Questions about computer recording

[zonan]

Hello, I'm new to the forum. I admit that I'm simply an overwhelmed newbie with this whole recording thing.... Anyway, I've just been playing around a bit, trying to record some basic stuff on my computer to get a feel for the whole thing. What I've been doing is micing my amp and running that into my soundcard and recording with soundforge (version 4.5 I think). What I really wanted to do is record something, and then have that playing back while I play something else to mix with it. I haven't been able to figure out how to do this with soundforge. So if I try to record something else to mix with it my tempo is always a little bit off because I can't hear exactly what my other recording is doing. I've tried playing around with editing the length of one track or another (ie speed it up or slow it down to fit with the other) but it's always a little off. I am SURE there is an easier way to do this....isn't there? Maybe soundforge just can't do it. I also have Cakewalk express, but I couldn't even figure out how to get that to record from my mic input on the soundcard...it appears to be midi only. Is there...well I guess I'm just really overwhelmed....Any recommendations about what I can do to learn about this stuff at a beginner level? I don't have all that much money to spend, but I want to be able to make recordings for the fun of it. I looked into getting something like the Tascam porta 02 but I didn't know if I'd be able to play back a track while recording another on it...like I want to.

Sorry for the long post. And thanks for any help you can give me.

 

[John Sayers]

Zonan - soundforge is a single stereo track editor/recorder. What you need is a multitrack recorder. I haven't used it but everyone around here recommends N-Track as being the best value. Do a search for N-Track and other multitrackers like Cakewalk, Vegas, Cool Edit Pro, Cubase etc.

cheers
John.

 

[gaffa]

You can also get a free version of ProTools, whioch I think will handle 8 tracks. N-track is good, as well as being very cheap.

- gaffa

 

[Diragor]

Those Tascam Porta units do allow you to listen to the recorded tracks while recording a new one. My opinion on PC software is that Cool Edit Pro is the easiest to learn and use (by far) and Logic Audio is the best. I've tried just about every app I could get my hands on and I've ended up sticking with Logic. CEP is around $300, Logic runs $200-500 in three different versions with additional features at each level. I must warn you that Cool Edit Pro is not the most rock-solid app on the planet - save early and often .