What are must have programs for musicians and studio's etc.

The new Logic Studio R-O-X

The majority of professional studios use Apple Computers Loaded With Pro-Tools. This is DAW (Digiatal Audio Workstation) is also the most expensize out there. The limiations of this sofware is that it will only work with pro-tools hard ware which is also very pricey.

The software alot of studios use instead is Digital Perfomer (DP) made by Motu (Mark of the Unicorn).

Along with this software there are ton of fun, productive apps that can be used to enhance your studio.

Propellerheads inc. Make a product called Reason. Reason is a midi controlled sequencer for live and studio.

So a list of thing that I use are.
Pro Tools
Digital Performer (MAC)
Steinberg Cubase SX (PC and MAC)
Propellerheads Reason (Mac and PC)
Waves Plugins (Compression, Reverbs etc…)
Native Instrument Kontakt (Sampler Software)

Theres also a ton plugins.

Check out this website and get their free magazine.

http://www.tapeop.com/

^ good list ^

add:
Ableton Live
Guitar Rig

http://making-music.blogspot.com/2006/01/big-list-of-free-music-making-software.html

“acid” is a pretty good program
my friend made a song with that… i dont have any details

Another vote for the Logic line (whichever level is appropriate for your needs).

my friend has Nuendo 3. Nuendo 4 is out now, but I know that when i was playing around with three, it seems like it’s mostly an editing software, and i didn’t find out how to add sounds, unless i did so by sampling from other songs. Also, the software only split the songs into 2 channels, so it was difficult to isolate the sounds I wanted. I think that’s mostly to do with the files I was using, rather than the software (because, after all, why would MP3’s have distinct channels for each voice, when they are generally only used for L + R headphones at most.)
Overall, it seemed like a waste of money. The basic tools were generally really easy to use, but the program didn’t seem like it had that much depth. Then again, I was using it for a total of about 7 hours.

cake walk is good and easy to use and it don’t cost a lot .