Hi, I was just wondering if anyone knew of any good linux software for music creation. I'm not talking about editing, I'm talking about specifically being able to assign notes to different instruments to play. Any help would be great, especially since I'm on a 56k, it takes FOREVER to download new software to test. Thank you for your time.
-calimer
PS I'm looking for mostly mp3 and wav output in any music programs.

This might be of interest to you.

I used to use tracker softwares under Windows a tremendous amount. Thankfully, many of them work an absolute treat, including Psycle (a truly brilliant piece of software). If you want to run Linux native trackers, then I can suggest SoundTracker. It can save/export as wav files, so converting them to mp3 is really easy!

Good luck.

I'v heard good things, but have never personally used,
Audacity which can be found here:
http://freshmeat.net/projects/audaci...15%2C120%2C122

Hmm, I tried audacity and some other ones but they seem to be mostly sound editing, not creating. Basically, I'm interested in being able to compose musical backgrounds for games. Any further help would be greatly appreciated, especially since there are SO many musical editing programs, but so few that actually create music, especially in a wav or mp3 format. Not to be picky with formats, but I just want SOMETHING that sounds better than a midi, because the midis I've heard have been quite poor in sound quality. Thank you for your time.
-calimer

It's not the quality of the MIDIs but the quality of the sound fonts
(and the wavetable support in the sound card).

Turn-Key Linux Audio has just about every tool I have heard of in Linux. It should install on Mandrake 9.1, I would think.

# Mandrake links
Mandrake home page
Mandrake Users website
Easy urpmi config for Mandrake
urpmi mini-HOWTO
Easy software management: Red Carpet
Maximum RPM
rpmfind
You didn't install the developmental packages? As root, command:
urpmi gcc
An Introduction to the Midnight Commander. You can install it by commanding:
urpmi mc
Midnight Commander home page

First, I would just like to thank everyone for all of their input, it's helped a lot. Second, I have a little update to convey. Soundtracker is quite interesting and looks like it could be useful. The reason I didn't fully understand how to work it is because you need to download XI instruments for it. Writing chords on it might be a bit tricky but it is one of the better pieces of music software that I've seen. Take care all.
-calimer
PS I do plan on trying turn-key, but it is going to take me a while to download due to my very limited (and very very slow) access to the internet. I'll post back in case anyone is interested once I have it up and running.