I want to get into composing my own music, but I'm overwhelmed by all the different music creation tools out there, and by the difference between Notation, Sequencing, and Tracking software. Also I thought Synth, Audio and Effects, were all VSTs, but in the FAQ they are 3 different categories. Currently I own a UMX61 Midi keyboard, and I use Cantabile Lite as a VST host. After a bit of messing around with the lag settings I can make my poor little integrated sound card work with the vst instruments without any hiss and without too much lag. Investing in an actual sound card is on the agenda, but my current set up works and I'm thinking software is more important at this stage. What software should I be looking at buying ? I hope that's not a too general of question, but I really can't see that much difference between the different software packages out there.

If you're wanting to work with both audio, MIDI and VSTs then you shouldn't get Reason. It's a great program that can do alot, but it doesn't support recording audio.

Don't stress too much about which DAW program to get. They all basically do the same functions, they just differ in the steps needed or the names of those functions. Some are better for certain things than others as well. For example, Cakewalk Sonar has clunky video support. It can support scoring to video, but is less fluid than other applications like Logic, Pro Tools, Cubase or Digital Performer. Logic has some of the best sounding synths right out of the box and is very easy to work with.

What you need to look at is:

1) Your budget

Some of these programs can be very, very expensive. Or the support software and hardware can be very expensive. Pro Tools is probably the best example of this. You can only get Pro Tools LE (which is a watered down version) if you spend between $250 and $2200. To get the Pro Tools HD package, which isn't watered down, you need to spend at least $8,000 to $10,000. Most other applications make an effort to be flexible and work with any kind of hardware. Pro Tools doesn't.

2) Your PC/Mac

You don't mention if you have a PC or Mac but some of these programs only work under certain OS. Others work on both. Check up on that. Also make sure your computer is powerful enough and has enough space to support working with whichever application you choose. You mention your sound card- understand most of these applications require a more beefy card. They really don't cost too much and you'll get much better results all around.

3) Your needs

You mention notation, sequencing and tracking, but I doubt you need tracking. Tracking is a very different style of composition, forces you to use extremely small segments of audio and usually has a track count limit as well. Tracking is still used for certain games like DS or cell phone titles and also has a bit of a cult underground as well. All of the major DAW applications have tracking-like features or interfaces but do not limit you on the size of audio samples used and most allow for unlimited MIDI tracks and a high audio track count. Note: Pro Tools LE limits you to 32 audio channels I believe.

Also, do you just want to write music? What kind(s) of music are you interested in? Do you want to use this application to perform your music "live" like DJs do? Then Ableton Live would be a great choice for your. Most DAWs (like Pro Tools, Sonar and Logic) will allow you to print out manuscript (traditional notation) of your music as well. They don't turn out as polished as manuscript from Finale or Sibelius but they do have this feature.

If you're a student then try getting the academic package. These are cheaper and most of the time include full versions of the application. Again, don't stress about this and feel that you only should buy one. The programs I used on a regular basis are:

ProTools 7.4 LE (and Pro Tools 6 HD)
Sonar Producer 7
Project 5.2
Sound Forge 8 Pro
Digital Performer 5
Logic 8 Pro
Cool Edit Pro 2
Reason 4
Finale 2006
Various VSTi plugins

Knowing all of these programs also makes me more marketable because I can walk into most in-house studio set ups and get to work right away.

I hope that helps!

Nathan

Limit yourself first and then build up step by step to expand your needs.
If you start small you will discover what you are missing and what you need and the will lead you easier into the direction you want then digging in all at once.

My advise would be to start with a sequencer like Sonar or Cubase since it can handle both audio and midi and notating (though making a full realistic orchestral score is a bit more difficult, but I doubt if that is your plan for now) and if you go for example with Sonar (version 8 just released) you get already a nice set of sounds with it and already some really nice plugings for audio editting.
In the sonar package you will find all kinds of synths going from simple orchestral and band sounds sets till good synths to start making techno, trance etc.
Based on what you discover in using a sequencer like this you can expand later with all kinds of libraries and soft synths and/or other audio programs.

I am mentioning Sonar since I use it myself and I don't know what synths come with Cubase, but be sure to check it out as well. Also Sonar has a demo version available.

Take it step by step. Learn to listen to your needs (musically) and then build up from there.
We can give all sorts of advise that can cost you thousands of dollars :P but in the end you know what you want and if you are more sure about where you want to go with your music then let us know and we can help you out in advising on the next step.

Enjoy :D