Question about various home recording programs

[fowweezer]

My brother has got some various programs on CD for home music recording. I have used the trial version of Acid Pro 5.0 (and various earlier versions) and I liked it a lot (easy to use, I'm not great at this whole thing).

However, my trial has expired, and I can't afford to pay $300 for Acid Pro 5.0 (and Acid Pro 4.0 seems inadequate because I use the volume envelopes a lot and this one doesn't have it). I can't justify paying that kind of money when my brother has other programs I can use.

So, I'm trying to decide which one is best. I've read really good reviews for Steinberg Wavelab 4.0, Sony Screenblast, GuitarTracks Pro 3, and a couple others.

I'm looking for something with a few key features (like volume and HOPEFULLY pitch envelopes that work), but is fairly easy to use and converts to MP3 at no extra charge (CakeWalk Studio 2004 charges to the best of my understanding).......Ease of use is important to me, since that's what I liked most about Acid Pro 5.0

Any good ideas?

I'm running my stuff through a EuroRack UB1202 mixer and directly into my computer using RCA cords. I record mostly guitar, microphones and occasionally keyboards (also run into mixer via guitar cords). I'm not sure what soundcard I even have, but it's not great. Thanks in advance guys.

 

[Massive Master]

Don't take this the wrong way, as I may be barking up the wrong tree...

If this "disc your brother has" is full of cracked software (which it probably is from what you've said about Acid Pro 4 not having volume envelopes), we don't take kindly to that 'round here.

Of course, if this doesn't apply, and you actually have a "kosher" version of Acid 4, please read the manual - You're comparing a bunch of programs that are nothing at all like each other.

 

[homerecorder1]

Cracked software...

OHHHHHH NOOOOOOOO!
People who are serious into music recording will BUY the software. Are you married Massive? Ever taken that second look at a beautiful womans' ass. Do you speed on the highway...? Ever overeat? Smoked pot...gotten drunk?
I'll bet you break biblical laws and man-made laws everyday.
Why again aren't people upgrading their ProTools rigs to HD? Do you alienate all people who use, or ever will use pirated software...?
Ever hear a bootleg copy of some music that you absolutely adore...
LIGHTEN UP! You are scaring off poor kids from getting interested. Hell, if they used some God-Forbidden CRACKED software and get hooked, they will eventually become a life-long consumer to the world of music gear and software. The THOUSANDS that they will spend as a result of the initial getting hooked, will be worth the "LOSSES" to the industry.

 

[wesley tanner]

I'm running my stuff through a EuroRack UB1202 mixer and directly into my computer using RCA cords. I record mostly guitar, microphones and occasionally keyboards (also run into mixer via guitar cords). I'm not sure what soundcard I even have, but it's not great. Thanks in advance guys.

really? you record MICROPHONES? get outta tooooown!!

RCA cords? vintage RCA cords?

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

OHHHHHH NOOOOOOOO!
People who are serious into music recording will BUY the software. Are you married Massive? Ever taken that second look at a beautiful womans' ass. Do you speed on the highway...? Ever overeat? Smoked pot...gotten drunk?
I'll bet you break biblical laws and man-made laws everyday.
Why again aren't people upgrading their ProTools rigs to HD? Do you alienate all people who use, or ever will use pirated software...?
Ever hear a bootleg copy of some music that you absolutely adore...
LIGHTEN UP! You are scaring off poor kids from getting interested. Hell, if they used some God-Forbidden CRACKED software and get hooked, they will eventually become a life-long consumer to the world of music gear and software. The THOUSANDS that they will spend as a result of the initial getting hooked, will be worth the "LOSSES" to the industry.

Here we go again..... what a load of bullshit............

 

[Dogbreath]

Yup, gotta disagree with ya on this one homerecorder1. Think about it. The same scenario applies to music cd's. Ya spend all your $$$ and time, (months and sometimes years) on puttin out this great cd, and it sells 1000 copies but 10,000 people have it. Something wrong with the math and $$$ there.
These companies spend big bucks on research and development. You figure in the losses from pirating (and yes, other factors too), but the only thing that they can do is jack the price up to cover that. We, as legit consumers, are the ones to bite the bullet. This happens enough times and 1, the consumer can't afford it anymore, 2, the company puts out a lesser quality product that doesn't cost as much in R and D, or 3, the company goes bust and everyine loses.
Just my thoughts, but I think it's OK to go ahead and invest in your passion.

 

[Massive Master]

Ever taken that second look at a beautiful woman's ass?

There's a HUGE difference between taking a look at woman's ass and kidnapping the woman and keeping her in your home illegally. Software piracy is THEFT. Plain and simple. If it's a $1,000 in programs, it's GRAND THEFT.

That being said - I'll admit that I've had a "non-kosher" version of a program or two that I couldn't demo (check out that ass!), but if it worked out, it was legitamized quickly.

Certainly, if someone is non-caring enough to use stolen software, they should be sensible enough not to ask for help on how to use it in a public forum.

