what software do u use to record?

[buliwyf]

and why? post away :cool:

[PhantomLord]

i use acid pro 5. cause it's easy to use, with professional quality, effects, and features.

[Katau]

The latest version of nTrack.
www.fasoft.com

[Slipstream]

Cubase LE. It came with my Firebox interface.

[kuchuk]

I use NATIVE instruments guitar rig.. it's onE KICKAss program.. But it IS
quite expensive actually.. :eek: !

[seekir]

MOTU's Digital Performer. Mainly because I use a MOTU 828 digital interface, and macintosh computers.. I've dabbled with Cubase a bit. ProTools seems to be the mainstream DAW, but I've never used it. DP seems terrific, but it is fairly expensive, and I felt it was VERY challenging to learn, more difficult than Photoshop, which I had considered quite a challenge previously. The 828 came with MOTU's Audio Desk which is free with the interface, but it didn't have MIDI capability. I guess Audio Desk would be great for recording without soft-synths or other MIDI stuff.

DP has a great user forum called Unicornation: http://www.unicornation.com

The Unicornation forum is very active and participants are extremely knowlegeable and helpful.

[gormuu]

cubase SX...which is too expensive, but i can't live without it now.

[risingforce]

cubase sx... it's very user friendly for me...

[shake a leg]

i usually use n-track, or audacity, but ive just download kristal audio engine which slip recomended, havent tried it out yet.

[TFN-Tech]

I use NATIVE instruments guitar rig.. it's onE KICKAss program.. But it IS
quite expensive actually.. :eek: !

Hi Kuchuk,

Could you tell me your PC Specs and what kind of audio interface you are using. I am trying to get Guitar Rig to run and I am having trouble. Any help you can give would be much appreciated.
Brands, Models, versions etc.

Thanks
Tom

[MistaMusicMan]

lets say i have the software, what do i need to do to get the music onto the software. How do you record it.

[seekir]

The main thing you need is the audio equivalent of a scanner called an audio interface—they "digitize" audio the way scanners digitize images. The MOTU 828 that I use is an external firewire device, the other alternative interface is generally a soundcard that plugs into the computer internally like other cards. There are many brands and types. You'll also need microphones which can be pretty pricey, probably mic stands, and possibly pre-amps if your audio interface doesn't have built-in pre-amps. If you want to use MIDI devices like software synths you'll probably also need some kind of MIDI interface, these are mostly external USB devices nowdays. A MIDI keyboard or "controller" (which could be a keyboard, drum controller, or possibly a MIDI guitar) would also be essential for MIDI.

All these things can be seen, priced, and bought in most music catalogues. Magazines like Mix, Electronic Musician and others discuss the technology and techniques. Be prepared to learn some new vocabulary, a lot of the language is pretty impenetrable without some kind of guru to help. As I mentioned earlier, there are forums like this one dedicated to recording.

[Slipstream]

If you have a guitar, a stomp box, and a computer that's all ya really need. The line-in on yer soundcard or the line-in on the back of yer computer (that would be the "on board" sound) is a 1/8" jack and yer guitar cords are 1/4" so to make 'em fit ya need an adapter.

Plug the guitar into the stomp box, then plug that into the computer.

Here's a clip I made with the following set-up:

Guitar ---> Reverb Pedal ---> Overdrive Pedal ---> Soundblaster Sound Card

The first part is with the reverb on and the second part is with the overdrive on.

Recorded with Audacity (free recording software) : Sample (http://www.alvarious.com/audio/test-3.mp3)


Now that's all ya really need, as you get more experienced at recording you'll of course want more. Mics, pre-amps, firewire interface, etc.

[KingAngus]

Is there anything wrong with getting a blank tape, and a tape recorder and recording?

[Slipstream]

Is there anything wrong with getting a blank tape, and a tape recorder and recording?That'll work. If you ever want to get it onto your computer for editing or posting on the 'net then all ya gotta do is play it on a machine that has line-out jacks and go to the line-in on your sound card. You'll get a little tape hiss, but that isn't much, and you can always use eq or noise reduction to get rid of it (or minimize it anyway).

[KingAngus]

im not too concerned about getting it on the computer atm, just being able to lsiten to what my band sounds like

[GuitarChick]

At home we use Cubase SX and a cheap 90$ program called MAGIX studio 2005 Profesional, that I myself like more than Cubase.

[BMG_SKULK]

When mixing more than 2 tracks I use n-Track.
n-Track is GUI/Idiot friendly to use. Very intuitive.

Sometimes I'll get a final track mixed down, then open up Samplitude and
play it back under final compression, record it again, and go from there.
I also use Samplitude for the occasioanl crappy drum loop that is super hard
to get looped smoothly, as Samplitude is very stable in playback.

Finally, for the trim of the ends, like the second or so pause when you
hit the record button to begin with...and also for fading out a track
I use Goldwave.

