Music Composition in OSX - Recommendations?

[aphex]

I use to tinker with music composition years ago back when I was in high school and a pretty hardcore band nerd. 🙂 I was moderately well versed in audio recording, Midi, multi track recording, layering, sequencing, etc...

The bug has kinda bit me again lately and i've been thinking of getting back into it in my spare time.

Any recommended software? I thought about just using Garageband, but wasn't sure if there is something else out there I would be better served to invest my time.

Also, any recommended controllers?

 

[Kaido]

Logic Studio + Sibelius

Logic Studio ($499) includes 3 apps: (plus a bunch of other goodies)

1. Logic Pro 9
2. MainStage 2
3. Soundtrack Pro 3

http://www.apple.com/logicstudio/

Sibelius Professional 6 ($599) is a beast for notation:

http://www.sibelius.com/home/index_flash.html

They have a few good Sound Libraries for Sibelius:

http://www.sibelius.com/products/sibelius_sounds/index.html

As well as the AudioScore software for reverse-engineering songs:

http://www.sibelius.com/products/audioscore/ultimate.html

If you really wanna get nerdy, the hardware I'd recommend is:

* iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad (all kinds of musical stuff like guitar inputs and tuners)
* MIDI keyboard, electric guitar, microphone
* 1/4"/XLR sound card and headphones or monitors (I use some low-end M-Audio stuff)

 

[Paperlantern]

I'm not 100% sure if cakewalk has anything for Mac specifically, but i know they are a really good suite of software. And a large name so i would imagine that they do. I used an oldish windows implementation years back when the bug bit me and recorded a few songs with it. Though it was all for recording mostly, I would do all the tracks with actual instruments (guitar, drums, etc) and it allowed me to mix them, though im sure there are other versions and flavors of the software that allow sampling, effects, etc since its been 5+ years since ive used it. i just remember it being very user friendly even 5 years ago.

 

[Kaido]

Also read/bookmark Tweak's Guide to the Home and Project Studio, an awesome guide on getting setup with equipment, MIDI, and all that jazz - excellent resource:

http://www.tweakheadz.com/guide.htm

 

[QueBert]

I have an M-Audio Oxygen 61 for my keys, Stienberg CI2 for my audio interface, and an M-Audio Trigger Finger for my pads. I use Propellerheads Reason. I'm saving $10 a week so one day I can afford Abelton Live, Ableton re-wired into Reason is suppose to be an awesome combo.

If you want a controller with more umph, the M-Audio Axiom's sweet, has 12 MPC style pads. While I haven't used Garage Band, I've heard some pretty good things about it. Obviously it's not going to be Pro Tools or Logic, but for the price it's pretty good.

 

[Patranus]

I would highly suggest you check out GarageBand before looking at the professional level alternatives.

 

[oynaz]

But if he starts using GarageBand, he more or less locks himseld into using Logic, as GarageBand refuses to talk to any other programs.

Logic is fine, but he might want to take a look at for instance Pro Tools or Cubase instead.

I prefer Cubase myself (on a PC).

 

[JSt0rm]

protools 9 is amazing.

 

[oynaz]

xx

 

[CptObvious]

Garageband is really good for composing. I used to use Cakewalk Sonar, which is much more featured, but sometimes I'd be fiddling with settings for hours instead of composing.

 

[slugg]

Seems like a lot of people here have different understandings of what "music composition" really is. Let's all get on the same page as the OP.

Aphex - what exactly would you like to do? What kind of workflow do you want? What's your budget for software and controller(s)? What about an audio interface? Are you recording, or just composing? Do you plan on doing full-blown sequencing, or just composing music on a staff?

And finally... are you stuck in OS X, or would you use a PC/Windows as well? One thing to note is that the ONLY worthwhile program exclusively for OS X is Logic. If Logic doesn't work for you, then it's not really worth working on a Mac. All of the multiplatform software runs better in Windows. And yes, that includes ProTools. Windows also has a couple nice options, depending on what you want, such as Cakewalk and FL-Studio.

Another thing worth noting is that ProTools now doesn't have the audio interface restrictions it used to have. You can now use ProTools with any decent audio interface, including most USB devices.

I've been using Sibelius semi-professionally for 6 years, if you have any questions about that.