Recording software~

[Bludave]

I'm getting to the point where I want to start redording digitally. I am not computer guru so I am looking for something real simple yet at the same time pretty versatile. I may need to buy a new computer just for this also and I am open to a Mac if that will make my learning curve easier. As always your input and suggestions are welcome. Thanks

[Virtual Kevorkian]

A Mac with GarageBand will be the easiest way to get into recording.

[Fender_Punk]

A Mac with GarageBand will be the easiest way to get into recording.

+1. That's exactly what I was going to suggest. And you can get some pretty professional quality out of it with a good mixer/interface and some knowledge.

[DankStar]

some P.O.S. PC and a free program like Reaper would be the cheapest, and you still get to goof with the free VST stuff floating around. not the best sound quality in the world, but demo worthy. if you gots the cash, get the mac.

[wahwah]

Bludave, Mac and GarageBand is an excellent way to go. Since the software comes with the computer, you are virually ready to go. When you outgrow GarageBand, which could take a while if you're just getting started, you can move up to Logic Express or Logic Pro, which are also Apple owned programs, and therefore integrate seemlessly with the Mac. Logic also integrates with GarageBand, so that you can take any songs you've worked on in GB and import them straight into the more powerful Logic. You can also use the library of loops, drumkits and sounds that comes with GB in Logic. You will eventually want to get a dedicated audio interface, which will vastly improve the way you record, especially using mics and external sound sources.

I made the shift from recording console and dedicated hard disk recorders/outboard rack effects to computer DAW about two years ago, and it has dramatically improved both the workflow and the quality of the recordings. A drummer I work with recently got a Macbook (laptop) and while we were away on tour, he asked me to show him how to use GarageBand. I showed him about three or four things in the space of 15 minutes. An hour later, he had made up his first song just using GB loops and sounds. He even had some vocals recorded using the inbuilt mic. The Mac makes the whole process a lot of fun, you'll be impressed.


Cheers.......................wahwah

[FlatPic Bill]

I am new here and I know you don't know me, but I've had great results on a pc and with Sony Music Studio 6 as my software. I use a Line 6 UX2 TonePort USB to interface my instruments and mics with the computer. I think Music Studio was $60 or $70 a month or so ago. No obvious latency and a lot of options with the TonePort. If I can, I'll attach one of my covers (Wonderful Tonight) to give you an idea of the results.

[Bludave]

Thanks Guys............... I am leaning towards the Mac. Have a few guys that I know who own pro level studios and have recommend the Mac and eventually moving up to Pro Tools. I don't think I want to go that complex. Simple Multi tracking and some effects/drums is all I really need. MOst of what I want to record will be acoustic. I will need a good mike interface for the Mac or does it come equipped to accept a Mike already?

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Thanks Guys............... I am leaning towards the Mac. Have a few guys that I know who own pro level studios and have recommend the Mac and eventually moving up to Pro Tools. I don't think I want to go that complex. Simple Multi tracking and some effects/drums is all I really need. MOst of what I want to record will be acoustic. I will need a good mike interface for the Mac or does it come equipped to accept a Mike already?

I don't think Macs come equipped to accept a mike -- mine certainly doesn't (PowerBook G4).

I use an M-Audio FireWire 410 audio interface. You could get away with a smaller audio interface, too.

- Keith

[sosomething]

I'm a bit of a PC recording luddite (if there can be such a thing) and am still strongly attached to the whole Cool Edit Pro / Adobe Audition line of products. Been using it for years, know it inside and out, and for my purposes it does everything I need it to do with a minimum of fuss or processing demand.

I know a few people that really like Nuendo too.

[wahwah]

Thanks Guys............... I am leaning towards the Mac. Have a few guys that I know who own pro level studios and have recommend the Mac and eventually moving up to Pro Tools. I don't think I want to go that complex. Simple Multi tracking and some effects/drums is all I really need. MOst of what I want to record will be acoustic. I will need a good mike interface for the Mac or does it come equipped to accept a Mike already?

