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ryborg · 05-03-2005, 10:17 PM

If you are looking for quality FREE music software you are going to be very, very disappointed in what you find. So here is what it boils down to:

If you to make quality music on your computer you are going to have to pay for quality software.

The problem with music software is it's really fricking complex. An open source junkie can't just sit down at his computer and BAM make a sophisticated music app. Remember that sounds are actually waves of particles slamming into each other. Your ears are capable of detecting those waves, which are interpreted as sound (if you take a physics course you'll realize what a pathetically simple explanation that is). To make those waves sound sophisticated, the software requires a great deal complexity, which is why music software is generally so expensive. That and it is a small market.

So, what software would I suggest? I compose Hard Trance and Trance on my computer using FL Studio 5. Some of you may know it as Fruity Loops, but FL Studio makes it sound cooler. I strongly suggest starting out with FL Studio, because it is affordable at around $200.00, and it comes well equipped out of the box. Additionally, if you purchase it over the internet you get all the future versions free for life, which is a major plus in my book. FL Studio has everything you will need to start making real music. EJay is essentially worthless if you are interesting in truely composing your own music. FL Studio will give you the true control you are looking for. And yes, you can hook a electornic piano keyboard up to it and all that stuff. Go MIDI go!

If you go take a look around on the internet for some reviews of FL Studio you may find a few angry internet nerds saying its a kiddy program and not for the real junkies. Unless you are a published music superstar with record deals left and right, FL Studio will be more than enough for you. People who say FL Studio is too limited in what it can do have not used it long enough, or they are industry super-professionals who can afford the state-of-the-art software/hardware. FL Studio can produce professional quality tracks, I've heard them and made them before. Don't let anyone tell you different. The more time you put into learning the subtle abilities of FL Studio, the greater it returns to you.

However, if you get FL Studio and realize you want more, here are my suggested plugins:

VST plugins by ReFx. A few of their instruments already come bundled with FL Studio, but the really cool ones are available for reasonable prices at their website. They are all generally below the $100.00 range.

VST plugins by Izotope. Izotope makes some advanced FX plugins for mastering and manipulating your instruments. I purchased every product Izotope makes, and I can attest to their high quality. You can expect Izotope products to range in the $200.00 area.

If you really want to graduate to the big toys visit Native Instruements. Native makes some of the most beautiful sounding instruments and FX available on the internet. However, their beauty comes at a price. Expect to pay $200.00 to $400.00 for anything you find at Native.

And that is the nasty truth of it. I suggest you go download the demo of FL Studio and see how you like it. If you find it enjoyable/easy to use (which is one of its main selling points) go ahead and save up some money and buy it. Remember, you get free updates for life, so it's not like you'll have to buy the whole thing over again when the next version comes out. Once you start feeling limited by FL Studio's initial pluginbase, graduate to some more expensive, high quality plugins. The unfortunate truth with computer music is you get what you pay for. The more money you invest into your software, the better your sound is going to be. It is just a fact of life; however, my experiences have been well worth the $1000.00 or so I have invested into my collection of software. Start with FL Studio, and grow from there.

05-03-2005, 10:17 PM	#6 (permalink)
ryborg Crazy	If you are looking for quality FREE music software you are going to be very, very disappointed in what you find. So here is what it boils down to: If you to make quality music on your computer you are going to have to pay for quality software. The problem with music software is it's really fricking complex. An open source junkie can't just sit down at his computer and BAM make a sophisticated music app. Remember that sounds are actually waves of particles slamming into each other. Your ears are capable of detecting those waves, which are interpreted as sound (if you take a physics course you'll realize what a pathetically simple explanation that is). To make those waves sound sophisticated, the software requires a great deal complexity, which is why music software is generally so expensive. That and it is a small market. So, what software would I suggest? I compose Hard Trance and Trance on my computer using FL Studio 5. Some of you may know it as Fruity Loops, but FL Studio makes it sound cooler. I strongly suggest starting out with FL Studio, because it is affordable at around $200.00, and it comes well equipped out of the box. Additionally, if you purchase it over the internet you get all the future versions free for life, which is a major plus in my book. FL Studio has everything you will need to start making real music. EJay is essentially worthless if you are interesting in truely composing your own music. FL Studio will give you the true control you are looking for. And yes, you can hook a electornic piano keyboard up to it and all that stuff. Go MIDI go! If you go take a look around on the internet for some reviews of FL Studio you may find a few angry internet nerds saying its a kiddy program and not for the real junkies. Unless you are a published music superstar with record deals left and right, FL Studio will be more than enough for you. People who say FL Studio is too limited in what it can do have not used it long enough, or they are industry super-professionals who can afford the state-of-the-art software/hardware. FL Studio can produce professional quality tracks, I've heard them and made them before. Don't let anyone tell you different. The more time you put into learning the subtle abilities of FL Studio, the greater it returns to you. However, if you get FL Studio and realize you want more, here are my suggested plugins: VST plugins by ReFx. A few of their instruments already come bundled with FL Studio, but the really cool ones are available for reasonable prices at their website. They are all generally below the $100.00 range. VST plugins by Izotope. Izotope makes some advanced FX plugins for mastering and manipulating your instruments. I purchased every product Izotope makes, and I can attest to their high quality. You can expect Izotope products to range in the $200.00 area. If you really want to graduate to the big toys visit Native Instruements. Native makes some of the most beautiful sounding instruments and FX available on the internet. However, their beauty comes at a price. Expect to pay $200.00 to $400.00 for anything you find at Native. And that is the nasty truth of it. I suggest you go download the demo of FL Studio and see how you like it. If you find it enjoyable/easy to use (which is one of its main selling points) go ahead and save up some money and buy it. Remember, you get free updates for life, so it's not like you'll have to buy the whole thing over again when the next version comes out. Once you start feeling limited by FL Studio's initial pluginbase, graduate to some more expensive, high quality plugins. The unfortunate truth with computer music is you get what you pay for. The more money you invest into your software, the better your sound is going to be. It is just a fact of life; however, my experiences have been well worth the $1000.00 or so I have invested into my collection of software. Start with FL Studio, and grow from there. __________________ Solve two problems at once. Feed the homeless to the hungry. Last edited by ryborg; 05-03-2005 at 10:26 PM..