FL Studio

If you want to work with music on a professional level, then you should definitely have a look at FL Studio. It offers a rich environment in which you can do anything, from experimenting with ideas to producing new tracks. The software incorporates a vast range of specialized tools, which you can use and combine however you want, to produce your music exactly the way you imagine it.

Although the program is not free, a fully functional demo is available for evaluation purposes. FL Studio's installation package is not small, so it may take some time to download and install the program. It works on Windows XP and all later editions and you can also use it on Mac OS X with XP, Vista or Win 7 running in Boot Camp. Furthermore, FL Studio is available for iOS and Android devices as well.

Unless you have some knowledge about producing music with a digital audio workstation, FL Studio's full-screen user interface will definitely intimidate you, because it may seem more complex than a commercial airplane's dashboard sometimes. However, if you have an idea on what you want to produce, you will find this program to be invaluable.

The program's functionality is based on countless plug-ins and presets, which are organized in a tree structure, on the left side of the interface. They are essentially special effects tools, and you can bring them into the main area of the interface by simply clicking and dragging them from the tree structure. You can find all sorts of neatly illustrated and fully functional controllers, equalizers and other specialized tools.

Each plug-in can be used to generate and manipulate different sounds in unique ways. The software is constantly updated, so you can always expect to find new or updated plug-ins.