There are things like this USB mic adaptor available http://www.welovemacs.com/micplug.html but they are probably only good for a dynamic mic, like a Shure SM57 or 58. To really enjoy the process and get much better results you should invest in an audio interface. Unless you want to record live drums, all you will need is 2 inputs and outputs, and there are many choices. It needs to be either Firewire or USB2 to get a nice fast transfer rate for streams of audio. You could actually jump straight to an M-Box 2 or M-Audio interface which comes with Pro Tools LE as a package, however Pro Tools doesn't "talk" to GarageBand as far as I know. The beauty of starting with GarageBand is that you have a great library of drum loops, kits and other sounds and loops to get started, and it is "drag and drop" simplicity.

Pro Tools is a "closed" system in that you can only use their hardware interfaces (Digidesign or M-Audio), so if you get a different interface you will need to look at different recording software. It's something to consider before you make a purchase. Either way, get a Mac! Make sure you get one with a Superdrive so you can burn DVD's, audio takes up a lot of space!


Cheers..................wahwah

[GuitarStv]

I'm a bit of a PC recording luddite (if there can be such a thing) and am still strongly attached to the whole Cool Edit Pro / Adobe Audition line of products. Been using it for years, know it inside and out, and for my purposes it does everything I need it to do with a minimum of fuss or processing demand.

I know a few people that really like Nuendo too.

+1 to Cool Edit Pro . . . I thought I was the only one who still used that . . .

[scottish]

Thanks Guys............... I am leaning towards the Mac. Have a few guys that I know who own pro level studios and have recommend the Mac and eventually moving up to Pro Tools. I don't think I want to go that complex. Simple Multi tracking and some effects/drums is all I really need. MOst of what I want to record will be acoustic. I will need a good mike interface for the Mac or does it come equipped to accept a Mike already?

Ive you want to produce some good sounding recordings then id stay away from usb mikes and what not. other people may have had good luck with them but when i record i like to mike my amp rather than plug my guitar directly to an interface and i never had luck with this and usb mikes.

Right now i use a TC Electronic Konnect firewire interface with my G5 and it rocks. I have sennheuser (spelling?) mikes and planet waves cables. Garageband is a seriously awesome piece of software for starting out. With a good interface it can handle several simultaneous inputs no problem. The TC also came with cubase which i really hated....but maybe thats just me. Ive been using garageband for ages now and if i feel the need to upgrade it will be to logic pro

[Bludave]

I just downloaded Krystal audio engine. Its free so I am going to play arounf with this for a while, but I see the Mac in my Future. thanks again guys! I will have to look into some interface to get the data into the PC.

[sstanfield]

I've played a little with Audacity (a free download). It allows multiple-track recording on a PC. I ran a stereo RCA-to-1/8" mini phone plug from my PA into a laptop. My neighbor and I mic'ed the drums first and recorded, then recorded a bass track along with it, then guitar, and finally a vocal track. (We placed a mic directly in front of the bass and guitar amp speakers.) Then I didn't like my guitar track, so I deleted it and recorded another one. It was all pretty easy to figure out without reading any tutorials - always a plus!

The sound quality after saving the project as a .wav file was surprisingly good! Definitely good enough for a demo

[J Moose]

Rather then getting a computer & going through all that muck, why not get a stand-alone box like a Roland VS 16-track or something?

When inspiration strikes you can just plug in some mics & hit the red button. I think most of 'em still allow for pretty deep editing, you can even connect a full size screen to some of 'em.

No mucky muck of messing with drivers, latency...figuring out how to use the software...other applications creating conflicts with the software... or even having to dedicate a computer "just" to audio.

[Virtual Kevorkian]

No mucky muck of messing with drivers, latency...figuring out how to use the software...other applications creating conflicts with the software... or even having to dedicate a computer "just" to audio.

None of the above mentioned problems are really present in Macs (aside from the learning curve of software), unless you're really trying to jerry-rig something together.

[ratherdashing]

None of the above mentioned problems are really present in Macs (aside from the learning curve of software), unless you're really trying to jerry-rig something together.

+1 ... or if you're using ProTools LE ...

Computer recording is so much more versatile, and if you're not a total luddite you will probably even find it easier to learn than figuring out the interface of a stand-alone.

[J Moose]

Yeah, you CAN do a lot more editing & whatnot with a DAW...(computer rig) but still...

Most of the 'non-engineer' musician friends I have that have bought a Toolz LE system or Cubase or whatnot...

They ALL lament about the days when all they had was a Trashcan 4-track and how they could actually get things recorded.