What Software do you recomend?

[mikeandronda]

Ok a yr back a freind gave me Cakewalk homestudio. It was used and I never registered it nor did he when it was his.....I moved shortly after and for the life of me cant find the CD (among others) So I know its only a matter of time till my pc crashes or some other unforseen issue gets me into trouble and I could lose the program. Not to mention I would like to up grade my pc in the semi-near future. My question is what Recording software gives you the best bang for your buck? I dont want to spend too much. What about some of the package deals....like m-box with pro tools? Musicians friend seems to have a few different deals like that. Thank you in advance.

 

[sonnylarsen]

M-box with pro-tools is a great deal for around $500. If you are looking for a less expensive solution I would look into Mackie's Tracktion 2, N-Track, the Lite version of cubase, something like that. I don't know of any packages featuring those apps, but those are all available for about $100 or less.

 

[something cool]

If you're not dead-set on working in Pro Tools, the PreSonus Firepod is pretty popular around here and from the looks of it a pretty damn fine deal ($599 new, cheaper for reseals and b-stocks @ zzounds). 8 pres, Firewire, comes with Cubase LE software (allows for 48 tracks).

http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/item--PRSFIREPOD

I own an MBox, and while it's a good deal if you insist on working in Pro Tools (as I do), it is rather limiting. Only 2 pres/2 outs, inserts only work in the input path, mono button only works for input monitoring, runs on USB, tops out at 48kHz, and ProTools LE only allows for 32 voices. :-/

If $500+ is a little much for you, take a look at M-Audio's products. They're also very popular around here and come in all sorts of flavors for under $500, depending on your needs.

 

[TimOBrien]

N-Track Studio (<$75) www.fasoft.com
unlimited audio and midi tracks, great user support, demo on website you can try out.

CubaseSE is only $99
48audio tracks, unlimited midi tracks
If you get a package deal with an interface, you're good to go..

Immediately get a good beginner recording book (spend $20 before spending hundred$/thousand$) that shows you what you need to get started and how to hook everything up in your studio:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/07...ce&n=283155&amp;n=507846&amp;s=books&v=glance

Good Newbie guide that also explains all the basics:
http://www.tweakheadz.com/guide.htm

Plenty of software around to record for free to start out on:

Audacity: http://audacity.sourceforge.net

Kristal: http://www.kreatives.org/kristal/

Other freebies and shareware: www.hitsquad.com

 

[mikeandronda]

Thanx alot for the info guys. Tim that hitsquad site is awesome thanx for that. Im thinking pro tools might be the way I want to go always heard good stuff......how come cakewalk never seems to get mentioned when some one is looking for a program?

 

[something cool]

I'll go ahead and mention it: Sonar kicks ass.

I've never really used their less expensive programs, but I do own Sonar (Studio Edition) and think it's pretty great. YMMV.