Recording Software?

[stoonaroon]

I want to make a studio, but I don't have the money to build it all at once, I think I am going to start with the computer and build up from there, soo the first choice is Mac or PC. I can't decide, I can see all the programs that PC can get, but my friends IMac had a built in mike that was pretty easy to record with just garage band, and the sound impressed me, also the simplicity is nice. so would buying a mac be worth it if I upgraded to the new Logic later on? and if I later added mixer or miked a drum set how would that do compatibility wise? would it work? Also any other tips on what software/types of computers to buy..I am some what clueless. So just keep in mind I'm looking for a notebook which I would just set up for recording. lists of products and tips would help me out a lot thanks. As far as budget keep it under 1500 maybe higher and lower kind of show me some options would be good. Thanks.

 

[stoonaroon]

By the way I'm looking to record a band. Guitar, Bass, drums, vocals, harmonica etc

 

[JinsTa]

I want to make a studio, but I don't have the money to build it all at once, I think I am going to start with the computer and build up from there, soo the first choice is Mac or PC. I can't decide, I can see all the programs that PC can get, but my friends IMac had a built in mike that was pretty easy to record with just garage band, and the sound impressed me, also the simplicity is nice. so would buying a mac be worth it if I upgraded to the new Logic later on? and if I later added mixer or miked a drum set how would that do compatibility wise? would it work? Also any other tips on what software/types of computers to buy..I am some what clueless. So just keep in mind I'm looking for a notebook which I would just set up for recording. lists of products and tips would help me out a lot thanks. As far as budget keep it under 1500 maybe higher and lower kind of show me some options would be good. Thanks.

Keep it UNDER 1500! Dang, mines 300. LOL, I feel poor. But anyways, you probably know this by now, but like you said, Logic is a great program. It can get everything done for you, that is if your on a mac. Some people on this forum have told me all I need for recording a good song is Reaper / Audacity for the PC. It's not about the program they tell me, it's how you USE the program. So whatever you think fits you the best, you should get. But to me, Mac's are hard and expensive. I'll go with PC if it was my choice, but hey, I don't have 1500$ now do I have. Haha. But yeah, I doubt this helped, but I just felt like commenting . Good luck

-Jin

 

[dastrick]

Welcome.

This will be short and simple because it's been anwered many times on these forums. Check out that Search button at the top of the page.


All programs basically do the same thing. Basically. Reaper is a popular choice becase it's free to try and cheap to buy ($60 I think). Plus people say that it's just a good program. I use Cubase because that's what I started on.

Mac or PC? It doesn't matter. Both will get the job done. It just comes down to your preferrence.

You'll need an audio interface. USB or Firewire. Firewire is usually preferred over USB. For recording a band you'll probably want at least 8 preamps for your mics. Maybe more depending on the band.


If you like Macs, you can find used Macbooks on ebay for about $800. Another $300-$500 on an interface. Spend the rest on mics & cables.


I hope this helped. And try out that search.

 

[TimOBrien]

My obligatory standard reply-for-newbies that I keep in Wordpad so this is just a paste (I don't want to re-type this all the time):

First off, immediately get a good beginner recording book (spend $20 before spending hundred$/thousand$) that shows you what you need to get started and how to hook everything up in your studio:
Home Recording for Musicians by Jeff Strong - $15
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/04...mp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0470385421
(Wish I'd had that when I started; would have saved me lots of money and time and grief)
You can also pick up this book in most any Borders or Barnes&Noble in the Music Books section!

Another good one is: Recording Guitar and Bass by Huw Price
http://www.amazon.com/Recording-Gui...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215734124&sr=1-1
(I got my copy at a place called Half-Price Books for $6!!)

And you can get a FREE subscription to TapeOp magazine at www.tapeop.com

Barnes&Noble or Borders are great places to start --- they have recording books and you can go get a snack or coffee and read them for FREE! Don't pass by a good recording book --- this is a VERY technical hobby and you REALLY want to start a reference library!!!

