Reason is the most sophisticated software that a person with little music-production experience could use comfortably without a lengthy tutorial. Reason includes pre-made sounds and a diverse selection of instruments that allow the user to create unique music from any genre. The program supports Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) and keyboard interfacing and allows users to import external loops, sounds and recordings then use the software to edit them. Reason retails for $349.
Fruity Loops is a virtual music studio and the first version came out in 1998, making it a longtime player in music-production games. The name is derived from the fact that the program uses small audio files and loops them continuously to create a beat. Fruity Loops offers its program free to download and try, making it a popular tool for those on a budget who want to have some fun. A fully licensed copy with all the options costs $399.
Dance Ejay is an easy to use music-production game for creating dance music. The program comes fully loaded with samples, loops and a number of tools that help make the user feel like an expert producer. The program's interface is easy to navigate and it even offers its own mini studio where the user can create his own beats using predefined instruments. A full version of Dance Ejay costs only 14 Euro (roughly $17 USD), making it a very affordable option.