How Would I Decide On Which Software To Buy

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Ken7

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How does a Newbie in the DAW world determine which Software package would be the best way to go?
It can get confusing!

Here is the our Game Plan, hope this helps with any suggestions anyone has:

*My wife sings and writes and it’s time she got some of her work out there into the real world. Her music is more the Pop-Rock type with Keyboards, Bass, Guitar, vocals, drum tracks as the main sounds, so MIDI would play a part in all of this for sure.

*I want to record guitar based music also and just plain have fun with it all.

*Flexibility to share tracks with others, if and when needed.

*Give studio time to other Muscians and entertainers on a part-time basis as available, if we decide to open up the studio to any local artists.

Right now we have about $5000 to put into the new studio to get started.

And My wife and I have a room in the house just for the Studio, in fact we may take a smaller room next to this room and make that the control room with a window in the wall etc.

Hope this is enough information.

Any suggestions would help.
 
The software you choose should be able to record and edit MIDI and audio...
Cakewalk seems like a decent starting app...
but there is shareware like N-Traks....
You could spend a fortune on gear though.....



there are a lot of us Gear sluts here on the boards man....
check out some of the application forums and see if there is anything that interests you...


you'll also need a MIDI capable soundcard....
with enough I/Os to record as many tracks at once as you need...
a dynamic mic for vocals...
a condesor for acoustic guits and other applications...
something to monitor and mix on... (I like Nearfields myself)


and good cables man....gotta have good cables....
 
i would base the Studio around a Digi002 and ProTools......

especially if you go commercial because people are gonna want it, even though others (Sonar,Cubase) are just as good........
 
I agree word-for-word with, Gidge.

If it were just a studio for you and your wife, then I would suggest Sonar, Nuendo, Logic, etc.....

But.............. since you will be sharing and possibly renting out the studio, I would suggest ProTools (and... since you are on a small budget, I'd suggest Digi002).
 
And.....

You'll need (as joro has previously stated)

computer

software (multi-tracking AND editing)

monitors

soundcard

mics

cables/adapters

sound-proofing

recordable media (CDR's, CDRW's, and DVD's)
 
I think you should get the 002 or cubase with a 16 through 32 track mixer,but if you get cubase and a mixer you need a good soundcard.
 
save your money

powertracks pgmusic.com 29 bucks. try the demo if you dont believe me. has won electronic mag awards. 48 digital audio tracks plus superb midi sequencer. talk to users on the forum if you doubt me. cant be beat.
 
Yep.

I would recommend Cakewalk's apps. They all have the same interface/design, but as you go up in price they go up in quality and features.

Here's the order:

Music Creator
Plasma
Home Studio
Home Studio XL
Sonar - RECOMMEND THIS ONE
Sonar Studio Edition
Sonar Producer Edition

Logic and Cubase are also good too. Sonar and these two are in the same price range...around 250 to 400.
 
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