Question RE: Software recomendations for limited applications.

[Scooter B]

Question RE: Software recomendations for limited applications.

While my goal is to get a Yamaha 2816 or a Roland digital recorder in a few years (short of a miracle we are talking 3-5 years)....I am currently in the 4-track cassette budget world and want to be able to move some stuff into the PC for MP3 sharing and CD burning. I don't want to spend a lot on PC applications as I plan to eventually do most everthing on a dedicated non PC work station.

What I have:

Gateway PC with an ECHO DARLA 24 sound card/break out box with two ins and eight outs. Came with free Cool Edit SE.

Plextor CD Burner.

Also my 4-track is in our bedroom at one end of the house and the PC is at the other end of the house with inadequate speakers for mixing. I can potentially run balanced lines out of my DMP3 from the 4-track and into the ECHO DARLA and also move my amp and monitors to the living room with the PC for some digital "mastering" of the final stereo mix. I do not use any MIDI at this time.

What I am intersted in is:
1. Some limited software with some EQ, possibly compression and something that helps remove or filter out tape hiss - I remember reading of some programs here that clean up the tape hiss well.

2. Drum loop/progamming software. Right now I use a Boss DR-5 but I have got the impression from my reading I could get better (less mechanical/machine sounding) with the newer software.

Thanks in advance,

 

[Seanmorse79]

First off, let me just say that you'd probably get FAR, FAR superior quality if you used the computer with the Darla to record to (pitch the ol 4-track). I'm assuming that you can only record 2 tracks at a time on the 4 track anyway, so 24 bits of Darla is going to sound a lot better than 4 tracks of cassette - plus you'd be able to utilize a lot more tracks total on the computer. Having access to a good quality 24 bit sound card like you do, I'd really think about making the switch.

As far as the software you're describing, I believe Cool Edit has all of the things you're looking to do: EQ, compression, (tape hiss can be removed using narrow-band EQ). I'm not familiar with the LE version, so you might have to upgrade, but it shouldn't be too expensive.

As far as drum software, I don't know that you'll find much better than your drum machine for dirt cheap. Fruity Loops is a favorite around here, but it's well over $100.

If you want to try tracking with the PC (I'd highly recommend it), give N-Track a try for $49. You'll have a slew of tracks at your disposal, plus all kinds of plugin effects (there are also quite a few shareware plugins you can use for next-to nothing).

A bit of careful drum machine programming and a bit of reverb can do wonders.

 

[Slackmaster2K]

I don't have much to add, I just wanted to say that fruity loops isn't over 100, it's $99 online ( fruityloops.com ) with free lifetime upgrades.

Slackmaster 2000

 

[Scooter B]

Thanks,

I may try some of each.

My PC is the "family PC" and is in the living room which is the least ideal place to record anything in my house ( lots of windows, close to the street, noisy neighbor frat boys, direct shot to the fridge....).

Our bedroom while not ideal is much more sound islolated and has attached bathroom/Ceramic tile for micing with ambient refections and an attatched walkin closet that can be fairly well isolated further. My four track Yamaha will record 4 tracks at once and I have no seperate mixer. I suppose I could use the 4-track mixer section (not the pre's though).

Also time alone in my house is a rare moment where as I could still do some mixing in the bedroom on my 4-track setup while the wife and kids watch TV or play on the PC.

I don't get the two input but eight outputs design....I would see eight in and two out as being much more usefull. You can't use the outputs for more than two (or one stereo effect sends) since you get get two inputs (ie returns) but for $99 clearance I could not pass it up.

My one hard drive is also used for all the family programs/games etc and I would really need a second hard drive just for recording purposes.

All this brings me back to wanting a seperate Digital Multitracker because PC's just crash too much and exasperate me or I just need a seperate PC and mixer if I go that route....neither of wich I will be able to afford in the next five years.

Thanks for your help and I welcome any other input.