ummm, which software should i choose?

  • Thread starter Thread starter lantu
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lantu

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hi pardon if this has been posted too many times....

i am interested in computer recording to augment/enhance the creative/compositional capabilities of music(so when i get a spark of motivation i dont have to hunt thru boxes of tapes)

i will record one track at a time, most likely doing all by myself
acoustic guitar, electric bass, analog keyboard,vocals, pots and pans, cimmerian nose flute ....etc (midi is reserved for future use but definately a side issue)
i have never used any recording software but am not intimidated by the learning process, i am however intimidated by the possibility of buying numerous programs(at much$$) and devoteing much time to learning programs i will not use(as i understand many are similar/overlap)
i have a good computer waiting to be put to use

what software do you recommend and why?

any suggestions will be thankfully received
 
ahem
by good computer i mean:
512 ddr
1.4 gig athlon
PC
yeah yeah
i hear macs are better......
 
I'm surprised that no one has given you the standard responses yet: (1) download demos and figure out which one you like--try www.hitsquad.com; and (2) get n Track (it's cheap). I bought n Track b/c I"m new to this and it's very affordable. This stuff is addicting. Be prepared to spend a lot of time learning! I've been reading up on this stuff for almost a year now and I still pretty much don't know jack... maybe I'm stupid.
 
2nd vote for n-Track.

http://www.fasoft.com

It's good, it's cheap, it's easy to use/learn. The program's frequently updated and the update's are usually free. Also, technical support is excellent. I've twice e-mailed Flavio who writes the program and received answers and solutions to problems within 24 hours.
 
I was exactly where you are 18 months ago. I wanted something I could get for free, try it out and then progress upwards. I wanted something that was going to be as easy as possible to use, but over time, as my skills and experience allowed, I wanted the option to upgrade within the same style of software, so I didn't have to learn a whole new paradigm which I would have had to have done if I was changing software vendors.

In the end I started out with Cakewalks Guitar tracks free demo, then Cakewalk Express 8.0 for $29 and then upgraded to Home Studio 2002 (so called Sonar Lite) for $49. And for me, this was a good decision. I have no regrets.

Check out their web site:

http://www.cakewalk.com/

Good luck!
 
Cakewalk baby! .. more specifically SONAR.
I's audio capable and MIDI capable. It suports DirectX plugins and automations and has a built in session drummer.

great for starting.
 
I would say Sonar!
I was never really a big fan of Cakewalk and I havent even used Sonar yet! But i have heard very good and i mean very good things about it!
Maybe cubase as well cos it is such a widley used interface!

Sonar is a bit cheaper than cubase tho last time I looked!
 
I'm also a big N-Track Studio supporter. Been using it for a while now and it's a really good way to get started without maxing out the credit card.

You should also look at Computer Music magazine. They have a CD every month crammed with goodies and great beginner/how-to articles. They just published a Sequencer special with free versions of Cakewalk Plasma, Cubasis and Logic (these are limited to 4 audio tracks but unlimited MIDI tracks and may be all you'll need to get started.) Well worth the $14 newstand cost.
 
I'm a Cubase 5.1 user, and I think it's great. You will definitely hear horror, and I mean horror stories of peoples troubles with Cubase, but IMO most cases are a result of PC problems, such was the case with my only horor story of my two years of use. As was mentioned it's very widely used and hence there is a multitude of resources/plugs/instruments that are applicable. It's said to have a steep learning curve but if you know a bit about music/recording in general it's not THAT hard. And there are all those bells and whistles, a near endless amount of possibilties. BUT if your strapped for cash, it may not be your best bet, pretty expensive stuff.


Laj
 
thanks for the input everyone

computer music magazine rates cubase5 a "10"
and cakewalk9 an "8"

i couldnt find a review for vegas......

or samplitude

but it seems most recommend cakewalk or cubase.....
 
definitely give the SONAR a try out. i use it. i started with cakewalks guitar studio 1. i learned on that, then upgraded to guitar studio 2. then upgrade to home studio 9. i also said to myself that i only need to record 1 track at a time, but i bought a drum machine and needed to record 2 tracks simultaneously. i realized that i always end up using more than the allowed 8 tracks also. i finally went back to the store and the man behind the counter said, "how many times do you want to come back here for this sort of thing?" i said no more times. he handed me SONAR. unlimited recording capabilities. after i bought that and this book-
http://www.garrigus.com/scott/work/sonarpower.html
and thats all i need. oh, maybe more time would help me out, but i cant buy that anywhere.
im extremely happy with sonar. check out some of my stuff here-
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/spacedye.htm
once you get the hang of recording, you are amazed!!!!
thanks for giving me the chance to rant about sonar....LOL!!!
 
Ntrack rules !!!!

Very simple!
No need to waste time w/ doc ! lol
 
Since you are asking for everyones two cents, Cakewalk is what I would recomend.
 
laj35 said:
I'm a Cubase 5.1 user, and I think it's great. You will definitely hear horror, and I mean horror stories of peoples troubles with Cubase, but IMO most cases are a result of PC problems, such was the case with my only horor story of my two years of use. As was mentioned it's very widely used and hence there is a multitude of resources/plugs/instruments that are applicable. It's said to have a steep learning curve but if you know a bit about music/recording in general it's not THAT hard. And there are all those bells and whistles, a near endless amount of possibilties. BUT if your strapped for cash, it may not be your best bet, pretty expensive stuff.

Laj
Click to expand...

i'm also a cubase 5.1 user and i haven't experienced any problems yet except a VST synth that suddently stopped working.. after reinstalling it, it worked fine.. don't know what could've happened..
 
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