Opinion: Top Software for Making Beats

  • Thread starter Thread starter applesmasher
  • Start date Start date
DAFFYDRUNK said:
What about Project 5? A freind bought it to get into some more techno sounding stuff and thinks it's really cool. I know nothing about it other than listening to a few demos on the Cakewalk site...
Click to expand...

I was wondering about this too, when looking for fruit loops I found some cakewalk packages that have it included. This might be good since it has the audio recording app included and I need a better one anyways. But then again I could always just buy cakewalk seperate for like $80 and get the reason stuff And it would only be a $150 difference. Looks like reason is the favorite so far tho...
 
wait i digress. It doesnt appear that CakewalkProject5 actually includes the cakewalk mutlitrack recording stuff. thats cakewalk FL studio.
 
I don't quite understand why someone who only needs a good virtual drum machine or sampler should buy Reason, which is a whole virtual studio?
If it is only a drum module that is needed take a look at LinPlug RM 2 or RM IV, which are drum synths AND samplers.
I am hearing that Waldorf Attack is a good one. There are many others, like Music Lab Slicy Drummer and Fill-in Drummer, Fxpansion DR-008 etc. For a sampler also consider Native Instruments Battery.
If you come across Steinberg Groove Agent, be careful. It is an interesting concept, but current implementation is rather strange. For example, due to poor MIDI routing in Nuendo I can play Groove Agent, but I can not record it!?
 
I'd have to agree with the Reason fans. I think it's rather easy to use and super intuitive if you are used to hardware sequencers and synth modules. I like to use my Oxygen8 midi controller to lay out beats in real-time. I actually use the little keyboard more for beats than intsrument synths.
 
why reason?

soft-samplers and drum machines are great...

but one would need a sequencer if they want to program anything. Reason includes a great sequencer and editor. Getting something like battery would work if he wanted to invest in a sequencer such as cubase as well, but at that point he would probably be spending more money anyway...not to mention that he DID speak of keeping the learning curve relatively easy. Of course, if he wanted to record audio as well as drum/sample sequences then that would be the way to go...
 
Re: why reason?

trogdor said:
soft-samplers and drum machines are great...

but one would need a sequencer if they want to program anything. Reason includes a great sequencer and editor. Getting something like battery would work if he wanted to invest in a sequencer such as cubase as well, but at that point he would probably be spending more money anyway...not to mention that he DID speak of keeping the learning curve relatively easy. Of course, if he wanted to record audio as well as drum/sample sequences then that would be the way to go...
Click to expand...

You are right, applesmasher has never indicated how and in what environment he intends to use the drum machine. Since he asked specifically about the groove software I understood that it was all he was looking for. It may well be that Reason is all he needs.
At the same time I had a chance to watch Reason instruction video and it became clear that despite being a very good program it does not suit the type of music that I am trying to record or my working style. Therefore it is advisable to get clear understanding of how it works before paying money.
 
applesmasher said:
O i think i misread, Reason 2.o is 150 LESS. So its actually about $250. okay...I dont know anything about those mentioned above, why would you choose those over reason stuff?
Click to expand...

Because they are flexibile, powerful, intuitive, quality, limitless, and a bunch of other reasons...
 
JohnyC said:
Because they are flexibile, powerful, intuitive, quality, limitless, and a bunch of other reasons...
Click to expand...


Yes, they are...but the more software you add, the more of a learning curve there is going to be. I would argue that Reason can do just about anything you could do with cubase and kontakt (aside from audio tracking) if not more.

not to mention the biggest point perhaps...

$220 (akai mpd) + $600 (cubase sx) + $340 (kontakt) = $1160

Reason 2.0 (free upgrade to 2.5) = under $200

remember he's a beginner...
 
trogdor said:
I would argue that Reason can do just about anything you could do with cubase and kontakt (aside from audio tracking) if not more.
Click to expand...

Can you use third party virtual instruments, plugins and samples in Reason?
 
webstop said:
Can you use third party virtual instruments, plugins and samples in Reason?
Click to expand...

You can indeed use samples very effectively in Reason. The samplers also include killer synth-like filters to tweak said samples.

The effects and instruments included with Reason are excellent. No, you can't use third party plugins or VSTi's, but that's not the point. We are giving advice to a BEGINNER who would probably rather spend $200 on a very powerful piece of all- (or mostly-) inclusive software than $1200 in gear that will take him a hell of a lot more time to learn and master...

I'm not saying that you're wrong with that advice, because I run SX with many other VSTi's and plugins aside from Reason and it is nice to have the convenience of a large selection. I'm just saying that I don't think it's the most feasible option for applesmasher.
 
From what i gathered you can...

OK ill try to be as detailed as i can in describing my goals. I am a begginer so i dont want any more than 2 programs to learn. I do have a budget less than $1000, hopefully much less. And I want to do drums, but what im most interested in is toying around with original sounds and effects. All those ambient sounds like swooshes, and pulses, lasers, whatever. Plastic crinkling. Also like hardcore heavy beats that sound like metal smashing or something. I figue itll take me a AWHILE to learn how to do that stuff but thats ok. Im looking for the easiest most flexible format to do that with. And an included audio recording app would be nice but isnt neccessary, cause i can just pick up a seperate one. What would u sell me? Reason 2.5? (havnt had much luck finding 2.0 for sale but im still looking)
 
ah you beat me to post! well i see you still reccomend reason...
Does project 5 by cakewalk compare or has anybody had experience with that yet?
 
Reason 2.0 is on ebay for under $200

If you want to spend under 1000, I would still say get reason for by far the most bang for the buck (tweakable synths/samplers/sequencing etc. that will keep you busy for a long time)...

Then put some more of the money into either cubase or cakewalk...both of which support rewire so you can incorporate Reason with it. You can record and edit your samples here, then stick 'em in reason.

Put the rest into a basic midi keyboard controller and midi interface (VERY important for keeping your sanity while playing around in reason). You can get a used Roland pc-200 for example on ebay around $75. just-midi interfaces are cheap.

this whole setup would keep you busy for a long time and should be well under 1000 bucks.
 
I need a keyboard? Midis huh? this should be interesting;) Hope my eyes arnt bigger tahn my brain ( or something)
 
nah there not thisll be cool but i did hear you right i need a keyboard right?
 
Well i wouldn't go so far as to say that you NEED a keyboard, but painting notes into a sequencer with a mouse gets old REAL quick. And that's the only way to do it without one.

If you get a simple midi controller keyboard, you can connect it to reason and it will be like having a hardware synth only the sounds will be coming from your computer.
 
that sounds dope. Ok well speak up now or for ever hold your peace if you dont think I should get Reason.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top