Software for making music

Cool edit pro is a powerful and effective multi-channel recording and audio processing software developed by Syntrillium Software Corporation. It can process up to 64 audio signals on a common sound card at the same time. It has extremely rich audio processing effects, can preview and mix multi-channel audio in real time, and is the first choice software for personal music studio audio processing. Many people describe Cool Edit as an audio "painting" program. You can "describe" the system with sound: tone, part of a song, voice, string, vibrato, noise or silence. It also provides a variety of special effects to add color to your work: amplification, noise reduction, compression, expansion, echo, distortion, delay and so on. You can handle multiple files at the same time, and easily cut, paste, merge and overlap the sounds in several files. The sounds that can be generated by using it are: noise, bass, mute, telephone signal, etc. The software also includes a CD player. Other features include: support for optional plug-ins; Crash recovery; Support multiple files; Automatic mute detection and deletion; Automatic beat search; Recording, etc. In addition, you can also convert among AIF, AU, MP3, Raw PCM, SAM, VOC, VOX, WAV and other file formats, and save them as RealAudio format. [2]

CE also has extremely rich audio processing effects and perfectly supports Dx plug-ins. [3]

The new version 2.0 also has the following features: ① 128 tracks; ② Enhanced audio editing ability; ③ More than 40 kinds of audio effectors, master tapes and audio analysis tools, as well as audio noise reduction and repair tools; ④ Music CD burning; ⑤ Real-time effectors and emotional intelligence; ⑥32-bit machining accuracy; ⑦ Support 24bit/ 192kHz and higher precision; 8. Edit the remix circularly; Pet-name ruby support SMPTE/MTC Master, MIDI playback, video file playback and mixing. [2]

Two. . aural comprehension

Audit is equivalent to Cool Edit Pro 2. 1 acquired by Adobe from Syntrillium Software in May 2003. Adobe Audition has the functions of integrated multi-track and editing view, real-time special effects, surround support, analysis tools, recovery function and video support, providing a fully integrated audio editing and mixing solution for music, video, audio and sound design professionals. Users can benefit greatly from real-time audio effects, hear real-time changes and track emotional intelligence. It includes flexible recycling tools and thousands of high-quality royalty-free music loops, which are helpful for music tracking and music creation. As a new member of Adobe digital video products, Adobe Audition can be purchased separately or obtained in the new Adobe Video Collection.

Adobe Audition provides an intuitive customized interface that allows users to delete and resize windows and create an efficient audio working range. A window manager can track open files, special effects and various hobbies by jumping, and batch processing tools can efficiently handle daily work, such as matching all the sounds of multiple files and converting them into standard file formats.

Adobe Audition provides high-quality audio for video projects, allowing users to edit, mix and add special effects to AVI audio tracks that can watch movie playback. It widely supports industrial standard audio file formats, including WAV, AIFF, MP3, MP3PRO and WMA, and can also handle files with a bit depth of up to 32 bits, and the sampling speed exceeds 192 kHz, so that it can output tapes, CDs, DVDs or DVD audio with the highest sound quality.

Three. . Samplitude2496

Samplitude2496 is a nonlinear editing software with Cool edit pro, which is the proud product of SEK d Company of Germany (now acquired by Magix Company). It will be divided into two versions: Samplitude Classic and Samplitude Professional. [5] Before version 7.0, it was always a digital audio workstation software, focusing on multi-channel editing and audio downmixing. However, starting from version 7.0, sampling began to support ASIO-driven VST plug-ins, VST instruments and MIDI functions of split tracks. Up to now, Samplitude 7.0 has grown into an all-round player with both audio and MIDI, and truly ranks among the software families of audio +MIDI digital music workstations. [4]

Samplitude Producer 2496 supports audio files of various formats, can cut and edit audio at will, and has various sound effects such as frequency equalization, dynamic effect, reverberation effect, noise reduction and tuning. [5]