And again, I'm not accusing anyone of anything here - I do find it a little unusual that someone wouldn't have the slightest clue about a "reasonably" costly program's most basic functions, though...

As far as "scaring kids off" from recording - WTF does THAT mean? I learned on analog - Would it have been okay for me to go out and steal gear instead of go out and earn it? It's the same thing, no? If it's okay to steal software, how much gear can someone steal before it's a crime? $10? $1000?

Why am I even typing this?!?

 

[Cloneboy Studio]

Personally if I were a software company I'd create pirated versions of my own software to collect data on the users so I could sue them... or trash their computers.

I wish pirated music software would stop, because then the barrier between idiotic noobs that have no ability and real users would be back like in the hardware days. There would be about 10% of the morons on websites like this around. Plus I wouldn't have to hear their "music" made in Fruity Loops.

 

[whyseye]

....Certainly, if someone is non-caring enough to use stolen software, they should be sensible enough not to ask for help on how to use it in a public forum....

....you would think so........

I have often underestimated people's brazenness and stupidity though....

 

[fowweezer]

Wow, I'm aware that noobs usually get treated pretty badly in forums, but this is worse than usual. I hope none of you guys ever venture into the forums that I frequent, on subjects that I know a lot about. And I certainly hope that when you ask your question you don't misuse terms, ask something silly or otherwise make obvious your utter inexperience with the subject matter. I might be forced to jump all over you about it.

Now, I can respect massive master's position. I've had debates with people over pirated software and music plenty of times, and I at least understand where you're coming from. I choose to disagree but that is honestly probably just a rationalization because I'm too cheap to pay for the software I use. The software in question is actually my Dad's, he bought it overseas, because he works in Afghanistan. The Acid Pro version I was using was a legit demo, downloaded from Sony's website (hence the reason it only lasts 30 days). The disc is probably not legit. I don't know. But that's really beside the point I suppose, because I don't want to have this debate. I'm certainly not going to be able to convince you guys to use pirated software, and you're probably not going to convince me not to. Like I said, I'm not bothered by you guys' statements in that regard, because your position is a legitimate one. I've got no beef with that.

Then you've got folks like Wesley Tanner and Cloneboy Studio. Sorry that I mentioned that I use mic's, like I said "I'm not great at this whole thing." I thought maybe that information would be helpful in giving me advice. Like I said, it's easy to be judgmental on a subject that you're knowledgeable about....I could easily mock people who are new to mountaineering, photography or the other areas that I have some degree of expertise. But I don't. I'd rather actually help them. And don't worry Cloneboy Studio.....I won't force you to listen to the music I create. I doubt you're frequently "forced" to listen to music....just walk away if it's garbage.

Anyways, sorry I even bothered to ask, I'll just figure it out on my own.

 

[jonnyc]

I don't think anyone is outta line here. This guys seriously needs to do some research. I would never get on a forum and ask a retarded question, I'd do some research get as much info as possible and then see where I'm at. He doesn't even seem to know how to work the software he has at the moment, nor does it seems he's read any manuals on it. I researched my ass off, then downloaded the instruction manual to ptle, then bought two books on ptle and then one on basic recording before I ever made my first post. Plus all this got blown out of proportion, John apologized for assuming he's using pirated software even before his post was done, just in case he wasn't using anything pirated. And from the looks of it this guy supports using pirated software so John was dead on, as usual.

 

[fraserhutch]

I might be forced to jump all over you about it.

It's one thing to jump all over newbies who ask a silly question (silly to experienced indfividuals anyways), which I agree is not real kewl. It's a total other thing to come into a forum, apparently not do any reading at all (because you would have both discovered there's a newbie forum, and because you would have quickly discovered that it is generally unaccepotable to ask for help here with pirated software).

But that's really beside the point I suppose, because I don't want to have this debate.

It's not besides the point at all. You don't dicate terms here.

Then you've got folks like Wesley Tanner and Cloneboy Studio. Sorry that I mentioned that I use mic's, like I said "I'm not great at this whole thing."

Jeezus, if you can't tell when someone like Tanner is pulling your leg, get off the net.

As for Cloneboy, well. you don't have to like his position. But he has the high ground here, not you.

Anyways, sorry I even bothered to ask, I'll just figure it out on my own.

You're going to have to if your software isn't legit.

 

[choctaw]

This stuff sounds like Hector and his crack for the doogle

Yep......hundreds of posts about Hector wanting to find a crack for his doggle in Cubase.........here we go again.....we should be talking shop not software stealing. Just my opinion here.
Choctaw

 

[fowweezer]

jonnyc: You'll find very few people are as thorough as you are. That's a compliment to you though. I'm not technologically savvy, so when I"ve been researching programs as much as I can online (reading software descriptions, etc), most of it wasn't making sense to me. I definitely could have done A LOT more research, I'll be the first to admit it, but I see forums as a useful starting point on a lot of things, because in a lot of cases people will go you a quick answer that will save you lots of time. And John (Massive Master....I'm not on a first name basis here with anyone I suppose) doesn't even need to apologize to me....he didn't offend me and he is perfectly justified in his comments.

