Which recording software allows you to record new&listen old tracks at the same time?

[glider007]

Hi,
I recently saw GNX4 Digitech, a nice effects device with 8 track recorder. I really liked the idea of listening to the previously layed tracks and recording at the same time. Which recording softwares are capable of this? (maybe all but I really don't know)
Anyway, before buying a multitrack recorder I wanted to check with you to see if the same thing can be done with a software. Any advice w= is appreciated.

[giannifive]

I use Audacity, which does what you're describing.

-John

[guitvai1]

I had a standalone digital multitrack unit and it worked very well but not nearly as well as software packages that you can use on your PC or Mac. Not to mention when I traded it in 3 yrs later I was only able to recover about a 3rd of the original cost of the unit.

A PC with a decent amount of power (1GHz processor, 512K RAM etc) will handle most packages out there. The main advantage of the PC over the multitracker is being able to see and edit your tracks right on the computer screen. Plus you can download all sorts of patches and effects to enhance your recordings. After using the multitracker and the PC I would never ever go back to the multitracker.

There are many pkgs available for eg:
Guitar Tracks Pro 3 http://www.cakewalk.com/guitarists.asp

or higher end:
Cubase

G

[elcid]

I'm a big fan of Cool Edit Pro, I use 2.0.
I think Adobe bought them and now it's called Adobe Audio.

[glider007]

...so these softwares can play previously recorded tracks, let's say track1(bass guitar) and track2(drums) and while you are listening to them, you can record track3 with your guitar? If that is so, then it's what I want as I really don't enjoy just listening to the metronome and then joining the tracks. Hearing the other tracks as you record makes you feel like you are playing live

[guitvai1]

yes, they will let you record a track and listen back to it while recording another track. This is the ideal way to build up your songs. Starting with the metronome and making a solid beat to play along with and get your timing right. Then add the bass track followed up by your guitar tracks or vice versa. Most of these programs allow you to use midi tracks as well which is great for programming drum tracks/loops and bass lines if you don't have access to a bass or keyboard parts. The possibilities are endless with these software pkgs. The pkg I use at the moment is Cubase SX2 which is a bit more expensive (approx $500) but you can do very professional work with it. Cubase also has introductory pkgs which are very good. http://www.steinberg.de/ProductPage_...24&Langue_ID=4

[glider007]

This is good news, and thanks for the information. GNX4 is more expensive when compared to most of these softwares, except for Cubase I guess. I can use a few hundred dollars extra cash by using a software instead of buying GNX4...
Do you find the effects that come with these softwares useful or should I definitely go for a multieffect pedal? I don't gig anymore and don't own any pedals yet, so this is going to be strictly for home recording and playing.

[giannifive]

Originally Posted by glider007

This is good news, and thanks for the information. GNX4 is more expensive when compared to most of these softwares, except for Cubase I guess. I can use a few hundred dollars extra cash by using a software instead of buying GNX4...
Do you find the effects that come with these softwares useful or should I definitely go for a multieffect pedal? I don't gig anymore and don't own any pedals yet, so this is going to be strictly for home recording and playing.

Audacity has a ton of effect plugins via ladspa, but they are not real-time. They are applied after the track is recorded. Also, I think they're not as high-quality as the plugins for other proprietary software.

If you're a UNIX guy you could check out Rosegarden (http://www.rosegardenmusic.com/), which is supposedly the free software Cubase-killer.

[shredmaster]

any good multitrack recorder will let you listen as you play. who would want one that doesn't do that? i haven't heard of anything that won't let you do that. all the above programs are great. i use pro tools and after pc-based i will NEVER go back to tape-based recording again! way too much control with hard disk recording!

[Two hands31]

I've had the opportunity to work with both 2" analogue tape and Pro Tools in the last year, and I gotta say I love both. I wouldn't give up either of them completely.

As for the ability to listen while recording overtop of it:

Yes. All recording multi-track programs can do this. It's the whole point of multi-track recording. It's a process known as overdubbing, and is definitely a lot of fun.

[superhairycamel]

I have audacity but i cannot hear the old tracks or even a click track when i make one, does anyone know how to fix it?

[Two hands31]

Originally Posted by superhairycamel

I have audacity but i cannot hear the old tracks or even a click track when i make one, does anyone know how to fix it?

I've never used Audacity so I wouldn't know. But I'd start with getting different (better) software. And some kind of audio interface would also help greatly (i.e. other than your sound card).

[fettouhi]

Originally Posted by superhairycamel

I have audacity but i cannot hear the old tracks or even a click track when i make one, does anyone know how to fix it?

Make a bug report or send the developers an e-mail .

Regards

André

[LGMT]

Using a bunch of them. Vegas, Adobe Audition (new version of Cool Edit), Cubase, Nunedo and Pro Tools.

I prefer Adobe Audition to record and edit. So. I export the tracks to be just one file each track.

Next I mix the in Nuendo or Proo Tools, but I prefer Nuendo over all the others. I control it with a 02R 96.

[superhairycamel]

HA ha, i Just got cool edit. hope its better that audacity.