I need information regarding PC recording software

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Hi guys, I would appreciate any information on setting up a home "recording studio" centered around my new Dell PC laptop. I think all I need is a software program that has all the goods--recording, mixing, mastering, effects, etc.--a synthesizer, microphone, and speakers. My laptop is a Dell Studio 15. It has intel core duo processor P8400, 3GB Memory, 320GB hardrive. What would be the best software program for this PC and a newbie like me? (All I've recorded with so far is a hand-held tape recorder!) I've heard of Protools, Cakewalk, and others but do not know which ones are good for PCs. I want to record my songs, which will center on vocals and percussion. Also, can anyone refer me to an easy to read manual or thred on here describing and detailing all the advantages and pitfalls of recording music on PC? I have about $1000 to spend on the software, synth and microphone. Would appreciate and am desperate for any advice you guys can give, because I need to record my sounds so that I can revolutionize dance music.
 
Take $50 from your $1000 budget and get Reaper. Enough said. :)
 
Thanks, gilmour clone. But why is Reaper so cheap, whereas Protools and others are 200 to 600 dollars. Do they produce the same quality recordings?
 
options...options...

Welcome to the forums. :)

You say that your music is centered around vocals and percussion. Will you be recording live drums or using samples? If your recording live drums, you will need an interface with multiple mic preamps. If your going to be using samples, you might look into some software like EZ Drummer or Drumagog. Or, you might be using MIDI...

Even if your not recording live drums, you will want an interface with a mic preamp for recording your vocals. Something like a Presonus Firebox (firewire) , Digidesign Mbox, Presonus Audiobox (USB), Tapco Link.FW460 (firewire), etc. Most audio interfaces come with recording software and upgrades are usually pretty cheap.

You'll also need a mic for your vocals.

I personally use Cubase Essential 4 with two Presonus Firepods and I like it a lot.:D
 
Reaper is cheap because it is made by guys working in their bedrooms/garages.
ProTools and others are major corporations with staffs of hundres and big expensive buildings.

The process is exactly the SAME.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My obligatory standard reply-for-newbies that I keep in Wordpad:

First off, immediately get a good beginner recording book (spend $20 before spending hundred$/thousand$) that shows you what you need to get started and how to hook everything up in your studio:
Home Recording for Musicians by Jeff Strong - $15
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/07...ce&n=283155&n=507846&s=books&v=glance
(Wish I'd had that when I started; would have saved me lots of money and time and grief)
You can also pick up this book in most any Borders or Barnes&Noble in the Music Books section!

Another good one is: Recording Guitar and Bass by Huw Price
http://www.amazon.com/Recording-Gui...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215734124&sr=1-1
(I got my copy at a place called Half-Price Books for $6!!)

And you can get a FREE subscription to TapeOp magazine at www.tapeop.com

Barnes&Noble or Borders are great places to start --- they have recording books and you can go get a snack or coffee and read them for FREE! Don't pass by a good recording book --- this is a VERY technical hobby and you REALLY want to start a reference library!!!

Good Newbie guides that also explains all the basics and have good tips:
http://www.tweakheadz.com/guide.htm
http://www.computermusic.co.uk/page/computermusic?entry=free_beginner_pdfs
http://www.harmony-central.com/articles/

21 Ways To Assemble a Recording Rig: http://www.tweakheadz.com/rigs.htm

Also Good Info: http://www.theprojectstudiohandbook.com/directory.htm

Other recording books: http://musicbooksplus.com/home-recording-c-31.html

Still using a built-in soundcard?? Unfortunately, those are made with less than $1 worth of chips for beeps, boops and light gaming (not to mention cheapness for the manufacturer) and NOT quality music production.
#1 Rule of Recording: You MUST replace the built-in soundcard.
Here's a good guide and suggestions: http://www.tweakheadz.com/soundcards_for_the_home_studio.htm


Plenty of software around to record for FREE to start out on:

Audacity: http://audacity.sourceforge.net (multi-track with VST support)
Wavosaur: http://www.wavosaur.com/ (a stereo audio file editor with VST support)\
Kristal: http://www.kreatives.org/kristal/
Other freebies and shareware: www.hitsquad.com/smm

Another great option is REAPER at http://www.cockos.com/reaper/ (It's $50 but runs for free until you get guilty enough to pay for it...)
I use Reaper and highly reccomend it...

