Advice on software - New forum user

[Toby001]

Hello - This is my first post here. Feel free to point out anything I do wrong or could do better using this forum.

I've been recording digitally for several years now in my home. I use an Aardvark 24/96 card that came with a "light" version of Sekd Samplitude recording software. The Sekd (Now - again - Magix) demo software is limited to 8 tracks. Now that I am doing more with my recordings I feel this is rather limiting. I don't like losing the control of individual track mixing by bouncing tracks to free up space for a new track. Plus, it's a PITA.

So, I need new software. I love the Sekd product and get really good results with it. It never crashes and almost never acts up. Their newest version is close to $600, though.

I'm very tempted to try a cheaper program but I'm worried that It won't compare to what I've been using. I'm on a slow dial-up - couldn't even D/L Pro Tools Free. So I can't really try every demo.

So, please give me your advice or point me to a link(s) that discusses various software. I want something that is fairly easy to use - I'm a musician first.

Sorry this is so long and thanks in advance.

Toby

My Equipment:

P3 733 512 W98 30G & 60G
Aardvark 24/96
Sekd Samplitude
Mics: Sm 57's $ Audio Technicas

And now for the '80s list:

Roland RD150 Digital Piano
Steinberger Bass (Love this thing - Just wish it had active Electronics sometimes)
Tama Drum Kit (Orig 2002 Paiste Cymbals)
Need to learn guitar ;-)

 

[jazzrich9]

first of all, I'm pretty sure pro tools free is 8 tracks too... If you're going to put the money down on software, check out steinberg's stuff... for tracking I use nuendo, but started out with cubase... cubasis is their light version, and I'm prety sure it isn't limited to 8 tracks.

It's going to be hard for you to find a quality program for much less than 600.00 - you could check ebay, but this can get sketchy, as sometimes people will send you a 'homemade' version.

my bias is towards cubase or nuendo depending on what you want to do... but it is cashgreen.

good luck

 

[Toby001]

Thanks for the reply...

'First of all, I'm pretty sure pro tools free is 8 tracks too...'

Yeah, I just wanted to check out the demo version. My DU connection is making that nearly impossible. I just got done with Steinberg's website - They make it pretty difficult to buy directly from them if you're in the US. I couldn't even find any prices. Ebay has a couple copies of Nuendo, but this looks to be out of my price range. Will look into Cubase -Thx

I just D/Ld a demo version of Wavelab -Took about 2 hours :0 - I'll see what that is like...

Browsed Ebay - Looks like you can get older technology for a decent price - I don't know if that would be better or worse than a cheap prog like n-track.

Thanks for the advice.

Toby

 

[jazzrich9]

hey...

if the older generation stuff hasn't been registered, then you could be eligible for any upgrades...

Older versions of cubase were buggy, but workable..

wavlab is only 2 tracks, really... fantastic software for mastering on your DAW though, they finally got it right with version 3.0, and it's only gotten better since.

good luck

 

[Toby001]

Some are unregistered and others say registration can be swapped. I don't know how easy swapping registration is in the real world.

Ideally, I'd like to upgrade what I have but I don't think my trial S/W will count :-(

Thx again!