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MasterWriter - the most comprehensive program for writing lyrics with a recorder for melodies and preprogrammed grooves. Used by hit songwriters Gwen Stefani, Rob Thomas, Jimmy Webb, Kenny Loggins, Trent Reznor, Clint Black, Jeffrey Steele, and many more. Windows and Mac compatible. Click here to read more about MasterWriter and save big with Songwriting Software Plus. Or try it FREE for 30 days. CD or download. Save A BIG $70 US! As A Newsletter Subscriber And MasterWriter is a great power booster program for Lyricist too!

Contents:

Hello

First up: Editor's Note from the laptop of Robert Curtis,
your songwriter in residence at Songwriting Software Plus.

Followed by Items:

1. Computers For Songwriting
2. This Month's Notable Quote
3. Songwriting Software Plus Software Superstars

Editor's Note:

The biggest innovation in computers of late quite likely is the introduction of the new dual core processors. These processors allow new computers to run a whole lot faster with a whole lot less power.

Also, with these newer processors the amount of heat generated is greatly reduced. That's a big plus for laptop users who've often complained about practically getting burned by their laptops particularly if they had them on, well, their laps.

Of major note along these lines Apple has just come out with it's new Mac mini, available with the Intel Core Duo (read dual core processor) that is super fast and will run Digital Performer or Logic quite nicely if you're a Mac person.

Look for all of this stuff coming down the pike in the PC world too.

Item 1

Computers For Songwriting

As always when approaching this subject it boils down to what do you want to use your computer for? - lyric writing only? lyric writing and music production too? high end production?

We'll take a big picture look at some of the main issues to consider and relate them to leading programs for various songwriting tasks that are commonplace in day-to-day songwriting.

We'll also touch on new developments that have occurred recently such as Apple's entirely new lineup of computers with their new Intel dual core chip sets.

A Lyric Only Writer?

For lyric writing and the main programs that are designed to support that craft component you'll be set with most any contemporary computer, Apple's Mac or Windows based PCs (referred to as Macs and PCs for the rest of this article).

This category's major lyric writing programs continue to be lead by Lyricist and MasterWriter and they can both work with PCs and Macs. Bear in mind you'll need ancillary programming for Lyricist to run on Mac as it's primarily a PC program.

Other word processor type programs such as the co-writer program ParaMind or the rhyme software Zillion-Kajillion Rhymes And Clichés will work with any recent (past couple years) or contemporary computer quite readily.

Adding Music Writing And Recording?

Going from lyric writing to high end notation capabilities and or recording requirements your computer needs are increased.

The basic threshold you'll cross here has to do with RAM for PCs and processor power on the Mac.

You'll generally benefit by having more RAM on a PC, 512 or more is a good base point on PCs with at least 40 or more GBs of hard disk space and on the Macs opt for the fastest processor and the new dual core Intel chips (termed Core Duo).

The sound card is important too. For a PC notebook or an Apple PowerBook consider the external Tascam US-122. For more discussion about sound cards, both internal and external, click here to the Songwriting Software Plus page on that subject.

Concerning any software you intend to buy always check the specific recommendations are so you'll know if your computer can handle it or if you're in a situation where it may be time to get a new computer.

Looking To Buy? - PC or Mac?
- New Macs Up The Ante

There still continues to be two camps regarding directions to go for the best type of computer system for music production that being Mac or PC.

However, also note that a number of studios use both. In particular many producers, even the home studio types, will run Mac computers as their primary computer powering either Logic or Digital Performer sequencer programs and have a PC to house and operate a major software synthesizer program called GigaStudio, a PC only program.

These producers can then integrate the various modules that GigaStudio offers right into their Mac set up for the best of both worlds.

PCs continue to dominate overall though because they're the lion's share of the market, they're cheaper and the command a lot of software innovation due to their sheer numbers of users.

However, Macs are giving everyone a run for their money with their new product launches that offer a lot more power and their great reliability.

In fact just today Apple unveiled the new Mac mini with Intel - from $599 - with free shipping from their site.

The new Mac minis that have the 1.5 gigahertz Core Solo chip will run up to three times faster than previous versions and will sell for $599. Versions with Intel's 1.66 gigahertz Core Duo processors, which feature two processors on one chip, will run up to five times faster than the old minis and will retail for $799.

If you're looking to invest in an Apple computer that is already pre-designed for music writing and recording check out the music configured systems at zZounds.com - Music Computers. Click on the Computer Music tab at the top of their homepage then click on Computers in the left hand menu bar.

For PC systems check out the Creation Stations presented by Sweetwater Music.

Happy computing :-)

End of Item

For Inspiration And Thought On Your Path To More Songwriting Success:

"Every failure brings with it the seed of an equivalent success."
-- Napoleon Hill

Songwriting Software Plus Software Superstars:

Lyric Writing (Windows and Macs):

Lyricist - the premiere indispensable and affordable lyric and lead sheet music writing program.

Performing Songwriter Magazine said this about Lyricist - "...what it does, it does well." March/April 2004

Click here for all the benefits Lyricist gives your songwriting and enjoy the Songwriting Software Plus discount - save $5.00. Or try it FREE for 30 days. CD or download.

MasterWriter - the most comprehensive program for writing lyrics with a recorder for melodies and preprogrammed grooves.

Used by hit songwriters Gwen Stefani, Rob Thomas, Jimmy Webb, Kenny Loggins, Trent Reznor, Clint Black, Jeffrey Steele, and many more. Windows and Mac compatible.

Click here to read more about MasterWriter and save big with Songwriting Software Plus. Or try it FREE for 30 days. CD or download.

Music Writing (for Windows):

Play Music - the easiest music notation program around.

Music Recording (for Windows)

Mixcraft - easy recording software.

Information & Credits

Songwriting Software Express is published monthly by Songwriting Software Plus: Robert Curtis, Editor.

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