1. Best Music Software For Beginners
2. Apple Music Production Software For Windows
3. Best Apple Music Production Software

Logic Studio is a discontinued professional music production suite by Apple Inc. The first version of Logic Studio was unveiled on September 12, 2007.It claims to be the largest collection of modeled instruments, sampler instruments, effect plug-ins, and audio loops ever put in a single application.^[1]

With version 10.5, Apple Logic Pro X now incorporates full-fledged, non-linear recording and a top-class Sampler instrument. It’s a stellar update to a best-in-class DAW, and if you already own. Cockos Reaper 6 — Mac/PC. Advanced audio editing for the beginning user. When it comes to customization, Reaper is about as robust as they come. An unlimited range of custom track and lane visuals to cherry-picked mixer views and beyond, all homegrown and generously supplied by other Reaper users, supply a custom layout for any type of workflow you find yourself engrossed in: audio, video.

The package contains Logic Pro, Mainstage, Soundtrack Pro, WaveBurner, Studio Instruments, Studio Effects, Apple Loops, Apple Loops Utility, Impulse Response Utility, Compressor, and QuickTime Pro. It also contains 6 content DVDs containing Jam Pack collections, sound effects, surround music beds, EXS24 samples, and impulse response files and a demo content DVD.^[2]

On December 8, 2011, it was announced that the boxed version of Logic Studio suite would be discontinued. Instead, Logic Pro and Mainstage would be sold separately on the Mac App Store. Soundtrack Pro was discontinued as part of the move.^[3]

Components[edit]

Apple Loops Utility[edit]

The Apple Loops Utility software is a small companion utility to Soundtrack Pro, GarageBand, Logic Express, and Logic Pro, all made by Apple Inc. Apple Loops Utility allows users to create loops of audio that can be time-stretched. Audio files converted to 'Apple Loops' via the Apple Loops Utility can also be tagged with their publishing (Author, Comments, etc.) and musical information (Key, Tempo, etc.). Multiple files can be tagged at the same time, a process known as batch tagging. Apple Loops Utility can read both AIFF and WAVfile formats, but it will convert the latter to AIFF when saved with tagging information.

Compressor[edit]

Best Music Software For Beginners

Compressor is a video and audio media compression and encoding application for use with Final Cut Studio and Logic Studio on Mac OS X. It can be used with Qmaster for clustering. Compressor is used for encoding MPEG-1, MPEG-2 for DVD, QuickTime .mov, MPEG-4 (Simple Profile), MPEG-4 H.264 and optional (third Party and often commercial) QuickTime Exporter Components to export to Windows Media, for example. Among its other features is the ability to convert from NTSC to PAL and vice versa, and the ability to 'upconvert' from Standard Definition video to High Definition video with feature detail detection to prevent serious quality losses.

Impulse Response Utility[edit]

Apple Music Production Software For Windows

The Impulse Response Utility is used to create custom convolution reverbs.

Logic Pro[edit]

Logic Pro is a hybrid 32 / 64 bit digital audio workstation and MIDIsequencer software application for the Mac OS X platform. Originally created by German software developer Emagic, Logic Pro became an Apple product when Apple bought Emagic in 2002. Logic Pro provides software instruments, synthesizers, audio effects and recording facilities for music synthesis. It also supports Apple Loops – royalty-free professionally recorded instrument loops. Audio effects include distortions, dynamics processors, equalization filters, and delays. The Space Designer plugin simulates the acoustics of audio played in different environments, such as rooms of varying size, or producing the echoes that might be heard on high mountains. Logic Pro can work with MIDI keyboards and control surfaces for input and processing, and for MIDI output. It features real-time scoring in musical notation, supporting guitartablature, chord abbreviations and drum notation.

The application features distributed processing abilities, which can function across an EthernetLAN. One machine runs the Logic Pro app, while the other machines on the network run the Logic node app. Logic will then offload the effects and synth processing to the other machines on the network. If the network is fast enough (i.e. gigabit Ethernet) this can work in near-real time, depending on buffer settings and CPU loads. This allows users to combine the power of several Mac computers to process Logic Pro’s built-in software instruments and plug-ins, and 3rd party processing plug-ins.

MainStage[edit]

MainStage's primary purpose is to serve as a method of centralizing any virtual instruments that users might have installed on their computers that are normally used in Apple's DAW software Logic Pro for use in live performance.

The instruments can then be played using a pre-recorded MIDI file or via a MIDI controller such as a keyboard. MainStage's other features include the ability to play back pre-recorded backing tracks and to function as a guitar and vocal multi-effects processor.

The second version, MainStage 2, was released on July 23, 2009, along with updated releases of many of the other applications in the Logic Studio package.

Soundtrack Pro[edit]

Soundtrack Pro is a music composing and audio editing application made by Apple Inc., which includes a collection of just over 5000 royalty free professional instrument loops and sound effects. The program also allows multitrack projects to be exported directly with Compressor settings.

Waveburner[edit]

WaveBurner can be used for assembling, mastering, and burning audio CDs. Audio CDs created with WaveBurner can be played back on any audio CD player, and can be used as premasters to produce CDs in large numbers for possible distribution.

