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Advice on music software

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Koolkat

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« on: October 16, 2015, 08:11:24 AM »
To write music, I use Guitar Pro 6 to produce drums, bass and some keyboards and then transfer them to Audacity where I add my vocals, guitars etc. What I like about GP6 is that I can construct tunes, note by note, bar by bar and then cut, copy and paste passages as required. I can also use the same score but change the voice. Unfortunately, the available voices in GP6 are very limited and some are not very convincing. This is why I only use it for certain backing tracks.
Is there any software out there that would enable me to construct scores in the same way, with similar editing abilities but which has a reasonable voice library and that would also allow me to input a voice and then assign it to a score or write a score using that voice. I’m happy to continue to use Audacity as my DAW. I have used it for many years and it does everything I need.

Boydie

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« Reply #1 on: October 16, 2015, 09:38:11 AM »
I would say that AUDACITY isn't technically what I would call a "DAW" - I consider it more of an audio recorder/editor

I think you would improve your workflow dramatically if you moved over to a fully fledged DAW where you can do all of your audio editing, scoring, MIDI, virtaul instrument work in one place

If you are on MAC I would recommend LOGIC PRO

If you are on PC my personal recommendation would be Cakewalk SONAR - it will do everything you need and more - and it comes bundled with lots of content

If you are on a tight budget then it may be worth checking out REAPER

Other options include: Cubase and Studio One

If you have any specific questions (especially on SONAR) post them here
To check out my music please visit:

http://soundcloud.com/boydiemusic

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BoydieMusic

Koolkat

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« Reply #2 on: October 16, 2015, 12:37:48 PM »
Thanks for that. Probably going to ask for it as a Christmas pressie so £100 is probably the limit. What is the best option at this sort of price level? I am on a PC by the way.

Boydie

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« Reply #3 on: October 16, 2015, 03:31:33 PM »
It is probably best to check out REAPER

Alternatively one of the "lower" Sonar products (ARTIST) might be a good option

You can try them out for a small amount of £$£$ as Cakewalk offer a subscription model
To check out my music please visit:

http://soundcloud.com/boydiemusic

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BoydieMusic

Koolkat

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« Reply #4 on: October 17, 2015, 09:38:55 PM »
I currently write songs in the following way: I get a melody in my head so record it on my Smartphone. I then check out the notes on a keyboard before building up the melody note by note, using musical notation on Guitar Pro. This will normally be using a Piano as the voice in the first instance but I would possibly change it later. I would then write a drum track and perhaps a Bass track in GP also. I would then import all GP tracks into Audacity as separate tracks so that I can rewrite or work on them separately. I would then add Vocals, Lead and Rhythm Guitar etc via an M Audio USB interface. Is there a better way of doing things? What software package should I consider for the way I work? 

Boydie

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« Reply #5 on: October 17, 2015, 09:54:14 PM »
Still SONAR - you can do it all within the same package

Reaper, Cubase and Studio One will all also work in the same way

Your current workflow is very cumbersome by switching between applications

A fully fledged DAW (like the ones I have listed) will allow you to do everything in one place
To check out my music please visit:

http://soundcloud.com/boydiemusic

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BoydieMusic

Koolkat

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« Reply #6 on: October 18, 2015, 09:09:50 AM »
Ok, point taken. I need  single application and I will look at the ones you suggest. Do they all have reasonable sound libraries? I would rather have fewer good quality sounds but with additional libraries available to buy.

Boydie

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« Reply #7 on: October 18, 2015, 12:09:36 PM »
I can only talk from a SONAR perspective (and I have the Platinumn version) but I know Sonar hare renowned for including lots of content (virtual instruments, loops etc.)

