In Need of GOOD Virtual Music Software (For Composers Only)

[Necromedes 103]

I am needing to expand my library of quality instruments and software. I had my eye on East West Quantum Leap but from the reviews of all of the ILok trouble, I don't feel like shelling out literally HUNDREDS of dollars on software for it to end up being useless to me.

 

I am reaching out to people here on the forums who compose music (Ive heard a few examples of some people pieces on here and they sound very good) to tell me what tools they use, an estimate as to how much they would cost me, pro's and cons, etc...

Any information will be helpful. I'm just sick of making music that sounds like its out of a DOS game, you know?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

P.S. If there are freeware solutions or extremely cheap solutions, obviously I would lean towards these over others but I'm also looking for quality.

 

P.S.S I am NOT looking for composition software like Fruity Loops, etc... I have something for that already.

Edited March 18, 2015 by Necromedes

[Radiant Arin 412]

Unfortunately, music composition and writing is NOT something that comes cheap. You want quality: You'll probably have to dish out about $500 for something that fits the bill. But then you want something that's a freeware solution: then you'll be sacrificing this "quality" that you want. The cheapest of all software products is $20, but the only thing that you can do is make loops. (Shitty ones at that.) If you want full control over what you want to do with your music, of course that cost is going to skyrocket. There's Sibelius, which for the $500 price tag, you can make virtually any type of sheet music in a few clicks. FL Studio allows you to make any kind of song, with no limits. It's also $400 (for the producer edition, the cheapest version is $200). Reaper, another high-quality music software that allows the usage of VSTs is about $200 (from what I heard), but I've never used it. (Ask Jonnie91 for more details, he uses Reaper for his music composition while I use FL Studio and Finale).

 

But yeah, you can't combine a "good" music software that isn't "free" or "cheap". It doesn't work that way.

[Necromedes 103]

The thing is that I currently have Mixcraft, so the actual composing part for midi's I have already. What I mean is something like Symphonic Choirs that allows for virtual choirs and guitars that don't sound like crap. I suppose the actual term I should have used was good sample software but I'm not sure if that is even correct. I don't know all of the specific composition terms.

[+ TBWCS 953]

There's also FL Studio, which has different versions and kinds that would fit you. There's an FL Studio Producer's Edition, where there are effects and added music progressions that are not included in the other FL Studio versions, and those versions being different with each other.

FL Studio Editions:

 

• Signature
• Producer
• Fruity

I have been using Producer's Edition on composing my own music in my game Concealing the Oblivion. There is a Piano Roll which allows you to play the sheet on a digital piano roll and play it afterwards. You can insert different instruments as an accompaniment as well.

 

If you want something cheap, I recommend you to learn a bit of Anvil Studio 2015 (freeware), which has a Composer's Music Sheet and a Digital Piano roll, which you can also add some accompaniments later.

[Horror Friend 21]

I am needing to expand my library of quality instruments and software. I had my eye on East West Quantum Leap but from the reviews of all of the ILok trouble, I don't feel like shelling out literally HUNDREDS of dollars on software for it to end up being useless to me.

 

I am reaching out to people here on the forums who compose music (Ive heard a few examples of some people pieces on here and they sound very good) to tell me what tools they use, an estimate as to how much they would cost me, pro's and cons, etc...

Any information will be helpful. I'm just sick of making music that sounds like its out of a DOS game, you know?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

P.S. If there are freeware solutions or extremely cheap solutions, obviously I would lean towards these over others but I'm also looking for quality.

 

Fl Studio is the best but you can actually crack it

[Tsarmina 2,612]

We don't advocate that kind of stuff here. Thanks

[Jonnie91 1,149]

A few questions for you: 

 

1. What specs are your PC, if you wanna do decent music production (such as full Orchestral pieces) it requires you to have a fast PC to compose, otherwise you're going to have pops, cracks and HELL. If you want to use something such as East West, you need at LEAST a Quad Core Processor with a bare minimum of 8GB of RAM. Graphics card is rather unimportant for Music Production. 

Even with the above spec, you'll still have times when you'll struggle. My PC is running as a Quad Core i7 @ 4.2GHz and that sometimes has a problem with my more heavier tracks. 

