Music software with shortest learning curve?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ricklh
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Ricklh

Ricklh

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Just a simple question (if there is such a thing): what multitrack software would you recommend that is pretty simple to use for someone who doesn't want to get bogged down in lengthy tutorials, who just wants to lay down some basic guitar & vocal tracks? It doesn't matter if it's just a 4-track program, just something that's intuitive and that you can get going with in fairly short order...

Thanks in advance.
 
Cakewalk Guitar Tracks is very simple to use.
Audio only - no midi.
It only has 2 views - Mix view with the faders & buses, and Edit view for cutting, pasting, applying envelopes.
It automatically detects & profiles your soundcard.
All I had to do was install it, plug in, press record and it was all happening.

Not saying there aren't other products out there that do the same thing, but the thing I like about GT is they've kept it simple to use, while packing in a lot of nice features under the kimono if you need to use them
 
Sony Vegas is about as user friendly as it gets, and it's a real workhorse/powerhouse as well. Version 5 was just released, and there's a full working 30 day demo available here.

Jay
 
n-Track gets my vote! Very easy to learn. Full VST and DirectX support. Up to 80 tracks. It's own support forum, with very helpful and knowledgeable members. Audiominds.com is also a support site run by members of the n-Track forum, where you will find tons of helpful info (even if you don't use n-Track).
Download the trial, shake it down, visit the support sites and if you wanna register it .... $45 US for the 16 bit version and $69 US for the 24 bit version.
Not to mention, if you register version 3.3 now ... you will be entitled to a free upgrade to version 4.0 when it is released and as feature packed as 3.3 is ... I expect version 4.0 to be the shiznitz.
I use it day in and day out, but don't just take my word for it. Give it a run for yourself. The trial doesn't expire, you are just limited to 16 bit and channel effects on track 1 only. More than enough to get your feet wet. Possibly more than some will ever need. Skim through the PDF manual and you will be tracking in no time. Hit Audiominds.com and you will find more info than you could imagine.
Each to his own, but I highly recommend giving it a try.

-Ken
 
n-track takes my vote too.

i also worked in cakewalk guitar tracks pro. it is essentialy the same thing as n-track, but if you need to, n-track can take you a little bit further
 
notbradsohner said:
n-track takes my vote too.

i also worked in cakewalk guitar tracks pro. it is essentialy the same thing as n-track, but if you need to, n-track can take you a little bit further
Click to expand...

Huh?

GT Pro 3 is based on the newer Sonar 3 code and makes use of its newer interface and sound engine.

n-track isn't even in the same league anymore as GT Pro.
 
FLStudio has been great. Very easy to quickly get going. I've checked out demos from many sequencers, and found FLstudio one of the easiest to start and powerful enough to keep you going.
 
you guys are all off... hehe j/k. IMHO cool edit pro... now adobe audition is the easiest thing in the world to use. I didn't even bother reading the manual or anything. I since then have moved up to cubase and I had to do some heavy reading.
 
I've never used guitar tracks, but from my experience I'd have to recomend n-track as well. Cool Edit Pro/Adobe Audition is a very close second though.
 
If you are familiar with how analog gear works, n-track is probably your best bet. It is quite straight forward and easy to get up and working. n-track also supports VST, VSTi, DX, and DXi, so practically every native effect and soft synth out there is compatible.

As for GT3 vs n-track, GT3 is limited to 32 tracks and 32 effects if that is any worry for you. N is unlimited on the number of effects and is limited to 80 tracks. Also, I don't think GT3 has any MIDI sequencing ability. N does everything GT3 does except for some of the ACID integration so far as I can tell.
 
Massive Master said:
Kristal

Free, simple, free.

No frills.

Did I mention it's free?
Click to expand...

Well, I clicked on that link a couple of times and
well
suddenly
nothing happened.

Maybe they should start charging for their product. Then they might be able to afford to pay for a hosting service that, you know works
 
n-track

I've been using n-Track for years. Simple to use and learn, great support. I've downloaded many demos of the "big boys". Never saw a reason to pay the big bucks for what n does easier. A lot of apps just defy you to learn them. I first got it because of DX and VST compatibility. I also use Acid and Sound Forge, perfect trio.

There is a forum at AudioMinds.com with great support: http://audiominds.com/forums/index.php?act=idx
 
n-Tracks for me.

The reasons have been covered already, but I'll add that the demo is unrestricted and uncrippled. You can really test it out befor popping for it.

Can I cast one for FL studio too, though? I use both all the time. FL wasn't really useful as a recording package until recently. Though it can be taken to incredible extremes of complexity and subtlety, multitracking on it is straightforward, with maybe a five minute learning curve.

Pete...
 
I second (and third and fourth) the vote for Tracktion. I've used Vegas and Fruity and I've tried demos of Cool Edit, N-tracks, Logic and others. Tracktion is just amazing; the workflow and UI are totally intuitive. It dispenses with the out-dated mixing-board UI analogy and it's just a joy to work with. Rock solid and only $80. Mackie now distributes it, but its still developed by one guy, Jules from London.

Tracktion Info and Demo: http://www.mackie.com/products/tracktion/index.html

Tracktion Forum (often frequented by Jules): http://www.kvr-vst.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=22

More info and community: http://www.tracktionfaction.com/ , http://www.adbe.org/guides/tracktion/
 
I've used N-track for a few years, on and off. I'm very happy with it's small learning curve and robust features
 
I'm checking out the Tracktion link - looks interesting. I'm going to download the demo this evening and check it out. I read the reviews and it sounds really like what I'm looking for. I already have a Fostex MR-8 8-track digital unit that I've used some and purchased because I found the software multi-track programs just really annoying. But I wanna ease back into learning PC recording and this looks like it might be the ticket. Thanks for all the responses.
 
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n-Track for me. Really great app with great support.

Blessings, Terry
 
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