Music Programs

[Nolund]

Hopefully I put this in the right section.

Anyway, I'm curious as to what programs people are using. I am trying to find a good program (for Windows) that isn't going to ask me for the actual notes, because I can't actually read music (nor can the friend of mine that is helping me with my project), and rather than making a million music request threads that will likely go unanswered, I would like to learn this myself.

So if there are any easy to use programs out there that people would recommend, I'd appreciate it.

Cheers.

 

[Glitchfinder]

Most of them either require that you can read notes, or have a keyboard (musical, not letters, numbers and symbols) you can hook up to your computer and use to generate the music. Or a combination of the two.

 

[bacon]

I personally use FL for music making in general. Its a nice program that works well. The problem is, its not very user friendly when starting so beginners may have a hard time with it. Though, with dedication, you can actually make some good tunes easily. I do like some of the synths that come with it as well, though there are far superior ones out there.

Also, about every program requires you to know notes. FL lets you hear the note and what sound it would play before actually playing it as well.

 

[Nolund]

So I'm going to have to learn to read sheet music in order use any of these programs?

 

[Glitchfinder]

So I'm going to have to learn to read sheet music in order use any of these programs?

Or learn how to play basic piano. You don't really need to know how to play sheet music for that bit.

 

[Nolund]

I can play basic piano. It's affording a keyboard that I can't do.

 

[Glitchfinder]

I can play basic piano. It's affording a keyboard that I can't do.

Even the really cheap keyboards can be connected to a computer, these days.

 

[Truly else]

I can play basic piano. It's affording a keyboard that I can't do.

Even the really cheap keyboards can be connected to a computer, these days.

Your definition of cheap is flawed...

 

[Glitchfinder]

Your definition of cheap is flawed...

How so?

 

[action]

I use Anvil Studio for concepts, and Cakewalk Sonar 6 for the finished work.I also use a RD-700sx, with a MidiSport Uno.

That's it for what I use...

 

[Nolund]

I can play basic piano. It's affording a keyboard that I can't do.

Even the really cheap keyboards can be connected to a computer, these days.

You really underestimate how little money I have :p

 

[moog]

if you cant read shaped notes or have general music knowledge (i mean theory not how good something should sound or that bull shit) then you will have a rough time making something sophisticated in any editor

but yeah i use finale for everything and goldwave to mix

 

[Nolund]

if you cant read shaped notes or have general music knowledge (i mean theory not how good something should sound or that bull shit) then you will have a rough time making something sophisticated in any editor

but yeah i use finale for everything and goldwave to mix

Well, I have SOME knowledge, but likely not in the right area. I have played guitar for a few years, but aside from tabs and chords, I can't really read shaped notes.

I'm willing to learn, I was just hoping there was a program out there that I wouldn't have to.

 

[moog]

oh nah dude i wasnt saying you didnt have any knowledge, i was just saying in general.

im gonna put a tutorial up later or something on writing with staff notation to help people out. of course you can use fl studio or some other piano roll program to mess around until you get what sounds right but i really dont like the guess and check way of writing music, it doesnt show much skill and kind of seems douchey when people say they are musicians when they really arent

but yeah, try a midi making software, that should be a step in the right direction. Guitar pro, midi maker, fl studio are all some good ones.

if you need any help ill be glad to do what i can ;0

 

[Gulch666]

with FL you dont need to know sheet music and you dont need a computer. and i dissagree with bacon about its difficulty to pick up and use as a beginner, the basics are really easy to grasp and start working with, once you get into some of the more advanced stuff, well there are 100's of tuts on youtube for that stuff, imo FL studio is the way to go for someone wanting to get into writing some music on a computer. its not as advanced as some of the pro level programs, but really you can do most of the same stuff with it. i think FL gets a bad rap from elitists because a lot of nubs pick it up and start making shitty beats

 

[Illitum]

I hate to mention this... but 'dont need a computer' ? Flawed. I used to use Magix and will again, I've tinkered with FL but wasn't too much of a fan.

If you really want to go without learning any form of music, like someone I know, the only option you have is using samples... and that is not always the best route to originality.

 

[OrbitDuke]

I really don't think 'not knowing how to read sheet music' is a good way to approach creating music for a game. Even rock bands who 'don't know how to read sheet music' can recognize key changes and notes and all of that, so if you know how to read tabs and know all that kind of stuff, you should be able to figure out sheet music pretty easily.
There are plenty of lesson books out there, as well as tutorials online. If you know how to keep a beat, you'll probably figure it out just fine.

Edit: Pick up a download of Anvil Studio and mess around with it. If you know basic piano, you can learn what key goes on what part of the staff with it, plus, you can mess around with MIDIs you already own. It's free to, I think.

 

[moog]

Anvil or Guitar Pro, both work pretty nicely. But yeah, little to no music exp. is like jumping into a tank of sharks. Learn a bit of what you can, then experiment.

 

[wounded_bumble_bee]

I think u can use steinberg's cubase. There is a piano roll mode..that way you dont have to worry about music sheet or stuff. But you must understand beats and signature time. Good luck

 

[OrbitDuke]

I think u can use steinberg's cubase. There is a piano roll mode..that way you dont have to worry about music sheet or stuff. But you must understand beats and signature time. Good luck

Yes, that's possible on Cubase...but I would never recommend such a program to an amateur....it's a bit expensive.
Then again amateurs and hobbyist pirate or pay to much for programs they don't need/can use all the time.