2. What do you class as "quality". EW is great and all, but is over $400+ might I suggest something cheaper such as: Garritan Personal Orchestra or if you're not one for composing full Orchestras maybe something more Garritan Instant Orchestra? It's got some decent quality, and some of my older tracks are created with it. Apart from that you could easily use DSK Music's Instruments, they are pretty cool,if you're REALLY on a tight budget. 

3. DO NOT WHATEVER YOU DO USE A LAPTOP FOR MUSIC PRODUCTION. I learnt this the hard way, I had a decent laptop, and it was so hot that it nearly fried the computer cause I tried to compose orchestral music on it... 

 

Also on top of that you need to think on the following: 

 

Audio Interface - For midi input 

Midi Keyboard - For adding notes in (not a necessity but it really makes life easier

 

and...I think i'm done lol  

 

There is an AWFUL lot of things that you need to know, and do before you consider purchasing software, in the last year alone I've spent over 2000 in instrumentation...

 

If you're not thinking of doing music, all the time, might I suggest commissioning a lovely musician to help you out even if it's just arranging your pieces, with better instruments, that's something that most musicians are happy to do. 

[Necromedes 103]

@Jonnie91

01: I have a plenty fast computer, no worries there.

 

02: Quality as in this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vCbISgGemQ. This was created by Voices of Passion from EWQ but as I have said before, I don't like the idea of the ILok scam.

 

03: I learned that lesson from my previous EEE Netbook.

 

As I said, I have the composing software, I suppose the correct term would be "Sample Libraries."

 

Trust me, I'm really wanting to avoid high cost software and libraries and I'm actually glad that you replied, Jonnie91. You seem to put together really good music pieces, so I'm very glad that you've taken notice.

[Jonnie91 1,149]

Glad you appreciate my reply, it's not the most easiest field to get into, with the amount of money you Do spend lol  

I do own the EW Prodcuts, the iLok has actually improved a lot with the release of iLok 2. The reason why things like this are occuring is because of people who say: 

 

 

Fl Studio is the best but you can actually crack it

 

That's why iLok has to exist. Cause people want to crack software and not pay the developers for the hard work they do.

 

I use East West, iLok is relatively simple to get through, but if you are REALLY not wanting to deal with that cause it can get a little annoying, and you're looking for quality, might I make a couple of suggestions on the vocal libraries: 

 

Shevannai - This is just a beautiful and haunting library. ABSOLUTELY GORGOUS  

Apocalypse Elements -  This is my go to battle track percussion! Absolutely mad

Requiem Light - Another choir library which is just stunning. 

8Dio Vocal Bundle - Another selection of beautiful voices (but it IS a little more pricey)

Realivox Blue - Another library, she can do most things, and she can be incredibly haunting, also the added bonus of being able to write lyrics, and she'll sing them  

 

I mainly stuck with the Vocal Libraries, as that's what you mentioned you were looking for  

but there are MANY others that I can suggest and definately support 100%. 

 

 

Once again, there are other libraries, the ones above the libraries from companies I know well, and use in my own compositions  

[Necromedes 103]

You see, I've heard that people have a ton of trouble with the ILok registering things, getting connection and crashing during installation. If I could be guaranteed that it would work near flawlessly and would actually get customer support when I had an issue, I would most definitely get EWQ software. I loved the sound of many of their libraries its just... Those ILok reviews...

 

Also, I really have no idea why people are talking about cracking Fl Studio... Its free... Unless they're talking about a pro version that I'm unaware of, which could be the case.

 

I am definitely looking for a vocal library set that allows me to build a word structure, so I'll check out some of the links you posted.

 

Something I am also looking for is good sounding guitar libraries. Symphonic Choirs is one thing that got me to looking at the EWQ packages but the other was Ministry of Rock. Those guitar samples sound AMAZING. I don't suppose you know of anything that's a little cheaper than Ministry of Rock that could produce similar results?

[Jonnie91 1,149]

I actually have MInistry of Rock  

 

If you're looking for electric guitars, as in heavier guitars I'd highly suggest Shreddage II  This is one i use all the time, and it is't overpriced either. 