WaveBurner has several notable features:

• Allows for up to 99 tracks and 99 subindexes per track
• Includes ISRC codes for each track
• Includes copy prevention and pre-emphasis for each track
• Adds UPC/EAN codes for the CD
• Supports CD-Text
• Create DDP (CD-image)

System requirements[edit]

According to Apple,^[2] one needs to meet the following requirements to install all applications:

• Mac computer with an Intel processor (PPC is supported prior to v9.1.11)
• 2GB of RAM (4GB or more recommended)
• Display with 1280x768 or higher resolution
• Mac OS X v10.6.8 or later
• QuickTime 7.6 or later
• DVD drive for installation
• 9GB to install all applications and required content
  • Additional 38GB to install all optional content (large content packages can be installed on separate disk):
    • 10GB for Jam Pack collections
    • 16GB for sound effects
    • 6GB for surround music beds
    • 6GB for other optional content

See also[edit]

References[edit]

1. ^What is Logic Studio? Retrieved on April 9, 2011
2. ^ ^abApple Logic Studio Technical Specifications Retrieved on April 9, 2011
3. ^Logic Pro comes to Mac App Store, Logic Express dropped in the shuffle Retrieved on November 8, 2014

Free music-making software is great if you like the sound of getting musically creative on your computer without the financial outlay. Programs designed to help with the music creation process can be outrageously expensive, but they are the sot of tools that people use to make a living. That said, there is an impressive selection of free music-making software out there that will serve as a great introduction to what's possible without putting a strain on your pocket.

The best free music-making software is Apple Garageband, which is the perfect introduction to music production and provides a clear path to Apple's pro-level DAW. It's not your only option though, and we've rounded up four other excellent music-making tools here so you can choose the right one for you.

You might be surprised at the quality that's to be found here. Given the price tags often attached to music production software, you'd be forgiven for expecting free tools to cut too many corners to make them worth bothering with. Thankfully, opting for free music-making software need not mean making huge compromises.

The best free music-making software at a glance

1. Apple Garageband
2. Tracktion T7
3. AmpliTube Custom Shop
4. Klevgrand SyndtSphere
5. BandLab Cakewalk

1. Apple GarageBand

Compatibility: macOS 10.11 or later

Apple’s long-standing digital audio workstation has come a long way since we first saw it in 2004, and although it still lacks a couple of key features (such as MIDI export and the ability to control external hardware via MIDI), GarageBand offers more than enough to get you going.

Apple has done a very good job at creating the perfect gateway drug into music production, and a clear path to Logic Pro X (Apple’s fully-functional professional DAW) is plain to see.

Shared features include Drummer, the seriously easy to use groove-maker, which includes multiple genres styles, easy controls and a ton of pattern and fill variations. You’re also treated to content from the Apple Loops sound library. And to further ease the transition, a familiar interface to Logic.

Although limited to 255 tracks per song, GarageBand is an immensely powerful and easy to use DAW that seems to be getting better with age.

2. Tracktion T7

Compatibility: macOS/Windows/Linux (VST, AU and Linux VST)

The folks at Tracktion seem to have hit on a rather canny business model by releasing older versions of their DAW for free, with nothing taken out.

The convention seems to be to make the version two iterations before the current one available to download without charge. You might not get all the latest features, but you'll receive an update each time the company updates its flagship DAW, which it does almost yearly.The latest version to have its price tag shaved off its Tracktion T7.

Best Apple Music Production Software

Every section is scalable, so you can adjust to suit your workflow and the bottom panel changes to to display whichever parameters you've selected elsewhere on the screen.

Tracktion T7 also features an unlimited number of audio and MIDI tracks, all depending on your hardware capabilities of course, and is able to host multiple plugin formats including VST and Audio Units.

Note that Before you can download the software, you’ll be prompted to enter an email address and password to create an account. When you run the software for the first time after installing it, you’ll see a notification that it’s running in demo mode, but don’t worry – click ‘Unlock…’ then enter the address and password you set earlier, and all the features will become available.

3. AmpliTube Custom Shop

Compatibility: macOS/Windows (64-bit only). Standalone app and plugin (AAX, VST and AU)

AmpliTube Custom Shop from IK Multimedia might be a cut-down version of AmpliTube 4, but it's still a fully functional guitar rig modelling application. This free version comes with 24 models including a digital chromatic tuner, nine stompboxes, four amps, five cabs, three mics and two rack effects.

There’s plenty to keep any guitarist happy when recording directly into their laptop – not least the fact IK Multimedia has secured official guitar amp models from such giants as Fender, Ampeg, Orange, Mesa Boogie and many more.

AmpliTube's tones are authentic and there's an impressive level of customization available (including choice of microphone and mic placement), but perhaps the biggest boon is the Custom Shop feature.

Okay, so at this point you're going to have to start shelling out some cash if you want to expand your collection of amp models, stompboxes and cab sims. However, the 'try before you buy' scheme is a welcome one.

4. Klevgrand SyndtSphere

Compatibility: macOS/Windows (VST and AU)

Klevgrand may not be a household name, but the Stockholm-based production company has certainly carved a name for itself with a slew of fine-sounding instruments featuring some rather esoteric interfaces.

SyndtSphere is no exception, and is one of the more accessible software synthesizers out there. Loaded with over 70 presets, the big fun here is the way you can morph between sounds using a nifty sphere-like object at the centre of the app.

More seasoned producers needn’t be be put off by the beginner-friendly feel; SyndtSphere has an impressive array of sounds lurking within. The unique morphing function allows for some rock-solid sound design, but you may find yourself playing around with it for ages before getting anything done.

5. BandLab Cakewalk

Compatibility: Windows

Cakewalk – formerly known as Cakewalk SONAR, was one of the first ever digital audio workstations, but its owner Gibson halted development last year. Luckily for music makers, cloud music creation platform BandLab snapped the software up in February, and has made it available to download free.

Cakewalk is a complete music production package, with creative songwriting tools and instruments, advanced mixing and mastering tools, unlimited MIDI and audio tracks for your own recordings, and a full suite of editing tools. Once you've finished, you can publish your work directly to SoundCloud, Youtube, Facebook and many other sites.

It's a pity it's only available for Windows 10 at the moment, but we'll be interested to see where BandLab takes Cakewalk in the future.

• Need to get your music library in order? Check out the best free music players