Help with Software Basics

[J Wah]

After long avoiding recording to a PC am starting to reconsider. Problem is I don't even know what to start searching for. What I was hoping for is a very basic list of software that is being used, what is does, pro & cons of it, and what it cost. Then I can search for what I want and come back with more specific questions. I have heard of the following but really don't know about them: n-tracks, cakewalk, mic emulator software?, effects software?, etc.

I will be rocording vocals, guitar, bass, keys.

I will be using a Pentium III 1Ghz, 20 GB HD, 128 MB Ram. Mackie vlz 1202-pro, Sm-57 & 58. I'll probably have to start with a SB Live untill I can upgrade.

Thanks for your Help,

J

 

[dragonworks]

Sounds like the pc is up to snuff. As for software, n tracks has a download for their software on their site. I think it is fully functional and lasts x amount of days. So does cool edit at I think it is syntrillium? just search cool edit. I would also check the sites for cakewalk, emagic, steinberg, some of them have free demos for download also. Play around with them, you dont need and instrument,, you can "import" mp3 files into soundforge and save it as a wave file then open it in cakewalk or logic audio etc. and get a feel for what you are in for with different software. You should do a search at this site for hardware, software and soundcards and this will give you some good insight. I have found that when you get to the highend software its all pretty much the same, just what is more user friendly to your particular taste. They all have basically the same bells and whistles but utilizing them on each software package may be and most often will be different.