Recording a Decent Demo

[BandGeek]

Hi =) , a good day to u all.

Need some help with my bands demo .
Would N-track do the trick to produce a decent demo ?

I'm currently doing all recordings like this:

guitar --> effectbox (compression and effects) --> minidisc recorder --> soundcard --> n-track --> mxing with n-track.

would n-track be sufficient for mxing and effects ?

also i think creative audigy isn't a very good soundcard , probably the signal - noise ratio isn't very low .
i've read somewhere that the turtle beach santa cruz card is a clearer soundcard for both recording and signal-noise ratio is quiet. i know i should probably get a pro-recording soundcard but for the meantime i would like to get a affordable consumer soundcard as my band would probably do the recording in a studio in the end.

also , are there any more programs similiar like n-track where i can record and playback at the same time ? any better programs ?

thanks to all who've taken the time for my questions.

 

[powderfinger]

also , are there any more programs similiar like n-track where i can record and playback at the same time ? any better programs ?

sonic foundry acid
cakewalk guitar studio, or sonar
cubase

 

[Track Rat]

I've never used n-track but I don't think the software recording platform is going to be your limiting factor. Your soundcard is one of the things that will limit you the most. Signal to noise and inferior A/D D/A converters aside, it's only got two inputs at a time. That'll make multi tracking a band a little more difficult. Not impossible, just harder. Software mixing would be a breese with a decent computer, comparatively speaking.
Are you recording a live drummer (an oxymoron)? If so what do you have for mics? Do you have any kind of mixer?

 

[F_cksia]

For most beginners, Cool Edit Pro (2) is a great suggestion.

 

[Tukkis]

Yeh I second Cool Edit Pro 2

By far the easiest audio program to learn but also very powerful.

Tukkis

 

[beyond_therapy]

i use both cool edit pro and N-Tracks for recording, the only problem will be the sound card. I recorded for years with a SB 64 card but have gone to a inca 88 card and have noticed a huge difference in the sound and quality of my work.