my latest forays into computer generated music:

 since 2002 i have been experimenting with computers as musical instruments.

 i am currently using NI Reaktor, Propellerheads Reason, CoolEditPro, Stylus RMX, AAS Tassman , a bunch of freeware/shareware such as Triple Cheese and String Theory, and various plug-ins. i'm particularly pleased with physical modeling software synthesizers. Tassman, and the modeling suite, from Applied Acoustic Systems, certain PM Reaktor stuff, and String Theory all sound fantastic to me. 

i am not all that fond of 16bit/44.1k digital audio quality but i think the situation is much improved with 24bit recording. i can hear the difference between 16bit/44.1Khz and 24/96. that stated , i often do things at 24/44.1k. and, unfortunately mp3 for internet perusal.

i'm using PCs with windoze XP as they are cheap. i mostly buy them used, then slap a new hard drive or two in them.  my main desktop pc (the Dragon) is a cheapo Gateway with an AMD6000 (a 3Ghz processor) and a Native Instruments Kore V1 audio interface. my newest laptop, portable noise-maker is dragonfly, an HP with a core duo processor, 2 hard drives, and a strong constitution.

 in the interest of actually creating some music i try not to spend too much time doodling with new softwares. if i was just learning to play the violin i would rarely fiddle around with say, the clarinet, or harpsichord. i consider each piece of software as a complex instrument that will take years to master. 

Since i originally wrote that last sentence i have purchased Native Instruments Komplete, ableton live, the full AAS modeling suite, and Camel Audio Alchemy. so now i am experimenting with Absynth and Kontact and Battery and FM8...etc...so much for mastering just one or two softsynths.