Starting synthesis composition! Any tips?

[CronoTriggerfan]

I've played the piano and been a vocalist for years, and after seeing and hearing PLAY! The Video Game Symphony in concert, I started to think about music more seriously. Synthesis would be a good thing to get into! I own a nice Yamaha keyboard with MIDI support. However, I'm short in the software department! I'd like one that's a good introduction; simple, easy to use, n00bish in short . Gannon recommended Fruity Loops and Cubase, but I was wondering if you guys had any more input on the matter.

Besides a MIDI cable, microphone, good software, and the keyboard, is there anything else I'd need? I didn't think I forgot anything, just wondering.

Also, any random tips/tricks/tutorials on synthesization? Anything would help. Thanks!

CTFan

EDIT: Does this belong here, or in Tech Q&A?

[Extreme_Jesus]

if you're really serious you could get a decent sound card with MIDI in's

also Audcaity is a good free program for recording/editing but fruity loops is what you need for more complex things like looping and effects as Audacity has only limited effects

[marshallh]

I haven't had any experience with FL or Cubase, but I can recommend something: module music.

Originating from the Amiga demoscene, mod music is basically a way of storing instrument instructions alongside instrument samples (sounds.)
You make this music using software called a "tracker", ModPlug tracker is what I use. You can use your MIDI keyboard, but it is really just better to edit your music using a PC keyboard.
I'm pretty sure Unreal Tournament used a form of MOD music as well. Common formats include MOD (amiga ProTracker), S3M (ScreamTracker 3), IT (Impulse Tracker), and XM (FastTracker).

Read here for more:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trackers

[totokan]

I've been using FL studio 6 Producer edition, can't figure out what to do besides use it as a glorified MIDI composer

[Sparkfist]

You're forgetting a Mac. No I'm joking, that's really what I'm doing. I've had a G3 Power Mac sitting in my room. Now I'm going to upgrade the OS to 10.4, add 512MB ram and buy a copy of Logic Pro from a guy I know. I don't have a keyboard but I'm not looking to be too serious anyways.

Really there isn't much you need in the way of stuff for composing music on a computer. There are hardcore composers like the guy I know, he owns about ten hardware sythesisors. As he put it software synthasisors are limited. But if you're playing around don't look to invest much money, it's all for fun.

[Triton]

for pc there is ableton live 5 its pretty nice!