Good recording software

  • Thread starter Thread starter Victory Pete
  • Start date Start date
It's a complicated subject,

But not really- especially for someone who's already done analog recording. Took me about an hour to start tracking? And I learned about the nuances of the software when issues came up...

But you definitely want a replacement sound card or an interface. These days most interfaces just plug right into your USB or Firewire ports- no need to plug anything new into your PCI slots. Presonus and Motu interfaces are some of the more popular ones you'll see folks using around here. You want to think about how many inputs you'll be using. If you're recording drums, you probably want to go for something with 8 channels. I use two Motu 8Pres, but un:Supercreep is unloading a modded Motu 896HD for a ridiculously low price right now here. If you're serious about this, you should definitely grab it before someone else does.

Of course digital vs. analog = who cares. The most important thing is that you use it and make some music. Good luck.
 
But not really- especially for someone who's already done analog recording. Took me about an hour to start tracking? And I learned about the nuances of the software when issues came up...

But you definitely want a replacement sound card or an interface. These days most interfaces just plug right into your USB or Firewire ports- no need to plug anything new into your PCI slots. Presonus and Motu interfaces are some of the more popular ones you'll see folks using around here. You want to think about how many inputs you'll be using. If you're recording drums, you probably want to go for something with 8 channels. I use two Motu 8Pres, but un:Supercreep is unloading a modded Motu 896HD for a ridiculously low price right now here. If you're serious about this, you should definitely grab it before someone else does.

Of course digital vs. analog = who cares. The most important thing is that you use it and make some music. Good luck.

Thanks for the help, My computer is not in the same building as my main Analog Studio. I have a small studio in my computer room with a Tascam TSR-8 and an Alesis 1622 board. I wont be recording drums here, but I have another TSR-8 in the main studio so I could bring tapes over to the computer studio and play them here and dump them to the computer. so I am not sure how many I will eventually want. I like options so the more the better.

VP
 
The cables snake attaches to the back of the card. Google it. It's all there on the M Audio webpage.
 
Indeed. I commend first hand experience to you, especially of digital audio recording -done properly, not using the OEM soundcard...

Tim
 
Indeed. I commend first hand experience to you, especially of digital audio recording -done properly, not using the OEM soundcard...

Tim

I am waiting for a response to my previous post, thank you. I would appreciate beagles opinion.

VP

PS I have had "First Hand Experience" with digital.
 
VP,

I have two delta cards not the 1010 or 1010LT, but the "Audiophile 2496" and the "Delta 66" the only difference between the 1010LT and the 2496 is the number of I/O, the chipset is the same ICE1712. I run a turnkey Linux solution on both boxes (Agnula DeMuDi 1.3 which is (or was dev seems to have stalled) a beta for 64Studio 1.3.) Do I need two, no, but I found both in a bin with a bunch of SoundBlasters, and I bought the cable from M-Audio. I have a hard time resisting a good deal... Anyway, the breakout cable attaches to the back. I think the 1010LT has two mic inputs as well.

I'm not sure what "entry level" means here and how much better or worse (Hammerfall? Luna?) would be. I haven't bothered to research the difference in specs, but I'd assume the DAC's and the clock stability are a factor in the audio quality. However, it preferred to have the DAC external to the computer, because of a lot of noisy stuff going on inside (The processoer, the switching power supply etc etc etc) the computer case.

Also, if you are running MS Windows, you need to run msconfig and also go intot he control panel and shut off damn near everything, especialy windows update, the internet if you don't need it, installshield update all that, etcf etc

As far as software goes, I've not used much and I don't like to pay (much) for software, (and I won't steal it) so apart from Linux, I downloaded kristal and reaper and audacity. Audacity is fine and frankly real easy to use for copying tracks in real time (I've used it to burn cd copies of some of those once ubiquitous totally awesome mix tapes from 1980s....) but otherwise it isn't really a full featured DAW. Ardour is pretty good, but Linux/MAC only. I've not really had a chance to use Kristal or Reaper yet. I tend to see the interface as a substitute for a tape deck (so e.g. the Delta 66 is a 4 track) and so Kristal seemed to have a comfortable feel, but the only Windows box it would go on has (yet another interface) and Windows 98, and I'm not sure Kristal will run on it. (The freeware version is limited to 16 tracks.)
 
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Also, if you are running MS Windows, you need to run msconfig and also go intot he control panel and shut off damn near everything, especialy windows update, the internet if you don't need it, installshield update all that, etcf etc

I remember having to do all this when I was running Logic on Windows 98. But the PC that I used then was something like 600mhz, with 512gb RAM and a 16Gb hard drive.

Running Reaper on XP I haven't had to take any steps like that.
 
Fair enough. Although I've had my office machine come to a crashing halt because of a what appears to be a memory leak in windows update, so I still think it is best to optimize for audio by turning off systems/software that have nothing to do with audio, and use a dedicated computer. Sure, RAM and processor power are relatively cheap in comparision to 10-15 years ago, but no reason to suffer the bloat simply because the hardware can handle it.
 
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Reaper is free

I am trying Reaper for 30 days. I am considering this audio card. - 10-In/10-Out PCI Virtual Studio[/url]
Any comments on these systems?

Thanks
VP
Reaper is actually free. I bought the license because it so cheap but it will continue to work without paying. I have used it with a Delta 1010 and The 6 channel one with no problems at all...
 
Reaper is actually free. I bought the license because it so cheap but it will continue to work without paying. I have used it with a Delta 1010 and The 6 channel one with no problems at all...

Reaper is NOT actually free. They should be paid if you use their product beyond the 30 day trial period.
 
Reaper is actually free. I bought the license because it so cheap but it will continue to work without paying. I have used it with a Delta 1010 and The 6 channel one with no problems at all...

Continuing to work uncrippled after the 30 day evaluation period is not the same as being free. It's honourware, you telling us you have no honour and would steal if you could get away with it ? :D


 
The soundcard in your computer is not designed to record quality music. For that you need a Computer Interface. Most are good and can do the job. You also need decent recording software. You can get Audacity for free but you get what you pay for. If you are not familiar with sound recording you will probably find it frustrating. I use Mixcraft 5. It is the easiest software to use I have found. I have purchased software that cost more than twice as much and never could get it to work properly. You need a condenser mic as well. Your computer is more that capable of doing recording. One program I bought I bought the sound card too and put it in and never could get it to work right.
 
No, you're trolling.

No-one who knows as much about music and audio as you claim to would approach the topic in this fashion.
that's it ...... he has repeatedly presented himself as almost an 'expert' on this stuff.
Why would he need our help?

Oh right ...... because he doesn't actually know anything about any of it.
 
Reaper is NOT actually free. They should be paid if you use their product beyond the 30 day trial period.
perhaps but they don't enforce it other than to make you close 'nag' screens about the matter.

If I were to start recording on a 'puter (unlikely) I think Reaper would be the way top go and me being an old school guy .... I'd pay for it since it's cheap as hell.

What ...... less than 100 bucks right?
 
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