Mixing software for PC

[XabbaRus]

Any music buffs here?

I would like to know a good place to get some mixing software so I could play around with mxing various tunes on my PC.

Something like a virtual two deck set up with mixer.

[Chock]

I still use this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Magix-Music-Studio-2004-Deluxe/dp/B0000TI1Z2

Even though there are updated versions of Music Studio available, and I have technically 'better' programs too, this software is adequate for what I want to to most of the time. Most of the stuff I do is recording guitars, keyboards, some wind instruments such as flute and harmonica, with the occasional vocal. But the program is perfectly capable of using purely samples and digital recordings if that's more your thing.

Music Studio has a range of post-process effects available and to use these, I normally split the signal with live effects through an amp for monitoring while I play, and a dry signal is sent to the digital recorder input.

One nice thing about Music Studio is that all the effects are given GUIs that emulate physical rack effect units, so using them is perhaps more intuitive than a lot of plug ins (although I occasionally use those too). Music Studio has a lot of great drum machines included too with quite a broad range of kit sounds.

Don't discount programs such as Goldwave for things like this too, although fairly basic in comparison, I do use Goldwave for tweeking sound mods for software quite often, as its fairly simple and quick.

There are one or two 'deck mixing' style programs out there, and even some bits of digital hardware that have small 'decks' on them to allow you to emulating mixing with vinyl, although that's not really my thing so I've never tried any of those out.

Might want to check this out:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/MP3-Turntables-Virtual-Decks-DJ/dp/B00005040J

or these for free:

http://www.soft32.com/download_199599.html

http://shareme.com/screenshot/virtual-deck-dj-mixing-suite.html

Depends what sort of stuff you are into really, but I can certainly not fault Music Studio as a cheap, flexible and intuitive way into things like that, and one which will not leave you wishing for more features. Probably worth picking up a velocity-sensitive midi keyboard too at some point, as that adds a lot of capability too, but remember that your sound card can end up being the weak link in a set up if you get into that sort of thing, so don't skimp on that aspect!

A cheap hardware stereo mixer is also a godsend for this kind of thing, so you don't have to keep unplugging stuff from your PC's sound input jacks, although if you are staying totally in the digital realm, you could get by without one. If you need a mike and you don't want to splash out on an SM58 or similar, Peavey make some very acceptable alternatives for not much money.

:D Chock

[XabbaRus]

Hmm I think you maybe misunderstood.

I want to be a virtual DJ. Bascially take my ripped music and play it through my computer as if using media player but mix different tunes on teh fly. Just to muck about.

[Chock]

Nope, no misunderstanding, those links will take you to software apps that do what you want, I just put all the other info on there on the offchance that you might find it useful too.

:D Chock