Vintage Synth Explorer Forums

After extensive google and forum searches, I am giving up and asking for help!

I am looking to be able to use my Mac to control an external synth. MIDI is all set up and everything is working, but what I don't have is an idea of what software to use that will do what I need it to do. I've already tried Garageband (cringe) and it does not support MIDI out (I read about some hacks to get it to work, and I'm not really into that.)

What options do I have for an inexpensive program that I can write music in and then that will play through MIDI out to my synth?

I believe Pro Tools, Logic Pro X, etc can do this, but I'm not really up for paying that high $$$$ just to get my computer to play notes.

System info: running OS X El Capitan.

Thanks for the help!

Cockos Reaper costs $60 but the "demo" can be used forever (after 60 days you get a nag screen when you launch) and is fully featured.

Traktion 4 is free

Studio One Prime is free

meatballfulton wrote:Cockos Reaper costs $60 but the "demo" can be used forever (after 60 days you get a nag screen when you launch) and is fully featured.

Traktion 4 is free

Studio One Prime is free

awesome, thanks! I'll check them out. any you would recommend over the others?

I've never tried Traktion.

Studio One has less of a learning curve than Reaper but the free version is not as fully featured as the ones you pay for. In particular you cannot use VST plugins if that is important.