I'm sure a lot of peoples oppinions differ on this, and I am by no means a real expert, but I can give you some suggestions of programs you may like to look at.

CakeWalk / Cubase
-For arranging and composition, quite difficult to get into, but professionals actually use these to produce
music. I've read (can't confirm though) that PvD actually uses Cubase to help with track production.

Fruityloops Pro
-A budget, easy to use sequencer that is good for constructing loops etc

Reason
-A software "studio" - many rave about it, quite fiddly to use I personally find. Although it does seem to be a good tool for producing trance (it has a demo track that comes with it actually written by Trance Control )

You may also want to check out:
"Orion" (like a smaller version of Reason)
"Rebirth" (a 303 clone)
"Retro AS1" (a brilliant softsynth)

If your interested in loop based sequencing, then check out:

"Magix Music Generation 6"
"Acid Pro"

I don't think there is a simple answer to your question. I think many tools can be used to make a track. Creativity is the real key here.

Hope this helps

hey thanks..you know where i can get Rebirth?

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I think i read somewhere that PvD uses a program called powertoolz (sp?).

Dunno where you can pick that up at.

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http://www.soulglo.com
http://www.headrushmusic.com

You can check out the programs offered by http://www.ejay.com ... Its pretty popular back in EU, I had considered buying it until I found out the shipping costs to Iceland were more than the actual software!

Theres also a Ejay of the week contest put on by MTVEurope, in which I think a monthly winner gets to make a video? I can't recall exactly but definately looks like promising software, try downloading the demo software..

Cheers,

Thor...

Heres the exact link for those of who are lazy

Ejay of the Week Software

Cheers,

Thor....

Ejay, yes. I have the Dance Ejay and Techno Ejay.

Oooh yes! Finally someone who has it I was going to buy it in Iceland but the damn shipping costs... Now that I am in Calgary I'm thinking seriously about buying it, what are your thoughts on Ejay's software... I loved the demo, even though it was very limited for samples..

How long have you had it for? How much did you pay for the program and shipping? How long did it take to get to you?

Sorry for all the questions, its just I'm excited about getting this program, well at least the Ejay of the week package, check out the link, its a sweet package

Cheers,

Thor.....

LOL! It's ok, well I got it at a computer store around here. It was like $30 (US money). No shipping, but tax sucks lol. It's a pretty good program for the computer considering that there isn't many programs like it.

for the money well worth it... it won't make u a pro but u can create nice tracks on it been usin it for awhile now ... i was goin too post reply before, but i fort people wud take the piss coz its a cheap little prog... i tried usin cubase but it aint very pc friendly and far too slow... far as i know, correct me if im wrong but i think it was originally designed for the Mac!!! laterz

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Absolute - Day Dream (Original Mix)

There's also this little free program called Buzz, which has rather good sound-quality and LOTS of soft synths (etter quality than samples) for it. It's kind of like the e-jay series, except that you enter notes on the keyboard and not with the mouse.

quote:

Originally posted by trancaholic There's also this little free program called Buzz, which has rather good sound-quality and LOTS of soft synths (etter quality than samples) for it. It's kind of like the e-jay series, except that you enter notes on the keyboard and not with the mouse.

You know the link for it?

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