Cakewalk HS XL or CE Pro 2.0

[npearce]

I'm obviously new on this VERY helpful forum. I am trying to get into computer based recording. Here's some background on what equipment I have, and what I want to do. Then I'll get to my question.

Computer: Dell P4 1.8Ghz, 256RAM, 40G HD
OS: Windows XP
Extras: CD Burner
Soundcard: Standard issue Dell (nothing special, very basic)

I have no preamp, mixer, or other fancy tools (yet).

I just want to record guitar and vocals and then use software tools to fill in the drums, bass, etc.

I want to find a simple to use, but efficient, multitrack recording studio with drums, loops, etc. I'm currently trying the Cool Edit Pro 2.0 demo. I want to try out Cakewalk Home Studio XL.

What does everybody recommend for somebody just starting out? Are those 2 programs a good place to start?

I will be getting a better soundcard soon, but will have to use my crappy one while I am still learning my way around.

 

[jrides]

Cakewalk.....does softsynths (if you play keyboard)....and loops. Its recording features are good as well. Stable and simple to use.

For just loops and no midi (and only records 2 tracks a at a time)
Sonic Foundry Acid is easy to use.......get one of the higher levels that handle plugings and you are cool.

Homestudio is the cheapest and most flexible though. Acid is just the easiest.

 

[npearce]

Would I be better off just jumping to Sonar 2.0? How much more complicated is Sonar than Home Studio? Why don't you like Cool Edit Pro 2.0? Is it just too basic?

 

[jrides]

I only have Cool Edit 1.2....when I say Cakewalk I mean HS...... I would have said Sonar otherwise. BTW I have Sonar....and HS has many of the features of Sonar. Almost all of them actually...You wont be missing a whole whole lot. By the time you start missing anything......I think you will have the money to upgrade. (May take a month, a year, or yrs...who knows). I also dont know if Cool Edit 2.0 does loops. I DO however know that Cakewalk does them well.....and they have softsynths.....and I have used them too. Cakewalk is easy to use and pretty stable. Since Cool Edit 2 may have a boatload more features than 1.2 it may not be stable yet......usually it takes a while to work out the bugs in new features. I dunno though. Cool Edit is easy to use. Its more expensive than HS sooooo there is a problem too. More expensive and doesnt do as much spells a big no to me. I do however have Syntrillium software to thank for my intro to digital recording.... Which I will always be thankful to them for. I prolly would have had a VS-880 instead....and hating it.

Instead of springing the extra $$$ on Sonar I think you should get a lil cheapo Behringher mixer w/preamps, or something like that. I mean.....of course eventually you will wanna jump to Sonar, but you need to record vocals in the mean time.

Of course if you have the loot go Sonar and Mackie 1202vlz pro. Thats my reccomendation. If not.....HS will certainly do.

 

[npearce]

Cool! Thanks for the help. Sounds like I'm headed for Cakewalk HS XL.