Recording Software

[JinsTa]

Hello Guys,
So as you guys can probably tell by now by the section, I am a newbie. I want to make a little home studio in my garage mainly for recording, then beats later on, but anyways, I need some help on getting some software / equipment. Right now, I currently have no products, and not that much money to spend. But here's what I am looking for into making:

- Booth / Recording room (Make a little room with wood at the corner of the garage, stick on foam on the inside, and add a Behringer C-1U with a stand of course and a pop filter, maybe also a reflection filter ?
- A desk / table to have a computer where all the recordings go too. And I read some posts already, what's the different between like Studio Monitors and just Regular Monitors? Or is just different slang but the same thing.
- 4 to 8 Speakers spread out across the whole garage
- Of course the right software to record music and will let me burn CD's and make a Mixtape that has GREAT quality sounds.
- And anything else that can help me out in the long run.

The microphone, studio, and speakers isn't the main problem. The main problem is the recording software. I've looked into many software's including Fruity Loops 8 (which I currently have), Reaper, Pro Tools, Logic Pro (Can't use due to not having MAC), Reason, and Cubase. The only reason why I don't use Fruity Loops 8 is because I heard it creates a "Cheap" Sounding recording. My friend said we needed an audio interface. I did not intend to buy one, and I still don't unless I REALLY need one. If any of you guys know any software that I can use without using an audio interface, please list them.

So pretty much, the whole point of this post is to find a software that can record great sounding music without that much to do with it. I just want to make music that sounds SEMI-PROFESSIONAL and that's able to be put on youtube and create a mixtape and it sounds just like every other video / mixtape out there, maybe even better. Thank you so much for your time for reading this and hopefully you guys can help me out. Thank you so much.

-Jin

EXTRA INFORMATION:
If anybody wants to know what my booth MIGHT look like, here's a video:

https://www.youtube.com/user/flip18o#p/u/8/yppb5k1CEn8

Most likely, there will be friends in the background, so if you think my friends talking, NOT screaming, will be picked up in the recording, please say so, because if that's the case, I'm going with a full closed room. Thank you.

*Edited*

Here's a layout sorta thing that I kinda want my garage to look like. I don't think it will happen but its just a layout.

https://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu355/JinsTa23/Garage.jpg

Here's the one that's probably going to be it, MOST LIKELY.

https://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu355/JinsTa23/Garage2.jpg

 

[kentheriot]

Hi Jin,

I think I can help here. You said this was your goal: "I just want to make music that sounds SEMI-PROFESSIONAL and that's able to be put on youtube and create a mixtape and it sounds just like every other video / mixtape out there, maybe even better."

You can do that with much less than what you listed! A lot of people think it's the software or the gear that makes audio sound professional or not. But that isn't entirely true! If you want to hear a song recorded using free audio software (Audacity), a regular PC with the on-board sound card, and a cheap $5.00 PC mic, check out this YouTube video I did here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OigIc1RrUTY

I'd say you could DEFINITELY make semi-professional (even professional...to heck with the "semi") with Reaper as your multi-track software (incredibly awesome...I use it as my primary DAW), and Audacity as your editor.

I hope this helps you....and saves you money!

Good luck!

Jake

 

[Simman]

Hello Guys,
So as you guys can probably tell by now by the section, I am a newbie. I want to make a little home studio in my garage mainly for recording, then beats later on, but anyways, I need some help on getting some software / equipment. Right now, I currently have no products, and not that much money to spend. But here's what I am looking for into making:

- Booth / Recording room (Make a little room with wood at the corner of the garage, stick on foam on the inside, and add a Behringer C-1U with a stand of course and a pop filter, maybe also a reflection filter ?
- A desk / table to have a computer where all the recordings go too. And I read some posts already, what's the different between like Studio Monitors and just Regular Monitors? Or is just different slang but the same thing.
- 4 to 8 Speakers spread out across the whole garage
- Of course the right software to record music and will let me burn CD's and make a Mixtape that has GREAT quality sounds.
- And anything else that can help me out in the long run.