Its main functions include: ① supporting 24Bit/96KHz, multi-track recording, the maximum number of tracks is 999; ② It has the functions of recording and editing digital images and analog videos, and supports the frame-by-frame synchronization of video files and graphics 5. 1 surround sound; ③MIDI sequence function; ④ CD track capture and CD burning function; ⑤ Powerful editing functions: fade-in/fade-out, cut, copy, loop copy, automatic insertion of recording, volume and audio-visual envelope, 100 layer cancellation and redo ...; ⑥ Effectors with superior functions: multi-stage compressor, stereo enhancement, FFT filter/spectrum analyzer, hiss eliminator, noise sampling/elimination, transposition, waveform expansion, amplitude maximization, reverberation, delay, etc. ⑦ Convenient plug-in effector, supporting DirectX plug-in. Sam2496, a unique plug-in function, is beyond the reach of any software (including Protools); ⑧ Powerful mixer: 4-stage full-parameter balance, dynamic, delay, auxiliary output, full-automatic mixing function, supporting real-time control of mouse wheel; Pet-name ruby Sam2496 auxiliary circuit of mixer can use external hardware effectors in real time, and use external effectors to exert effects on each track. [6]

New features in version 7.2: advanced speed mapping function; MIDI editor has expanded many functions; Optimize the support of hardware controller; Improved support for VST plug-ins.

four

sonar

In the computer music circle, almost everyone knows Cakewalk, and the name is very famous. As early as 1990s, Cakewalk software of Cakewalk Company began to emerge. In the early days, it was a sequencer software specializing in MIDI production and processing. [5] Since version 3.0 came out, its MIDI function has reached a very perfect level. Later, other versions of CakeWalk were introduced continuously, which added many new functions, but mainly in its audio part. Although its MIDI part has also been modified, it is exactly changed because its MIDI function is already very good. If you study hard and master it skillfully, you can make it. Although CkeWalk4.0~5.0 has begun to add and improve the audio part, the full service of MIDI production and recording began with the advent of version 6.0 and CakeWalk6.0, and the audio part of CakeWalk was really started. It really realized that a sequence software could be competent for all the work from MIDI production to recording, and was constantly updated from CakeWalk6.0~9.0. [15] After entering the new century, Cakewalk 9 turned into sonar, and now the sonar has been upgraded to the latest version 3.0. The most widely used version in China is 9.0X Although Cakewalk is somewhat unsatisfactory in audio processing, it does not prevent it from becoming the first choice software for personal music studios. Moreover, it has super function and simple operation in MIDI production and processing, and has unparalleled absolute advantages. [5]

Cakewalk is not only well-known in China, but also the music workstation software with the largest number of users in the world. Cakewalk is a comprehensive music workstation software with MIDI production, audio recording and mixing functions. There are several models of Cakewalk, and the highest model is Cakewalk Pro Audio. There are also some simplified models. Cakewalk Pro Audio's MIDI function is very complete, it supports all kinds of professional hardware very well, and it is very comfortable to operate. Its audio function is also good, and it can also be used for video dubbing and music. Cakewalk comes with a series of complete sound effects, such as balance, reverberation, chorus and dynamics. Of course, it also supports third-party DirectX plug-in effectors. [5]

The future development direction of music workstation is the integrated production of MIDI, audio and sound source (synthesizer). The famous Cubase software first realized this method. Cakewalk company caught up, so it launched a new generation of music workstation Sonar. On the basis of Cakewalk, Sonar has increased the comprehensive support for software synthesizer and enhanced audio function, becoming a new generation of all-round super music workstation. There are two types of sonar, full-featured sonar XL and simplified sonar. The DXi platform launched by sonar itself can allow software synthesizers made by third parties to be used as plug-ins in sonar. In the future, we can make music independently in sonar without traditional synthesizers. Sonar also has a powerful circulation function, which can be used for professional dance music production. [5]

Five.

