Music Production Software (For PC not Mac)

[B-rock]

I have a friend that is really serious into music and I want to buy him a good music production software. So that him and his band can do Guitars, Vocals and everything else that they would need.

I have heard that Acid Pro 6 is pretty much amazing and that Cakewalk is also pretty good.

Money isn't a real obstacle just shouldn't be something ridiculous like $500+

Also would they need anything else to make it easier/better like Studio Headphones?

I don't know if this is the right place for this thread so move it if it is not

[bizzle]

There are a lot of options you can choose from. Do not choose acid though. Cakewalk used to suck but it has recently gotten way better. Whats best about recent cakewalk is that it does its best to emulate Pro Tools.

Now I am a Pro Tools whore. I try to push Pro Tools on most people who ask about this sort of stuff. The Pro Tools software ultimately has more capabilities than any other audio editing software out there. It's a bit pricey (and most would agree that Digi pre-ams suck ass) but I got my Pro Tools system with a bunch of plug ins for just over 600 dollars. However, you can get Pro Tools in lighter and less expensive forms as well.

Here's a link to the digidesign website section that will most interest you. http://www.digidesign.com/index.cfm?navid=104&langid=100&itemid=23596

Note the MBox2 Micro. Its good if you're just looking for editing software and no ADAC converters or Pre Amps. It's Pro Tools LE but only $280 dollars.

There is also M-Audios Pro Tools M-Powered which for the most part is exactly the same as Digidesign Pro Tools but is not nor is it compatible with the professional standard version. It is however a lot cheaper and you can use any kind of ADAC you want, not a Digi one, which unfortunately you have to use for Standard Pro Tools systems.

http://www.m-audio.ca/products/en_ca/ProToolsMPowered7.html

[Stanley01]

I use FlexiMusic Audio Editor (http://www.fleximusic.com/) it is a great companion in every stage of the musical process, from creation to production to performance. It is an excellent software for beginners.

[BassBastard]

Free, easy to use for the amature but good quality:
http://www.sonicspot.com/audacity/audacity.html

[Ziggy St. Valentine]

The best way to record is in your mothers basement with a 30watt amp and a tape recording. Everything sounds so much more gr1m and tr00, no matter what you're recording.