The microphone, studio, and speakers isn't the main problem. The main problem is the recording software. I've looked into many software's including Fruity Loops 8 (which I currently have), Reaper, Pro Tools, Logic Pro (Can't use due to not having MAC), Reason, and Cubase. The only reason why I don't use Fruity Loops 8 is because I heard it creates a "Cheap" Sounding recording. If I am wrong, please correct me. But anyways, I'm not so sure if you guys know what uTorrent is, but my friend tried to do that for me to get Pro Tools LE 8, but of course, Pro Tools out-smarted us and said we needed an audio interface. I did not intend to buy one, and I still don't unless I REALLY need one. If any of you guys know any software that I can use without using an audio interface, please list them.

So pretty much, the whole point of this post is to find a software that can record great sounding music without that much to do with it. I just want to make music that sounds SEMI-PROFESSIONAL and that's able to be put on youtube and create a mixtape and it sounds just like every other video / mixtape out there, maybe even better. Thank you so much for your time for reading this and hopefully you guys can help me out. Thank you so much.

-Jin

EXTRA INFORMATION:
If anybody wants to know what my booth MIGHT look like, here's a video:

https://www.youtube.com/user/flip18o#p/u/8/yppb5k1CEn8

Most likely, there will be friends in the background, so if you think my friends talking, NOT screaming, will be picked up in the recording, please say so, because if that's the case, I'm going with a full closed room. Thank you.

Dude, one sure fire way to get NO help and completely flamed here, is to declare yourself a software pirate. Buy Reaper, it's like 50 bucks or use what you have

 

[philbagg]

Just before you get banned, I'd like to point out that one post will do finely.

There's no need for multiple posts of the same thread.

 

[mattr]

- Booth / Recording room (Make a little room with wood at the corner of the garage, stick on foam on the inside, and add a Behringer C-1U with a stand of course and a pop filter, maybe also a reflection filter ?

Booth? Little box? Closet? Foam? Don't bother...

...that is unless you want your vocals to sound like they were recorded in a box (because if you record them in a box, believe it or not they will sound like they were recorded in a box!) which isn't the goal of most people but its worth checking before we entirely recommend against it

Keep it as one large room and spend the money you saved by not constructing the pointless box on proper acoustic treatment.

- A desk / table to have a computer where all the recordings go too.

Yup.

And I read some posts already, what's the different between like Studio Monitors and just Regular Monitors? Or is just different slang but the same thing.

Same difference. Speakers designed for studio use.

- 4 to 8 Speakers spread out across the whole garage

Why? Well, what purpose would they serve? I would normally assume that having some speakers spread throughout a garage would be some kind of PA system for band rehearsals, but from 'mixtape' I assume that means rap/hip-hop type stuff (sorry, I'm not too 'down with the lingo') which as far as I'm aware doesn't have a need for such a rehearsal setup.

- Of course the right software to record music and will let me burn CD's and make a Mixtape that has GREAT quality sounds.

Pretty much any DAW then It has to be pointed out... the quality is down to the quality of the recordings and the person using it, not the software itself. Of course it might be good to invest in some nice plugins and virtual instruments to help you to achieve that quality, but at the end of the day the result still comes down to the person pushing the buttons.

The microphone, studio, and speakers isn't the main problem.

Sure you don't want to run your ideas past us to check? What mics are you planning to get? Monitors? Interface? Room treatment and arrangement plans?

The only reason why I don't use Fruity Loops 8 is because I heard it creates a "Cheap" Sounding recording.

I don't think it rates highly for its audio editing capabilities (its more aimed at the sequencing / MIDI / looping / sampling end of the scale), but its not going to actively make something sound cheap... again, this comes down to how its used.

If I am wrong, please correct me. But anyways, I'm not so sure if you guys know what uTorrent is, but my friend tried to do that for me to get Pro Tools LE 8, but of course, Pro Tools out-smarted us and said we needed an audio interface.

Yup... µTorrent is a Bittorent client.

And I'm fairly glad Pro Tools 'outsmarted you' to be honest. Digidesign hardware acts as the copy protection dongle for PT LE, so yup, you would need an M-box, 003, etc, in order to use it. Don't bother trying to download M-powered as that requires iLok, and if you even considered downloading PT HD then I'd actually ROFLMAO for at least 43 seconds (...67 seconds if you then came and complained that it couldn't detect your iLok or HD Core Card).

We don't advocate software privacy here...

I did not intend to buy one, and I still don't unless I REALLY need one. If any of you guys know any software that I can use without using an audio interface, please list them.

