What music software for beginner?

[DiscoStu]

Absolutely the best value for money of any DAW software I would have thought.

And fully functional, and easy to use. Definitely recommended to the OP.

Agreed on the best value bit.
I had it installed on my desktop and it was certainly free when I got it back then. It's got all the features but my desktop wasn't built for audio work so I struggled with it a little bit.

I got a new superduper laptop last week so thought I'd give it another go. I'm more a hardware multitracker kinda guy so not sure if I'll bother paying for the licence after 30 days. Having said that, it's only the cost of a good night out!

[littlegreenman]

I really like the idea of adding some violins/strings to my tunes but not sure if any software is available to do that?

Once you've decided on your DAW, there are lots of pretty decent, and legally free "VSTi plug-ins" that will do exactly what you want. I found a few good freebie strings plug-ins by DSK, not EastWest quality of course, but nice enough. They can be triggered with an external keyboard, or you can write the parts in your DAW, and then record over them. I prefer to write on the stave, but there's other ways of doing it if you're not comfortable with the black dots.

As has been said, it can be a pretty steep initial learning curve but once you get the basics you're away. I'd been playing nearly 20 years before I got into PC recording, and wrote maybe 2 songs. In the 3 years I've been recording I've written over 150! Oh, and shelled out on quite a few higher end VST's along the way (sky really is the limit there).

Main thing is not to get frustrated, and if you get stuck, bug the hell out of this forum There's a lot of very knowledgeable folk here who've helped me out in the past. Onions? They knows them

[ecc83]

Reaper isn't free.
I've just downloaded it and it's only free during the first 30 day evaluation. After that it needs a licence which start at $60.

Unless there's another way??

Have Reaper changed the permanent free use in fact? Anyone know?

IF they have I consider that to be a very shortsighted attitude and one that smacks of a slight "grubbiness" creeping into the organization.

Some will say Reaper is very cheap and why should they give it away but there are plenty of other completely free DAWS about now. Yes, Reaper was the most comprehensive but you got nagged and you did not get upgrades.

I have,. BTW paid for my copy!

Dave.

[cacofonix]

That's what shareware is about. I have deleted my copy, but only because I already have logic, and Cubase AI, which came with a soundcard.

But it's always been the case you have to buy it after 30 days. I don't know if it is functionally disabled after 30 days or if the nag screens pop up, though.

Alternatively, I remember Computer Music give a free DAW - Computer Muzys, on their magazine disk. A while since I used it though.

[grooverthebarbarian]

When I got Reaper it just put up a reminder every time you opened it. Guess they might have had too many people downloading it and not enough paying

[Dulcetjones]

On the topic of adding percussion, piano, bass, etc...., I've had a lot of fun writing those parts into Guitar Pro and then exporting the midi file, converting it to wav., and dropping it into Audacity. Once there I can record my guitar parts playing along to the tracks I created. Once they are wav. files I can add effects and treat them like any recorded track. I also use a free version of Magix Silver to doctor up these tracks, and you can use Tux Guitar or Tab Editor the same way but I prefer Guitar Pro.

[Fazer]

Or can anyone recommend some software that is EASY to understand? not requiring Rocket Science like Ableton, Cubase etc. Thanks

they can all be confusing if you are new to it / dont have someone on hand to help explain

mulab free is free and with a nice easy interface:
http://www.mutools.com/mulab-downloads.html

[grooverthebarbarian]

Or can anyone recommend some software that is EASY to understand? not requiring Rocket Science like Ableton, Cubase etc. Thanks

There are tons of tutorials up on you tube and wikipedia and lots of other places. The resources now are phenomenal, and I know ableton comes with tutorials. I assume the other major DAWs do to get you going.

Usually, once you get your head round how to operate one track, it'll be very similar for every other track you add to a project. All MIDI tracks will work the same, all audio will to. The difference is what effects you use, and you pick that up as you go along. Its worthwhile using the demo versions of DAWs so you can scout around and see what you like, because you are the important link in the chain. The only way you're going to find this out is to get your feet wet

[ianpdq]

Hi, I play acoustic guitar ( 30 years ) and would like to add some backing music to my own tunes. via my PC win7 system. Such as drums/bass/piano and strings, I've looked briefly at Magix mx software but the free trial is limited and doesn't show me how easy or not it is to use - can I record my own guitar parts into this software? Or can anyone recommend some software that is EASY to understand? not requiring Rocket Science like Ableton, Cubase etc. Thanks

Try Mixcraft http://www.acoustica.com/mixcraft/download.htm/

[irondread]

Don't get magix software, its a waste of time. FL studio is good, easy to use and great for getting ideas down quickly. Reason is better for mastering though.