Music Software, etc. --Updated--
Last updated March 2005
This thread is intended to list prices, specs, and links for music and audio related software suggested by GDNet users. The list is generally organized by the program's purpose, and then by price. Plain plugins are listed after the software, and free Linux programs are at the bottom. A few interesting soundcards are listed last. New! additions are marked in orange.
All prices are listed in United States dollars. You can use Xe.com's universal currency convertor to estimate price for your currency.
Feel free to start a new thread or Private Message me with comments, suggestions, or additions to the thread. If you use one of these programs, let me know if my description is accurate.
If you're looking for sound effects, sound libraries, or music resources, see SFX & Music Resources by Kazgoroth (Profile/PM).
Audio Software
Notation
Power Tab Editor, by Power Tab - Free
Notation Tab
Excellent tablature and notation software for guitar and bass.
Noteworthy Composer, by Noteworthy Software - $40
Notation MIDI
Create, record, edit, print and play MIDI music.
Finale, by Finale - $600
Notation MIDI
Excellent notation software. Includes SoundFont's high-quality sounds.
Sibelius, by Sibelius - $600
Notation MIDI
Excellent notation software. Includes Native Instrument's Kontakt Player with high-quality sounds.
Also see:
Anvil Studio, Cakewalk Express, Music MasterWorks, Logic
Sequencing
CM Studio, by CM - Free
Sequencer Sampler Synth MIDI
Free studio for making music.
Psycle, by Psycledelics - Free
Sequencer Tracker Synth Effects VSTi
This program is a music creation studio that uses a tracker interface - you can use the native plugins, internal sampler, and effects to make your music.
Anvil Studio, by Willow Software - Free
Sequencer Notation Effects MIDI
Record, sequence, edit, and save your MIDI work. SoundFont compatible.
Kristal Audio Engine, by Kreatives - Free
Sequencer Effects Live VSTi
A powerful, modular multi-track recorder, sequencer, and mixer.
Cakewalk Express, by Cakewalk - $30
Notation Sequencer Tracker Effects MIDI
Multitrack music and sound software for recording and sequencing.
Music MasterWorks, by Aspire - $35
Notation Sequencer MIDI
Create, record, edit, print and play MIDI music.
New! Making Waves, by Making Waves Audio Limited - $75, $170, $300 for boxed copies of Audio, Pro, and Studio versions. Downloadable versions discounted
Sequencer Effects Live VSTi MIDI
Particularly good for lower-end computers and/or soundcards.
Live, by Ableton - $120 for download, $150 for boxed copy
Sequencer Synth Effects Live VSTi DXi Rewire
Multitrack recording software allows you to mix, dj, and create loops on the fly.
FL Studio, by FL Studio - $150 for Producer, $100 for Fruity, $50 for Express
Sequencer Sampler Synth Effects VSTi DXi MIDI Rewire
Complete virtual studio for creating wav, mp3 or midi songs and loops.
Home Studio, by Cakewalk - $230 for XL, $150 for Studio
Sequencer Synth Effects Live VSTi DXi MIDI Rewire
Record, create, edit, arrange, and mix any kind of music.
Orion, by Synapse Audio - $300 for Platinum, $150 for Pro
Sampler Synth Effects VSTi DXi Rewire
A virtual studio that includes multitrack recording, a mixing deck, effects, and a large sound library.
Audition, by Adobe - $300
Sequencer Effects VSTi DXi Rewire
Made for advanced audio mixing, editing, and effects processing capabilities.
Acid Pro, by Sony - $500
Sequencer Synth Effects VSTi MIDI Rewire
Create, remix and export 5.1 audio.
Reason, by Propellorhead - $500
Sequencer Sampler Synth Effects Live MIDI Rewire
A full studio for any audio work. Inclues massive Orkester sample library.
Reaktor, by Native Instruments - $560
Sequencer Sampler Synth Effects Live
Complete sound studio allows user to build instruments, sounds, effects and tools. Includes large synth and sample library.
Cubase SX3, by Steinberg - $800
Sequencer Sampler Synth Effects Live VSTi MIDI Rewire
Full studio for audio work.
