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So I have a friend who wants to become a rapper (lulz), and he would like for me to help him produce his songs. I don't really have any background in digital media- I took like, an audacity class in High School -but I'm the most computer literate guy in the group, so the task falls to me I guess.

So, could anyone recommend a decent, amateurish music producing program? Free would be preferable, but I'd be willing to pay for quality so long as it's not absorbent (like, $100 would be the limit).

Thanks, fellas.

Reaper is great and free.

http://www.reaper.fm/

He'd have to install a new OS (and learn it if he's new to Linux/GUN), but Ubuntu Studio is designed for the video and sound person. It comes with multiple audio/music programs. It's free too. http://ubuntustudio.org/tour/audio/

Jack Lab is another OS distro aimed at the music crowd: http://linux.softpedia.com/get/System/Operating-Systems/Linux-Distributions/JackLab-Audio-Distribution-26612.shtml

Buzz Tracker if you can get it working on your system...

Otherwise pirate until you are making money. Reason is something like $300 iirc, Renoise looks awesome and is less than $100 (haven't used it, but it seems closer to Buzz, which I really like).

There is no single program that will give you what you want, I really like Buzz because I grew up with it, but Reason has some awesome options with synths and the ability to plug-and-play different midi instruments, whereas FL Studio is the best, imho, for getting specific drum beats and programming loops like that.

Best advice would be to pirate some stuff and see what works with your production style, then buy it when you are making money to cover your ass. If you really want free and don't mind a learning curve, go with Buzz

Bumping for interest. I do some music editing, but the program I use is over a decade old.

Logic Pro X and a Mac (you should have a Mac anyways, they are the best)

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/logic-pro-x/id634148309?mt=12

I have a VS-1880. I stay away from computers for music. It is old, like me, but still works.

Originally posted by Tzeentch
So I have a friend who wants to become a rapper (lulz), and he would like for me to help him produce his songs. I don't really have any background in digital media- I took like, an audacity class in High School -but I'm the most computer literate guy in the group, so the task falls to me I guess.

So, could anyone recommend a decent, amateurish music producing program? Free would be preferable, but I'd be willing to pay for quality so long as it's not absorbent (like, $100 would be the limit).

Thanks, fellas. absorbent
The word is actually.... exorbitant...
Hope that helps.

Actually, he meant absorbent. As in the quality should not be absorbent, because it is a music producing program, and not a kitchen roll.