A List of Music Composition Software

[moog]

Ok, so if you are new to music or are just looking for good music composition software to find this thread is for you. Here I will recommend some musical composition software to those lacking the proper knowledge to find one. Hopefully my descriptions will be enough for you to pick the one that suits you!

These are just the popular ones, btw.

If you arent skilled with acutally writing musical notation, try.....
FL Studio
Price: $50-380, varies on the version(Express, Fruity Loops Edition, Producer, and XXL, respectively)
Cakewalk
Price: CW 7 is around $250.
Absynth
Price: $200
Guitar Pro
Price: $50



Each one can produce music using a standard sequencer, and are much easier to use than the interface of a notation software. Try out FL first if you are new to music composing.

If you can read notation and it would seem more simplistic to write with, try..
Finale (Notepad, Printmusic, or a general Finale)
Price: $450 for '08, Notepad is free
Sibelius
Price: $500

Finale and Sibelius have the same concept but the interface is actually quite better in Sibelius if you are willing to drop the extra money.

If you can read musical notation/or just like to use alternative software, there's...
Anvil Studio
Price: Free



So yeah, feel free to correct me if I am wrong, or feel free to add more programs, some perks of each one and a standard price. You might be able to find these programs much cheaper, but Im just stating the standard pricing.

 

[Shiny Umbreon]

Anvil Studio. That's the only thing I've used aside from Guitar Pro. It can get a little glitchy from time to time but it's user-friendly and I find it really good. Plus, it's free.

 

[moog]

Cool, ill add it to the list.

 

[Haki]

I think you need to put Anvil Studio into the "with notation" list because the program is mainly used for composing with notation, not guitar tabs or loops, although you can compose that way, too.

 

[moog]

I added its own category, assuming there are other software similar to AS that I can add later.

 

[Shiny Umbreon]

One question. What do you mean by programs for people not skilled with musical notation. Don't you need it when making any music with any program? o_O

 

[rexxzecutioner]

No. MIDI piano rolls or just plain instrumental skill can be used in nearly any MIDI sequencer.

 

[Shiny Umbreon]

Oh, I get it now. Piano rolls and tabs and that stuff, right?

 

[moog]

Oh, I get it now. Piano rolls and tabs and that stuff, right?

Pretty much. Those types of programs don't involve staff composition.

 

[mega_man_aXe]

Also, you might want to put $50-380 for FL since there are 4 different versions you can get.  I think they are Express,  Fruity Loops Edition, Producer, and XXL.  At least thats for FL7, I don't know if they've changed it for FL8.

 

[moog]

Also, you might want to put $50-380 for FL since there are 4 different versions you can get.  I think they are Express,  Fruity Loops Edition, Producer, and XXL.  At least thats for FL7, I don't know if they've changed it for FL8.

Done.

 

[Cruelty]

steinberg cubase
propellerhead reason

cubase is a full fledged aws. reason is a synth/mixer rack emulator. i can be used for full fledged music composition though.

 

[jtbengal]

Actually, even if you can read music, a sequencer may be a better choice.  It allows more flexibility over sound.  For example, I use Cakewalk Home Studio's really barebones notation editor for most of my work, because I can edit envelopes, use VSTs, etc, without much difficulty.  However, if you want to write a piece for performance, it would be necessary to get Finale or Sibelius.  A sidenote on that, you can get Finale Allegro, which isn't really much of a downgrade from Finale's flagship product, for $180 (if you download and register Notepad, you get $20 off from $200).

So, if you are going for a great sound straight from the computer, I would get a sequencer.  If you are trying to make a pretty (useable) score for performance, get a notation editor.  It isn't necessarily 'Sequencers are for people who can't read music'.  Besides, I would strongly recommend that anyone interested in composition would acquire at least a rudimentary knowledge of notation.

 

[moog]

Actually, even if you can read music, a sequencer may be a better choice.  It allows more flexibility over sound.  For example, I use Cakewalk Home Studio's really barebones notation editor for most of my work, because I can edit envelopes, use VSTs, etc, without much difficulty.  However, if you want to write a piece for performance, it would be necessary to get Finale or Sibelius.  A sidenote on that, you can get Finale Allegro, which isn't really much of a downgrade from Finale's flagship product, for $180 (if you download and register Notepad, you get $20 off from $200).

So, if you are going for a great sound straight from the computer, I would get a sequencer.  If you are trying to make a pretty (useable) score for performance, get a notation editor.  It isn't necessarily 'Sequencers are for people who can't read music'.  Besides, I would strongly recommend that anyone interested in composition would acquire at least a rudimentary knowledge of notation.

I didnt say that, just the fact that people who arent skilled in notation might have a better handling of a sequencer first. Also, Finale '08 can input VSTs.