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.

[karambos]

monkeyman,

I can't admit to having personally experienced ALL that is out there but I've been producing my own stuff now for about 3 years (purely as a hobby - nothing professional) and I work with guys who do adverts for local German television and radio so I hope this qualifies me somewhat to make some remarks here.

I was utterly clueless at the beginning and asked everyone I knew about what to get. Basically what I learned was: use Logic if you've got a mac and Cubase if you've got a PC but everyone advised me against a PC just because they cause so many problems. I'm so glad I got that advice. I've got Reason and Acid too but I never use them (shelfware) because Logic is so much more flexible. It's also a bugger to learn so don't expect to install Logic and be making music straight away. Give yourself a good, and I mean a good, 6 months.

Having said that, if you just want to make pumping house, with no real instruments (i.e no audio) then all you need is something like Reason or Propellerheads' Rebirth or Fruity Loops. Of these, go for Fruity Loops because it's cheap and once you've bought it you get upgrades free for life.

Just remember: the most important step is deciding what you want to do with your gear. And this includes considering what you'll be doing in 2 years' time. It's like buying a mobile telphone - at first you're like "I only need it to receive calls when I'm out of the house. I'll never use it to make calls myself" and three weeks later it's "Hello? Is that Call-a-pizza? I'd like a ......." You know?

karambos