Music Notation and MIDI recording: Melody Assistant ($25) and Harmony Assistant ($80) have the power of $600 notation packages - http://myriad-online.com
Demo you can try on the website.

And you can go out to any Barnes&Noble or Borders and pick up "Computer Music" magazine - they have a full FREE studio suite in every issue's DVD, including sequencers, plugins and tons of audio samples. (November 2006 they gave away a full copy of SamplitudeV8SE worth $150, November 2007-on the racks Dec in the US- they gave away SamplitudeV9SE. It pays to watch 'em for giveaways...)
 
Reaper is cheap because it is made by guys working in their bedrooms/garages.
ProTools and others are major corporations with staffs of hundreds and big expensive buildings.

The process is exactly the SAME.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My obligatory standard reply-for-newbies that I keep in Wordpad:

First off, immediately get a good beginner recording book (spend $20 before spending hundred$/thousand$) that shows you what you need to get started and how to hook everything up in your studio:
Home Recording for Musicians by Jeff Strong - $15
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/07...ce&n=283155&n=507846&s=books&v=glance
(Wish I'd had that when I started; would have saved me lots of money and time and grief)
You can also pick up this book in most any Borders or Barnes&Noble in the Music Books section!

Another good one is: Recording Guitar and Bass by Huw Price
http://www.amazon.com/Recording-Gui...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215734124&sr=1-1
(I got my copy at a place called Half-Price Books for $6!!)

And you can get a FREE subscription to TapeOp magazine at www.tapeop.com

Barnes&Noble or Borders are great places to start --- they have recording books and you can go get a snack or coffee and read them for FREE! Don't pass by a good recording book --- this is a VERY technical hobby and you REALLY want to start a reference library!!!

Good Newbie guides that also explains all the basics and have good tips:
http://www.tweakheadz.com/guide.htm
http://www.computermusic.co.uk/page/computermusic?entry=free_beginner_pdfs
http://www.harmony-central.com/articles/

21 Ways To Assemble a Recording Rig: http://www.tweakheadz.com/rigs.htm

Also Good Info: http://www.theprojectstudiohandbook.com/directory.htm

Other recording books: http://musicbooksplus.com/home-recording-c-31.html

Still using a built-in soundcard?? Unfortunately, those are made with less than $1 worth of chips for beeps, boops and light gaming (not to mention cheapness for the manufacturer) and NOT quality music production.
#1 Rule of Recording: You MUST replace the built-in soundcard.
Here's a good guide and suggestions: http://www.tweakheadz.com/soundcards_for_the_home_studio.htm


Plenty of software around to record for FREE to start out on:

Audacity: http://audacity.sourceforge.net (multi-track with VST support)
Wavosaur: http://www.wavosaur.com/ (a stereo audio file editor with VST support)\
Kristal: http://www.kreatives.org/kristal/
Other freebies and shareware: www.hitsquad.com/smm

Another great option is REAPER at http://www.cockos.com/reaper/ (It's $50 but runs for free until you get guilty enough to pay for it...)
I use Reaper and highly reccomend it...

Music Notation and MIDI recording: Melody Assistant ($25) and Harmony Assistant ($80) have the power of $600 notation packages - http://myriad-online.com
Demo you can try on the website.

And you can go out to any Barnes&Noble or Borders and pick up "Computer Music" magazine - they have a full FREE studio suite in every issue's DVD, including sequencers, plugins and tons of audio samples. (November 2006 they gave away a full copy of SamplitudeV8SE worth $150, November 2007-on the racks Dec in the US- they gave away SamplitudeV9SE. It pays to watch 'em for giveaways...)
 
dastrick said:
Welcome to the forums. :)

Will you be recording live drums or using samples? If your recording live drums, you will need an interface with multiple mic preamps. If your going to be using samples, you might look into some software like EZ Drummer or Drumagog. Or, you might be using MIDI...
Click to expand...

Thanks Dastrick. For the meantime I will be using samples because I have no percussion--I was thinking about using pots, pans, pens, lids, tin cans, sticks, and other household goods.
 
Thanks TimOBrien, I will be indebted to you forever for the gobs of info and links you sent my way.
 
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