music-making software?

silentfox618 · 11-21-2006, 10:46 AM

basically I use this program called Finale Notepad (its a free software). The only reason I use it is because I was told about a couple years ago, and it's the only program I know anything about that's like this. Basically it lets you choose intruments, insert music notes and such and then you can play the music back. It's OK (considering it's free), but it's glitchy sometimes, the playback sound sucks, to say the least, and just isn't that great... basically I'm looking for other software similar to this one only better (I don't mind having to spend money on it either, but not something crazy like $400 [well unless I have no other real choices...], something somewhat affordable with decent sound playback and other capabilities). The type of music I'll be making with the software is mostly gonna be using guitar, bass, drums/percussion and such. So I don't really need something with like 100 different types of horn or woodwind intruments and such. And if you know of any software like this that could also save the file as like .mp3 or .wav that would be awesome too.

**koala** · 11-21-2006, 02:32 PM

The one I use for this type of music-making is Fruity Loops. The earlier versions were quite basic, just a step sequencer, but the latest one is a full package with many advanced features.

The poor playback sound quality you're experiencing with Finale might be due to your hardware or settings rather than the program. What make is your soundcard or is it onboard Realtek/AC97? Check your MIDI settings, AC97 codec and sound drivers.

Others that are similar to Finale Notepad (with tablatures) .....
Sibelius 4
Capella
Mozart

janice87 · 12-18-2006, 12:36 AM

Try using FlexiMusic Composer, a multi-track program for composing, editing and mixing of music using sampled instrument sounds and FlexiMusic Wave Editor for converting and editing Mp3 files. It is comprehensible and affordable software.

Novox · 12-23-2006, 09:42 AM

More professional software would be Reason and Cubase. I got to opportunity to try it out at school, and the software is easy to opperate whne someone shows u what to do, but learning on ur own is a pain.

bananax182 · 01-14-2007, 10:11 PM

Depends what you want to do with it. Another good one would be Sibelius. I currently use Sibelius 2..but i think they are up to 4 or 5, now. Sibelius is probably the best software out there if you are intending to compose for the purpose of creating sheet music. I used it when I composed and transcribed songs, and then printed out sheet music for my high school pep band to play. As a music sequencer though.. Reason, Cubase, and Fruityloops are the best ones out there. For music compostion software...go for Sibelius. For a music sequencer...get something else.

olobay · 02-07-2007, 08:46 AM

Sony Acid is also good.

11-21-2006, 10:46 AM	#1 (permalink)
silentfox618 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: California Posts: 121 OS: Windows XP Professional My System	music-making software? basically I use this program called Finale Notepad (its a free software). The only reason I use it is because I was told about a couple years ago, and it's the only program I know anything about that's like this. Basically it lets you choose intruments, insert music notes and such and then you can play the music back. It's OK (considering it's free), but it's glitchy sometimes, the playback sound sucks, to say the least, and just isn't that great... basically I'm looking for other software similar to this one only better (I don't mind having to spend money on it either, but not something crazy like $400 [well unless I have no other real choices...], something somewhat affordable with decent sound playback and other capabilities). The type of music I'll be making with the software is mostly gonna be using guitar, bass, drums/percussion and such. So I don't really need something with like 100 different types of horn or woodwind intruments and such. And if you know of any software like this that could also save the file as like .mp3 or .wav that would be awesome too.

11-21-2006, 02:32 PM	#2 (permalink)
koala Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: UK Posts: 12,381 OS: XP/7/Ubuntu My System	The one I use for this type of music-making is Fruity Loops. The earlier versions were quite basic, just a step sequencer, but the latest one is a full package with many advanced features. The poor playback sound quality you're experiencing with Finale might be due to your hardware or settings rather than the program. What make is your soundcard or is it onboard Realtek/AC97? Check your MIDI settings, AC97 codec and sound drivers. Others that are similar to Finale Notepad (with tablatures) ..... Sibelius 4 Capella Mozart __________________ New members: Subscribe to your thread (Thread Tools) to receive an instant email notification when you get a reply. TSF Folding@Home Team 85015 - details here

02-07-2007, 08:46 AM	#6 (permalink)
olobay Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 89 OS: XP	Sony Acid Sony Acid is also good.

12-18-2006, 12:36 AM	#3 (permalink)
janice87 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 8 OS: Xp & 98	Try using FlexiMusic Composer, a multi-track program for composing, editing and mixing of music using sampled instrument sounds and FlexiMusic Wave Editor for converting and editing Mp3 files. It is comprehensible and affordable software.

12-23-2006, 09:42 AM	#4 (permalink)
Novox Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 3 OS: XP	More professional software would be Reason and Cubase. I got to opportunity to try it out at school, and the software is easy to opperate whne someone shows u what to do, but learning on ur own is a pain.

01-14-2007, 10:11 PM	#5 (permalink)
bananax182 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 15 OS: XP	Depends what you want to do with it. Another good one would be Sibelius. I currently use Sibelius 2..but i think they are up to 4 or 5, now. Sibelius is probably the best software out there if you are intending to compose for the purpose of creating sheet music. I used it when I composed and transcribed songs, and then printed out sheet music for my high school pep band to play. As a music sequencer though.. Reason, Cubase, and Fruityloops are the best ones out there. For music compostion software...go for Sibelius. For a music sequencer...get something else.