An audio interface? Yup, you kind of need one. Or a decent soundcard paired with some outboard preamps. Or one of many possible combinations of signal chains involving some of the items mentioned above (and more)... there's too many options to list, but have a look at some of the budget USB or Firewire interfaces. You're current soundcard won't be designed for recording and probably won't be up for the job.

So pretty much, the whole point of this post is to find a software that can record great sounding music without that much to do with it. I just want to make music that sounds SEMI-PROFESSIONAL and that's able to be put on youtube and create a mixtape and it sounds just like every other video / mixtape out there, maybe even better. Thank you so much for your time for reading this and hopefully you guys can help me out. Thank you so much.

Cubase... Sonar... Reaper... Pro Tools... Audition... sounds unhelpful, but its really your choice which is down to personal preferences. Trial some out (either through downloadable demos if available, at your local music shop, or maybe at other local studios) and then invest in the one you like the best.

https://www.youtube.com/user/flip18o#p/u/8/yppb5k1CEn8

Most likely, there will be friends in the background, so if you think my friends talking, NOT screaming, will be picked up in the recording, please say so, because if that's the case, I'm going with a full closed room. Thank you.

Simple solution... tell your friends to shut up whilst you're recording. In fact, why even have the friends there in the first place if they're not going to help? You're serious about getting the result right? Recording sessions generally work best with unnecessary extra bodies kept to the minimum, including no girlfriends (can make a productive recording session crash like a trainwreck).


Laters

 

[JinsTa]

Just before you get banned, I'd like to point out that one post will do finely.

There's no need for multiple posts of the same thread.

Alright. Thank you for your help, I am sorry.

 

[drstawl]

We don't advocate software privacy here...

Laters

PIRACY.

PIRACY!!!!

but seriously- what was the objection to Reaper in achieving whatever Audio Production Goals the OP had in mind?

 

[moresound]

Let me say three words reaper, reaper, reaper.
Now with this in sight don't steal or try to steal programs and most of all don't admit to it by telling the whole world on an open forum.

 

[JinsTa]

Let me say three words reaper, reaper, reaper.
Now with this in sight don't steal or try to steal programs and most of all don't admit to it by telling the whole world on an open forum.

Haha well then again, it's not me doing it. I'm not admiting of stealing anything, and I can honestly say I haven't. Now my friend has, he tried it out, but didn't give it to me. So I have nothing to do with "Stealing" products. By the looks of it, I'm probably going to DL Reaper to test it, then buy it for 60$. But where do I buy it for 60? On the site, its like 200? Or am I looking at the wrong product. Please correct me. And I have deleted the "Piracy" whatever so I do not get banned. Sorry for everything and thank you for the help.

 

[JinsTa]

PIRACY.

PIRACY!!!!

but seriously- what was the objection to Reaper in achieving whatever Audio Production Goals the OP had in mind?

Yes I am sorry. I did not know, to be quite honest, what Piracy was. I did not steal anything, or anything close to be exact. My friend did, I don't even know how to do that stuff, he just told me to DL uTorrent. But in the end, he did not give it to me because I needed an Interface. But anyways, I apologize for posting it. I removed it due to not getting banned from this forum.

 

[JinsTa]

Booth? Little box? Closet? Foam? Don't bother...

...that is unless you want your vocals to sound like they were recorded in a box (because if you record them in a box, believe it or not they will sound like they were recorded in a box!) which isn't the goal of most people but its worth checking before we entirely recommend against it

Keep it as one large room and spend the money you saved by not constructing the pointless box on proper acoustic treatment.


Yup.


Same difference. Speakers designed for studio use.


Why? Well, what purpose would they serve? I would normally assume that having some speakers spread throughout a garage would be some kind of PA system for band rehearsals, but from 'mixtape' I assume that means rap/hip-hop type stuff (sorry, I'm not too 'down with the lingo') which as far as I'm aware doesn't have a need for such a rehearsal setup.


Pretty much any DAW then It has to be pointed out... the quality is down to the quality of the recordings and the person using it, not the software itself. Of course it might be good to invest in some nice plugins and virtual instruments to help you to achieve that quality, but at the end of the day the result still comes down to the person pushing the buttons.


Sure you don't want to run your ideas past us to check? What mics are you planning to get? Monitors? Interface? Room treatment and arrangement plans?


