MIDI composer software for beginners?

ApOcaLyPSe_1985 · Local time: Sep 20, 2006, 12:07 AM

Hi all,

I'm looking for MIDI composer software that's easy for beginners but in the end will also remain to be somewhat useful for experienced users. Since I don't own a MIDI keyboard it needs to function without. Maybe it has a onscreen keyboard that allows you to enter notes by hearing? Don't know if that exists. I can't read notes myself, hope that's not a problem

I just want to compose some known game music into MIDI tracks for fun but I'm always thinking of expanding, so it would also be nice if you would know of a professional MIDI package to work with after I get more experienced.

Thanks!

Arainach · Sep 20, 2006, 02:14 AM

Learn to read sheet music. There's no way around it.

Roph · Local time: Sep 20, 2006, 07:26 AM

I have no idea how to read sheet music at all, but I get along fine and write complex tracks using TabIt. I guess you're better off using this program if you're familiar with guitar tablature.

ApOcaLyPSe_1985 · Local time: Sep 20, 2006, 12:01 PM

@Roph
TabIt is pretty good, thanks

@Arainach
Yeah I guess your right. There's just no way around notes in the professional world. What kind of sofware would you recommend me on that area?

Snowknight · Sep 20, 2006, 09:37 AM

The most popular notation apps are Finale and Sibelius. In all honesty, it's really a matter of preference as to which you use. I prefer Finale myself, but Sibelius is not bad by any means.

Magic · Sep 20, 2006, 11:42 AM

Y'know the guy who made Cave Story? Seems he's also making a music editor. It's not MIDI, but if you feel like puzzling through Japanese software, take a look at this.

Zukan · Local time: Sep 20, 2006, 06:03 PM

If you have access to a Mac you should try out Garageband. With it you can turn your computer keyboard into a virtual piano and play around.
For PC I'd recommend FL Studio. I know a couple of beginners who are composing in it without the use of a MIDI keyboard and the results are very impressive.

squaretex · Local time: Sep 20, 2006, 10:04 AM

An inexpensive (~$40) shareware option is NoteWorthy Composer. I expect it's not as feature-rich as the big guns, but it has served me well for over seven years.

http://www.noteworthysoftware.com/

ApOcaLyPSe_1985 · 10:07 AM

Thanks guys, you've been a great help!

I dont have a Mac sadly, Garage Band sounds quite interesting. I mean, PC keyboard becomes real keyboard? Awesome. Haven't tried FL Studio but I've worked with the older Fruity Loops and I liked it, though it was mostly for beats and trance stuff. Some ppl recommended me to master FL Studio in combination with Acid Pro while others say I should replace FL Studio with either Reason or Jeskola Buzz. I don't know what to take but I think i'll try FL Studio. For now i'll play with MIDI since I want to make some simple stuff fast and for fun :P

Null · Local time: Oct 11, 2006, 05:00 PM

NoteWorthy is a good tool indeed. But if you ask me, the best software for music creation is undoubtly..? FLStudio, Way too Powerful.

Check it out.

Evangelitan · Oct 15, 2006, 06:29 AM

anvil studio w/ a midi keyboard does the trick, and I haven't the slightest clue on how to read music (alright, maybe the slightest). Drums are really easy to program for it too.

And yeah, I gotta agree with null as far as FL studio. It's seriously some of the best software out there.