I need help choosing the right audio/midi recording software

  • Thread starter Thread starter Scott Hinds
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Scott Hinds

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Greetings! My name is Scott and I'm in need of assistance. My experience with recording software is from back when Opcode Studio Vision was a first of its kind product. Obviously, it's been a long time since I dabbled in music production/recording. I'm interested in tinkering around with some ideas. I'd like to invest in a software package that won't take me the rest of my life to become familiar/comfortable with. What I'm hoping to find is a software package that is inclusive of both midi sequencing and audio recording capabilities all in one. Is that something that even exist? Or is that only possible by the pairing together of multiple software packages? I'm not completely averse to using multiple devices depending on how complicated the process of doing so is. I'm a Mac user and I'm interested in investing in a quality product that can be used for professional recording should I decide to get serious about what I'm doing. That said, I don't want fry my brain attempting to do something that I hope will, first and foremost, be fun. Any suggestions?
 
Literally every professional DAW should be able to do that. I use Reason. In my opinion, it's the most seamless when it comes to MIDI/recording. The drawback for it is that you can't use any third-party plugins. Everything has to be straight from the devs. Still fine with me, but you should test every DAW out and decide for yourself.
 
I should mention that Opcode is not a professional DAW.

I haven't been in the game in a while, but from memory, Reason, Pro Tools, Cubase, Logic, Digital Performer, etc. should do what you want.
 
You're in luck scott! All the daws nowadays as far as I know include audio and MIDI tracks, and I think they all have piano roll editors built in too. And since you use mac you can get garageband for $5 from the app store and be off to the races, virtual instruments included. I used that setup myself for a few months, using audio and midi tracks simultaneously.
 
^^^

If you use a Mac, this is what you should do. If Windows, I really can't say. It's been so long. I'm pretty sure that the lite version of Reason is $100 Reaper is $40 I think. That's probably the cheapest professional DAW you can get.

I hope I'm not pulling these numbers out of my ass. It's just what I remember lol.
 
Thank you for the information and advice. I really appreciate it. Almost all of my recording experience predates the digital era. This is all pretty new to me, even the lingo. I plan to do some research but I always like to hear what people in-the-know have to say. Thanks again for your input!
 
There is no "right" DAW software. Most people start with a "lite" version of something, very often Cubase when they buy an interface or they use (struggle!) with the computer's own sound card and a freeby like Audacity (no MIDI). IF! They get on well with the donated software they often buy a bigger, better version and there is almost always an upgrade discount.

Now, noobs don't often mention MIDI here and so I would think long and hard about any other software than Cubase if you want the best MIDI experience (but then I don't know how some other DAWs perform? Reason is said to be very good) .

You can download a 30 day trial of a "lesser" Cubase or the top bllx if you are prepared to shell out for a dongle. NONE of the DAWs worth having are in any way easy! You need to work pretty hard to get proficient with any of them. As for "spending your life"? I dare say even that most experienced DAW mechanic here would admit to not knowing it all! DAWs are a bit like computers, you learn what you need to know as and when you need to know it.
Some here will come back with the excellent Reaper but I am not sure how good it is at MIDI?

Dave.
 
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