Fraserhutch: good call on the newbie forum. Guess you're right, I should've read more. You're right. As for your other comments...I'm well acquainted with sarcasm and joking on forums, but I'm not a big fan of mocking people who are new to the boards (although it can be fun). Of course, I didn't make a great first impression, so I probably deserved it.

My only point regarding CloneBoy was that creating music and forcing someone to listen to it are two very different things. Say I'm not using pirated software for a second here. Should I be restricted from creating music, by ridiculously difficult to use software, just so that Cloneboy won't ever have to hear my music coming through my window as he strolls by on the street? That was my only point there and I stand by it.....he can keep using more advanced, more difficult to use software, and he can even mock people who user less advanced stuff. That's fine, I"d do the same, since I'm an elitist myself (not in terms of music, but other things). But I don't whine about new rockclimbing gear that makes it easier for people to get involved in climbing, because it doesn't affect me.

As for the rest of your post, you're right.

Anyway, just wanted to say I'm sorry for A. posting this in the wrong forum. B. not researching enough in the first place, and C. Asking a question about seemingly pirated software on an obviously anti-piracy forum.

Like I said, I'll either learn this stuff on my own or buy the software and read the manual and what not. Now I'll quietly make my exit and this thread will either die or you guys can keep it going, either way is cool. I certainly won't be posting in the forum after such a bad first impression. Take it easy guys.

 

[Deadhouse]

The easiest program I've ever used is Cakewalk Guitar Tracks. I got it on sale for around $25 a couple of years ago so it probably costs next to nothing nowadays. It's a very barebones 8 track program, but for the price you quite a few effects and capabilities including converting files directly to mp3. Ironically, almost everything I've recorded since upgrading to an 8-track sounds shittier than my Cakewalk songs.

 

[modgeulator]

There's a HUGE difference between taking a look at woman's ass and kidnapping the woman and keeping her in your home illegally.

If it was as easy to make copies of women and keep them in your house as it is to copy software I'd totally have a harem of pirated ladies right about now.

 

[Cloneboy Studio]

I miss the good old days when non-serious people couldn't afford to record their "music." It was an excellent way to keep out people that didn't know what they were doing.

However--on the stealing side of things--there are DOZENS of freeware and shareware programs out there that are 100% free you can use. Use those.

Or hit eBay; there are hundreds of extremely cheap programs that may be a few years out of date (but still totally valid) for sale. Music software tends to have a crappy resale value.

The one thing I like about ProTools HD is that the TDM's are extremely difficult to pirate and the HD experience cannot be pirated. Same with UA and Powercore plugs. And that's the BEST software out there.

So yeah, if you are serious about music and use pirated software you are just shooting yourself in the foot. The best sounding plugins are not available as cracks. Instead you'll be using those lame Logic or Steinberg plugs instead of something by Universal Audio, TC Electronic or Bomb Factory.

 

[noisedude]

If you're totally untechnical, get Tracktion. Other than that, there are a million near-as-dammit the same packages that can be had for peanuts.

Go and download Pro Tools Free from their website. It'll give you a freebie 8-track start package.

 

[Quantagee]

There's a HUGE difference between taking a look at woman's ass and kidnapping the woman and keeping her in your home illegally. Software piracy is THEFT. Plain and simple. If it's a $1,000 in programs, it's GRAND THEFT.

That being said - I'll admit that I've had a "non-kosher" version of a program or two that I couldn't demo (check out that ass!), but if it worked out, it was legitamized quickly.

Certainly, if someone is non-caring enough to use stolen software, they should be sensible enough not to ask for help on how to use it in a public forum.

And again, I'm not accusing anyone of anything here - I do find it a little unusual that someone wouldn't have the slightest clue about a "reasonably" costly program's most basic functions, though...

As far as "scaring kids off" from recording - WTF does THAT mean? I learned on analog - Would it have been okay for me to go out and steal gear instead of go out and earn it? It's the same thing, no? If it's okay to steal software, how much gear can someone steal before it's a crime? $10? $1000?

Why am I even typing this?!?

He never said it was anything but a demo. But, your confession about "legitimizing" it soon is a moot point. You say you don't approve cracked software, but you use it?

I don't understand. Is it OK to use cracked software only for a short time? I have always used demo software downloaded from the seller's website. But, I have to say that usually I am not about to fork over $1000 based on disabled features that would be (sometimes) the sole reason to care about buying it. I usually just borrow a legal full copy from friends to see if it will do what I want. The software companies should make full versions available for demo with time limits.

 

[studiowebx]

I miss the good old days when non-serious people couldn't afford to record their "music." It was an excellent way to keep out people that didn't know what they were doing.

You know, I am by no means a pro nor do I expect to be one anytime soon. But you seem to have reached that level in your career. Is there anywhere where beginners like myself could hear your productions to maybe shed some light on how good you are?

You seem to have a lot to offer about nothing.