Also use Goldwave for wave->mp3-> conversions.

Total cost: $49

[PhantomLord]

i use acid 5 pro for recording and soundforge 8 for editing.

[stratman56]

I have Cubasis VST 4 that came with my sound card and Guitar Tracks Pro 3 (same sound engine as Sonar). For non MIDI stuff I like GT3. The GUI's are set up for the guitar player. They have a great user's form!! Cubasis, I just got and have not figured out yet. But for editing waves and MP3'S I like Audacity.

[eexplorer505]

guitar cable 1/4 to 1/8 line in xp sound recorder simple yet complete

[Eclectifish]

I start by creating Background tracks Drum, Bass (sometimes), KBDs, whatever else) using a Roland JV-2080 and Cakewalk Music Creator.

I then record those tracks over to a Fostex MR-8.

Then, I use the MR-8 to record any live instruments (usually guitars) or vocals.

Finally, I transport the wav files created with the MR-8 back over to my computer and use Audacity to tighten it up for publishing as MP3 or burning to CD.


All in all, it's a system that has worked well. My original plan, when I started putting the studio together, was to go with a software sampler (Native Instruments) but my computer just didn't have the horsepower (my available space requires me to use a notebook and I can't afford to buy a new one -- I used to do everything with my desktop using SoundFonts but when it died I moved to a notebook and never looked back -- the savings in space is worth the other hassles). I got lucky and got the Roland for a great price so I don't mind not having the samples (still want it someday, though).

I really like the MR-8 for portability. Someday, though, I'd like to upgrade to something with a little more juice -- money is an issue unfortunately so this will do. Besides, the MR-8 runs on batteries and that's great for on-site recording that I occaisionally do.

The only upgrade I really want to make soon is to get a better sequencing software package (N-Track looks to be the best for the money). The cakewalk software does a great job on the MIDI end (I can't really use it to do direct recording as I need a LOT more ram), but it won't to Midi Time Code (MTC) synching, which is something I can do with the MR-8 and that would really be a great addition.

[gavb]

After a long stint recording with Audacity, I have moved to using that kristal programme that slip mentioned, I also got thos free VST pluggins to use with it. I spent 3-4 hours recording last night with it and its an excellent little programme 16 tracks, which is more than enough for me. I recorded my acoustic using a cheap little mic and then added some eq reverb and a sniff of chorus the results were pretty good, easily suitable for a demo or showcase item. I am gona try mic'ing my amp toninght see how it compares with the line in. All in all for the £20 I payed for this mic aand the free software I am more than happy as i really just want it to use as a kinda of sketch book of ideas.

[YowhatsupT]

Use Kristal

[Munga]

I am wondering if it would work if I plugged the pre-amp out on my amp into the mic jack on my soundcard?


Alec

[stratman56]

You can try it, but the signal levels might be different and cause distrotion or could damage the sound card.

[Munga]

I tried it, and it there was a really high frequency squeal behind the sound. I guess that won't work...

[stratman56]

The line signal from the preamp is to hot for the mic input. It is overloading it. The only way I think you can make this work is to buy an audio interface that plugs into your USB port. I'm assuming your sound card does'nt have line level inputs.

[Munga]

I downloaded the Kristal program, so I am just going from guitar to wah to computer. The bummer is that I have no overdrive or distortion pedal, so I have to use the program's distortion which isn't the best.


Alec

[stratman56]

You might ask people here what is the best free vst plugin amp modeling program. These will work in kristal. I know there is some out there.

[fcommansjr]

Garageband - best quality - ease of use - tons of features:
Here's a link to a song I'm currently working on. The acoustic guitar is the Line6 Jumbo Acoustic model tuned to Open C6 (CACGCE) and the electric is the Line6 Custom Les Paul (modified a bit). I used a 1/4 inch to 1/8 inch adapter and plugged the Variax right into the Mic input on my Powerbook. I used the Garageband software that comes with the Mac...lined-up some drum loops - threw a little Reverb/Chorus on the acoustic and used one of the amp simulations for the Les Paul. - http://www.frankiecommans.com/music...mo/untitled.mp3

[Fenace777]

Pro Tools 6.9
Great features, nice interface, and easy to use (when it's working..)
The problem is, there always is some kind oif problem and you can waste hours troubleshooting..
Digidesign, who makes PT, reminds me of microsoft.. They pump out products that become "standard", but they are so full of bugs.
There's better stuff out there, but it is industry standard so I pretty much need it for the work I do.

I record my drum tracks on a Fostex VF80, but through a mackie 8 channel mixer so I can record more tracks. That limits editing capabilities, but if you make sure it sounds good before hitting record, it should be fine.
Then I dump my drum tracks into Pro Tools from the Fostex and do my overdubs on the PC.