Sonar, by Cakewalk - $960 for Producer, $480 for Studio
Sequencer Sampler Synth Effects VSTi DXi MIDI Rewire
Full studio: good for composing, recording, editing, mixing, and other audio work.
Logic, by Apple - $1,000 for Pro, $300 for Express
Notation Sequencer Sampler Synth Effects MIDI
Comprehensive studio for music creation and audio production.
Nuendo, by Steinberg - $1,500
Sequencer Sampler Synth Effects Live VSTi DXi MIDI Rewire
Perform any task within the media industry.
Tracking
Modplug Tracker, by ModPlug - Free
Sampler Tracker VSTi MIDI
Works with .it .xm .mod .midi and .s3m formats, encodes to wave and mp3.
Renoise, by Renoise Software - $45
Sampler Tracker Effects VSTi ASIO MIDI
Feature rich tracker allows you to control nearly any parameter.
Also see:
Psycle, Cakewalk Express
Synth
New! SynthEdit, by Jeff McClintock - Free
Synth VSTi MIDI
Make VSTi plugins, record, use MIDI. Site includes a number of useful modules.
Pro 53, by Native Instruments - $230
Synth
Near-perfect emulation of the Sequential Circuits Prophet 5. Sometimes inflexible, but provides a fat, warm sound.
Z3ta+, by RCG:Audio - $275
Synth
Popular and powerful waveshaping synthesizer (not an emulator).
FM7, by Native Instruments - $340
Synth
Near-perfect emulation of the Yamaha dx7. Excellent all-around synth.
Absynth 2, by Native Instruments - $340
Sampler Synth
Combines sampling and synth for great sound creation, especially for ambient and otherworldly audio.
Also see:
CM Studio, Psycle, Live, FL Studio, Home Studio, Orion, Acid Pro, Reason, Reaktor, Cubase SX3, Sonar, Logic, Nuendo
Audio and Effects
Audacity, by Audacity - Free, Open Source
Effects VSTi
Record, play, edit and mix your audio with this.
GuitarFX, by Guitar Effects Software - Free
Effects Live VSTi DXi
A virtual system to create live effects on a guitar or other input.
GoldWave, by GoldWave, Inc - Shareware, $55 to purchase
Effects
Works well for recording and editing your audio work.
Sound Forge Audio Studio, by Sony - $70
Effects Live
Record music, edit and restore audio, create streaming media, and burn songs to CD.
Sound Forge, by Sony - $400
Sampler Effects DXi MIDI
Audio editor with processes, tools, and effects for recording and editing.
Kontakt, by Native Instruments - $450
Sampler Effects
Extremely powerful sampler, can load nearly any format to create or edit in a very flexible interface.
VSTs and Plugins
MDA-VST, by Maxim Digital Audio - Free
Numerous synths and effects for various programs.
SoundFont, by Creative - $15-50 depending on library
A huge number of available sounds for purchase. Requires compatible software/hardware.
New! Hammer Sound, by - $15-50 depending on library
More soundfonts for purchase.
HALion, by Steinberg - $400
Steinberg's extensive sampler software, works especially well with Cubase and Nuendo.
Giga Studio, by Tascam - $600 for Orchestra, $370 for Ensemble, $200 for Solo
An extremely high quality set of samplers for all needs.
K-v-R, by Muse Research, Inc - Mostly free, depends on individual author
Huge compilation of VSTi, DXi, and AU audio plugins.
Kjaerhus VSTs, by Kjaerhus Audio - Free for Classic Series, up to $270 for bundled Gold Series
Several VST plugins and effects (EQ work, phaser, compressor...)
New! Linux Software
Lily Pond, by Lily Pond - Free, open source
Notation
Intelligent and functional notation software.
Rosegarden, by Fervent Software - Free, open source
Notation Sequencer Synth MIDI LADSPA JACK
"The closest native equivalent to Cubase® for Linux" - Sound on Sound.
ZynAddSubFX, by Paul - Free
Synth MIDI JACK
Powerful softsynth.
QSynth, by Capela/Bown/Cannam - Free, open source
Synth MIDI JACK
Actually a GUI based on FluidSynth, a synth based on SoundFont 2 specs.