 

With regards to iLok the only thing that stops me from purchasing their other libraries is how much of a memory hog it is, I've personally never found any issues with their products, when in conjunction with iLok, as some of my other libraries also use it. 

[Necromedes 103]

I may very well get some EWQ software then. Hopefully I'll end up having as much luck with them as you have.

 

I have also heard of Shreddage but I thought that it only allowed for you to add distortion effects to things.

[Jonnie91 1,149]

I have also heard of Shreddage but I thought that it only allowed for you to add distortion effects to things.

 

It's actually recorded dry, (no effects) so you can add in your own if you'd prefer. So although it is DESIGNED for more of the bigger battle tracks, with a little work it can be used for different tracks  

 

but tbh, I think that EW is a relatively decent product, whether it's worth the LARGE amount of money you spent, mehh that's debatable. There are many other alternatives that you COULD find, However, for the guitars, I do go to EW stuff for the less "battle Track" sounds. 

[Necromedes 103]

I guess I'll try getting EWQ stuff then. I don't need anything like Kontakt for it, right?

[+ Turos 3]

This thread is making my mouth water. I use Mixcraft, too.

[Necromedes 103]

Oddly enough, I don't find many people who actually use Mixcraft. It seems they go to is usually FL Studio. I prefer Mixcraft though because of the interface. FL is great but its just a little too complex for me to bother learning to use. Besides, I've used Mixcraft for, let me think... Give or take 10 years? Waaaay back when it was still Mixcraft 4.

Edited March 20, 2015 by Necromedes

[philteredkhaos 131]

lol, necromedes! I am about the same with Fruity Loops... I have been using it for about 10 years, since FL 3.

 

I have personally found Guitar Rig to make even the most CHEESY sounding synth guitar rock like the real thing. It is kind of an expensive plug in, but it is half off right now, for $99.50. There are also many good free VSTs, but I am having a hard time thinking of anything other than 4front Bass. (which, while awesome, sounds even better with guitar rig...) Actually, I guess there is a free, super limited version of it available.

[geluf 38]

I use almost exclusively libraries from Project Sam for my orchestral work.  Their "entry level" packages (Orchestral Essentials 1 & 2) are very reasonably priced and come with a ton of nice sounding samples.  Alternatively, the Symphobia packages give you basically an entire orchestra at your command.

 

Project Sam gears more towards "cinematic" style music, though, so it sort of depends on what you want, sound-wise.

 

The nice part is that there's no iLok or anything like it, and each library allows you to have it loaded on 2 different machines.

[Necromedes 103]

Well, I know for a fact that I am getting Guitar Rig. So there's my metal guitars for me.

 

I REALLY want to get Voices of Passion from EWQ but, again... There's ILok...

 

If Jonnie says that its not as bad as it used to be, then I guess I'll take his word for it...

But if it is still horrible... I will find you...

[Jonnie91 1,149]

If Jonnie says that its not as bad as it used to be, then I guess I'll take his word for it...

But if it is still horrible... I will find you...

Bring it

 

I would highly suggest if you HAVE the funds, to get hold of the Project SAM stuff. It is just amazing  

[Player One 9]

Try Propellerheads Reason demo it has huge library, vsti and cool mastering section. It is a daw program but you can using it into another daw(digital audio workstation) software by ReWire(?) if supports it. Also if you don't want wasting your money try search for free vsti, vst it is alot of them. Or try demos programs - don't know which have demo/trial version but try searching this producents: PSPAudioware plugins series - awesome sound effects(eq, reeverb, compressor and many many more, should have trial versions), izotope plugins series, Waves Diamond Bundle, IK Multimedia, Steinberg, Native Instruments. Also buying a magazines with DVDs containing royalty free sound libraries, plug-ins (vst, vsti, RTAS, etc.) might be good point. Best vsti are quite expensive and require more powerful sound cards(with DSP processors), and when purchasing these, you can get a some of interesting programs (I got Cubase, Ableton Live, some VSTi and something else). So using Cubase(or your daw software) for mixing + Reason (ReWire connection) + free Instruments + free effect plugins(vst, rtas, dx) - sounds good for start.

Edited March 27, 2015 by Player One