new product) are more "Pro Level" software tools and they're priced accordingly.
FYI (and very tangential) the demo of FL Studio Pro (the pro version of Fruity Loops) can import 24 bit drum loops, which is something I discovered quite by accident. This means if you were foolish enough to purchase all the Drums on Demand CDs (like me), then you have a way to customize your own loops using their 24 bit "one hits." And the demo is free, of course.
I don't know about you, Ivandivel, but looking at the Reason "racks" (the program interface) gives me a very overwhelmed feeling. I've heard amazing things about it, however.
-= It's not easy to kidnap a fat man =-
http://www.cvanepps.com |
Edited by - cvanepps on 11/29/2004 11:03:12 |
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billgoodman
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Netherlands
6288 Posts |
Posted - 11/29/2004 : 08:46:41
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I use cool edit pro
outdated
but it works great
simple as a nutshell
 "I joined the cult of Jon Tiven/Bye!" |
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Cheeseman1000
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Iceland
8201 Posts |
Posted - 11/29/2004 : 10:13:42
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I always liked Logic Audio, that seems pretty comprehensive. But, I'd say spoil yourself and shell out tons for a full Pro-Tools set up. Its sooooo worth it.
"You ever seen a man say goodbye to a shoe?"
"Yes, once..." |
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cvanepps
= Cult of Ray =
USA
442 Posts |
Posted - 11/29/2004 : 11:19:46
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Say there Cheese, Currently, I use Audition, upgraded from Cool Edit Pro (meaning Adobe purchased the intellectual property of Syntrillium) and I've always gotten decent results from them. But I've heard that Pro Tools is the mecca of digital audio; the final step one can take.
My problem is the Digidesign hardware that you seem to be required to buy (unless I'm misunderstanding the deal). Also, I'm used to using CEP/Audition so having to learn a whole new software interface kind of disuades me too.
Billgoodman, consider upgrading your copy of CEP to Audition. It gives you a bunch of new stuff like pitch correction, frequency space editing, a cool CD project mode, and best of all...VST support. Going from CEP 1.x to Audition will run you $169 US. CEP 2.x to Audition costs you $69 US. The interface is exactly the same.
-= It's not easy to kidnap a fat man =-
http://www.cvanepps.com |
Edited by - cvanepps on 11/29/2004 11:24:16 |
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Cheeseman1000
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Iceland
8201 Posts |
Posted - 11/29/2004 : 11:43:44
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Yeah, you will need to buy Digidesign interfaces etc., and they do cost a whole pile. But, I've never used anything as powerful as Pro-Tools, it really is a completely professional package.
That said, I've heard very good things about Nuendo, Reason and Cubase SX, and all these will do what you need, I guess.
I'm actually going to be looking into kitting myself out soon, once I have a PC worth doing it on. I'll probably try and get hold of Logic, as thats what I'm most familiar with, and some soft synths and samplers etc.
Obviously, ProTools would be ace, but prohibitively expensive...
"You ever seen a man say goodbye to a shoe?"
"Yes, once..." |
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Arm Arm Arm
* Dog in the Sand *
1038 Posts |
Posted - 12/02/2004 : 12:13:30
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Thanks for all the responses!
Pro Tools and Nuendo are too much than what I'm willing to spend. I guess I should have been a bit more specific in what I'm looking for. Basically a relatively inexpensive program that will:
1) Let me record any music/sounds I make and edit them (play backwards, cut tracks short etc.)
2) Has built in percussion tracks and sound loops
3) Lets me 'play' various instruments--let's say I want to play a 'c' note on a violin, I could do that. Or I could utilize various percussion sounds to come up with my own drum tracks.
Again, thanks for the response, I appreciate it.
cheers |
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Topic |
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A good music-software program? (garageband mac)
