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The software

The great thing about recording software is that it is written with musicians in mind, and most musicians are impatient, intuitive people who just want to get on with it. Well written recording software will allow for that, with a strong graphical interface, usually with virtual mixers, tape transport controls and tracks to show you what you have done. These days the software will allow you to record MIDI and audio, import samples and loops, mix and record a CD of the finished product, all in the same place.

For me, the best thing that has happened to music recording software in recent years is the development of the Virtual Instrument. This is what it says it is: a plug-in that lives inside your main recording software that will reproduce the sound of a keyboard, guitarist, drummer, orchestra – almost anything you can think of is out there as a virtual instrument. Gone are the days when you needed a different keyboard, drum machine or orchestra for each new sound. Also, virtual instruments are cheaper, easier to edit, and often sound better than their real-life cousins. A lot of recording software will come with a few virtual instruments thrown in, or you can buy packages. For example, Steinberg’s Studio Case is a bundle of software that has a piano, sampler, and a synthesiser. It also contains a virtual guitarist, bass player and drummer, with a built-in repertoire of licks groove and styles, plus software capable of recording up to 48 channels of audio, unlimited MIDI, effects plug-ins, and all the other stuff you need – for less than £200!

The other big improvement has been in the handling of loops. There is hardly a recent pop recording that has not taken advantage of using loops, most obviously the drum loops of urban and dance music, but also using the best bits of a singer or guitarist’s performance. It used to be that getting loops to play in time with the rest of your music was a real pain, but most recording software will do the tempo and key-matching for you, which should allow free rein to your creativity. As with virtual instruments, there are loops libraries for almost anything you can think of, from tabla to Egyptian string section, and a lot of it is online.

So – there you are – Abbey Road in a box. All you need now are the ideas!

This article is an extract from Gigajam’s forthcoming Essential Composition Course, written by Martin York.

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