Recording on PC software?

[Fredrik]

Hi guys, I'm looking for an affordable way to record on to my computer and to create both mp3's and CD quality sound. Any good suggestions?

Cheers -

Fredrik

[Consul]

Warning! Second-hand info coming!

A lot of people like n-track:

http://www.n-track.com/

It's definitely not expensive ($75 USD for the 24-bit version), and looks pretty good and usable to me. It also supports VST and VSTi so you're in good shape for plugins.

[traktor]

This is not an area of strength for me, but ...

1) I've used cubase, with delta A-to-D converters. I've tried this both with two of them so the signal can stay in the digital domain, and I've used it with a single running in stereo. Cubase can handle wave forms and also midi stuff. My conclusion: It was confusing.

Using one A-to-D converter in stereo was simpler than trying to keep track (and keep correctly initialized) two converters, and my ears could hear no significant difference in quality with the recorded result, so I came to feel that staying in the digital domain was not worth the expense and time of using two converters. (The converters I have can only handle one digital signal or can handle stereo audio signals as output.)

I also found Cubase configuration time-consuming, and I think I'd have liked it better if they'd removed all the midi stuff.

However, this work was 3+ years ago and may not represent current generations of either Cubase or Delta converters. Also I was running on a spare Windows 95 machine, which was barely fast enough to store to disk.

2) At that time, I also heard that Vegas was fairly intuitive and easy to use, but it needed Windows 98 or XP or something which I didn't then have available, so I never got to test it.

My info is a bit outdated, and incomplete as well, but there you are ...

[rjgoos]

Can you encode sound files into MP3 format with iTunes for Windows?

I have a Mac (sorry) and use a pretty basic sound recording program, and use iTunes to encode to MP3.


RJG

[3 dogs at night]

Magix makes a really great recording suite called Music Studio 2005 Deluxe. Also some of the Cakewalk variants are very good, they have a number of products for guitarists/home recording musicians. The real limitation of most recording software, whether expensive or not lies with the sound card it is paired with. EMU, M Audio and Tascam all have inexpensive 2 in / 2 out cards(some come with basic multitrack software - usually limited to 8 tracks) that work well and have at the very least 1/4 inch inputs, which you will find very handy. Native audio is OK (on board sound) if you can't afford a dedicated sound card but the 1/8 inch inputs are inconvienient and you'll need to buy a few Y- cords and possibly adapters. Hope this helps.

tom

[thomact]

(comment about downloading illegal software removed --rockola)

I'd definately plump for cubase - I've bought my copy now but used a downloaded "try-before-you-buy" cracked copy for a while first. Cubasis vst is worth a look too if you're after a budget program - it's only £40 over here, so it should be somewhere around $50.

While we're on the subject, how's everyone getting a signal into the computer in the first place?

I use a line 6 guitarport. It cost me £90 and brings in a clear 24bit signal down a usb. And it's got great amp models - perfect for Trey Gunn type processing, or you can bypass the amp models and go in just like a di (there's even a model of a tube DI). The compressor in it's pretty tasty too.

The downside is that it's aimed at guitarists, so it only has one mono jack input. So you have to either process everything the same or record each hand's part separately.

[traktor]

Originally posted by thomact
(comment about downloading illegal software removed --rockola) Errmm, no, I personally think that you shouldn't post this on Tappistry.Org, as the posting policy in the "About Us" section says "Inappropriate Content: Any illegal content may be passed to authorities. Inappropriate content or links to material unrelated to this site are forbidden, and may be removed without notice."

Obviously, you are not posting any illegal content here and were attempting to be helpful, but, speaking for myself, I think Tappistry.Org would rather avoid any involvement with illegal activities or promotion of any illegal activities, if not for noble motives, then for self-preservation. I don't mean to be snooty about it -- Lord knows I've done worse, and may again! -- but in my personal opinion, it's information best not posted here.

[3 dogs at night]

Remember, Protools Free is available for FREE from AVID/ProTools - It runs only on Win 98/Me, or Mac OS 9 but if you are running either of those it is entirely FREE.

tom

[Fredrik]

I've done some investigation, and the rifftracker from line6 looks like a cool software. I like the idea of an "instantdrummer" at your service at any time. In combination with an pod xt it shoud be a lethal combo using a 8 string mono instrument. If I get it I'll write a short review of how it all worked out. There's an excellent review of the pd xt here: http://www.betterguitar.com/Equipment/Recording/PODxt/PODxtReview.html

the rifftracker is explained here: http://line6.com/rifftracker/

Fredrik

[maddmannmatt]

Originally posted by rjgoos
Can you encode sound files into MP3 format with iTunes for Windows?

I have a Mac (sorry) and use a pretty basic sound recording program, and use iTunes to encode to MP3.


RJG

Garage Band is good for starters. It also allows you to create looped accompaniments. You have to have OS X (10.2 or later) so if you are one of those Macusers that are still living in the dark ages of bombing and constant restarts, get with the program and upgrade to Panther (10.3).

Garage Band is available on iLife 04 and 05.