Common Music-creating Software (read if interested)

[Hydlide]

In the period around 2001 till 2004 I have been using music software that are based on 'trackers'. Just to name a few: modplug tracker, impulse tracker 2 and madtracker.

Personally, I don't know what happened to madtracker though. I only used it once or twice since I kind of liked the quality of the sound output compared to impulse tracker 2 (good old dos version). But after that I kinda found modplug trackers sound engine pretty much insane when comparing that to other tracking software. I have been using modplug tracker since that.

Modplug was initially being produced by one developer (Olivier Lapicque) but quit because of time issues and such. Also the main site, modplugcentral, which was hosting the complete thing had certain changes due to certain issues.

After that, the whole modplug tracker thing went to sourceforge.net. Where I personally think it went down hill with this awesome tool.

Main specs of Modplug:

- supports up to 64 channels, 256 channels could use releases at the same time
- used cut off frequencies up to 11 khz (which isn't much when you compare that to professional music tools since most go up to 22khz or 44khz)
- supports VST since version 1.16
- supports most of the tracking extensions (.Mod, .IT, .XM, .S3M)
- used advanced envelope settings when using the IT format. You can create your custom made envelope (this was one of things I could not find in any other music program since most use a Attack, Decay, Sustain and Release setting).

Downside of modplug track though would be: it uses the tracker notation. not the midi sequence notation (like cubase, sonar, fruityloop and reason). It goes more like entering the notes like "c 4", "d 4" etc... rather then using bars on a keyboard lane.

Modplug appears to have a wiki btw..

Modplug wiki

And their current website (this was the original place where modplug was hosted):
IpChip Modplug tracker

The sourceforge project:
SourceForge

In addition:
I have seen progress reports on development of an Impulse Tracker 3. This started with a group called Unreal64. They have moved to DSPAudio, but their funding was cut in the late 2006 (orso). After that they moved to another company called orcave. As of today its not sure if they will still release IT3, because it seems they seem very busy working on a sound engine called Paradime Enigma, and also released a thing called PulseMp somewhere in the beginning of 2007.

[PlayTrumpet]

Has anyone mentioned NOTION 2.0? It's for both Windows and Macs. Great for conductors/orchestrators/composers. This is notation software.

There is a demo available.

[Calcium Deposit]

Audacity rocks. Especially for a free progam.
I use it as a media player when I don't feel like waiting for iTunes to load.

[kommisar[os]]

lsdj and nanoloop are good chiptune making programs (you can buy the roms on their sites or get the actual gameboy/gameboy advance cartridges.) They are, however, hard to master

[Dvaerak7Korgo]

RENOISE!!!!! I think it's beast for IDM

[somethingillremember]

Ummm, it's not very good, but doesn't audacity do some of this stuff?

[dean_machine]

I'm pretty sure my dad has iDrums and Sony Acid for the mac, both of which are not listed under mac.

[Dvaerak7Korgo]

lol. Renoise isn't as good as FL, but it's pretty fun to experiment with trackers.

[OrganisM]

I only read a few responses, so I don't know if it's mentioned, but there are actually a variety of production suites for the Mac. I personally don't use Apple systems because I happen to like complete control over my hardware. However, Logic is an often-used tool, among many others on the Mac.

[kid_merkury]

I just got garageband 09 for mac. But, it's still not as good as Logic Pro 8

Logic is my "go-to" for making electronic music, except for trance.

I also run XP on my mac, and FL8 is one of those things, I've used it for so long - I can do a lot of things very quickly with FL

[gafandriel]

the stupid energyXT program wont let me have more than three measures. I don't know why. Anyone else having that problem?

[Erothyme]

I certainly don't have that problem. Most of my music is made in energyXT now.

[Embion]

Originally Posted by SpookG

It wasn't buzz, it was you.

No, it was the porn

[p5audio]

I agree with anyone who thinks FL is the easiest one to use. Acid is also pretty easy to use. If you use software samplers and Loops Reason is still so awesome. You can load samples into the sampler, loops into the REX player, do easy drum patterns. They have I think 3 really good sounding "analog modeled" synths too that I use all the time.
Can't record audio without a second program to rewire it with though. That is the downside. So, if you want to do audio recording and can only use one program I'd go with FL Studio 9.

We did this tutorial on making a timbo style beat in FL studio 9.
http://www.youtube.com/p5audio#p/a/u/0/hXY2V22NU90

[TC_Nocturne]

MAGIX Music Maker. Its a decent program, although ive only used the demo. The demo doesnt allow the MP3 conversion. Don't worry, you can save the project, and there's no time limit. Just us Audacity or something to convert, just record the sound.

[stargroup]

if finale notepad can be on this list then sibelius should be too

[kid_merkury]

Originally Posted by kid_merkury

I just got garageband 09 for mac. But, it's still not as good as Logic Pro 8

Logic is my "go-to" for making electronic music, except for trance.

I also run XP on my mac, and FL8 is one of those things, I've used it for so long - I can do a lot of things very quickly with FL

That post was in feb of this year.


NOW, I do just about everything using Logic Pro 9. It's an amazing DAW. I also use a bit of Digital Performer, for scoring, and Finale 2009 for scoring too.

Audacity is really powerful as well - I use it to chop up samples, or to extract from other tracks. Vocal editing happens a lot on here too.

I used to have Ableton Live, but I didnt like it much.

Protools - I dont need to even say anything. Its protools.

[SpookG]

http://www.blokmodular.com/index2.php

[Starshot]

This needs to be updated with newer software like ReNoise.

Sadly, Finale Notepad is no longer free. In response, people have created MuseScore.

[Mau5]

Haha here are examples of the free ones.
MuseScore: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJWiv6zn0Ig
Csound: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxyBTr0eamQ
BuzzMachines: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcqH9591gDM

You can go out and buy something like a USB piano keyboard and/or controller and it is so much easier, it is almost essential. If you have the cash i HIGHLY recommend it. I use the Akai MPK25, it's relatively cheap compared to what other equipment is worth and it's really everything i need. Equalizer, recorder, MPC, and 25 keys. That being said you can go out and buy a simple USB piano keyboard for anywhere from 60 to 120 dollars if you're looking for something cheaper.

Here is what i use. http://shopping.yahoo.com/848186598-...trio-software/

Edit: If you have the money, or will have the money someday, i'd buy Ableton Live. It's the best music writing program i've seen to date. Everything you'll ever need to make music is included.