Software is an integral part of the modern recording studio.
Today's music scene revolves around personal computers and mobile devices. Digital recording, software and the Internet have yielded new tools and opportunities for listeners and musicians alike. Though musical interests and needs vary, and the evolving nature of technology keeps changing the landscape, a few standout software titles satisfy the most demanding music fans.
Players and Playlists
Software programs that serve as music jukeboxes have changed how we listen to music. With desktop music players, you create playlists -- groups of song titles organized according to your own tastes. Microsoft's Windows Media Player, which comes standard with Windows 7, performs the basic tasks of playing music and building playlists. In addition, you can browse Internet radio stations with Windows Media Player and purchase music through online stores. Apple's iTunes is a comprehensive player and music store rolled into a single program. Macintosh computers include iTunes software as part of the OSX operating system and Windows users can download iTunes free. ITunes accesses the iTunes Store, an Internet resource through which you can browse a vast library of songs for purchase. Windows Media Player and iTunes have the advantage of long-term development from their respective vendors. Although dozens of other music-player programs have similar features, they don't provide a comparable level of support.
Transcoding
Digital music files come in an alphabet soup of formats including MP3, OGG and AAC. Each format stores the music data bits in a different way; this causes problems when your music player program encounters a format it does not recognize. Audio transcoding software translates between formats, allowing you to enjoy music files regardless of technical details. You can use a professional sound-editing program to transcode music, but special-purpose software is simpler to use and costs far less. Digital Music Software's Audio Transcoder program converts dozens of music file types. Download a free 14-day trial of the program or purchase it for about $20. Audio Transcoder received a CNET rating of 4 1/2 stars out of 5 and carries a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Editing Tools
Musicians use software-editing tools to create music from recorded sounds, remove noise and add effects. Avid offers several versions of Pro Tools, from the basic SE package suitable for casual users to the full-blown and comprehensive HD 10. Pro Tools' modular approach uses plugins to perform tasks that include sound synthesis, effects and noise reduction. Pro Tools supports Microsoft Windows and Apple Mac OSX operating systems. The SE software comes as part of Avid's Vocal Studio, KeyStudio and Recording Studio packages, which all start at about $100. The Pro Tools 10 program is $700; the high-end HD 10 software is an upgrade costing between $1,000 and $2,500.
Audacity is open-source software offered as a free download. A cooperative of private software developers distribute it under the GNU public license. Audacity provides recording in up to 16 simultaneous tracks, has effects including echo, filtering and noise reduction and runs in Windows, Mac OSX and Linux environments. Though more limited than Pro Tools, Audacity is a solid program perfect for beginners.
Going Mobile
You can take most desktop music software mobile by running it on your laptop, but don't overlook smartphones and tablet computers -- their capabilities improve every year. Built-in applications such as Google's Music app for Android phones and Apple's Music app for iPhone have basic features such as playing music and working with playlists.
Pandora Media's Pandora app, available free for iPhone, Android and Blackberry smartphones, tunes into Pandora's Internet radio network. As you listen to music and provide feedback to the software, it determines your tastes in areas of musical keys, vocal styles and rhythmic patterns. The program surprises you by playing music by artists with whom you are unfamiliar.
Other mobile music apps offer editing capabilities. NCH Software's Pocket WavePad for Apple iOS devices records, mixes and edits digital music files. NCH Software offers Pocket WavePad as a free app. Pocket WavePad brings professional editing features to mobile devices; App Store customers rate it 3 1/2 stars out of 5.
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