What Recording Software for a Beginner?

[manning1]

disposable. i use magix music studio as well as powertracks
as your probably aware. both together are all i need for many years to come. yes..its still two programs.
i believe in the new version they have put a number of nice new features in.
and i highly recommend the audio studio part based on samplitude.
i recommend , if youve been reading the other forums ...magix
often when the newbie has some clunky old pc or totally mucked up pc.
it seems to run on any really bad configuration, and still line up tracks.
i dont like the midi side as much however.peace.

 

[beezelbubba]

I've been playing around w/Kristal to see how usefull a free multitrack program could be and so far for my modest purposes I'm impressed!I haven't had alot of time to put it to the test but hope to do a song with it soon!

 

[Disposable]

I have a 4-Track (An old Tascam Porta)
I never really used it much,
It was MUCH easier for me to get into recording digital.
I'm more of a computer guy myself.
And to get it to sound decent
I had to double the speed
And use the pitch correction knob to the highest setting.
I had read somewhere that the faster the tape ran the better.
And sure enough it sounded better.
Still not as good as digital though.

 

[gullfo]

Cakewalk has a couple of excellent options:

Guitar Pro for around $149 includes Amplitube LE + other effects
or Home Studio XL for around the same includes midi effects like session drummer + a bunch of effects.

Either one will include enough power (for later) with a fairly easy learning curve. Unless you need the guitar effects, the Home Studio version may be more suitable for recording, adding keyboards and drum sequences, and final production. + it has the VST adapter so you can readily add plugins as you need them. http://www.cakewalk.com/Products/HomeStudio/default.asp

[not affiliated with Cakewalk, just a happy customer]

 

[gullfo]

I still think LiveRust should be getting the 4 track cassette, especially since he has a screen name from Neil Young album, an artist that hates digital!

yeah, as I think about it, I somewhat agree with Ronan, an inexpensive 4 track will be pretty easy to get up to speed. OTOH, I think the original question asked about the ability to do 16 tracks... it might still be worthwhile to get the 4 track and learn the ropes but if you have a PC already and a limited budget (i.e. one or the other) then I would get the software. I spent a number of years using my Fostex 4 track and really was pretty productive with it but if I had the choice back in 1985 to choose the Fostex or a DAW, I think I would have picked the DAW, learning curve aside.

all this said, a buddy of mine just got himself set up with SONAR 2 XL (and he's only been using a PC for about 6 months) and is already able to produce 4-5 track recordings with reasonable results (after only about 3 weeks of playing with it). So if you have some PC literacy, you'll probably be fine with the DAW approach... my 2¢...

 

[beezelbubba]

I personally see no upside in the 4 track idea.

 

[usernamebob]

Get n-track and spend your money on a nicer soundcard!

thats a perfectly functional piece of software. and theres enough nice free vst plugins out there now to get you going. Good luck