(1) Cuba SX

Cubase SX is the latest product of music creation and production software tools. Steinberg has accumulated nearly 65,438+05 years of development experience, and concentrated all the needs and latest technologies of musicians into the most advanced Cubase SX. With Cubase SX, users can get a very powerful audio workstation without any other expensive audio hardware equipment and frequent updating of audio hardware equipment. Cuba SX is not only a system, but also more comprehensive and flexible than a single system. For example, the VST system link technology supported by CubeSX enables users to form a huge system project through the interconnection of multiple computers, thus completing the engineering task of huge data. In addition, Cubase SX provides many powerful functions, such as supporting VST2.0 plug-ins (VST instruments enrich your studio equipment [46]), intelligent automatic mixing processing of virtual instruments and audio hardware compatible with ASIO2.0 (ASIO2.0 audio driver makes you almost feel the delay of digital audio [46]); Very flexible and diverse unlimited undo/redo operations, any audio editing operation can be cancelled or modified by any step of canceling the record; Support surround sound, provide more sound processing schemes for surround sound processing of other systems, [8] and real-time graphic editing, "macro" mode operation, digital editing browsing view, project preview panel, interface saving function, custom shortcut keys, and import function of cubasesong. All files) (shared with CubaseVST and Nuendo * *), and the perfection of Houston controller. [4]

The biggest slogan of Cubase SX 2.0 is that Cubase SX 2.0 is a software written for users, not a complex software written for an operating system that needs us to learn constantly. [9]

In addition, Steinberg seems to admit that Cuabse SX is a simplified version of Nuendo without video editing function. Steinberg admitted that the codes of CubeSX and Nuendo are exactly the same, and Nuendo 2. 1 will have all the new functions of CubeSX 2.0. [9]

The new version claims to have more than 100 new functions, including: ① a brand-new mixing mode, in which an audio track can be divided into six independent channels (i.e. 5. 1 channel), which are processed by inserting effect or sending effect respectively; ② The effect returns to the channel. Any auxiliary effect channel can return to other channels to continue adding effects; ③VSTi freezing function. When running VSTi plug-in, it will take up a lot of system resources, especially PC. As long as the VSTi freezing function is started, the CPU occupation can be minimized; ④ Different audio waveforms can enter the same editing window for detailed editing; ⑤ The new transmission controller is basically the same as that of Nuendo. [3]

(2) Nundo

Nuendo Studio System Plus (Nuendo Enhanced Professional Recording Studio and Post-Film Synthesis System) is a professional multi-channel recording/mixing system introduced by Steinberg Company in Germany. This system is also the most popular and popular product in the digital recording industry in Europe and America. VST digital audio processing technology and ASIO audio data stream architecture defined by it are being recognized and supported by more and more manufacturers. [ 10]

The system provides 200 audio tracks, 26 pairs of input and output channels, countless audio editing functions, and DSP processing ability based on hardware, which is not lost to the sound quality of Protools system and can fully meet the working requirements of professional recording studios. In addition, it can also provide up to 8 channels of surround sound production function and super audio-video synchronization ability (which can synchronously control the running state of video clips), so this system is also completely suitable for post-production and synthesis of film and television programs. [ 10]

1On September 24th, 999, Steinberg released their NUENDO media production system at AES in new york. In the past three years, it has entered the film audio, video and interactive media production market with its convenient operation and super functions. This is a software system based on Windows NT, including some hardware systems. It can simultaneously record 128 digital audio tracks, surround sound mixing, one video track, countless MIDI tracks and comprehensive digital audio functions. [ 1 1]

Nuendo's idea is the same as CubeSt's. Audio processing does not need other peripherals, which means that the processing of the effect is still left to the CPU. NUENDO's VST2.0 plug-in standard has become the largest plug-in standard in the world. Some plug-in manufacturers, such as WAVES, TC, WORKS, PROSONIQ and SPECTRAL DESIGN, have designed more than 600 plug-ins for the audio streaming technologies of Nuendo, ASIO and Steinberg, providing high-performance applications for various softwares. ASIO2.0 is a 24-bit /96 khz real-time hardware call monitoring and accurate synchronization of 64 independent channel sampling. [ 1 1]

