need software recommendations

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shauck

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hi i am an experienced musician who is relatively new to recording. I recently bought a computer and a decent soundcard for recording. I then began hunting for the right software for my wide variety of recording and sound editing needs, and encountered a wide variety of software.

to put it bluntly what software would I need for doing everything anybody would want pertaining to sound editing creating and recording. If that means more than one package, than so be it.

I have looked at reason 2.0, soundforge, cool edit pro cubase vst, and many more titles.

if you have any comments at all please post, as i am getting very antsy to start recording.

p.s. budget is not really a key factor
 
I am no expert by any means, but I can heartily recommend Sonar 2.0 XL. It should do EVERYTHING you want it to. It's fairly intuitive, very flexible and complex enough that months after getting it, I'm still learning something every time I use it.

If the cost is a bit steep, Cakewalk Home Studio XL should also be a candidate. It's much cheaper and includes many of Sonar's quantities. Main difference: it only records two tracks at a time.

Now many folks like a real good two-track editor in addition to the mulitrack Cakewalk products I mentioned. I use Sound Forge and love it - and I don't even use it to its full potential. I'm sure others around here have their favorites.

Hope this helps

Fab
 
Wellcome to the board...

I suggest Cakewalk's SONAR 2XL, Sound Forge 6, and CoolEdit Pro2 for general. Since budget is not the subject, you can also add more plugins...
 
reason?

is reason 2.0 anygood, it looks like it has tons of features, but i have obviously not used enough sound editing software to know whether there are other programs that do a more professional job
 
For what it's worth, if you look at the number of posts and threads in the various software categories (Cakewalk, CU-base, etc) of this site, Cakewalk products are by far the most discussed. That means that Cakewalk products are either the most popular or the most confusing, but I suspect it's the former.

A SONAR fan.
 
Shauck, there's many pros and cons on each software. Just because some offers tons of features, doesn't mean that's the best for you. Based on many factor. It would be easier to start from what you need by now. What do you want to do ? what do you expect, what's your goal, your PC spec, and your level (newbie, hobby, pro, etc...). The more the info, easier to decide...
 
my needs

i plan to do a variety of things including multitrack recording of guitar and horns, and vocals,(and hopefully have a software that plays drums),recording from several sources, like mics, record player etc. music creation using loops of some form, sound editing and touch up, perhaps some midi stuff once i get more familiar, and most of all software powerful enough that once i get more familiar with the home recording process i dont have to learn how to use a whole new group of programs.

i have a p4 1.7 ghz processor with xp pro and two 80 gig 7200 rpm hard drives, a soundblaster audigy platinum ex (yeah i know, i got it before i joined this forum), and plan to build my own mic preamp and buy mics.
 
Most of the software packages you mention are offered as free demo / trial versions on their respective web sites.

My recommendation would be to download as many of them as you can, and get somewhat familiar with some of them. Then, buy whatever you seemed to have the best experiences with.

Most of the programs mentioned can pretty much get you there. It's really a matter of what you feel most comfortable with and is the most intuitive. And since everyone's brain works differently, what someone else recommends might be totally wrong for you.
 
does anyone know of any websites that would have a comparitive list the different types of software and what they can or cannot do and what soundcards or other devices they are compatible with

thanx in advance
 
Re: reason?

shauck said:
is reason 2.0 anygood, it looks like it has tons of features, but i have obviously not used enough sound editing software to know whether there are other programs that do a more professional job
Click to expand...
If you are looking to use something like Reason, I would recommend you also take a look at Orion. The company that made it just released the Platinum version: www.synapse-audio.com (they changed their name, used to be Sonic Syndicate). You can also visit my own site (a user-supported community site for Orion) for specific information: www.orion-central.com/generators.shtml
(btw, I'm not affiliated with Synapse Audio other then that I'm a beta-tester for them).

Peter.
 
Great question shauck! Budget is a factor for me though, and I'm an unexperienced musician, completely new to recording, producing and everything else involved with this. (I am a bedroom DJ though, if that helps :) ).

I'm looking at Reason 2.0 myself to get started with producing, recording and remixing. Since reading about Reason 2.0 in the current edition of EQ mag (Aug 2002), I felt it was time to consider the software route vs. the hardware route to do this task, as it's in my budget and a "total" production solution. What I mean by "total" production solution is, it seems to provide everything as far as instruments are concerned (i.e., drums, synths, effects, etc), as well as full recording and editing capabilities. Therefore, I assume one using Reason would not need any "real" instruments or anything additional for recording and editing unless they wanted it, correct?

In reading this post, I've noticed that alot of you praise Sonar, which makes me want to look at it also! Nevertheless, I saw this today on the Cakewalk Sonar site and want to know what you all think about it? It seems that using Reason and Sonar together gives the best of both worlds.

Reason users— expand your studio with SONAR 2.0
http://www.cakewalk.com/Reason/default2.asp

Why not try SONAR 2.0? Now you can run and expand upon your Reason projects right from within SONAR 2.0.
  • Record unlimited tracks of audio alongside your Reason™ projects
  • Use SONAR’s MIDI FX, automation, and sequencing capabilities to control Reason Route ReWire channels into audio tracks inside SONAR
  • Process Reason’s audio output with DirectX effects
  • Add loops or recorded audio tracks to your Reason projects

SONAR™ 2.0 is the only professional digital audio and MIDI recording system designed exclusively for the Windows platform. SONAR provides you with a complete environment for unlimited digital audio and MIDI track recording, flexible non-linear editing, real-time audio effects, low-latency software synths, and ACID™-style audio loop construction and editing tools. All in one powerful, intuitive application.

Reason users can try SONAR 2.0 for 60 days, and if you're not 100% satisfied, we'll refund your purchase price. Guaranteed. Get more details on the 60-day, money-back offer.

Top reasons to try SONAR 2.0

#1: Reason runs best from within SONAR 2.0

SONAR's ReWire support has been described by Ernst Nathorst-Böös, Managing Director of Propellerhead Software as “one of the best we have seen and is a great example of how two applications can work seamlessly together. I am delighted that Reason users finally get the full benefit of the combined powers of SONAR and Reason.”

"I tested Reason 2.0 with SONAR 2.0, and the combination is truly awesome."
—Craig Anderton, EQ, August 2002

SONAR 2.0 is the best choice for you to expand the capabilities of your studio.
Click to expand...

Phree
 
My vote is for Sonar as well. Mostly because I really like the interface. I got going on it with no reading at all.

Chessrock's suggestion is a necessity if you want a true evaluation. Software is not ONLY about features, but how you and your mind work. You will find one that suits you best by trying them out :)
 
I like cubase sx myself...
Reason is a whole virtual studio, it's not the same thing as cubase and sonar etc.
 
Samplitude....You don't need anything else....you can track, mix, master and burn CDs. It is a complete package. But most importantly, it sounds better than anything else.
 
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