Hi
I used to record on a stand alone digital recorder korg D1200 but after a long break I've started looking at upgrading to PC or mac based recording on a DAW. I've started off messing around on the bandlab DAW (not cakewalk by bandlab) because it has an android app which I can use to tap out some drum tracks and other midi backing whilst I'm holding the new baby or during downtime at work...I don't have endless hours to record these days! I've realised that few people use this DAW and that my PC is probably not the best for recording on. I'm feeling fairly perplexed by the various options out there...I figure it's best to outline what I need to do and hopefully someone can suggest the best affordable options. Music making is a hobby only so not overly concerned about high end options. So....
1. I will be recording acoustic guitar and vocals via a condenser mic. I also use line in guitar and bass plus on board effects/ modeling (of whichever suggested DAW). I have a focusrite scarlett solo for this which I know is basic but I don't think I need more as a one man band.
2. I would like the DAW to have a wide selection of drum kits which I can programme into a pattern on a song and then record tracks alongside.
3. I would rather not use an actual keyboard but be able to tap out notes on a virtual keyboard into the song which I've been able to do on my phone in bandlab. I assume I would need a touch screen pc or iPad (or similar) for this or are there other work arounds?
4. I wouldnt need to record more than one instrument at a time.
5. I don't think I'll need more than 12-16 tracks
6. I'd like the DAW to have a wide range of guitar modeling / midi sounds for me to mess around with. I'd like to be able to use these in the form of keys I press in real time as i record. I'm not familiar with midi so if I'm sounding like a dumbass,I apologise.
7. I need a computer that can handle whichever DAW I go with so I don't suffer slowed tracks, distortion and constantly varying latency which has been my experience with bandlab. My pc is an Acer Aspire ES1 - 531. Processor is Intel R Pentium. CPU N3700 @ 1.6 GHZ. RAM is 8GB of which 7.83GB is usable. System type states it is 64 bit x 64 based processor.
8. I need a DAW. I suppose I'm looking for suggestions based on the info above. A few people have suggested Reaper and I'm aware that cakewalk by bandlab is free. I've also considered using garageband. I guess they're the three I'm considering at the moment.
Sorry for the long post...any suggestions and recommendations very welcome!
Thanks
Mark
I used to record on a stand alone digital recorder korg D1200 but after a long break I've started looking at upgrading to PC or mac based recording on a DAW. I've started off messing around on the bandlab DAW (not cakewalk by bandlab) because it has an android app which I can use to tap out some drum tracks and other midi backing whilst I'm holding the new baby or during downtime at work...I don't have endless hours to record these days! I've realised that few people use this DAW and that my PC is probably not the best for recording on. I'm feeling fairly perplexed by the various options out there...I figure it's best to outline what I need to do and hopefully someone can suggest the best affordable options. Music making is a hobby only so not overly concerned about high end options. So....
1. I will be recording acoustic guitar and vocals via a condenser mic. I also use line in guitar and bass plus on board effects/ modeling (of whichever suggested DAW). I have a focusrite scarlett solo for this which I know is basic but I don't think I need more as a one man band.
2. I would like the DAW to have a wide selection of drum kits which I can programme into a pattern on a song and then record tracks alongside.
3. I would rather not use an actual keyboard but be able to tap out notes on a virtual keyboard into the song which I've been able to do on my phone in bandlab. I assume I would need a touch screen pc or iPad (or similar) for this or are there other work arounds?
4. I wouldnt need to record more than one instrument at a time.
5. I don't think I'll need more than 12-16 tracks
6. I'd like the DAW to have a wide range of guitar modeling / midi sounds for me to mess around with. I'd like to be able to use these in the form of keys I press in real time as i record. I'm not familiar with midi so if I'm sounding like a dumbass,I apologise.
7. I need a computer that can handle whichever DAW I go with so I don't suffer slowed tracks, distortion and constantly varying latency which has been my experience with bandlab. My pc is an Acer Aspire ES1 - 531. Processor is Intel R Pentium. CPU N3700 @ 1.6 GHZ. RAM is 8GB of which 7.83GB is usable. System type states it is 64 bit x 64 based processor.
8. I need a DAW. I suppose I'm looking for suggestions based on the info above. A few people have suggested Reaper and I'm aware that cakewalk by bandlab is free. I've also considered using garageband. I guess they're the three I'm considering at the moment.
Sorry for the long post...any suggestions and recommendations very welcome!
Thanks
Mark