If you are on a budget you can try the ARTIST version for under £8 a month through the subscription model

If you complete 12 payments you get to keep all of the content you have paid for (or do an upfront "12 month" subscription for a little cheaper to guarantee you keep what you pay for)

This model is working out brilliantly and there are regular updates (monthly) that not only add new content but they seem to be adding new functionality and improvements directly from customer feedback in the forums

I can't recommend SONAR highly enough for PC users
To check out my music please visit:

http://soundcloud.com/boydiemusic

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BoydieMusic

Koolkat

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« Reply #8 on: October 20, 2015, 09:03:00 AM »
I bought an M Audio Fast Track a couple of years ago and until now had not realised that it shipped with Pro Tools essential. I understand that this is a stripped down version supplied by M Audio, but is it worth giving this a go, even if just to get me into the swing of using such software. I have installed it on my PC but would like a decent (written) beginners guide, any suggestions?

igg

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« Reply #9 on: October 20, 2015, 05:57:40 PM »
I've been using Reaper for a few years and could not be happier. 
One of the best things about it....a tremendous support and enthusiasm in the Reaper forums and lots of how-to videos on youtube.  As I've learned to use it, almost every question I've had, has been fully discussed on the boards.  And. the price is right!!!

igg

mondobongo

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« Reply #10 on: October 21, 2015, 10:19:11 PM »
I use a full blown version of Cubase and to be honest I haven't got a clue what half of it does and I certainly wouldn't spend money on something like that again. I'm not really familiar with any other DAWs. Reaper certainly does seem to be the most popular entry level DAW.

A friend of mine bought an audio interface recently which was bundled with Cubase LE which is much more intuitive than Cubase and is great to use. Does everything you'd want it to do.

If you need an audio interface then that's a very cheap way of getting software.

Dawsons are selling an M-AUDIO interface for £89.99. It's a very good interface with 2 channel phantom powered inputs which also double up as 1/4" Hi-Z guitar inputs. The package includes Ableton Live Lite, Cubase LE, and Waves Audio plugins.

As I've said, Cubase LE is a great DAW and on it's own would set you back £70. So this is a good deal.
http://www.dawsons.co.uk/m-audio-m-track-plus-ii-usb-audio-interface

Cheers
Mo


EDIT: Oops I've just noticed that you already own a M Audio Fast Track. Sorry for not noticing. In that case I'd agree with the others and go with Reaper. If you want info on Protools there are tons of tutorials on YouTube. Remember, Google is your friend  ;)
« Last Edit: October 21, 2015, 10:25:29 PM by mondobongo »

pompeyjazz

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« Reply #11 on: November 26, 2015, 02:18:26 PM »
A big thumbs up for Reaper. Have been using it since June. $60 - That's about £38 - Bargain !

John

adamfarr

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« Reply #12 on: December 03, 2015, 09:20:10 AM »
Another thumbs up for Reaper - there is really nothing that I can imagine that it doesn't have. For example the other day I found myself needing to make an automated VCA group (what did Boydie say about over-production?!). I didn't actually know that that was what I needed but there it was and it just works. I am getting into the folders and routing capabilities too and they are flexible and intuitive.

The stock plugins are great for learning what each one does but maybe aren't the best sounding. But there are so many alternatives out there, many of them free, that this is really a small thing and for the price you could add some of your choice.

Koolkat

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« Reply #13 on: January 01, 2016, 12:33:34 PM »
Thanks all, got a very short list now. I recently got an M-Audio MIDI keyboard which came with Ableton 9 Live Lite. Any comments on this DAW and is it worth giving it a go?

Boydie

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« Reply #14 on: January 01, 2016, 01:26:21 PM »
I think Ableton was developed from "performing" perspective where you can "play" loops, which can be useful for improvising / songwriting

However, I believe it will still do the basics of a DAW

If your shortlist is Ableton, Sonar, Reaper and Pro Tools they will all do the job perfectly well and you can't go wrong with any of these options for what you want

Even the entry level versions of these packages will keep your learning curve going for many months/years

Now that you have found the right "product" - Ie. a fully fledged DAW - everything else comes down to personal preferences and preferred work flow

It is like narrowing your search for a car down to a small hatch back - you have identified the various models from Ford, Vauxhall, Toyota, Seat etc. You now need to find the right one for YOU

There is no clear winner in terms of "you got to get this one" - they will all do what you want and a lot more

I would suggest you either take them for a "test drive" and see if they have a demo or look at YouTube videos of tutorials on each to see which method of working would suit you best

The sooner you pick one the quicker you start climbing the learning curve and making music
To check out my music please visit:

http://soundcloud.com/boydiemusic

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BoydieMusic