Hydrogen, by Comix/Artemio - Free, open source
MIDI LADSPA JACK
Excellent, easy to use drum machine.
LADSPA, by Richard Furse - Free, open source
Effects API that interfaces with dozens of other programs. Site includes more LADSPA-friendly audio software.
JACK, by Paul Davis and others - Free, open source
Professional low latency audio server. Site contains dozens of JACK-enabled software programs.
Suggested Sound Cards
Creative Labs has several high-quality sound cards.
M-Audio, by AVID hosts some impressive cards.
FA-101, by Edirol is a good capturing system.
Guillemot has several interface and capture cards.
[Edited by - Avatar God on April 14, 2005 11:39:41 PM]
CM Studio. Free on coverdisk of Computer Music (UK) magazine each month. http://www.computermusic.co.uk/about/aboutvst.asp
Modplug Tracker, freeware tracker. Works with .it .xm .mod and .s3m formats, encodes to wave and mp3.
Noteworthy Composer, by Noteworthy Software (US$39, has free, limited trial)
Sibelius - (US$599)
Noteworthy Composer, by Noteworthy Software (US$39, has free, limited trial)
Sibelius - (US$599)
I'd leave out the system requirements bit. On my old Cyrix 233 system I made very successful use of ModPlug Tracker and Cakewalk 9 for multitrack recordings.
Links to sources of decent quality soundfonts, vsts, and samples might be useful too.
Links to sources of decent quality soundfonts, vsts, and samples might be useful too.
Quote:Links to sources of decent quality soundfonts, vsts, and samples might be useful too.Any suggestions?
I also need a simple, freeware (preferably) midi studio which would output a midi file. Im working with Reason 2.5 (because im very comfortable with it), and after I compose a song, I make a midi file for each track in the sequencer. So I have a midi file for the bassline, 1 for the drums, the sax, etc. I dont need to record any setting or anything fancy, the songs are VERY basic.
I need a program to input these midi files, maybe fix things up (simple things, like assigning patches to certain tracks) and then combining them and shooting them out again, as 1 midi file.
The reason why I need to do that is to get a midi file that I can play the standard GM patches using my tracks that I can upload onto a cellphone, for a project im working on.
Any ideas?
I need a program to input these midi files, maybe fix things up (simple things, like assigning patches to certain tracks) and then combining them and shooting them out again, as 1 midi file.
The reason why I need to do that is to get a midi file that I can play the standard GM patches using my tracks that I can upload onto a cellphone, for a project im working on.
Any ideas?
I know someone who has something that sounds like what you're looking for, but I don't know what it's called. I'll try to find out, but if anyone else has anything...
Hold on - can't you do that with Reason? I have it, but honestly, don't know how to use it all that well.
Free midi program that seems to be popular is Anvil Studio at www.anvilstudio.com (not surprisingly). Much information about it at the website. Another program (not exclusively MIDI) for free is Goldwave, at www.goldwave.com (what are the odds?). I've used this for a while, and relied on it quite heavily for one game project, it's good.
For anybody who wants ANY software for free, www.tucows.com is a good place to start, as it is a source for much freeware/shareware/demo, and to lesser extent commercial products. Many categories full of useful programs, multimedia being great in this forum.
Can I vote that this becomes STICKY? It's annoying how often these kinds of questions need answering in this forum. Making this a continual updating list will solve a lot of people's problems.
Hope I've helped,
As ever,
***Cosmic***
For anybody who wants ANY software for free, www.tucows.com is a good place to start, as it is a source for much freeware/shareware/demo, and to lesser extent commercial products. Many categories full of useful programs, multimedia being great in this forum.
Can I vote that this becomes STICKY? It's annoying how often these kinds of questions need answering in this forum. Making this a continual updating list will solve a lot of people's problems.
Hope I've helped,
As ever,
***Cosmic***
Quote:Original post by Cosmic One
Another program (not exclusively MIDI) for free is Goldwave, at www.goldwave.com (what are the odds?). I've used this for a while, and relied on it quite heavily for one game project, it's good.
Just a nitpick that Goldwave is not "free" but is infact shareware.
This topic is closed to new replies.
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