The new NUENDO system supports Windows98, 2000, NT, XP and Beos systems. The function of Nuendo is not limited by specific hardware requirements. Can run different levels of systems, but also can be used on a common desktop. Semi-finished music can be processed and monitored on different machines or even laptops. This flexible way makes the way and environment of making music more flexible. [ 1 1]

The advanced function of Nuendo makes Steinberg stand at the forefront of digital audio software development again. As the most advanced audio sequence system, Nuendo can edit audio clips at will. Whether it is the processing of audio clips or the sorting of audio files, everything is more suitable for users' habits, and dragging the mouse can complete complex work. For example, just drag with the mouse (as shown in the figure). What we can't stand most in Cubase is that some operations can't be undone and redone, but in Nuendo, we can not only undo and redo the operations of audio sequences, but also create an operation record for each audio clip. [ 1 1]

Not only can it be edited non-destructively, but also all audio clips can be edited destructively with built-in or other audio editing software. The parameters that can be adjusted for audio clips on each track are: 4-segment equalization, 4 insertion effects and 8 auxiliary output effects. All parameter levels, equalization, sound image, surround sound positioning, effect parameters, etc. Both support automatic operation. Just like the electronic fader, the data of automatic operation is displayed graphically and can be edited carefully. [ 1 1]

Nuendo supports an external console to control the fader of the mixer, and the built-in mixer supports multi-channel grouping control. Nuendo not only has its own unique functions, but also has good compatibility with existing audio production systems. For example, it can save the finished product in OMF format. [ 1 1]

Nuendo Studio System Plus system is mainly composed of Nuendo multi-channel recording/mixing software, Surround Edition surround sound program production software, Nuendo 96/52 audio interface card, UAD- 1 processing accelerator card, Nuendo 8 I/O 96k junction box, Timelock Pro synchronizer and Sony 9-pin switch box. [9]

Nuendo mentioned below mainly refers to Nuendo multi-track recording/mixing software.

Nuendo is the first audio workstation software with video editing function after Steinberg was acquired by pinnacle. Is a top-level digital audio workstation software, which integrates MIDI, audio, mixing and other functions, and supports video 5. 1 surround sound production. [12] Whether you are engaged in music recording or post-synthesis, whether you work in radio or TV department, Nuendo is a solution that can meet your highest expectations, and it has a higher cost performance than other systems. [9]

All recording, editing and mixing functions come from non-destructive random reading technology, so Nuendo can provide the most advanced recording studio technology. The rich interface and input and output functions make it perfect for any recording studio. There is also the most advanced editing function. Its user interface height can be set, so that you can match it according to your own habits; It can also display a video track in the way of storyboard, thus completing automatic volume control. Its coolest function is to provide unlimited editing history, which means that not only can you undo any operation you have done, but it will not affect other subsequent edits. [ 10]

Nuendo 2.0 is competent in creation, film, broadcasting, music, surround sound, game music and multimedia. And combined with the peak video technology, audio and video can be combined more perfectly. [13] Latest features: Multi-channel structure: From input to final mixing, Nuendo 2.0 has an advanced multi-channel structure that runs through the entire signal path and surround sound. Every input, track, effect return, grouping and output has a separate 12 channel, which can make 5. 1, 7. 1 or even 10.2 omnidirectional. Setting the path in the project is also very transparent, and Steinberg has developed some tools (including a new method to organize physical input, output and special surround sound audio-visual equipment at all relevant points of the signal path). You can use seven input and output buses at the same time, and you can set any type-mono, stereo or any surround sound format-and any audio track can enter and exit any bus. [5]

Brand-new mixer environment: Nuendo 2.0 provides flexible mixing function with 32-bit floating-point mixer, brand-new design, complete plug-in delay compensation characteristics, real effect regression of each channel, phase inversion and input gain change. Another feature is to create any number of new input buses (if possible, you can write the effect directly). The new structure can record separated and interlaced surround sound files, and surround sound management is easier than before. [5]

The new functions in version 2. 1 are basically the same as those in cubase sx2.0 [13].

