Making beats for the first time? There are many programs for both Macs and PCS that allow you to sample, record and program your beats. These are the Major players in the industry.
1. Apple Garage Band
Comes free with ever new Apple computer as a part of the ILIFE suite of software. The software is very easy to get started with. A year down the road when you feel you have out grown the potential of the program you can move up to Logic Studio and all you session will still work. (Mac Only)
2. Digidesign Protools
The industry standard for recording. The most recnt version has mad huge improvments to its MIDI and production side. Protools is great for audio editing, recording and mixing. The biggest drawbck to protools is that it is heavy on your computers brain power. The proffesional Protools systems use expensive add on cards to your computer that prevent this and add tons of power. The pro systems are also very expensive. (Mac and PC)
3. Steinberg Cubase
Cubase is an excellent software program for recording and beat making on both the PC or Mac. Like Logic, Protools, Sonar and Performer it includes every thing you need to get started out of the box. The program has been around for many years and is consistently updated with new features. The endless features might seem a bit overwhelming at first but as your production technique grows the many optoins will begin to become more useful. (Mac and PC)
4. Apple Logic Studio or Logic Express
Logic Studio is a suite of production tools including, effects, instruments, and a massive sound library of over 40GB. It also includes all the add on goodies for Garage Band. Logic has long been a standard for producers and composers working in television and film. The Studio package also comes with Wave Burner, a standalone program for mastering you music. (Mac Only)
5. Image Line FL Studio aka Fruity Loops.
Fruity Loops was a program once laughed upon by proffesionals in the music industry. 9th Wonder’s use of Frutiy Loops to make a beat for Jay-Z’s black album quickly changed how people felt about it. The program containts everything you need to start making beats. Since its start it has grown huge in the online communities of up and coming producers especially genres like hip hop and reggaetone. (PC Only)
6. Motu Digital Performer
Digital Performer is mac only competitor to Logic and Cubase. Performer is very popular among composers and audio program gradutes from the 90’s. The program includes all the effects, and instruments needed to create your music from beat making to mix. The greatest benifit of Performer is that is made by MOTU . MOTU is a leading creator of soundcards and audio recording hardware. This combination offers great compatibilty with devices and less hardware trouble shooting. (Mac Only)
7. Propellerheads Reason
Reason is a standalone program for beat making that you can connect to other programs like Protools, Logic or Cubase. Reason comes loaded with sounds and effects that work very similar to hardware works. With its customizable setup you can flip the screen and move wires around just like you were in your big studio. A Limited feature version of Reason is also included when you buy any Protools package. (Mac and PC)
8. Cakewalk Sonar
Sonar is PC only competitor to Cubase, Logic and Performer. The program is very popular becasue of the included effects and instruments for production, mixing and mastering. (PC Only)
I have personally been using both Digidesign Protools and Logic in my studio for 8 years. Protools I use only for recording and editing. Logic I use for production and mixing.
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