Good Recording Software? What else do I need? - I'm sick of

[babahi]

Hiya.

I wrote in another post how I gave a friend a laptop with some techno programs on it, after having asked for some advice on the forum. I got him full versions or ACID PRO and REASON. We fooled around a bit with ACID and I was amazed at how easy it was to use, how versatile the effects were. I also liked the graphic representation of what I had recorded, illustrating the peaks and cuts in the takes.

I have the Roland 16 track VS machine, and it's a pain in the 'nads to set up and edit variables using the tiny screen and buttons. This computer software-based recording seems a zillion times easier, so I want to change. I will ditch my VS-1680, it's just too much trouble.

So my questions:

What software will give me a full palate of effects that are easy to use and graphic in nature, as well as giving me a graphic representation of my tracks -- and must have the levels represented too, like in ACID PRO?

My current desktop is 800mhz, 256 RAM, 100 GB, Soundblaster 128 soundcard
Is this enough? I know, I know, Mac is the best, but it would be a pain to get one just for this. Is a SCSI system a necessity?

Can I use my laptop for this kind of recording, or not because of some different soundcard requirements? I would really like to be able to use my laptop...

And how many tracks do you get with which program?

And how is the mixing done on these programs, anything with a graphic virtual mixer?

Thanks for the help, any commentes are appreciated,

Eric

[Polaris20]

if you like Acid, then you could get Vegas Pro, which has a similar look to it. As far as using your laptop, you can, but you'll have to get a PCMCIA card, like VXpocket for it work. There's no reason why you can't use the laptop though; as I recall the Alive in an Ultra World was recorded with a Mac Powerbook.

I too have a pseudo-VS, the Boss BR8. I'm looking to make the jump, but I don't have a laptop. So once I get rid of my BR8, I am without portable recording equipment.

Anyway, another alternative if you want to use both the desktop and the laptop would be to use a USB AD/DA converter, such as the Tascam US428.

A more ideal way to go would be a Firewire interface (if your laptop has it) because the bandwidth is much greater.

I might end up getting the Echo Mia card, because then I could afford to get into computer-based recording, without dumping my BR8 for portable recording.

I use Acid as well, I love it for use with adding ambient textures and drum loops. In fact, it's a better drum machine than any Boss, Roland, or Alesis drum machine I've ever used.

[dwswift]

Software: Sonar, it will do it all. *Loops, sequencing, digital audio. *It's very easy to use.

Your current desktop is fine. *You may want to add a second hard drive strictly for audio. *Make sure your hard drives are fast (at least 7200RPM). SCSI isn't necessary. *Your Soundblaster will work, but you probably won't be very happy with the results. *I'd recommend something like the MOTU 828 Firewire that you can use with both your PC and your laptop.

How many tracks do you get with which program? As many as your Computer can handle. *You should be able to get at least 24 with the rig listed above.

And how is the mixing done on these programs, anything with a graphic virtual mixer?
Mixing can be done a few different ways. *Everything can be automated if you wish. *Yes almost all sequencing programs have some sort of a virtual mixer.

Good luck. *I switched to computer recording from a VS-880 about 7 months ago. *It's definately more expensive, but worth it.

[rlintz]

I'd concur with the Sonar recommendation. *Digital audio, full MIDI support, and support for loop-based music.

I've been using it for about a year now and really love it.

[shawn]

im an NUENDO man myself -- but if you dont want to spend that much for features you wont use, just get cubase 5. *great stuff.
--shawn

[bduersch]

I'm a big Cakewalk fan... I haven't upgraded to Sonar, but I'm still running Pro Audio 9. I get really good performance on my computer, which is a PIII 550Mhz with 256Mb RAM. I do use SCSI drives, but honestly, most IDE drives on the market today are capable of handling the throughput for digital recording (and if you do need something faster, Firewire is significantly easier to configure than SCSI).

I used my SB card for a long time... it gives decent results but you have to really watch the levels to make sure no clipping occurs. Right now I'm using a Lexicon Core 2, which isn't incredibly expensive but comes with a lot of input/output options (4 1/4" ins, 8 1/4" outs, SPDIF, and optical). There's even an option for a daughterboard which is essentially an MPX100. I think the cost is $199 for the base card and $270 with the daughterboard. It's a lot of capability for a pretty low price.

As far as Cakewalk performance goes, I've got some songs with 30+ tracks where I get no drop-out. It doesn't seem to be a problem (thankfully!). Just keep your hard drive defragmented and as clean as possible (or better yet, consider getting a second hard drive to dedicate to digital audio work).

--B

[babahi]

Wow, thanks for the loads of info, everyone!