Original tool of intransitive verbs

Pro Tools system is an industrial standard mixed tool for recording and editing professional audio and post-video audio. [14] According to different market positioning and price division, several systems with different hardware configuration levels and slightly different software functions, such as Pro Tools|HD, Pro Tools|24 MIX, Digi00 1, Digi002 and Mbox, have been derived. [4] Its product series is a nonlinear recording system with computer as the control center and hard disk as the data carrier. [16] As a computer-based digital audio workstation, it not only redefines the means and methods of music production, but also completely replaces the traditional multi-channel recording and mixing mixer of tapes. Innovative software and high-performance hardware are integrated, and the overall performance is quite good. [14] Functions include all functions required for professional sound processing, including professional recording, recording, editing, effect processing, mixing, sound format conversion, lossless editing, synchronous post-production of video equipment, etc. In addition, it has nearly 100 sets of plug-in special effects processing software developed by a number of third-party manufacturers, which not only meets the needs of various professional work for sound, but also provides musicians with unlimited creative flexibility. [17] Its different types of equipment combinations can meet different business needs such as professional recording studios and film and television centers. As a part of Avid Technology, ProTools product series in-DigiDesign family has long been the main product of post-production of professional music, film and television audio, and the standard of digital audio production of music, radio, film and television [16], and it occupies an important position in digital audio production of most Grammy-winning music and Oscar-winning movies. [ 14]

The basic performances are: convenient recording control, intuitive editing and powerful mixing ability; Up to 64 tracks at the same time; 128 virtual tracks; 128 MIDI tracks; 5 insertions and returns per track; 64 hybrid buses; Multichannel orbit; Integrated and multi-format surround sound; Automatic beat detection and integration; MIDI resolution of 960PPQ; Audio and MIDI are combined with sampling accuracy; Cross-platform session file format; Track the overall introduction; Automatically store items; Multi-layer regret redo; Sony 9-core remote controller; World-class effect plug-in, flexible real-time processing; Signal processing and creative work; File-based plugins; Integrated software synthesizer; Avid compatibility and network; Master. [ 18]

After the new version, users of Windows XP also have exactly the same functions as the Mac OSX version, such as new mixing, editing and transmission windows, MIDI functions and Beat Detective functions enhanced by the newly added DigiBase file management utility. In addition, both Windows XP and Mac OS X can use host-based CPU computing power. [ 19]

With AVoption|XL, Pro Tools can use the working files of Avid digital image editing system, and the post-production function of Pro Tools industry standard can save a lot of post-production time. Pro Tools 6. 1 supports AVoption|XL. JFIF images can be recorded/played without compression, and the maximum value is 1: 1. The FilmFrame option is also the current standard specification of AVoption|XL, which can directly process 24P and 25P JFIF images and support AVID Film Composer clip files. [ 19]

Pro Tools TDM 6. 1 also supports AVID Unity media network shared storage system (ProTools HD only), which can be accessed simultaneously in Avid Unity Fibre Channel hard disk array. If you buy DigiTranslator 2.0, Pro Tools 6. 1 can support the input of Advanced Creative Format (AAF), which is a new industry standard media conversion format. [ 19]

Pro Tools 6. 1 began to support the ReWire technology of Propellerhead, allowing some software sound sources such as Reason to transmit sound directly to the track of Pro Tools. [ 19]

Pro Tools 6. 1 also supports the ASIO driver of Windows XP and the Core Audio driver of Mac OS X, which will enable other software that supports ASIO and Core Audio to use Digidesign hardware for multi-track recording. [ 19]

