Check out FL Studio. Only $149.99 for the producer edition. Definitely better than Reason although I use both together. www.flstudio.com - Make sure you get some VST instruments though, at least eventually. Although the 3xosc and TS404 can make some cool Trancey sounds, VST's will make a huge difference in your music and FL supports them (Reason doesn't so you're stuck with what you get in the package).
FL also supports automation of any parameter, Time stretching and it has a cool MPC drum pad emulator! They also have the best Piano Roll I've ever seen. Be sure to download the 'Getting Started Guide' which will walk you through how to use the program.

You can download the fully-functioning demo on their site only save is disabled.

There are hundereds of free and commercial VST's. www.kvraudio.com is a good resource to get you started. I'd recommend getting the full version of Sytrus or Vanguard or Superwave TracePro to get you started. They are affordable and sound very good for Trance.

If you need ANY help with FL, please feel free to email me: fruitylooper@ (NO SPAM) gmail.com

-Heather

quote:

Originally posted by 4am Check out FL Studio. Only $149.99 for the producer edition. Definitely better than Reason although I use both together. www.flstudio.com - Make sure you get some VST instruments though, at least eventually. Although the 3xosc and TS404 can make some cool Trancey sounds, VST's will make a huge difference in your music and FL supports them (Reason doesn't so you're stuck with what you get in the package). FL also supports automation of any parameter, Time stretching and it has a cool MPC drum pad emulator! They also have the best Piano Roll I've ever seen. Be sure to download the 'Getting Started Guide' which will walk you through how to use the program. You can download the fully-functioning demo on their site only save is disabled. There are hundereds of free and commercial VST's. www.kvraudio.com is a good resource to get you started. I'd recommend getting the full version of Sytrus or Vanguard or Superwave TracePro to get you started. They are affordable and sound very good for Trance. If you need ANY help with FL, please feel free to email me: fruitylooper@ (NO SPAM) gmail.com -Heather

Thanks, I appriciate this. I have been using FL Studio v4.0.1 for few months. I got it onine somewhere, but i have no plug-ins/VST's for it. I just have the standard package. However, I found it pretty straight-forward to use, but for some reason @ times when I exist a project and re-open it at a later time.. the intruments/sounds I have used become distorted or change for the worse. Also, I seem to have problem with MIDI files on my computer. For example, I downlad a MIDI file and i double click on it to play it.. and it wont play. It says device problem or something like that.
I have a 1.9ghz P4, 256 rdram, 70 GB HD (37 free), Sound Blaster Live.

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I would always go for Cubase. It is quite tricky to learn but it is worth it for the sound quality alone (which can't be beaten in my opinion). Go for Cubase SL - I think it set me back around £230 but it was definately worth it. You can upgrade at any time to Cubase SX but Cubase SL should be all you really need.

hey 4am, u can us FL and reason together???

quote:

Originally posted by DJ A.i hey 4am, u can us FL and reason together???

Rewire

quote:

Originally posted by mto Also, I seem to have problem with MIDI files on my computer. For example, I downlad a MIDI file and i double click on it to play it.. and it wont play. It says device problem or something like that. I have a 1.9ghz P4, 256 rdram, 70 GB HD (37 free), Sound Blaster Live.

To be able to use MIDI files in FL you have to go file->import->
MIDI file. If you're having problmes playing MIDI files in something like Winamp, get the latest version.

And no, you don't REALLY have to pay $579.88 for Cubase

@DJ A.i: You can use Reason with FL using ReWire.

quote:

Originally posted by 4am They also have the best Piano Roll I've ever seen.

sorry, but i must say.. the Piano Roll in FL is the worst thing i have ever tested..

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the only thing i dislike is the inabilty to draw out your shit in sheet music style. altho when i switch the kinds of piano roll it is like the typical c shit into real notes like a1 a#1 d4 d#4 and so on it makes me able to draw out them better.

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its all down to personal preference. personally i dont give a damn about scoresheets (i dont even score much on paper anymore. just plink some notes on my typing keyboard with record on and thats that when i wanna remember a melody.) i do think floops piano roll is rather nice and easy to use. i do find it disconcerting that exporting kickdrums with the dB meters peaking then importing them into soundforge shows them up to be on average -9 dB. a bit annoying. but i can live with it. when i bash up a tune really quickly (and im talking getting the drums, bassline and the basics of lead down in under an hour) floops is just brilliant for that. hence why i use it. you may have different experiences.

my suggestion. try out demos where available. get a feel for which one you prefer. stick with it.

If you are going to use hardware synths, than you should get Cubase. Else I would suggest downloading traktion if it's still free.

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quote:

Originally posted by Rob To be able to use MIDI files in FL you have to go file->import-> MIDI file. If you're having problmes playing MIDI files in something like Winamp, get the latest version. And no, you don't REALLY have to pay $579.88 for Cubase @DJ A.i: You can use Reason with FL using ReWire.

How do i set this up?

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