Another thing to add to make it clearer is that I'm not looking for anything loop-based; I just like the ease of operation of ACID PRO, the effects layout and the graphic layout. Perhaps it's the fact that using a mouse and a big monitor allows you so much more than a crappy little VS screen. I mean, alone the EQ screen in ACID knocked me out, where you can grab the frequency peaks with the mouse and manipulate them right there, all with the mouse. No twiddling of knobs or selecting which of the 6 individual parameters you wish to edit. Just grab it with the mouse and you've done it all.

Also, if sound quality is only "so-so" with a Soundblaster card, I need to change! I'm looking for something with sound quality matching the VS, I want to record my cd's and use my computer exclusively as my home studio from now on. So do I still need to replace my sound card?

And to do about things like XLR inputs? I feel stupid plugging expensive mic's into a line in in my computer. Is there an interface or A/D converter included with any of these programs? Or do I need to get one? What kind?

Lastly, is there a place on the net where I can see screen shots of these programs?

Thanks!

Eric

[Polaris20]

You'll definitely need a new sound card. Some, like the Echo Layla have breakout boxes with XLR inputs. The firewire MOTU setup also has XLR's too, I believe.

[30yroldpig]

I would seriously consider the M-Audio Delta series (44, 66, 1010). They sound awesome and their retail price make it worth checking out!

Check out also anything from RME Hamerfall, but they cost More!

[babahi]

Ok, my desktop question is becoming clearer. I understand that my card sucks!

But what about on a laptop? Is it possible to do any decent kind of recording through a laptop? These PCMCIA cards that Polaris20 mentioned, are they also suitable for the sound quality I'm after? And for XLR inputs?

[track7]

Ok, so sounds like you got most of the info you need, but i'll add my thoughts anyway..8-)

The depending fact is what you are going to record with your setup. If you are basically multi-tracking one track of audio over the other, and sequencing midi-synths then a self-contained soundcard that does everything is a good choice (like my studio ha ha) I am using the yamaha sw1000xg which is pretty much a studio on a soundcard (It has two mu100+ synths and 12 audio busses), PROVIDING you dont want to record more than one stereo track at a time.

If you do then you'll need a multi-in and possibly multi-out again depending on your method of working. If you could keep everything inside your computer, then a multi-in to stereo out card would be great. But if your computer is recording and then thru-putting then the outputs are needed also.

ALL of this no matter which option you go for realistically needs a mixer/mic-pre-amp. And if you are multi-in multi-out'ing (sorry about the wording) then quite a big mixer will be needed to handle all the inputs to the computer then the returns from the computer.

Multi-in/out soundcards usually dont ahve synths onboard wither, so unless you are working purely with audio, or have synths already you'll need additional synth modules/keyboards (take into account the additional mixer inputs

hmm thats a few thoughts on hardware...

your current sec will be fine for audio recording a fast hard-drive is important though!

[Guitarlos2]

Im surprised no one recommended Sound Forge. *That program kicks ass......it does just about all that you could want. *Look into it, you may like it. *I had Sound Forge XP myself, which is a watered down version of the real deal, and it still had just about all I needed.

(Edited by Guitarlos2 at 9:54 pm on Jan. 28, 2002)

[chilln2music]

I'm thinking about going the computer route too once I get my new computer in the fall but I have a question.

How would you go about recording say a drum set with 12 mics on it and keeping all the mics on seperate channels so they can be mixed, eq'd, panned, whatever but all on seperate channels (snare channel 1, kick channel 2 etc...).

What kind of mixing board would that require and what kind of connection to the computer would be used so everything is kept on different channels. Sorry for my ignorance but I am just getting into the computer world of music recording.

[JESTER700]

If MIDI isn't needed, I'll throw my hat in the ring - Cool Edit Pro 1.2a. *There's a new version 2.0 coming out that has MIDI, but I doubt it'll be up to the Sonar/Nuendo level.

But the user interface ROCKS. *And it includes many transforms & FX that you have to buy extra elsewhere (like Sound Forge).

Under $400.

[RobMcl]

Andrew: *you're in the same boat as I am (based on your question about recording a drum kit)

The products I've been looking at (and hope to decide on a purchase very soon) include:
Midiman/M-Audio Deltas (44,66)
Aardvark Direct Pro LX6/2496/Q10
Echo Layla/Mona/Gina

It's pretty much based on # of input/outputs you want/need and also the type of connections.
Aardvark 24/96 and the Q10 offer combo-jacks which means you can plug in XLR mics or line-level 1/4 jacks (balanced or unbalanced). *Most of the others on the list offer only 1/4 connections.
Currently I use a Mackie 1204, so I intend to use the send/return jacks on the first four channels (which use XLR input jacks). I will "patch" these four channels into the 4 inputs on, say the M-Audio Delta 44.
This will save me the expense of buying something like the Q10 just to get XLR inputs for my mics (since I already have the mackie board).

Hope this helps
Rob