Larian Studios Forums General Chat Creating music

Summer vacations are upon me, and I have nothing to do. So to kill time I thought I would let loose my creative skills and create some music. I was wondering if any of you know some good freeware programs to create music.

Thank you.

u can try Audacity which is available in sourceforge.net & it's freeware. oh yes, it's actually a sound editor so u can use it to record external sound source from microphone.

if u own a Creative soundcard, such as soundblaster live, there are quite a number of apps bundled with it.

by the way, may i know what soundcard/chip u use in your system? i recall we have a forum member who's actively into music making via PC. i can't remember his name. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/disagree.gif" alt="" />

Hmm I'm not sure, I'll have check. I'll edit this post when I find out what it is.

And thanks <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

just remember.... you can tune a piano, but you can't tuna fish! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/silly.gif" alt="" />

Any specific format in mind?

One pretty easy format I know of is modules (.mod, .xm, .it, etc). If you can find good samples, you can make some nice music with it.
You'll need a "tracker" to make the music with and a "player" to... yeah, play them. Personally I use the Modplug Player and Tracker, both because they're easy to use (after going through a tutorial). Well, I'm quiting Modules now since I finally have some money to invest in more advanced software, but I consider module tracking a good start <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Modules used to be a popular format in computer games, but the only games that still have them today are low budget/amateur games I think.

If you want I can give you a few links for info on module tracking, trackers, players and samples, when I get home. One url I can give you now is www.modplug.com

I can because my name is Alf! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/evilgrin1.gif" alt="" />

Sorry for getting <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/offtopic.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shame.gif" alt="" />

I've got a midi set up and digital piano hooked up to my PC. But I use cubase and sound forge which aren't freeware.

Hard to find the time to be composing music, think I'll dig out some of my old wavs and midis...might use some in my next flash movie.

Excellent idea, Rythok! I may join you. I've been spending a lot of time learning how to design graphics so why not add a little music? My creative juices are getting ready to rumble. Feels good!

Thanks for the software recommendations. I'm going to check all of this stuff out and see what I need.


Faralas <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mage.gif" alt="" />

Yep thanks everyone! I'll check all that and keep you informed on my progress, when I start that is.

thats what i say every time i go to my location! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ROFL.gif" alt="" />

And you are a very creative person....

I use FL Studio. A user-friendly, professional program with many functions and plug-ins.

The others have you setup nicely with freeware. If you get the itch to take it to the next level, here are some suggestions for you with programs I use (or have used) in the past.

For a non-musical background I recommend:

FruityLoops (good to make custom loops, takes practice to master)
ACID Pro 4.0 (Craft a complete "looped" song, less than 15 minutes with this and a loop library)

For a musical background with MIDI Experience I recommend:

Cubase VST (free with soundcard) or Cubase SX (cost me 400 bones)
OR
Used copy of Cakewalk SONAR (Cheap off of ebay)
AND
MIDI keyboard and good soundcard with low latency

If talented with live instruments/vocals and a decent microphone and soundcard:

Cool Edit Pro/Adobe Audition (same thing)
OR
Soundforge 4.0+

My 2 cents <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Happy Songwriting!