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Drum
and Music Software
There is a ton of drum and music software on the Net, but much of it
isn't worth the download. Here is some quality software that you can
download to emulate drums and percussion. And it weighs a lot less than
the real gear, so transportation will be a pleasure.
You'll also find drum/music notation programs and just about any other
software that will help you create your music. So check 'em out, whether
you're creating your own drum loops, writing songs, or just having fun
with music.
For basic music player software, also see our MP3
section.
Acid
Pro
Download a demo version and test this expensive but powerful, easy-to-use
loop-based music creation tool.
Adobe
Audition
This software, originally called Cool Edit Pro, was renamed
Adobe Audition after Adobe Systems Incorporated acquired the technology
assets of Syntrillium Software in May 2003. This new version does everything
the original did and more! You
can add special effects, slow down/speed up tempo without affecting pitch,
translate one audio format to another, or practically anything else you'd want
to do to audio. It's one of my favorite audio tools! Download
a free trial demo and take it for a test ride.
Audacity
If you can't afford Adobe Audition, then Audacity
is your best bet! And the price is right - Free! It's open source.
Download it and try it out!
Beat
Creator
This software lets you create bass and snare mono samples at 44.1 khz.
It can also create great Drum 'n' Bass style bass samples. Download
it and try it out. Shareware.
BioDrummer
This software lets you create complex sounds on a PC with no knowledge
of music or percussion required. Uses software synthesis to create
realistic sounds and lets you use WAV files for an unlimited number
of sounds. Unlimited number of instruments and voices. Download the
demo. Shareware. Full version costs $29.95.
CakeWalk
Download a trial version of Sonar, the latest digital multitrack recording
system from Cakewalk. Or check out their less expensive Home
Studio software, it supports unlimited audio & MIDI tracks,
loop creation, composing and printing sheet music, 24-bit audio, real-time
MIDI effects, and more.
CD
Master
Shareware (free to try) program that provides conversion for WAV, MP3,
and CDs. Includes the following capabilities: Burn MP3s to AudioCD, Create
CD Labels, Convert (or Decode) MP3 to WAV files,
Simple CD to WAV or CD to MP3 encoding,
Supports multiple CD-ROM devices and more.
Dart
Make Karaoke on your PC, restore old recordings, and burn CDs with software
from Digital Audio Restoration Technology.
Drag
and Drop Drummer
Here's a review on a piece of software that you could use when recording
your own masterpiece. High-quality MIDI and audio drum samples that you
can cut and paste where you need them.
DrumFlow
This program controls and edits XG MIDI drum setup parameters by using
NRPN controllers. It's also a drum Sequencer. You can create custom
percussion parts and then export them to your MIDI editor via the
Clipboard. It's Freeware for non-commercial use. Commercial use and
MIDI export capability requires a registration fee.
D-Tab
Drum Tab Editor
D-Tab enables easy creation of Drum Tablature and percussion notation.
Written by a drummer for drummers. Software courtesy of Underware Design.
Drumsite
This software drum machine uses CD quality sampled sounds. It exports
WAV songs limited to 32,768 bars maximum length. Time signature changes
are supported as are user definable drum sets with an unlimited number
of instruments. Download a free demo and try it for yourself. Shareware.
Drumz
Wizard
Easy-to-use pattern based drum machine and sequencer. Try the demo. Shareware.
Drumstation
DT-010
An easy to use software computer for creating techno-dance loops. Eight
drum channels, exports WAV files, effects, and automatic loop stretching.
Download it. Shareware.
Emagic
Makers of Logic Audio Platinum, which features extensive audio hardware
support including TDM (Mac OS), OMF and OpenTL support, and is capable
of 192 tracks of audio playback at up to 24Bit/96kHz rates, in a variety
of audio formats. The audio functionality also incorporates a digital
mixer with Surround Sound up to 7.1, over 50 high-quality audio effect
plug-ins, and fully-automated, sample-accurate mixing facilities.
File
Library
If you're looking for older shareware and can't find it, try this site. Although
it hasn't been updated since 2002 it just may have what you're looking for.
Fruityloops
This software began as a simple drum loop creator but has developed into
a complete song creation tool. It comes in three various strength versions.
Download the demo.
Goldwave
A comprehensive digital audio editor/recorder you can use to play, edit,
mix, and analyze audio, or apply special effects. Supports many formats.
Shareware.
HammerHead
Rhythm Station
Here's a simple TR-909 like drum computer program that's perfect for Techno
loops, Jungle patterns or House beats. Includes six separate channels,
29 built-in drum sounds, six complete breakbeats and you can import six
samples of your own. Plus it's Freeware!
intelliScore
Now you can covert MP3 files to MIDI and Wav files to MIDI. It's great
for creating MIDI files from your favorite tunes and easily creating transcriptions.
Download a free trial demo and try it for yourself.
Jammer
Pro
After I realized my Amiga - the world's greatest computer nobody knew
about - came to a software standstill, I needed a replacement for a cool
music creation program called SuperJam. When I checked out the Windows
competition, Jammer Pro was my choice. Great for creating custom music
minus one type practice tracks and a million other things. Now they've
got Jammer Live too. Try a free demo. Commercial Software.
leafDrums
Now available is version 2.0 of a software drum machine that lets you
use standard WAV files for your drum samples. You can do looping and apply
effects with no limitation on the number of drum sounds or bars in a pattern.
Download a copy and check it out. Shareware.
Little
Drummer Boy
Software specifically designed to create drumloops from WAV samples. Shareware.
LP
Conversion Software
Would you like to convert your old vinyl LPs or tapes to CDs or MP3s?