I don't think it rates highly for its audio editing capabilities (its more aimed at the sequencing / MIDI / looping / sampling end of the scale), but its not going to actively make something sound cheap... again, this comes down to how its used.


Yup... µTorrent is a Bittorent client.

And I'm fairly glad Pro Tools 'outsmarted you' to be honest. Digidesign hardware acts as the copy protection dongle for PT LE, so yup, you would need an M-box, 003, etc, in order to use it. Don't bother trying to download M-powered as that requires iLok, and if you even considered downloading PT HD then I'd actually ROFLMAO for at least 43 seconds (...67 seconds if you then came and complained that it couldn't detect your iLok or HD Core Card).

We don't advocate software privacy here...


An audio interface? Yup, you kind of need one. Or a decent soundcard paired with some outboard preamps. Or one of many possible combinations of signal chains involving some of the items mentioned above (and more)... there's too many options to list, but have a look at some of the budget USB or Firewire interfaces. You're current soundcard won't be designed for recording and probably won't be up for the job.



Cubase... Sonar... Reaper... Pro Tools... Audition... sounds unhelpful, but its really your choice which is down to personal preferences. Trial some out (either through downloadable demos if available, at your local music shop, or maybe at other local studios) and then invest in the one you like the best.





Simple solution... tell your friends to shut up whilst you're recording. In fact, why even have the friends there in the first place if they're not going to help? You're serious about getting the result right? Recording sessions generally work best with unnecessary extra bodies kept to the minimum, including no girlfriends (can make a productive recording session crash like a trainwreck).


Laters

Damn that's a long quote you did. But anyways, here's the main information. I was gonna purchase a Behringer C-1U USB Port and just plug it into my computer / laptop. Then for the speakers, I am probably not going to get 4-8 now that I think about it, but I will need at least 2 speakers. I don't want to play off a laptop speaker. Haha. But anyways, and what does an audio interface do? I am confused because I do not want to spend 200$ on a thing that isn't needed. Unless of course, you have any recommendations on cheaper ones that can do the job. And yes, when I say mixtape, I mean Rap / Hip hop. I want to create like 10-15 songs and put it on one CD / mixtape. And did you see the youtube video on how the studio will look like? Because thats probably how mines going to look, and if thats so, would the microphone pick up me and my friends talking, NOT screaming, say 10-15 feet away? Probably around the 10 range. I am going to try and make like a small hallway with foam and etc so it blocks out the sound, but I am not really sure. And I have tried out Audacity. Its a great program, I like it. But I don't think it can do the "Job" if you know what I mean. So I am probably going to go with Reaper, but as people said its only 60$? I can't seem to find it for 60$, on the site, it says it costs 200$? If I'm mistake, feel free to correct me. Thank you so much for your time and helping out a newb. Thanks.

-Jin

 

[JinsTa]

Hi Jin,

I think I can help here. You said this was your goal: "I just want to make music that sounds SEMI-PROFESSIONAL and that's able to be put on youtube and create a mixtape and it sounds just like every other video / mixtape out there, maybe even better."

You can do that with much less than what you listed! A lot of people think it's the software or the gear that makes audio sound professional or not. But that isn't entirely true! If you want to hear a song recorded using free audio software (Audacity), a regular PC with the on-board sound card, and a cheap $5.00 PC mic, check out this YouTube video I did here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OigIc1RrUTY

I'd say you could DEFINITELY make semi-professional (even professional...to heck with the "semi") with Reaper as your multi-track software (incredibly awesome...I use it as my primary DAW), and Audacity as your editor.

I hope this helps you....and saves you money!

Good luck!

Jake

Hey Jake,
Thanks for taking the time out to read my post and help out a newbie. So back to business, would you recommend Audacity and Reaper? I can't seem to find a good price on Reaper, but I already have Audacity and tried it out. I'm loving it. Its a great program but I don't think it can do the "JOB" to make a great mixtape. So I am probably going to have to purchase Reaper. If you have any more advice, feel free to tell me. Thanks!

-Jin

 

[Chili]

But anyways, I apologize for posting it. I removed it due to not getting banned from this forum.

Good, I'm glad you took all the subtle hints and removed the piracy references.

