What can I add/remove from my set up to make it better?

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hybridsound

hybridsound

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I'm not sure if this is the right forum to post this in but here it goes.

I've been working on my computer based studio for about a year and so far I've gathered quite a bit of software. All I'm looking for is someone to tell me what is good to keep and what should be removed.

I'll give you a list of my programs/set up.

Sonar 2.0 XL

Emagic Logic Audio Platinum 5

Sonic Foundry Acid Pro 3.0

I've got some pretty good custom made monitors.

8 channel mixer which plugs directly into my sound card.

So, that's about it! Tell me what you think. I'll be waiting for your reply.

Thanks a lot.
 
Your question is pretty broad. If you like and use each program for a different reason, than keep it. If you are asking what would be a better program than each of the ones you listed, then maybe you could narrow it down and tell us what you are using the program for and someone can give you their opinion. Otherwise your not going to get a very good answer.

I would say, with all the stuff you listed, maybe a sound card upgrade. What sound card are you using?
 
Alright, fine. Here we go!

I use Sonar to record, control, mix and edit all of my wave forms of each song. This is usually the first and last program I use. All of my special effects are added when I use this program. This includes limiters, compressors and gates as well as choruses, distortions and reverbs and also EQ. Before I had Sonar, I had N-track! What a difference!

Acid Pro 4.0 is mainly used to create overlapped synths and a keyboard atmosphere for my more "techno-vised" and slower songs. Its not really used to mix or create entire songs.

Logic Audio is mainly used to control, mix and edit my MIDI files and sometimes audio but mostly, MIDI. On some occasions, I'll use this program the same way I use Sonar... It just depends on what kind of song I'm creating. If its a MIDI based song, I'll use Logic Audio... If its an audio based song, I'll use Sonar.

One more program I use is Audiograbber for its normalizing feature. I'm looking for another normalizing program so if you know one... Don't be afraid to drop a hint!:)

So, that's it!

Please tell me what I can add/remove to enhance my set up and over all outcome of songs.

Thanks a lot!
 
Sonar can do a straight up normalize to 0 just in case you didnt know :)
 
To tell you the truth... I have no idea what sound card I'm using. Its the one that came with the computer. I'll find out and if it sucks... Which it probably does... I'll upgrade it. Which sound card do you recommend, anyway?

Thanks:)
 
Your hardware is more important then the software and you aren't giving us any details. A good mic, preamp, soundcard, monitors are the most important links in the chain.
 
sound cards

Yeah, your card probably sucks if it came with the computer, I would recomend (for cheap) an m-audio card like the audiophile. It goes for like 150 or somewhere around there. The card you have right now probably doesnt have a very good a/d (analoge to digital) conversion quality and the pre amps probably suck donkey balls. (Don't record into the mic input, record into the line input in case you didnt know. The mic input has the poopy pre amps built into it. I learned this a long time after i had been messing around with recording and i wish i knew it sooner. anyway you probably know this). High end cards have better a/d quality, better pre amps, more inputs/outputs and the list goes on and on. It's pretty much a standard around here.

I have been researching sound cards for the past few weeks because i'm about ready to buy one. After all of my research Im looking at the aardvark direct pro 24/96 Musicians friend, Aardvark I'm not done researching yet but this card looks good on paper and ive heard all good things about them and it's right in my price range. I changed my mind about 5 times during this process, but the more I researched (use the search button on here, its invaluble) the more i could formulate good questions. I would research for a week and narrow down my options and then ask people which ones they liked for what purpose, and then I wrote out pro's and cons for each card and each question. You end up with a neat little chart that makes things easier.

even though it sucks doing all that work, it will still beat the crap out of asking "which one should i buy", on the bbs. People tend to defend thier purchase more than anything, and when you hit them with a solid question you will get a better answer. I sugest you do this.

My best advice to you would be to start looking into upgrading your hardware before you look into the software part. Software will only sound as good as your hardware (and techique) and i would say if your happy with the software you have, then keep it and use it.

I hope i could be of some help :)
Stick around here and do some searches and you will find a ton of very usefull info, then start asking good questions.

Modus
 
Thank you guys for all of your help!

I will be getting a new sound card as soon as I find one that meets my specifications or at least comes close. I hope they're not hard to install *LOL*! If so, I'll get my computer whiz of a best friend to put it in!

So, please answer this question: Are my computer programs the best of the best or is there something that I'm missing?

Oh yeah... Does anyone know where I can find an Exciter for vocals? I heard they're really good for a FULL sound. Are there any programs that has this effect? I hope so because I hate recording consoles with a passion! I'm the kind of person who likes to have everything at my fingertips with the click of a mouse.

One more thing to Tex... Not to sound hostile or anything but I only buy top of the line products. I can assure you that I have some of the best equipment around. So, this isn't a problem. Unlike some newbies, I've actually taken college classes on recording. I'm not saying I'm the best but I know my stuff.
 
I'll be needing about 2-4 ins and about 4 outs. I've been looking into a soundcard but I'm not sure if its good or not.

M-Audio Audiophile 2496
24 bit 96 khz 4 in/4 out PCI Digital Recording Interface with MIDI.

Has anyone even heard of this? Is it good? How's the sound quality?

Thanks:)
 
VOXVENDOR,

The mics and pre amps I use are as follows:

2 Sure KSM44/SL for vocal situations

About 14 Sure SM58's for multi-purpose reasons

6 Sure SM57's for micing amps and drums

2 Sure BETA 52's for bass drums and sometimes bass cabs

1 PreSonus DigiMAX LT preamp
===========================================
Here are my monitors and headphones

2 Mackie HR824's (monitor)

1 Mackie HRS120 (subwoofer)

3 sets of Sony MDR7509 Pro's (headphones)
 
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