Best computer recording packages??

Jonner · #1 04-09-2006, 02:19 PM

I have Garage band and Cubase LE which package is better or if there both rubbish what is good for a cheap like me under £100

rgr · #2 04-09-2006, 06:23 PM

Mackie Tracktion 2, it's $150USD, not sure what it sells for there, you can download a demo version at www.mackie.com. Since you mentioned Garage band I assume you are using a Mac, for PC, n-tracks from www.fasoft.com is good also and it's a download.

Nordhauser · #3 04-09-2006, 06:24 PM

cakewalk or reason.

JESTER700 · #4 04-09-2006, 07:58 PM

Everyone will tell you to get what THEY have, and ignore the price request. You'll get a hundred different answers. IMO, use what you already have, and tell US what you think is best. Then someone can argue with you...

You may want to try freeware like Kristal, Audacity, and (especially) Reaper and see if any work better than what you have, but I wouldn't spend more $$ until you know something works better for you. You also need more specifics. How important is MIDI? Rewire? VST/VSTi implementation? Different apps will have different strengths, so it really only matters what's best for you.

Spider-Skot · #5 04-22-2006, 03:17 AM

How does Reaper compare to Audacity? What kind of effects/interface/blah blah blah, etc. I've been using Audacity and think it does quite a good job, so I was just wondering. I guess I could go look it up, since I AM on the internet, but I'm lazy :P

JESTER700 · #6 04-22-2006, 07:39 AM

Honestly, I never got that into Audacity (though it looks good as well), so I'm not a good one to make comparisons. But Reaper is very flexible and includes a complement of FX (which I haven't used, since when testing it I've used my stable of VST FX). With so many freeware VST FX out there, I'd say that's a non-issue.

Why not DL it (1 MB!) at
http://www.c*o*c*k*o*s.com/reaper/download.php (remove asterisks)

and compare to see what GUI and workflow work best for you?

It IS still being developed, with a new build every few days. And the GUI is probably the LEAST attractive of its features, so try not to make a snap judgement based on looks.

Ant1981 · #7 04-22-2006, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JESTER700

Everyone will tell you to get what THEY have, and ignore the price request. You'll get a hundred different answers. IMO, use what you already have, and tell US what you think is best. Then someone can argue with you...

That's right. Just like asking which beer is the best beer. Go with what you can work with and what works well for you. For example, don't drink Stella unless you want a night in the cells, drink Carlsberg if you want a good night.

If Cubase is working for you, stick with it

btangel · #8 04-23-2006, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nordhauser

cakewalk or reason.

If I'm not mistaken Reason doesn't have a recording interface for mics. Sucks that they don't...

I blew $200+ on reason 3.0, and it's an awesome software with kick ass orchestra samples to boot. If I could record my guitars through it, it'd be perfect.

+1 to audacity, solid piece of software that does a good job.

S-man · #9 04-23-2006, 01:36 PM

Windows Sound Recorder...that's right, your on a Mac?

j/k anyway. I use Acid and Reason.

technomancer · #10 04-23-2006, 11:17 PM

For straight recording Audacity will do what you need for free as long as you're not on an Intel Mac, and it supports VST and Audio Unit plugins for effects.

If you want to do serious composition/recording like song writing, sequencing, etc etc etc Ableton Live is out of you price range but is absolutely awesome. If you're really just getting started just use what you have for the time being until you can afford Live

King Nothing · #11 07-06-2006, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by technomancer

For straight recording Audacity will do what you need for free as long as you're not on an Intel Mac, and it supports VST and Audio Unit plugins for effects.

If you want to do serious composition/recording like song writing, sequencing, etc etc etc Ableton Live is out of you price range but is absolutely awesome. If you're really just getting started just use what you have for the time being until you can afford Live

I have ableton live 5 and maybe i just dont know how to use it well yet but i hate that you have to put everything in little sequences and then connect them all together into a song. Is that the only way to do it? Changing the tempo in the middle of a song is confusing me alot too. Is there any type of tuturial for it? The program doesn't give much of one.

JimmyJ · #12 07-07-2006, 10:03 PM

I use FL Studio, best sequencer/audio recorder ever.

/thread closed

Jim

HoP · #13 07-08-2006, 12:13 AM

I have reaper and audacity (just downloaded them both) and Jester700 u said reaper has a ton of effects.. but I only see volume envelopes and ****, right now im using cooledit 2.0 and it just pisses me off,

I guess I am looking for something free, yet gives me alot of good effects like cooleditpro.
anyone got anymore suggestions?

HoP · #14 07-08-2006, 12:23 AM

nm I found them in Reaper

+ can u merge abunch of tracks together with reaper? and into .mp3?

HSH · #15 07-08-2006, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ant1981

don't drink Stella unless you want a night in the cells, drink Carlsberg if you want a good night.

If Cubase is working for you, stick with it

You're gonna start a fight! ;-) Everyone knows Sam Smith is tops! Sorry, off topic, but I couldn't let it go! It's absolutely true that whatever people use they'll recommend, but it's hard to get to try EVERYTHING out there, right? I use GarageBand and it's great for simple writing and recording multitrack, and when my drummer isn't able to email me a drum track, I can make one from loops. I've downloaded free plugins for it, some killer reverbs, etc. and it sounds nice. Amp mods aren't bad either, with a little tweaking. V-Amp Pro helps a lot in that dept. I wish GB were a bit more flexable (intentional misspelling!), but I suppose I'll move up to Logic someday when I have the money. Gotta get the Jem first. Then a celebratory Sam Smith Oatmeal Stout!