Cheap software for a cheap guy. LOL

[Mr. Mom]

My wife asked me what is on my Xmas list this year. Being the cheap guy I am, I downloaded Mixcraft 5 to preview it before deciding to buy. Not being a musician, I'm looking for something with loops and samples and stuff... and mixcraft 5 looks like it might work for me, but before I spend the money I was wondering if anyone has opinions on this software vs another?

[Paulo]

They say that "Reaper" is good and it's really cheap or free or something.

[Vincent]

Dont buy Mixcraft

I used it from 2007 till 2010.

It has issues...I would always get clicks and pops in my guitar recordings...I thought it was my interface that was the problem but turns out its mixcraft.

There are also issues in regards to timing.

Smurf and others could probably explain it better.

I bought mixcraft 3 and 4 and then downloaded 5 to test it out...thats when I decided to try reaper full time instead.

[Vincent]

You cant really create songs using all loops...It will sound like pieces glued together.

Instead you could invest in a midi controller (even if you dont play keys) and create some simple progressions.

For loops/midi I would try Addictive drums demo (free)...only has kick,snare,High Hat and cymbol...you can also use midi controller to create beats.

http://www.xlnaudio.com/en/downloads-addictive_drums_demo

Then download kore player (free) has lots of sounds to choose from

http://www.musicianscollaboration.com/forum/index.php?topic=8542.0

Download Reaper

http://www.reaper.fm/

[Vincent]

Other software that may be better for you.

FL studio
http://flstudio.image-line.com/

Reason
http://www.propellerheads.se/products/reason/

Dubturbo looks good for creating hip hop and pop music beats.

http://www.pbm3.com/plgi/pbmm/nl.aspx?x=4.0.0.0.0

This is the midi controller I bought...I would search around for a cheaper price though.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/keyboards-midi/akai-professional-lpk25-laptop-performance-keyboard

[Mr. Mom]

Thanks Paulo, Vinnie
I see what you mean Vinnie, about not creating songs just from loops. I was trying that on the mixcraft trial version and it seemed I was limited to staying within the narrow focus of loops meant to go together. If I would just buckle down and learn to play an instrument instead of trying to take "shortcuts"... but where do I find the time.

Thanks for the links, it will definitely help.

[Vincent]

Your welcome

FL Studio might be perfect for you...the price is somewhat reasonable these days...probably around same price as Mixcraft.

I see a lot of christmas sales for FL studio right now.

Midi controller is a must have...simple keyboard notes can be played by anyone with a finger really.

Best thing to do is download demos and decide what you like.

Reason is expensive though even though I like it.

[Mr. Mom]

Thanks Vincent,
I will definitely download FL Studio demo and check it out.

When I saw the price for Reason(I live for free stuff) I nearly choked on my coffee.
I know most times you get what you pay for, and someday I might just upgrade to Reaper... but first I need to take these baby steps.

[Vincent]

I think any software over $100 is to much.

 

[NickT]

Reaper gets my vote and the demo isn't crippled. try as long as you need to. And it's inexpensive!

Nick

[CosmicDolphin]

I say get you wife to buy you a 2nd hand guitar or keyboard and some lessons.

You don't need to read music or be a great musican to write songs, I'm pretty cack-handed on the acoustic myself but the guys here back me and make me sound better. If you can just learn some basic chords you could be knocking out songs within a few months, just imagine how satisfying that could be.

CD

[Mr. Mom]

Hey CD, I'm almost embarrassed to tell you I have a lot of cheap to semi-cheap instruments... a very cheap electric guitar, a semi-cheap acoustic electric, djembe drums, 6 or 7 harmonicas, and 2 sets of keyboards - all on the cheap side, but very expensive dust collectors.

All I need is a good kick in the butt to start practicing, but I can't seem to extract myself from a certain website where I like to spend my free time... MCS - maybe you have heard of it. LOL

[CosmicDolphin]

All I need is a good kick in the butt to start practicing, but I can't seem to extract myself from a certain website where I like to spend my free time... MCS - maybe you have heard of it. LOL

Lessons are the way forward. I had my guitar for over a year ( rescued from a skip..still the one I use now ) and several books but never learned a damned thing. Thing is a book can't look at what you're doing and encourage and correct you.

I ended up with some 'cheap' group lessons with a room of half a dozen or so other folks and a real nice lady out front playing and sing songs on the guitar.  We all had a lyric and chord sheet and had to try and keep up    Homework was taking the sheets home and trying to learn the chords for next weeks class. I was about 24 at the time so it's never too late ( 41 now )

I remember clearly coming home after the first class and playing my Mom a really bad version of ' Leaving on a Jet Plane ' the first song I ever learned.

CD