Recording Software, Equipment?

[christineanderson]

Recording Software, Equipment?

Hi, all. I have a PC here in my studio running Windows 2000 Professional, and I was wondering if there is any "beginner" recording software I could use to make song demos at home? I've used WAV editing software before and I've also watched producers use ProTools and Logic and QBase, etc. but I'm not sure where to start. I'm going to begin producing and recording my debut studio album next month, and I have a studio and engineers lined up for that, but my goal is to eventually engineer my own recordings, and the sooner I learn how to do that, the better.

I know a lot of music is recorded on Macintosh computers, but until I can afford a Macintosh and some more equipment, what PC software do you recommend I use? I'm playing with a digital piano right now, and singing through a regular Shure microphone, but I'd also like to record drum tracks, too, and background vocals, and eventually other instruments.

What equipment do I need?

Also, would anyone here go so far as to recommend that I buy a new computer specifically for the purpose of recording? I've been thinking about that, because I'm already using my PC to develop and maintain my website, and I've got FTP software running on it, an email client, Microsoft Office, Adobe PhotoShop and ImageReady, and I'm not sure my system could handle a huge recording program. I've built computers before (PCs) back when I was still working as a software developer, and I could build a PC specifically for recording... but maybe I should be thinking about going the Macintosh route instead? It'll be more money, since I can't buy the parts and make it myself, but making music is my livlihood and if that's what I have to do, I'll figure out a way to make it happen.

If anyone has thoughts on the PC/Mac issue, please, fire away!

Thanks!!

Christine Anderson
www.christineanderson.net

[krustyegg]

Hmm, Basically u want a home recording studio?

I only use audacity to get the raw audio into my computer. its free and im sure will run in windows 2000. I do have 1 other free program which u might find useful, finale notepad2006, its a sort of self playin manuscript program.

But thats about all i got for comps i still luv my hardware, for playin, designing and sampling sounds. In any case if u want pro quality u r gonna have 2 spend a good bit of money

Yer most pro studios and artists alike use mac stuff jus coz their r easier, and have better features, also less probs with viruses.

Hmm? dunno how good shure mics r but never skimp on quality there if u can help it coz it will always show when u sing or play sumfing thro it.
Drum trax r easy theres is heaps of ways u can do those thro sequenceing but again wot sort of sound result do u want.
If u not bothered and jus want simple stuff get a drum lp sampling cd load it and lp it! Instance drums.
If u want a bit of a challege program ur own and load ur own sounds.
I use a mc909 2 prog drums but most keyboard with a step sequencer will allow u 2 prog drums. Because there r so many ways of doin what u want My advice would b to look around the net, music shops/mags and decided for urself after all ur gonna have 2 use it.
ST

[mlr_pa]

Hmmmm, hard choice here. First off, get a computer JUST for music. No net, no, stand alone, nothing but music computer. The reason is simple: How many times have you caught a virus, or had your durve crash?

As for programs, I love Audobe Audition! Simple, yet powerful, will do midi quite well, and runs flawlessly. I also use Cakewalk's Home Studio, for when I do midi work, and generally use Cakewalk's Guitracks Pro 2 and 3 for those quick, demo tracks. (Audition also have some really cool bass, drums, and guitar beds to use as a demo thing.)

Good luck

[Reconsiderate]

[christineanderson]

Thank You!!

Thank you so much for the recording advice! I think you're right about needing a special net-free computer just for recording - that was my gut instinct, too. I've lost so much work to viruses over the years... and that bloody Spyware, that stuff's the worst!

As far as MIDI goes, is that where I plug my instrument into the computer, and the music I play is converted into binary code and captured just the way I played it? But I can change the sound of the instrument playing it back? (The electronic music class I took in college is kind of coming back to me, but it's pretty rusty!)

Christine Anderson
www.christineanderson.net

[mlr_pa]

Hi Christine,

Basically yes, that's the simplistic way of putting it. But I like using the midi for mostly syncing things togeter, Like a stand alone sequencer a with a drum machine, or the drum machine to the tracks you recorded with just a click track. The pomssibilities are only as endless as your patience! Hey, if you're really creative, you can even sync up a light board thru the midi, and control the stage lights!

www.musicforte.com/member/mlr_pa

[Belizer]

Hi everybody,
I am working in Cubase and Sonar also with VST instruments (Steinberg mainly - Virtual Guitarist, Groove Agent nd etc.). But themain point is sound card. Unfortuntely I have only Creative - audigy 2 ZS. But even if i buy professional sound card i suspect that neither Qbase nor Sonar gives appropriate quality of output. Although you can have very good quality recordings but still it is not the top. So maybe sbdy knows what software is used in studios for mixig and mastering? (If they use any)