Good Newbie guides that also explains all the basics and have good tips:
http://www.tweakheadz.com/guide.htm
http://www.computermusic.co.uk/page/computermusic?entry=free_beginner_pdfs
http://www.harmony-central.com/articles/
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/tips-techniques/168409-tips-techniques.html

21 Ways To Assemble a Recording Rig: http://www.tweakheadz.com/rigs.htm

Also Good Info: http://www.theprojectstudiohandbook.com/directory.htm

Other recording books: http://musicbooksplus.com/home-recording-c-31.html

Still using a built-in soundcard?? Unfortunately, those are made with less than $1 worth of chips for beeps, boops and light gaming (not to mention cheapness for the manufacturer) and NOT quality music production.
#1 Rule of Recording: You MUST replace the built-in soundcard.
Here's a good guide and tested suggestions that WORK: http://www.tweakheadz.com/soundcards_for_the_home_studio.htm
(you'll want to bookmark and read through all of Tweak's Guide while you're there...)
Another good article: Choosing an audio interface - http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/sep08/articles/audiointerfaces.htm


Plenty of software around to record for FREE to start out on:

Sony ACID Express (free 10-track sequencer): http://www.acidplanet.com/downloads/xpress/
Audacity: http://audacity.sourceforge.net (multi-track with VST support)
Wavosaur: http://www.wavosaur.com/ (a stereo audio file editor with VST support)\
Kristal: http://www.kreatives.org/kristal/
Other freebies and shareware: www.hitsquad.com/smm

Another great option is REAPER at http://www.cockos.com/reaper/ (It's $50 but runs for free until you get guilty enough to pay for it...)
I use Reaper and highly reccomend it...

Music Notation and MIDI recording: Melody Assistant ($25) and Harmony Assistant ($80) have the power of $600 notation packages - http://myriad-online.com
Demo you can try on the website.

And you can go out to any Barnes&Noble or Borders and pick up "Computer Music" magazine - they have a full FREE studio suite in every issue's DVD, including sequencers, plugins and tons of audio samples. (November 2006 they gave away a full copy of SamplitudeV8SE worth $150, November 2007-on the racks Dec in the US- they gave away SamplitudeV9SE and July 2009 issue they put out Samplitude10SE. FREE. It pays to watch 'em for giveaways...)

 

[philbagg]

An iMac with (far inferior) built-in mic

vs.

A pc of much better specs + the rest of the money you saved (by NOT buying an expensive iMac) being spent on gear such as monitors, room treatment, mics, audio interface, cables, and/or other gear.

(assume that both options cost the same money)

What would you choose?

Edit: You can get a great PC with great hardware and specs for a few hundred (less than a grand). The cheapest iMacs are going for like $1,200.

You can expand your hardware on PC's, such as (and I'd recommend this) putting an extra drive into your pc to use for audio. If you want to see why I'll send you a link to one of the threads.
You can also add USB and Firewire ports, which you can't do with an iMac. You can change your screens if you want. iMac's are limited. Pretty much the only thing you can (and would want to) upgrade is your RAM, but sometimes it ain't enough.

So, if you have the money and the choice, I'd recommend either getting a PC, or if you want to go down the mac route get a G5.

 

[guitaristic]

I agree with philbagg. You have a nice budget for a beginner, so it'd be better to get a solid pc and use the rest of the funds on a good interface/mics/cables. You need an interface (connects mics to computer) to record anything with mics, so buy a good one. Imo it would not be worth getting a mac, even if you did upgrade to logic later...there are plenty of other good recording programs out there. So yeah, buy a nice pc. Use the money that you saved on nice mics!

 

[dastrick]

So just keep in mind I'm looking for a notebook which I would just set up for recording.

He wants a notebook.

 

[ez_willis]

All programs basically do the same thing. Basically. Reaper is a popular choice becase it's free to try and cheap to buy ($60 I think). Plus people say that it's just a good program.
I hope this helped. And try out that search.

people say that it's a GREAT program. because it is.

 

[philbagg]

He wants a notebook.

A notebook?

Seriously?

 

[KasLynAudio]

I'd go with Audacity, its a free program that works really well and most of the plugins available for it are free as well.
Cant say that I know much about hardware though

 

[philbagg]

He wants a notebook.

Just re-read this, and I'm really confused.

The OP says:

I think I am going to start with the computer and build up from there, soo the first choice is Mac or PC.

^^^ Mac or PC ^^^

I can't decide, I can see all the programs that PC can get, but my friends IMac had a built in mike that was pretty easy to record with just garage band, and the sound impressed me, also the simplicity is nice.

^^^ PC vs. iMac ^^^

So just keep in mind I'm looking for a notebook which I would just set up for recording.

