im not sure on where to look but you can find some freeware that you can download and use/trial before you buy. you will find that most DAW programs available at ther sites offer a demo version.

but, logic, cubase, sonar, fruity loops, ableton etc are all viable options it just comes down to preference and style of use though most function very similar

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Try these:

1. Ableton Live - There is a 30 day demo available from their site.
2. Logic or Cubase - They have a similar method of working, so try either one.
3. Reason - All in one software, has a bit of a different vibe than the other two, but it may suit your needs.
4. FL Studio - Again a bit of a different vibe than the others mentioned, but more similar to Logic/Cubase than it is to Reason.

The thing is that people choose their sequencer packages based on a lot on personal preference, so it is important for you to try out different options to see which one works for you.

Most important, spend as little money as possible until you think that producing is something for you. Producing music is a very difficult, frustrating, time-consuming, wallet-draining experience that can be incredibly rewarding IF you have the passion, dedication and time to put into it. On average, it takes 3-4 years of solid practice and dedication for most people to start putting out music that comes close to the polished tracks you are used to hearing, so be prepared for a long journey. Some people can do it faster, some slower, it just all depends on their level of talent and the amount of time they have to dedicate to the practice. Make sure it is something you really want to do before you consider sinking any type of serious money into this pursuit.

Good luck.

Get a copy of 'Mackie Tracktion 3' or 'Sony Acid Pro 7'.

They are geared towards both a newbie and a professional. The good thing about these two programs is that, they'll grow with you as you gain more experience.

Forget about Cubase, Ableton, Sonar, FL Studio, etc... These programs will just confuse you since you're starting out.

But at the same time, try out different programs & see what suits your workflow. Right now, don't worry bout all the features and stuff. Learn the basics of what a DAW does:

1) Audio & Midi tracks
2) Vsti instruments & Vst effects
3) Bus routing (mono, stereo, effects, etc..)
Tracktion 3 will allow you to visually connect 'filters' and save them as racks.
4) Inserts & Send effects
5) Mix console (faders, EQ, etc..)

Just learn those for now and you'll have endless hours of joy.
Also, get a dedicated Audio Editor like (Sound Forge or Wavosaur) if you work with a lot of audio files.


These programs run well on a PC but I don't think Sony Acid runs on a MAC and Tracktion 3 has alot of bugs when on a MAC also.

So I guess you're stuck with Logic if anything.

Last edited by SGL on Nov-12-2009 at 03:43

quote:

Forget about Cubase, Ableton, Sonar, FL Studio, etc... These programs will just confuse you since you're starting out.

depends on each persons learning capability, i started out with cubase LE i think i was, and found it no problems at all. though i prob never delved to deep into its functionality just used it to record my tracks, and edit.

but try the demos first bud best option. if your going Mac go Logic, and just take the time to learn it, heaps of tutorials out there, magazines etc cant go wrong

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quote:

Originally posted by SGL Get a copy of 'Mackie Tracktion 3' or 'Sony Acid Pro 7'.

Some of the worst advice I've ever heard.
Get either Logic, Cubase, ableton or Sonar. Reason's falling out of favour and has shoddy audio handling and FL's multicore is shite and needs a rewrite. Out of all of them, I probably recommend ableton, but I'm a bit biased.

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for a newbies sake, something like Fruityloops will be just sufficient.

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i writed a song.

quote:

Originally posted by Psionic I'm looking to build a Mac-based rig with a heavier utilization of software than hardware.

Well if you're investing in Mac then you should do what Vulcans do in star trek - follow the path of Logic.

quote:

Originally posted by KilldaDJ for a newbies sake, something like Fruityloops will be just sufficient.

Again, I think that's rubbish. FL has a very different workflow to almost every other sequencer, including the 4 largest, Ableton, sonar, cubase and logic. That means that the skills he learns in FL, reason, acid, Traktion, or any of those other programs won't translate to any other sequencer, meaning that half the learning he does in them will be pointless.

Don't skimp on your sequencer, its the most important part of your setup and you don't want to have to buy a new one in 12 months.

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Reason has everything u need and its simple, and awesome!
Also consider Record from the same company (Propellerhead) if need to work with vocals etc and recording.

Well I have cubase5, but thinking I should have gone for logic as people praise logics bundled synths and fx.

I don't know if the fx in C5 are worse than logic's, but from my persepective the C5 fx are 'ok' at best. There are 3 delays for example which are just ok. The new convolution verb is very nice though.

I also like the way you can easily audition loops and then import them with thier tempo matched.
The new drum machine - grove agent, is nice to - you can simply drag a sound onto a pad, then route it's output to a mixer strip.

Recording audio with C5 is very good though and so simple and runs like a dream. I don't know how logic is on that front, but I've heard some other DAW's are'nt so good for audio.

EQ - Again I don't know the EQ's in other DAWS, but those in C5 seem a bit harsh to me. I could be wrong on this - and it may be I just need more experience to use them well.

MANIPULATING AUDIO - I find the new VARIAUDIO warping and pitching tool pretty cool. You can see a piece of audio as a series of blocks and stretch and pitch them with simple drags.

MASTERING - I understand some DAWS come with mastering platforms, but so far I have'nt found one in C5. Instead I use TRACS deluxe for now, but tbh if I felt a track was worth it, I'd get an experienced masterer with all the right tools and correct monitoring to do it.

EXPORTING - I like C5 for it's ability to turn midi / instrument tracks that may be CPU heavy, into audio tracks, nice and easily. I use this all the time, even though I'm not putting much strain on my 17 chip, I just love a nice under-strained beast to work with.

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