Actually, I use VSD Tracker quite a lot for messing around and composing stuff, I like to have 64 slots in my tracks and be able to use them properly - Fruity can have 64 slots as long as you only want to see 16 at a time! - makes it fairly annoying. I don't think many people use VSD, I like using it because I designed it and it works how I want it to, god knows how other people take to it - just be sure to read all the internal help document.
There is still Modplug which is also free and has a windows front end - a lot of PC trackers you'll find have Dos front ends which can cause problems, as well as being a pain to use.
Soundtrackers though, it's about time someone made a new funky soundtracker with Fruity style sounds - or the makers of Fruity should add a soundtracker GUI. It might just be the countless hours I spent on TCB Tracker on the Atari, but I don't think there's a neater or easier system of creating music than tracks.
Music2000 as mentioned earlier is reasonably good for composing, that program is a bit like an onion - you have an easy top layer with all the preset sequences that you load and position like some EJay newbie, then there's the composing layer where you edit your own sequences, then there's instrument sampling under that, then 3D visuals etc etc. I spent a vast amount of time on the PSX version, making tunes then mad videos to go along with them - great fun, best fun you can have on the PSX IMO. One thing that lets Music2000 down is the cruddy sound of some of the instruments, they often sound fairly dated and retro (and not good retro) - you have effects to personalise the sounds though, like echos and reverbs. It's not usual to see a PC music program that was based on a console music program - it must be unique in that respect, but for the cost (like £5 second hand) you won't get more for your money - I'd certainly buy it before MusicMaker or EJay.
Van-B
The nature of Monkey was irrepressible!.
