# Making music on the computer **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 25, 2002, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-music-on-the-computer/100059 "2002-03-25T19:36:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![foxfiregrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3da27b/32.png) [@foxfiregrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foxfiregrrl)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2002, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-music-on-the-computer/100059/1 "2002-03-25T19:36:36Z")
I’ve recently had an idea that’s really quite appealing to me. I really love music, and I love making music. But, due to smallish hands and a lack of cordination, I’m never gonna be as good with instruments as I’d like. So, I’m interested in finding some sort of computer program that I could use. The sort of thing that you use for techno, electronica music. Also, the idea of making remixes seems pretty cool to me. My question to you dopers is, does such a thing exist? And, can it be obtained for little or no money? I don’t want anything that fancy… ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2002, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-music-on-the-computer/100059/2 "2002-03-25T21:38:18Z")
[MTV Music Generator](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005QIR4/qid%3D1017092033/sr%3D1-2/ref%3Dsr%5F1%5F2/103-9603404-8559062) sounds like what you’re looking for. ---
**Author:** ![pezpunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@pezpunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pezpunk)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2002, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-music-on-the-computer/100059/3 "2002-03-25T21:44:10Z")
I HIGHLY recomend any of the Sonic Foundry [Acid products](http://www.sonicfoundry.com/products/default.asp?channel=c) . Its a really fun program to play with. There is a free trial version of their program called acid express. It isn’t exactly like the full version but it gives you a pretty good idea what it is all about. I use acid pro 2.0 to record my music. If you would like to hear it and get an idea of quality etc go [here](http://quijibo.iuma.com) . I don’t really do techno but you can at least get an idea. The song “beast” is comprised of all pre-recorded loops and is most likely the kind of thing you are looking to do at leat as far as playing with beats. ---
**Author:** ![diku](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4af34b/32.png) [@diku](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/diku)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2002, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-music-on-the-computer/100059/4 "2002-03-25T21:48:41Z")
Well, I would second the recommendation for Acid. I’m currently using Acid 3.0 Pro to mix loops, and using Fruity Loops Pro to create the loops. Think of Acid as a sequencer, and Fruity Loops as a drum machine. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2002, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-music-on-the-computer/100059/5 "2002-03-25T22:59:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by pezpunk \* > **I HIGHLY recomend any of the Sonic Foundry [Acid products](http://www.sonicfoundry.com/products/default.asp?channel=c) . > Its a really fun program to play with. There is a free trial version of their program called acid express. It isn’t exactly like the full version but it gives you a pretty good idea what it is all about.** Wow! I’ve been mucking about with a MIDI-based sheet music program **Music@Passport** (I’d post a link but [passportdesigns.com](http://passportdesigns.com) isn’t responding). I’ll have to give Acid a try! ---
**Author:** ![interface2x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@interface2x](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/interface2x)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2002, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-music-on-the-computer/100059/6 "2002-03-25T23:47:58Z")
I really like all of the options in Fruity Loops, but I hate the pattern layout. For some reason, I have a mental blockage when it comes to programming full songs on there. I used to use Impulse Tracker (which, I might add, I am quite a wiz at using), so going from that format to the Fruity loops formate screws with my head. I do really like the TS404 and Simsynth options, though. Colin