I think, and most people will recommend, that you get an interface for recording. Most interfaces will come with a "Lite" version of a popular DAW program, like Cubase, Sonar or Ableton. These are very functional and for the most part, will allow you to do most everything you need. So, you don't need to worry a whole lot about what recording software to buy. Just be sure to look at what DAW comes with any interface you're considering.

As for interfaces, be sure to get one with as many inputs as you will need to record at one time. If it's going to be just you, then a two channel interface will be fine. If you think you're going to be recording a whole band at one time, then you'll need to look at 8 or more channels. But then, that's out of your budget.

Be sure to read, browse and search through the Newbies section; most of your questions have been answered before you even asked!!!!

Welcome to the site.

 

[JinsTa]

Good, I'm glad you took all the subtle hints and removed the piracy references.

I think, and most people will recommend, that you get an interface for recording. Most interfaces will come with a "Lite" version of a popular DAW program, like Cubase, Sonar or Ableton. These are very functional and for the most part, will allow you to do most everything you need. So, you don't need to worry a whole lot about what recording software to buy. Just be sure to look at what DAW comes with any interface you're considering.

As for interfaces, be sure to get one with as many inputs as you will need to record at one time. If it's going to be just you, then a two channel interface will be fine. If you think you're going to be recording a whole band at one time, then you'll need to look at 8 or more channels. But then, that's out of your budget.

Be sure to read, browse and search through the Newbies section; most of your questions have been answered before you even asked!!!!

Welcome to the site.

Haha. Anything to stay on the forum. But anyways, what is an mbox? My friend said I need an mbox? And I searched some up, and its 200$. WAYYY out of my range. And, I am not going to be recording a band, mainly just rapping / hiphop. So mainly just one person. And if you have the time to explain, what does an interface do? Is it like a program or hardware. Sorry for the confusion. Thanks

-Jin

 

[JinsTa]

I think, and most people will recommend, that you get an interface for recording. Most interfaces will come with a "Lite" version of a popular DAW program, like Cubase, Sonar or Ableton. These are very functional and for the most part, will allow you to do most everything you need. So, you don't need to worry a whole lot about what recording software to buy. Just be sure to look at what DAW comes with any interface you're considering.


Welcome to the site.

What do you think of this?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/616367-REG/Behringer_UCA222_UCA222_USB_1_1.html

 

[mattr]

PIRACY.

PIRACY!!!!

but seriously- what was the objection to Reaper in achieving whatever Audio Production Goals the OP had in mind?

Lol, typo'd

 

[Chili]

Haha. Anything to stay on the forum. But anyways, what is an mbox? My friend said I need an mbox? And I searched some up, and its 200$. WAYYY out of my range. And, I am not going to be recording a band, mainly just rapping / hiphop. So mainly just one person. And if you have the time to explain, what does an interface do? Is it like a program or hardware. Sorry for the confusion. Thanks

-Jin

MBox is an interface from Digidesign(?). An interface converts your analog audio signal to digital before going into your computer and/or from digital back to analog to go to your speakers. Your computer's soundcard can be considered an interface, though not a very good one.

You don't need an MBox as most any interface will do, so don't limit yourself. Here's a list I always recommend:

http://www.sweetwater.com/c695--USB_Audio_Interfaces/low2high

What do you think of this?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/616367-REG/Behringer_UCA222_UCA222_USB_1_1.html

Not a fan of Behringer stuff and definitely not a fan of B&H. I think they're overpriced. If you already have a mixer, then you can use this little box and get results. I have no experience with it so I won't trash it completely, but I have seen people come to this site complaining about them and not fully understanding the limitations. They usually think because it's connected to their 8-channel mixer that they should be able to record 8 individual tracks. If you know you're only using 2 channels and that's all you need, then maybe it will be fine for you. especially if you're on a budget.

 

[kcearl]

these little behri interfaces are good to attach something like a turtable to your pc but not for recording..

i have one and you cant record vocals or guitars with them with any kind of quality...i use it to listen to music on my laptop...

 

[moresound]

Spoken by a true audiofanzineist clown mofo, and to be truthful to everyone Berhringer is not anywhere close to being considered pro line anything so take kcearls words of advice. stay away!

 

[Chili]

these little behri interfaces are good to attach something like a turtable to your pc but not for recording..

i have one and you cant record vocals or guitars with them with any kind of quality...i use it to listen to music on my laptop...

There you have it... Thanks KC