"Best" Software?

  • Thread starter Thread starter LI Slim
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LI Slim

LI Slim

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It's mostly just me and my guitar. I want to keep the process as simple as possible and still end up with good quality downloads and cd's. I can figure out what I need to figure out. I just installed my Aardvark Direct Pro. It comes with Samplitude software; I've only begun to use it but it seems a little obtuse, plus I never see it recommended by anyone.

For my situation, what do you think is the best overall choice for recording, editing, mixing and mastering?
 
LI Slim,
I just picked up N-Track and a Delta 44. I think it's fairly easy to use, the controls look very much like my old analog multitrack. It's also very cheap ($59US for the 24-bit version). Check it out at http://www.fasoft.com
As a disclaimer this is the only multitrack software I've used, but I can't seem to find any problems with it for recording just me and my guitar!
Good luck!
-Evan
 
Hey, it's free.

Try downloading the Free ProTools from Digidesign. The Win98 version doesn't look as nice as the Mac version I've seen, but it does have some decent features including mix automation and some basic effects. It is limited to 8 tracks (only 2 recorded at a time). If you are just doing guitar and vocals then it might work for you. I'm playing around with it this week and haven't done a whole lot yet, but it seems decent on the surface. Of course the best part is, it's free.

For somewhat affordable editing and mastering I think the best overall choice in software out of the few programs I have used would be Wavelab along with your plugins of choice. I have used Soundforge for editing and it's not bad either and less expensive, but doesn't currently do 24/96. T-Racks is also decent mastering software in the lower budget range. I've heard Sonic Foundry is coming out with a Soundforge replacement that will have lots of extra features over the current version and do 24/96, but that's just a rumor far as I know right now.
 
80% of the reports I've heard about the free Protools download have been horror stories - very Windows-unfriendly, apparently.

N-tracks is cheap and good for tracking. I know a bunch of people who are completely in love with Cool Edit Pro, and some of them use n-Track for recording. N-track is cheap enough to try out and see.
 
I thought ProTools Free was going to be bad to start with too since the interface looks crappy compared to the Mac version, but I went through the quick start tutorial and recorded some drums (2 channel stereo mix only) with it this afternoon. Worked well enough, I just hate the track limitations so I probably won't use it much. If I ever do something that fits into those limitations, then I might see how it does for a whole song. I will say that you better have a heck of a computer to even think about running it. They recommend 192MB of ram, and I have seen it sputter once on my machine with 256MB. I wouldn't attempt it on a midlevel or below computer. Unless you have 14.4 modem, I think it's worth the price of the 10MB download to try it out.
 
Dobro, are you also suggesting that although N-track will suit me for recording and editing, I'll need something else for mixing and mastering? That N-track can't bring me all the way up to the point where I'm ready to burn (or just not well)?
 
Just my two cents here, but IMHO, Samplitude rocks! There is a steep learning curve, but it can do nearly anything you could want. (Mixing, Mastering, Burning, Wav editing...)If you were fortunate enough to get a version of 24/96 with your unit - I recommend that you give it a good chance before you buy something else.
 
JJ- they gave me something called Samplitude Basic with my unit. Are you familiar with that? It does work with the 24/96 system. I'm not sure about this yet but I think I'll have to buy stuff if I continue with it.
 
I think N-Track is good enough to use all the way to the finished stereo mix. I don't use much plugins or special tricks though so maybe it's too limited for some. I haven't come across any limits in the software yet.

Cheers

/Ola
 
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