I wonder if anyone can help.

I'm interested in writing songs, I play the guitar but that's all. I'd like a piece of software that will allow me to compose and store backing tracks (drums, bass keyboard etc) without much need for technical ability or equipment. A quick internet search suggested Cubasis VST (version 3.0 or 4.0).

Is this the sort of thing I need?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions or advice.

Acid may be a better idea, cubase/is is really expensive and not easy to learn how to use.

http://mediasoftware.sonypictures.co...p2.asp?DID=401

I use Cubasis and find it very easy to use. You'll be able to record your guitar as an audio track, add FX to it etc. and combine it with MIDI tracks (drums, bass etc.). The end results can sound very professional. Also it isn’t that expensive and has plenty of powerful features.

Thanks, sounds good. I think I'm right in saying that Cubasis is much cheaper and simpler than Cubase, so more suitable for a beginner like me.

Yes, it's a cut down version of Cubase and is much cheaper. The basics are easy and there's plenty of features to use when you get more confident.

I use cubase now, but it really did take me ages to get everything to work how I wanted too. I tried a free version of cubasis but could not get it to work with my soundcard, and found it frustrating to use, although this was a while ago, maybe later versions are better?

Acid and fruityloops I was composing on instantly, although Midi on the version of Acid I used was not too good, it was great for quickly cooking up decent backing tracks to play my guitar along to.