sound track software using controller

[rubixstarr]

I was wondering what software I should look into for creating scores/sound tracks for my animation for Lightwave. I am going to use a controller that plugs right into my computer so that i won't have to buy a lot of hardware and will be able to create sound inside my computer. Do you have any suggestions on what music/sound effect software I should buy? I wanted to create sound effects and music while being able to look at the animation that i have exported on Quicktime and edit the music with the image... I was told to buy a software base synthesizer... things like SOFT SYNTHS or REAKTOR... others have suggested LOGIC...PROTOOLS but I wanted to know what you guys use first... Also, any suggestions on what type of controller I should buy? i am thinking about a 4 octave EDIROL PCR-50 for my controller for $240, but should i invest more money and get something better? Or is that good enough? i am looking into creating music, sound effects, and the such... I am an one man army and i am not a millionaire, so something affordable would be nice... any suggestions would be helpful. thank you.

[Darth Mole]

Depends how musical you are: if you can play a keyboard, understand MIDI and all that, then you've got loads of choice. if you basically want to knock up some music, then Apple's Soundtrack is heaps of fun (and pretty cheap). Imagine Final Cut Pro for music - and instead of DV clips, you layer music samples together.

I love it. It lets a non-musician like me make pretty decent music. Also, it's designed to work so you can time it all to your video cut - or in your case - animation.

[rubixstarr]

I am planning to practice to play the keyboard (will not be a professional piano player... just want to know the basics) and learning about MIDI right now and I do believe that Music and Sound Effects are at least half of the art of what makes a movie great... so i want to be able create DOPE QUALITY music and sound effects without being limited to what I can do... like be able to edit piano, drums, guitar, flute, chello, etc.. with all of the different types of instrument sounds, plus all the other crazy sound effects that one can create on his own... without spending thousands of dollars. I am planning to spend maybe.... $1K or less on my controller + software + plug ins... (I am a student working full time.... I'm super broke by the way, but am willing to spend some money to create my visions) to be able to produce quality Sound and Music... investing for my future animation movies... My professor is using Digital Performer 3 right now... hm... but don't know if that is just for music lovers or for Movie/Animation editors as well... I know that Hollywood, everyone uses Protools, but don't got money for that... ya know? I need a software that I can view my movie while editing music and sound... Thanks for your suggestioins...

[mlinde]

Not to rain on your parade rubixstarr, but it sounds like you are taking a LOT on. You might want to ratchet it down a notch and look into something a bit simpler, like utilizing Soundtrack (http://www.apple.com/soundtrack/).

I played with it a bit at the Apple Store last week, and it seems to be a pretty potent option for a low cost. Sort of like Acid (http://www.sonicfoundry.com/products/acidfamily.asp) for the Mac.

Soundtrack will get you a lot farther for a lot less hassle, and trust me, you'll want every shortcut you can find.

[rubixstarr]

What music softwares is everyone out there using??:confused:

[Darth Mole]

Originally posted by mlinde
Not to rain on your parade rubixstarr, but it sounds like you are taking a LOT on. You might want to ratchet it down a notch and look into something a bit simpler, like utilizing Soundtrack (http://www.apple.com/soundtrack/).

I just said that. Don't you read posts or anything...?

[Beamtracer]

The big guns are:

Cubase
Digital Performer
Logic
Protools

I don't think it matters what "Hollywood" is using. Most film and broadcast television is mixed on Protools (made by Avid) or Fairlight (a hardware based system made in Australia).

Fairlight is not really an option, as it's expensive, hardware based (no MIDI) and besides that, they're going bankrupt.

Protools is a possiblity. There is even a free version. However it may not be the best choice. Protools was originally created as a sound mixer, with MIDI added as an afterthought.

Cubase (from Germany), Digital Performer, and Logic (also from Germany, recently bought out by Apple) were originally created as MIDI tools, with audio mixing added as an afterthought.

If you're going to go for one of the professional applications, I'd probably choose either Cubase, Digital Performer or Logic, because of their superior MIDI abilities. All these three have good Mac OS X support.

Which of these three is the best? It depends on who you speak to. It's probably up to personal preference. I think MacWorld magazine recently did a review of them.

[mlinde]

Originally posted by Darth Mole
I just said that. Don't you read posts or anything...?

A bit touchy today?

I read it, but rubixstarr seemed to brush right past it, and the software is good enough to be worth mentioning again, don't you think?

[rubixstarr]

Sorry if it seemed like I brushed right past your post, mlinde, but I did consider Soundtrack as an option. Soundtrack sounds awesome, and i am sure that I will be able to do a lot with it, but I was not sure if Soundtrack has the capabilities of writing out the notes of the music that i create like Logic Platinum 6 does. If it does, then i will look into it more, but I was looking into a software that can write out the notes for you since I can't write notes myself. I know for sure that Logic writes out your music for you so that you can show the composition of your music to a real live orchestra and they will be able to play the music. I just didn't want to invest money into a software and realize that i have to get another one that is better in order to do what I want to do. I know that i am a beginner at this, but I feel that I should jump into the big stuff from the beginning if I am serious about considering to do independent animation movies as a profession in the near future. That is why I am considering to go into Lightwave instead of Animation Master since they both can do what I want to do, but better to go into Lightwave, if i am going to do this seriously.... and I feel the same way about the Music software as well. Animation for me is not just for fun and games... it's my future and my profession... Or am I still dreaming and need another reality check? don't know...

[js33]

I think your goals are admirable but you basically have to pay your dues and get some real experience behind you. Don't try to bite off more than you can chew starting out because you will probably just get very frustrated. This can be rewarding professionally and artistically but you need to get a lot of experience before you can start producing professional level material.

Cheers,
JS