FruityLoops, Cubase, Acid or ... something else?

[Thoth93]

Here's a post I placed in another forum:
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Help me decide something, everyone:

I am the epitome of the "home studio" user. I like to make music mostly for my own amusement. I've done one project for a friend (some music for a game demo), but all the rest is generally stuff for my ears only.

I've decided I want to start doing a bit more professional-sounding, but again not yet commercial, work. And I have a maximum budget of $300 to spend. I could go maybe $50 above that. I'd prefer to go a lot lower.

Hence:

Which would you recommend as a primary piece of software for me to use, Acid 5.0 pro, Fruityloops 5.0 or Cubase?

I have Acid Music Studio 5.0 So I could conceivably buy an upgrade to Pro and save some money -- not much, but some. I'm uncertain if this comes with any VSTI software synthesizers. I think it does. Help?

I've used Fruity before and have been really taken with it. I love the generators and I would be quite willing to shell out $299 for the XXL edition, which comes with Sytrus and a bunch of neat tools.

I have found Fruity, at least the versions I got to play around with in the past, to be a very intuitive program, so it's fairly high on my list. I like the interface, I understand it, and I already have some good familiarity with it. Of course, the same could be said for Acid, but I've never owned a version of that software that was VSTI-capable.

I played around some with Cubase, but that was a long time ago and it's probably totally different by now. My options, as I see them, are getting the SE edition with the five-VSTI instrument pack, or Probably the L edition. But does that come with any preloaded software instruments or is it just a midi program out of the box?

I'd appreciate any opinions on bundled instrument quality, expandability, ease of use, etc. I have a fairly good machine -- an athlon 64 3200, gig of ram, good 24-bit soundcard. So the hardware is taken care of. What I need is some good software.

Thanks for your help!

Brian
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Since then I've received a variety of accolades for each piece of software, along with a flood of other suggestions -- Mackie's Tracktion, Orion, various others.

What would YOU think would be my best fit?

Brian

[rockstar_not]

There are plenty of freebie synths out there, so I wouldn't make this a deal breaker. If included synths are a must, then you probably shouldn't consider Tracktion - almost every bundled VSTi with Tracktion is available for free download. I can't speak about the other hosts.

I use Tracktion because it makes the most sense to me. You need to use what is comfortable for you. Try demos as much as you can.

-Scott

[pannewb]

energyXT, http://www.xt-hq.com/

nearly 50$

find all the free synths on other threads here.

i like

synth 1

crystal

superwave p8

and a few others.

[speccyteccy]

The fact FL was KVR's product of the year speaks volumes.

EDIT

Oh, and this:

http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic ... highlight=

[kahrayzee]

Go with Fruity if that's your thing... it is quite a mature product now...

I would also consider checking out the lower end Sonar products, as you can get version 3 or 4, and as other's have mentioned get a ton of freebies. I think you'd mostly be missing out on the bundled 'high end' reverbs, samplers and such. You can download similar tools with relative ease, and while a bit daunting of an environment it is cool.

You might also try and look around for a used copy of some of the software... I personally am an ableton live junkie... so I'd try and find somebody willing to sell you a copy on the cheap.

Also for another freebie... check out audacity for a good free audio editor. I already bought Sound Forge so that is what I use, but my friends that use audacity speak volumes about it.

[CANE CREEK]

Ableton live 5 ,

try the free Demo at

www.ableton.com

theres nothing outhere like it.

Forget Acid Pro if your planning to use Midi & VST's , its great for loops but a shit VST host.

Cubase SX or sonar are very good

but Ableton is the future.