Sound and Music Composition

Commercial Software Packages

• Pro Tools The industry standard for all audio production
• FLStudio (Formerly known as Fruity Loops) is a complex yet fairly easy to use package
• Orion Similar to FLStudio, but more easily accessible for newcomers.
• CakeWalk
• Reaper
• Steinberg Cubase
• Sound Forge audio editor
• ACID loop-based production
• Adobe Audition Record, Mix, Edit and Master Program
• Reason Music Sequencer, includes Synths (with many sound patches), Loops, Samplers,Mixers,Effects, and more!
• Finale

Shareware and Freeware Software Package

• Audacity audio editor for PC, Mac, and Linux
• Goldwave audio editing
• LMMS (free) alternative to FL Studio! Don't let the name fool you, there's an installer for Windows available (Linux Multi Media Studio)
• Wavosaur free audio editor great for sound looping (Only available for Windows PC)
• Anvil Studio a free MIDI Sequencer. Windows Only.
• SynthFont a free SoundFont-based MIDI player - regardless if you own a SoundBlaster Card - Supports WAV exports (per-track, and as whole audio), and support for VST Instruments

Links of Interest

• KVRaudio large forum dedicated to open standard audio plugins.
• http://www.synthzone.com/
• Large list of software synthesizers (shareware, free and demo)
• SoundFont Collection Free SoundFont Banks