Music Soft

[alexander]

I really havent played with music at all, but a friend of mine just recently asked me a question about computer software that i was incapable of answering. He and my other friend were taking about music edditing software, and i really had nothing to say, it was rather embarrassing, so i decided that next time i will be prepared for such a discussion. There's lots of programs out there, i know we have discussed some in the past, but i really want this thread to look at all the music, not only music edditing, but music making, writing and so forth software. Any ideas?

[pgrmdave]

Are you talking about digital stuff like Cakewalk, or composing stuff like Finale?

[TINNY]

you might want to read about Adobe Audition formerly Cool Edit Pro.

[Tormod]

We can start with music production software.

 

There are many types of software for this. You have sequencers, which let you record multitrack projects. Most of the major ones today incorporate both audio and midi, whereas some still only support one or the other.

 

Some sequencers come with a lot of software instruments and effects in the form of VST (Virtual Studio Technology) instruments, a technology developed by Steinberg and used by a wide variety of plugin developers today. Alternatives to VST are DirectX ("DX") plugins, Audio Units (for Mac OSX), RTAS (for the Pro Tools system).

 

The most popular sequencers are (and this is not a complete list):

 

Pro

 

Cubase SX (now in version 3). There is also an SL version which is much cheaper.

http://www.steinberg.de

 

Sonar 4 (Studio or Producer Edition)

http://www.cakewalk.com/Products/SONAR/default.asp

 

Pro Tools (expensive, requires certain hardware) http://www.cakewalk.com/Products/SONAR/default.asp

 

Semi-pro (I'm not quite sure where to draw the line so I use convention here)

 

Ableton Live 4

http://www.ableton.com

 

FL Studio 5 (Possible the most affordable all-in-one solution)

http://www.flstudio.com/

 

All of the above come with just about everything you need to create, arrange, produce, and edit music.

 

Another option is

 

Reason 2.5 (soon 3.0. This is a complete "standalone workstation" which does not support VST but still comes with just about everything there is - very popular and is used on a lot of records)

http://www.propellerheads.se

 

Budget (may still be used for professional purposes)

 

Tracktion (this is a true bargain sequencer at $80 and has become very popular)

http://www.mackie.com/products/tracktion/

 

Energy-XT (Even cheaper but incredibly versatile - can also be used inside other hosts)

http://www.xt-hq.com/

 

For Linux (just found this the other day)

http://www.rosegardenmusic.com/

 

I own the following: Ableton Live, Reason, FL Studio, and Tracktion. I most ly use Ableton Live, which is an incredibly fun tool to use. Sadly it does not have a built-in audio editor.

 

For audio editing there are a lot of options. Tinny mentioned Adobe Audition, which is excellent, but quite expensive.

 

Some alternatives are:

 

Audacity (Win/Mac/Linux) - FREE

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

 

Goldwave (Windows) - used by many pros, actually

http://www.goldwave.com/

 

Wavelab - pro software from the makers of Cubase (there is an "essential" pack which is cheaper)

http://www.steinberg.de/

 

Okay, that's enough for now.

[TINNY]

maybe of topic, but just want help. How do i reduce noise caused by wind and aircond fan from my videos recorded with an average camcorder? or, how to improve the overall clarity of people's voices.

[Tormod]

Good questions. Reducing noise is difficult. The best way is of course to avoid noise when you record (...I know it's impossible...). :D

 

There are some noise reduction tools available. In fact, I think Audacity (mentioned above) has a noise reduction filter.

 

Built-in effects include Echo, Change Tempo, and Noise Removal, and it also supports VST and LADSPA plug-in effects.

[TINNY]

In fact, I think Audacity (mentioned above) has a noise reduction filter.

so has Audition. but it doesn't work. at least, I don't know how to make it work. It sort of made all the voices sound like aliens sometimes and cyborgs

[Tormod]

so has Audition. but it doesn't work. at least, I don't know how to make it work. It sort of made all the voices sound like aliens sometimes and cyborgs

Maybe they are? :P

 

Audacity has a slight plus in that it is freeware while Audition costs about $400.

 

I frankly don't have much experience with noise removal since I work mostly with digital sounds recorded via direct input so I am not able to help much here. :D

[TINNY]

but thanks for the 'audacious' suggestin.

[TINNY]

about audacity:

what's ogg vorbis?

and why is it when i open an audio file with audacity and press play, it lets out some weird sounds. probably the sound you pick up when ET nears earth.

I cant get the noise remover to work although i like it's simplicity. Audition had way to many options to choose when i clicked its noise remover which deterred me from it.

 

these audio editing softwares are WEIRD. I am so lost with these stuff unlike video editing softwares where I usually get the basics straightaway.

[alexander]

Thanks tormod, that's a very informative post!

I talked to some of my friends and for open-source they recommend Wired and Rosegarden, also lots of others that dont do all that but have very nifty features that come in very handy...

Lets talk about all in one packages for a sec.

What do you recommend, why, any nifty features you discovered?

I'll go through the links, i just dont have time right this second but i will...

[TINNY]

somewhat off topic:

You guys probably know all about it, but i only just discovered what Ogg Vorbis is just now. Seems cool. Should be particularly appealing to alex.

here's the FAQs - http://www.vorbis.com/faq.psp#what