[SamDrummerBoy]

First off I am assuming that Cubase=Qbase. Could be a whole different program for all I know.
I have Cubase on my system. It is 24 bit. I think that is good enough quality. Especialy because you have to down sample to 16 to burn a cd. I have a presonus firepod that I have had some midi hangups(windows doesn't recognize it) but according to presonus I am the only one with this problem. But that is beside the point.
Anyways the firepod uses windows midi and becomes a separate sound card. I think the sound card is more the issue than the software. I use wavelab to master, cubase to record (all at 24 bit) Then at some point you have to down sample to put it in some form of media that is usable (IE CD mp3 or whatever)
I'm no professional but maybe I gave you some insight.

Sam

[Bacal]

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[mobilehomeboy]

You wouldn't believe me if I told you what I use, so I'm not telling.

Except for my computer, most of the equipent is very low-end, I'm talking K-Mart, and some I've pulled out of garbage cans.

It's not what you use, it's getting the most out of what you're using. I used to have an equipment list posted, but nobody believed it, so that means I'm either really good with what I'm a genius or a liar.

But, I am whatever you say I am.

[Bacal]

deleted

[ActionTekJackson]

Just a word on the software, I have used practically all of the programs previously listed. Reason 3 is very nice, and CAN produce a very high sound quality (if the sound is dull, there is something wrong with your audio settings, been there done that), however, Reason is pretty hard to use. It's interface is unique but extremely confusing. I had the opportunity to sit in on a professional recording and see what software he used. To my surprise this guy was using Magix Samplitude (the high-end version, there are two other versions that are still pretty sweet) To give a comparison Samplituded is basically a cross between Cubase and Magix Music Maker. Now, movind on, Ableton 5 is almost a whole nother animal. Take Reason 3, make the user interface much easier to use, and add a much nicer arranger, and some sweeeeet instruments and effects. The thing to keep in mind is any midi capable instruments/hardware you have can be synced with any of these programs which can then have different instruments or effects applied to them. The easiest way to explain that is take a midi keyboard, plug it in, sync it with Ableton, and turn it into a guitar, drum set, or sine wav, basically anything. The same with midi effect boxes, you can totally reprogram the buttons on the box for whatever effect you have the VST for. All in all its download demo's test out the software and see which one you like the best.

[canuckcountry]

http://www.nch.com.au/wavepad/[url][/url]

[chasin_insane]

Well...For my recording of "real" music using instruments, I use Adobe Audition 1.5, Tried Audition 2.0 and have it on the pc, but my recording computer is an Athlon 1.3 gig with 700 something mem and it runs at a bus speed of 266....Plenty enough for recording.....But Audition 1.5 is way easier to use than 2.0.......As far as MIDI you can't go wrong with Reason 3.0, it was a little intimidating when i first got it, as a matter of fact i had it installed for almost 2 years before i took a GOOD look at it, and when i did, boy i tell ya, very easy to use and you can also use your mouse, yes your computer mouse, to create drums, extra synths, ect....Only problem i have found with Reason is how complex it is to get vocals into it...You need to get a separate program from Proppelerhead called Recycle and you create a loop in a separate recorder, like Audition, to make a .wav file and you put that into Recycle and cut the tracks where you want them, usually make every word separate, make an .rx2 loop file, and then use the Dr. Rex loop player in Reason to import your vocal tracks....Once you figure it out tho, and there is a lot of tutorials out there that will show you how to use it, it's actually real easy to use, real user friendly....My dad was using Fruity Loops Studio for his goofy recording ans he wasn't keen on Reason either, but, I went over to his house about a week ago and showed him how to use it minimally and he completely changed his studio around to use that software alone...It was amazing.....And he has been recording his own stuff for almost 30 years now if not longer and he looked like I showed him heaven...Anywho....As far as Shure microphones, that's all I use and i swear by them, very good dynamics, not the best out there cause most folks can't afford the high end, but for the home recorder to start out or for just doing demos, they work just fine, but if you're not happy with them you could always go out and spend umpteen hundreds of dollars on a professional studio mic....hehe....So all the software I listed is what I use and it has been good to me for 10 years now....You don't need a flashy computer for Audition 1.5, just a good sound card.......And if your pc is real old you could always go back to Cool Edit...hehe....Good Luck with your recording, look forward to hearing some new stuff soon.....Chasin' Insane

[johnrlhunter]

My favourite software is Digital Orchestra, it is easy to use if you have a soundblaster card the soundfonts have some great sounds, which can be useful for layingout your basic tracks as it has a very low overhead. After that it is down to your equipment and talent.

Best of luck
John