Just Gettin' Started, What software is good for starters Options

[monkeyman]

I am interested in creating music and would love to start creating more again. However, I don't have much software. I am mostly interested in electronic music, and don't really see the possibility of the need to use real instruments. Therefore, can anyone recommend a decent starting point. I have heard of a software program called Reason. Would this be seen as the best piece of software for an electronically focused musician ?

Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[rickenbacker]

Rysode: thanks for the tip. I'll check that out.

Charlieb: What Rysode says is spot on. If an application (ie Reason) says it's ReWire compatible, it's ready straight out of the box - it's part of the program, so you don't need to buy it.

The Oxygen 8 is a decent keyboard - I've got one myself. I've also got a full-length Midi k/b, as well, but if you don't need that much, the Oxygen 8 is fine. I'd recommend taking a look at the new k/bs from M-Audio (the Radium), or Edirol's new PCR-30 and PCR-50. They're all similar to the Oxygen 8, but one step beyond in terms of added functionality (knobs! sliders! etc!)

Live and Reason are both great programs. For someone starting out, they're ideal and could be all you'd ever need. Live 2.0 (due any day now, apparently) is set to make it more like a regular sequencer, with a multitrack recording section just like Logic, Cubase, Pro Tools, Digital Performer etc. The beauty of Live (for me, anyway) is that it's unlike previous sequencers - it seems more "musical". Less fiddling, more grooving. Some people love it, others hate it.

I've also got Logic Platinum, which is very powerful - there's nothing you can't do. Cubase SX I may be getting in a few weeks, which is also pretty comprehensive in terms of music production. But they're both around £500.

Judging by your posts so far, I'd say either Live 2.0 + Reason 2.0 (or maybe the Logic Big Box or Cubase SL, the entry-level versions of the Big 2) + a Midi k/b with programmable knobs will set you off down a good path.

Enjoy!