The LP Ripper will do the job. Download and try it for free. Shareware.
Magix
Download demos of all of Magix's software including their Audio Cleaning
Lab, Music Studio Pro, Music & Video Maker, MP3 Maker, and more.
MidiNotate
Now you can transform MIDI files (available free from the Net) into standard
Music Notation. Test it out with a free trial version of this software.
MPC-Tutor
Here's a site for users of the Akai MPC2000XL drum
sampler. It contains tutorials, FAQs, and high
quality audio samples available for immediate download, as
well
as a selection
of free drum loops and a busy discussion forum
Muse
Here's a shareware music notation program that you can download a demo
to try before you buy.
Myriad
Software
They welcome you to download all of their programs and use them for free,
as long as you like. These shareware programs can be run in six different
languages and include music notation, music recognition, virtual singer
software, and more.
Native
Instruments
Check out their Battery drum synthesizer that does a whole lot
more than just drums. Get a free demo download and play around with Battery
and their other products here.
Notation
Technologies
Play Music is an affordable 24 stave, 8 voices per stave entry-level
Notation Program that includes over 31 templates and 21 Sample Songs.
You don't even need any music theory knowledge to use it. Download the
demo and try it on for size.
Overture
3
I personally feel that this is the best and easiest to use music notation
program on the planet. Owned by Cakewalk for a while, it is now back in
the hands of its original creator, Don Williams. Download a free trial
version and while you're at it check out Score
Writer, Overture's less
expensive (and less powerful) little brother.
Percussion
Studio
Henry Kellner's Percussion Studio software lets you transcribe difficult
rhythmic parts using a simple notation system. It can play multiple parts
simultaneously and each track can be muted, so you can play along. It
comes with a standard rhythm set plus you can add your own using WAV files.
Shareware.
PC
Drummer
Thanks to member Greg P. for turning me on to this one. It's software
whose realistic sounds come from actual sampled drums. Test drive a
free demo to decide if you'd like to purchase the standard or pro version.
Propellerhead
Software
These guys put out some cool software, including: ReBirth the ultimate
techno-music machine designed using actual sampled sounds of the classic
Roland TB-303, the TR-808 and TR-909; ReCycle the ultimate tool
for sampled grooves; REASON the complete software synth; and more.
Check them all out. Download the demos.
Pro
Tools Free!
Use your computer's built-in sound capability and this free Pro Tools
software to give you up to 8 tracks of audio and 48 tracks of MIDI, real-time
plug-ins, and many of the same editing and mixing features the pros use.
Roxio
Software includes their popular Easy CD Creator software, Toast 5 for
the Mac, VideoWave, PhotoSuite, and CineMatic.
Shareware
The mother of all shareware sites. New stuff daily. Software for fun and
profit. FYI: Shareware is computer software that you can try for free
but if you like it and continue to use it, you must register it with the
owner. The cost is usually much less than commercial software and the
quality can be as good sometimes better.
Sound
Forge
Combined with any Windows-compatible sound card, this two-track digital
audio editor lets you create, record, and edit audio files. It also
has built-in support for video and CD burning and can save to a number
of audio and video file formats, including WAV, WMA, RM, AVI, and MP3.
The only downside? It's expensive.
SoundPlant
This software turns your computer into a custom sampler, capable of triggering
unlimited-length sound files from 50 of your keyboard keys. No MIDI or
other external devices needed. Shareware.
Square
Circle Software
WaveSurgeon is a drum loop software tool that comes in two flavors, Basic
and Advanced. Advanced offers SMIDI and SCSI sampler support and DirectX
plug-in capability. This tool automatically detects loop points within
a sample and slows down/speeds up a loop without changing pitch, It can
also transpose/pitch bend a loop without changing its speed. Also, check
out their latest offering Mobius software, which takes their WaveSurgeon
loop editor to a new level. Both are Shareware with demos available.
Squeekbox:
Fat Ass Bassline Synth
Download this cool VSTi for PC only bassline synth for free, courtesy of Pilchard
Digital Audio.
Steinberg
They've got Cubase pro-music and recording software, WaveLab digital
audio editing, MP3/CDR writer, and more.
Stomper
Hyperion 5.0
This windows program was originally intended to reproduce 909, 808, and
Simmons drum sounds, but has since been expanded with several different
waveforms, resonant filters and more. According to its author Zap, the
program is free. And there's a solution for you Mac users as well.
SurReal
Use this powerful, user-friendly software program to turn your computer
into a pro music quality synthesizer/sampler. Download the demo. Commercial
Software.
Tab
Trax
Instantly convert any drum tab to standard sheet music notation and playable
MIDI music. This software helps you learn from drum tabs and you can create your
own drum tracks as well. Download trial version.
Virtual
Drums
Here's a fun, fully interactive drum kit that you can play with your mouse.
And you can even download it, too!
Vocal Removers
Yes it can be done but the end result depends on the quality of your original
source. Vocal removing works best when your source file contains high
quality stereo audio. Check out this AnalogX
Winamp plug-in. Also, try the YoGen
Vocal Remover.
Voyetra
Take a look at their music notation, digital audio editing, recording,
jamming, and music lesson series software. Many free demo downloads
to play with. Don't miss their Digital Music Jukebox Software, AudioStation.
Zorch
Brotherz Software
DOS and Windows based software editor/librarians for the Yamaha DX7/TX7,
Alesis D4 drum module, and Alesis DM5. Shareware.
Now
You've Got the Software, Get the Loops!
Follow the above link and download some of the best free drum loops on
the Web.
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