^^^ So keep in mind I don't want a pc or mac?? ^^^

Either a typo or else he's trying to implode my brain

I still stand by my earlier advice with addition to this: Notebook = no!!

 

[Re-tox_stl]

Just a word. I use a MacBook for recording and got it new for $850. If you want a good reliable computer, that is ready to go right out of the box.. Mac all the way. If you wana tweak your computer to do exactly what you want, PC.

 

[dastrick]

I think he was just using his friend's Imac as a reference...not that he was considering getting an Imac.

Also, I think he wants a laptop. Either a PC laptop or Mac laptop.




Of course this is all speculation.








P.S. I really hope your brain doesn't implode.

 

[philbagg]

I think he was just using his friend's Imac as a reference...not that he was considering getting an Imac.

Also, I think he wants a laptop. Either a PC laptop or Mac laptop.




Of course this is all speculation.








P.S. I really hope your brain doesn't implode.

Yeah, it'd be nice if the OP actually chimed in every so often...


BAD OP!!!

Either way, if he means "studio", then a laptop aint gonna cut it.

If he means "just me, recording acoustic and vocals and nothing else - but I'll call it a studio", then a laptop will do fine.

And thanks for your concern dastrick but don't worry, my head will take a lot more than this before it explodes. You haven't met some of my ex girlfriends

EDIT: I meant to say "implodes"... although, I never learned what the difference was

 

[Mouth Breather]

Use what works best for you...


If you can make amazing music with a free version Fruity Loops, then by all means...


These programs all basically do the same thing. Some have better features for what you're trying to do. Others are completely nonsensical in their layout from a user standpoint.


I prefer Pro Tools. I've got well respected friends that live and die for Logic and some that swear on Nuendo. At the end of the day, it's a completely personal thing.

 

[floorpuncher]

I'm going to be "that guy"...

I've worked in IT for almost eight years now... 5 years as a network engineer and the last three as a network/system security engineer. All I have to say is that 75% of computer problems that I have run into in my time in the field have come from Macs. They are unstable and most software is developed as an afterthought so the Mac-ies don't feel left out. Ask Steve Jobs why he won't allow flash on the iPhones/iPads... Engineering a mac based network is a nightmare and contrary to popular belief, Macs pose a HUGE security risk as opposed to Windows products because unlike Apple, Microsoft patches known security holes and vulnerabilities almost immediately after it is identified. (Interesting read here).

With this being said, look at the average price for a new Mac computer and look at the average price for a comparable PC. It's no contest. With mac, you're paying for a name, not a product.

 

[philbagg]

I'm going to be "that guy"...

I've worked in IT for almost eight years now... 5 years as a network engineer and the last three as a network/system security engineer. All I have to say is that 75% of computer problems that I have run into in my time in the field have come from Macs. They are unstable and most software is developed as an afterthought so the Mac-ies don't feel left out. Ask Steve Jobs why he won't allow flash on the iPhones/iPads... Engineering a mac based network is a nightmare and contrary to popular belief, Macs pose a HUGE security risk as opposed to Windows products because unlike Apple, Windows patches known security holes and vulnerabilities almost immediately after it is identified. (Interesting read here).

With this being said, look at the average price for a new Mac computer and look at the average price for a comparable PC. It's no contest. With mac, you're paying for a name, not a product.

"Mac Mob" reversed

 

[guitaristic]

I'm going to be "that guy"... It's no contest. With mac, you're paying for a name, not a product.

I'm also going to be "that guy" and completely agree with you!

 

[dastrick]

I'm going to be "that guy"...

I've worked in IT for almost eight years now... 5 years as a network engineer and the last three as a network/system security engineer. All I have to say is that 75% of computer problems that I have run into in my time in the field have come from Macs. They are unstable and most software is developed as an afterthought so the Mac-ies don't feel left out. Ask Steve Jobs why he won't allow flash on the iPhones/iPads... Engineering a mac based network is a nightmare and contrary to popular belief, Macs pose a HUGE security risk as opposed to Windows products because unlike Apple, Windows patches known security holes and vulnerabilities almost immediately after it is identified. (Interesting read here).

With this being said, look at the average price for a new Mac computer and look at the average price for a comparable PC. It's no contest. With mac, you're paying for a name, not a product.

Interesting.......you don't hear many people say that about apple.

And those things are WAAAAAYYYYYYYY overpriced.