Decent Music Creation/Sampling Program

Rex_Mundi

Does anyone use a music creation/sampling program they could recommend? The boy has just made his first track at guitar lessons, and I thought it may be a good idea to get hold of software so he can have a go at making music at home.

I want to be able to plug his guitar into the computer so he can record. It would need a drum sampler as part of the program so he can lay down the beat. A library of music samples could also be handy for him to start with, and a range of instrument samples would also be handy. A decent mixing desk would also be a good inclusion to the program.

I'm not really after a freebie for this program. I'd rather pay for a program that would give him extra options and decent support.

£$&*"($£&(

I think I would recommend Cakewalk Guitar Tracks. Largely because it's easy to use and has a interface like a multitrack recorder. It also has a basic effects unit and a bunch of loops for creating backing tracks. Older versions (version 2) had something called drag and drop drummer but I don't think this is included now.

http://www.cakewalk.com/Products/GuitarTracksPro/features.asp

However there are other things to consider. Getting a more traditional type sequencer (Like Cakewalk Home Studio for example) would allow the use of instruments such as adrum machine for beats. However you wouldn't have the samples as standard but their use would soon wear out and Guitar Tracks is far less expandable in the long term.

The other problem is plugging in the guitar. You should really have a proper guitar input as they are different to line ins on the computer which means buying a seperate interface.

meclive

'Cubase' is generally regarded as the best of the bunch.

Rex_Mundi

Cheers for the replies. I've looked around following your advice, and I reckon that Cubase SX3 looks the dogs. I think I'll go with this.

bargainaddict

My son just started music tech diploma at college and reckons he needs cubase at home. Where is the cheapest place to buy or legally download please?

Rex_Mundi

The cheapest I found it for to buy was £337.

£$&*"($£&(

I've got nothing against Cubase but it's not the program for a beginner. It's a highly complex program and many of the features would never be used. If you go this way at least get the SE version which besides the cheaper price (£99) has all the functionallity you'll need. SX costs about £500 so buying it for a beginner could easily be a huge mistake.

Personally I think, of the big sequencers, Cakewalk Sonar has the most user friendly interface. Cubase is certainly not considered best of the bunch. It's very much to do with personal taste. Logic is probably the "best" but has the worst interface but is now Mac only. But again thery are all high complex and not user friendly especially if you have no idea about how these things work.

You could always get a multitrack. A Zoom 1608 with built in drum and bass machine for £489 is a good option.

Rex_Mundi

The way I see it is that Cubase will do the boy (he's 18) for a few years with any of his needs in this area.

As for cost.......................................................(forum rules)

£$&*"($£&(

OK but a least download the demo (and a few others) so he can try it/them out and you can time the hair tearing out stage.

tim_n

ask the college - when having to use complicated programs like cubase they often have a licensing deal or even a group license.

My friends had to use a program (I forget the name) which retailed @ £1k+ - the university had a bunch of USB keyring authentication sticks they hired. It cost them £10 for a years use. (plus a substantial deposit on the key which stopped working after the end of educational year). Never hurts to find out!

Toxteth_OGrady

Ableton Live 5

:cool:

TOG