Guitar

Guitar

• Guitar Rig (by Native-Instruments)
  This is NOT a VSTi and has NOTHING to do with MIDI! Its a VST effect.
  The point of this software: you record a guitar audio track with pure clean sound, and after it you can apply and experiment with all kinds of amplifiers/pedal/rig effects!
  
  The program can be used has a standalone application (but if you don't have a professional sound card you may get too much latency for it to be useful in this mode) or has a "VST Effect/Plugin" inside a DAW/Sequencer (like Reason, Cubase, etc.) where you can apply the effects to the raw clean guitar sound that you recorded.
  This way, you can concentrate on the creative aspects and leave effect experiments for later. Generally you'll get a better sound quality than if you connected your pedal directly to your sound card mic.
  
  CONNECTING YOUR GUITAR TO YOUR COMPUTER: You just need to plug your guitar directly into you computer Mic (with normal sound cables/adapters):
  
  Example using Guitar Rig on Cubase LE (other sequencers like Reason or Sony Acid Music could also be used in similar way):
  
  

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Drivers

• ASIO4All: The great Universal ASIO Driver For WDM Audio. Compatible with any WDM sound card lets you achieve less latency when recording audio (direct sound and MIDI).

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Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)

• Reaper (by Cockos - same author of Winamp).
  It's my Favorite DAW software. It has all you need to create music: direct audio or MIDI recording; multi-tracking; MIDI editor; support for VST effects and VSTi; and etc. etc. including the kitchen sink.
  Quick Start (A list of about 75 common things you might want to do in REAPER, and how to do them);
  Dowload the full Reaper User Guide (PDF book)
  
  
• Sony Acid Pro
  

  ACID Pro 7 software is a DAW powerhouse that combines full multitrack recording and mixing, MIDI sequencing, and legendary ACID looping functionality for a seamless music-creation and post-production environment. More creative partner than production tool, ACID Pro 7 software inspires you like nothing else. With its Transparent Technology™ design, ACID Pro 7 software removes typical barriers to the creative workflow so you can effortlessly transform ideas into real results.

  
  
  
  
• Steinberg Sequel
  Very similar to Reason and Sony Acid Pro
  
  
  
• Steinberg Cubase
  This a more professional and huge application... a big reference on music creation but... it wont be easy to get on to speed with this one.
  There's lots of video examples onsite.
  
  
  
• FL Studio
  

  Everything you need in one package to compose, arrange, record, edit, mix and master professional quality music.

  (Couldn't find a decent video overview for this one.)
  
  
  
• Linux MultiMedia Studio (LMMS)
  Is a free, cross-platform, alternative to commercial programs like FL Studio, which allow you to produce music with your computer. This includes the creation of melodies and beats, the synthesis and mixing of sounds, and arranging of samples. You can have fun with your MIDI-keyboard and much more; all in a user-friendly and modern interface.
  
  

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Drums software

Keywords: software drum machine, rhythm station, ...

• Addictive Drums (by XLN)
  A great drums VSTi that you can use with your DAW (it can also run has standalone app).
  It has a lot of MIDI drum patterns that you can drag-an-drop into your DAW;
  You can choose between diferrent drums hardware;
  You can use it with MIDI enabled electronic drums;
  Overview:
  
  
  Tutorial on how to map your electronic drums to work with Addictive Drums:
  
  
  Addictive Drums Quick Start (PDF)
  
  
• Ordrumbox
  The orDrumbox is a freeware software drum machine, designed to a creative pattern based way of drum programming with automatic music composition capabilities. You can compose beats even with polyrhythms, bass line and complete songs using included drum kits with the audio sequencer functions. See detailed features...
  
  
  
  
• HammerHead
  (Haven't tried this one yet...) Is a simple TR-909-like drum computer program aiming at the dance-scene. You can use it to create perfect Techno loops, Jungle patterns or House beats, but it's also suitable for Hip Hop, Triphop, Rap, Industrial and almost any other music you can think of.
  

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MIDI software

• vst4free this site kas lots of freeware MIDI Virtual Instruments (VSTi);

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Todo:
a great free VST plugin: http://www.yellowtools.us/cp21/cms/index.php?id=842
Sonar
Pro Tools: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pro_Tools
Audacity
Digital audio workstation: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_audio_workstation
DarkWave Studio
MidiDrums
http://forum.cifraclub.com.br/forum/9/220629/
EZDrummer (drums)
BFD2  from FXpansion (drums)
addictive drums 
guitar rig 4 http://www.native-instruments.com/#/en/products/guitar/guitar-rig-4-pro/

this youtube video has lots of tips: http://youtu.be/4caOQ8FO8JE
acid pro + guitar rig4: http://youtu.be/sVK-Ql_0syU
acid pro + guitar rig routing: http://youtu.be/p_ePbMoFRgo