Seven. . Logical audio

Logic Audio produced by Emagic is one of the most successful music production software. It can provide many advanced MIDI and audio recording and editing, and even provide professional sampling sound source (EXS24) and analog synthesizer (ESI). Its application will make multimedia computers become professional audio workstations. However, its operation is very complicated and cumbersome, and it is not suitable for entry-level personal music studios. [12]Logic audio series music and audio workstation software has provided powerful music and audio production functions for musicians and recording studios for ten years. Whether creating music, mixing songs or mastering, all versions of logic have always been the best in related fields. Musicians and recording engineers have been using Logic audio to provide moving songs and records for the sound world in all corners of the world. Emagic has been developing audio music software for more than ten years, from MIDI sequencer software to spectrum printing software to professional recording software. [3] On the night before June 30, 2002, Apple announced the formal acquisition of German music technology giant Emagic, which became the first business case in which a computer manufacturer merged a music software company. [4]

Logic 6 series was reorganized by Apple, and the original product series was overthrown, replaced by two versions of Logic Pro and Logic Express. Logic Express is a simplified version of Logic Pro. Logic Pro includes the main program of Logic Platinum, as well as all instrument plug-ins and effect plug-ins. Supports 5. 1 and 7. 1 channels, with a maximum of 128 channels and a sampling rate of 192k. Logic Express is designed for students and educators, with only 28 plug-ins and 48 recording tracks. The PC version of this well-known multi-channel audio /MIDI workstation has basically stopped developing, and will completely transition to Mac in the future. The AU plug-in supporting MAC OS X [13] Now the Logic on MAC has lost many functions compared with Sonar and Cubase. One of them is the decision to refuse to run VSTi. But on the positive side, Logic 6 runs extremely stably on the Mac. [20] The problem of relatively slow operating system is also changing in music programs and plug-ins. The "new" logic has also begun to move towards Apple's "core audio" and "audio unit", and the future operation plug-ins and soft synthesizers are planned by Au. [2 1]

New features in Logic Platinum 6: freezing audio tracks, instantly generating audio files from the contents of audio or device audio tracks, greatly reducing CPU load. The Project Manager can easily back up all elements of the project to a central location, including all media files and insertion settings. Installation assistant, use Logic's interactive installation assistant to quickly install and run. Enhanced video support, transfer DV QuickTime movies to FireWire for playing movies on standard TV. (use FireWire-to-video converter). [2 1] With the selection tool, you can highlight any part of the sequence with the mouse, and then use the cut, paste and copy commands, as well as nudge, drag and drop, delete, mute and solo commands. The new equalizer adds a new eight-segment parameter averager for each track, and has a high band-pass filter and a low band-pass filter. The gain, frequency and Q value of each segment can be modulated freely, and the gain of each segment can reach +_24DB. If a wider modulation range is needed, the main gain can also be adjusted. [3]

Eight. . reason

Reason is a powerful music production software platform produced by Propellerhead Company in Sweden. It is a software workstation that can run on PC and Mac platforms. [22] Reason is a comprehensive software working platform, which is equipped with not only the sound disc Reason Factory sound library CD, but also the orchestra sound disc Orkester sound library CD specially for NN-XT advanced sampler. [3] Rationality is a complete musical system. Its functions include sampling sound source, analog mixing, mixing, changing music beat and effect, and instantly generating the music you need. All rational 16 devices look like real music production tools. You can use each device to let the processor process the music you want. Reason replaces the MIDI keyboard and allows you to control all MIDI-enabled devices and related parameters. In order to make you a music DJ, this application will generate the necessary tools to build music on the system as needed. [23]11Since it was released in June 2000, the development idea of "virtual rack" has gained a high reputation in the industry, which can completely rival the sound performance of hardware. [22]

Reason's software equipment includes synthesizer, sampler, drum set, loop player, reverberator, effector, mode sequencer and so on. , can meet all kinds of processing requirements of your computer music production. And you can open multiple software devices at the same time, which will not affect the normal operation of the computer, so Reason is a software music workstation that can be expanded indefinitely. [24]

As a user of Reason, you don't have to worry about the problems encountered when using hardware devices, such as equipment collocation and line connection. Because reason has all the processing power of hardware, but there is no trouble with hardware. The connection of various devices in Reason is automatic and can be connected according to your own needs. These connections are clearly visible through rational frame panels. When deleting a device, it is unnecessary.