Apple's iTunes is a great free program for managing music, ripping and burning CD's, and it's free for both Mac and PC. Via the “Drop a few my way” script it can also be used to convert files between most different formats.


VST plug-ins - there are countless freeware and shareware plug-ins, synths and samplers out there. KVR holds a database of plug-ins


(c) Gareth Fry 2009

Software

There are a number of low-cost editions (Logic Express, ProTools LE) of montaging software. These packages often come with cut-down software samplers and synths. Currently the cost and content of Logic Pro Studio makes it a very favourable package.


A second audio package to have is Ableton Live LE, which is a very useful tool for rehearsals, allowing sounds to be montaged and triggered live from a MIDI keyboard. Reason is another popular all-in-one package providing a virtual rack of samplers, instruments and effects. Cut-down versions of Live and Reason can often be found bundled with MIDI keyboards and upgraded at a discount.