I’m a huge fan of any software that helps me get from inspiration to finally arrangement as fast as possible. Once I have my arrangement done the hard part is over and I can spend a week or two mixing and making minor changes to the lyrics. When writing lyrics I always have my browser at: http://thesaurus.reference.com/

I also have a copy of Masterwriter on my hard drive and I really love it. I don’t use it all the time but when I do it always helps me with at least two or three rhymes or ideas. I’ve been pining for them to overhaul the interface and this week Masterwriter 2.0 was released. My biggest gripe with 1.0 was the inability to resize the application’s window. This was an annoying issue because you really want to have Masterwriter sitting next to your DAW’s window on the same screen. Happily, 2.0 fixes the resize issue and adds some other nifty new features including “Word Families” and “Parts of Speech”.

“MasterWriter presents accessible information that’s powerful yet doesn’t interfere with the creative process. In fact, anyone who’s involved with writing words – authors, journalists and sub-editors, for example – would benefit from having such an easy-to-use set of searchable dictionaries to keep the creative juices flowing in times of need.” – Simon Jary, MacWorld UK

I could try an explain all the ins and outs about Masterwriter but their site is loaded with tutorial videos so just head over and take a look. Some people think it’s cheating to use software like this but I think if you sat several serious song-writers down and listened to their final songs all written with the help of Masterwriter each one’s music would ring 100% true to their own style. You don’t belive me? Trent Reznor, Clint Black, Babyface, Amy Grant, Rick Springfield are just a few of people who use this software.

More info: masterwriter.com

Uber geek Chris Pirillo lives his life online. He’s talks about all things tech while streaming live video using Ustream. He names, tags and archives the best clips. This morning I noticed he posted a clip about a Lyrics website called Lyricsfly.

When you a hear a new song for the first time, you want to know all the words to it. How exactly do you find those words though? – chris.pirillo.com

It’s true that most lyrics sites are full of pops up, spyware and crazy blinking adverts. He likes Lyricsfly because the ads are minimal, there are options to print or save the lyrics and they have an API.

Do you ever use a lyrics site? Which one?

Link: lyricsfly.com