Hey, everypony! I finally have access to some music making software. I've wanted to mess around with some and do my own remixes or see what I could do, and now I can! Now, I hear a lot about FL Studio (formerly FruityLoops), but I'm told that it's fairly basic by comparison to others. My cousin gave me Ableton and I haven't had time to mess with it, yet. Anyway, I was wondering what all the remixers, composers, artists, etc. used. I have a friend who does professional orchestral tracks and described FL Studio as a "great vessel" (he also makes some amazing original trance stuff, but I don't have his permission to share it) and says he uses about 3 programs in all. So, I was hoping everyone told me what they used and why. EG: What features do you like about it or that suits your musical style?
I used Magix Music Maker 17, mostly because ableton wouldn't work on my computer. I have no idea why it wouldn't.From what I hear FL studio is a good piece of software. I really don't do anything music related anymore. Sorry I can't be more of a help.
Go with Ableton if you already have it, I hear it's amazing (FL studio tends to be looked down upon by a lot of musicians for varying reasons, honestly as a starter program I wouldn't suggest it because it really overcomplicates plenty of very simple actions). NotACleverPony and Makkon use Ableton I believe (I know NC but I'm not sure about Makkon exactly). As for me I use Pro Tools, but I really wouldn't suggest it because it's not very wallet friendly (it doesn't support free plugins so it's a pain in the arse to only be able to work with the defaults, but it's a great recording interface if you play any real instruments). I'm considering switching to Ableton.
I don't do music, but if I had I Mac. I used to use Final Cut Pro. On my PC however, I just use Sony Vegas Pro 8.0 I like to make videos rather than music, since I have no knowledge of music as far as I know...
Thanks for the input. I don't like the interface of Ableton (since I'm so used to Adobe's stuff now), but I hear that FL Studio is best as a combination with it for things that you might not understand for Ableton. So far, this program is incredibly difficult for a first timer (read warnings about that), but a lot of people, including people I know, encourage me to start with it, rather than FL Studio. I haven't really bothered pouring much time into it, but it'll be fun to mess with occasionally and see what I can do. I saw a guide for making a Drum and Bass beat/track and it was really complicated and technical.
@above - I have used some free tools, and some paid noobish tools. Fl studio 9 was my first good paid software, and then 10 director's edition just fixed those tiny but annoying bugs about Flstudio9. I don't recall the names of the old software i was using... but believe me - it was beyond simple.
Fl studio 9, Reaper (excellent and cheap), Acid for loop based stuff and mixes, and plenty of vst's (massive, etc) for synths and effects.
I am planing on doing some music once I've gotten a mac FL Studio is not that good from what I've heard
Well I don't know much about other programs but what I have used Of FL Studio 10 I have enjoyed. I agree with Derpy It is a starter program but that means its fairly easy to use and can produce some nice sounding stuff as well. If you want to get into some hardcore music making use what other people have suggested but if your like me and just make music for a hobble i'd recommend using FL 10 (Plus FL Has a Demo so if you don't like it you will know before you buy it)
I use Zynewave Podium Free and Audacity, because they're free. I'm very much a hardware pony, so I can't really justify splashing out on another DAW when I can manage fine with what I've got. Especially with my ever increasing hardware wishlist >< ATM I'm saving for a condenser mic etc, VERY long term I'd utterly love a Minimoog Voyager. But as a student, the idea of a monophonic synth that costs as much as a car is horrifying.
I really don't know much about Audacity. I didn't know it could be used for composing music by itself. I must say, having a MIDI controller for any electronic music is a must if you want to go all the way. Using my keyboard is... limited. At the same time, I have poured very little effort into composing music, despite my interest. Back when I had no internet, my Adobe Acrobat wasn't cooperating and I couldn't even study Ableton's tutorials. Perhaps I will get engorged in the music making world at some point, even if only semi-serious.
It can't. It's useful, but it's not really a DAW in any way shape or form. It's only used for editing audio clips and samples; you can't compose with it. It's good as a side program for musicians who use a lot of samples (especially vocals). As for me, I use Reason 4 (hoping to upgrade to 6 soon). It's complex, I'll say that now, but God is it powerful. If you're good with Sund Design, you can make music to such a professional standard. This is hardcore stuff. I'm nowhere near using it to its potential, although I'm hoping to improve. Prior to that, I used FamiTracker, a very simple 8-bit program. Good for simple melodies and authentic chiptunes, but can also be pushed to make more complex, unconventional tracks. I also had a program called Beepola brought to my attention by Derpy Hooves, which is a 1-bit music program. It's only really interesting if you have a massive obsession with making unconventional sounds with extremely limiting programs, like me. I'd say if you're somewhat new to music making, Reason may not be the best place to start. By all means consider it, some learn better chucked into the deep end, I'm just saying it's pretty advanced.
I have access to FL Studio 10 and have Ableton 8 Live Suite. So... many... VSTs! Really, it just boils down to me actually learning to compose. I want to compose some tracks as themes to the struggles of the characters or concepts of my fic. I usually find a sound I like and think, "Hmm, what would this fit?" A MIDI controller with my cousin's guidance would be nice. He mostly makes dubstep, which I don't have any interest in learning to compose, except maybe for the bass/beats.
I think a huge factor would be the genre of the music you're aiming for. Are there any musicians in the fandom who produce tracks akin to what you plan to make? If you hope to make tracks as accompaniment to events or personifications of characters in your fictions, then I'm getting a vibe of something like Makkon or Dr Dissonance. One way of learning how to compose is by oberving those who do. Maybe tail them on tumblr or YouTube for a bit, perhaps try and ask for advice. It may be worth signing up to My Little Remix. I actually recommend doing so, or at least lurking the forums reading what the users have to say.
