I dont want Pro Tools that studio stuff, I'm talking about software that you can use on any normal PC (Windows XP)

Any ideas?

Pro Tools can be used on a normal PC, not excluding Windows XP. But you must one of their dongles descuised as sound cards.

There is no best. I prefer SAW Studio.

-Dusty

arbobk,

There are so many options, and many of them are excellent ones.

I, myself, am new to computer recording, and I prefer Tracktion because it is not designed like a traditional mixer and is very supportive of my particular work flow.

I've heard many ardent supporters of Samplitude and SAW and Nuendo and Logic and Sonar and N-Track and Digital Performer on and on.

Demo some stuff.

If you are new to audio/digital stuff be prepared for a learning curve and a bit of confusion along the way.

My preference is Samplitude but I also have Sonar.

I've messed with e-logic and Cubase stuff as well.

I prefer Sonar. I bought it because the Logic software that came with my Roland studio pack wouldn't play nice with Windows XP. I agree with Bruce download some demos and play around with them for awhile. There's not really a "best". It's more like what's best for your situation.
How about your PC, what size is your CPU? How much Ram do you have? What size hard drive(s)? How about your sound card?
You can do a search here and find out why some people prefer one app over another.

Rocky

HERES MY INGFO

RAM: 512 MB
Hard drive space - 80 GB
Sound card - I dont know but its pretty good

You need a new sound card.

Seriously, the thing you need to look for in a card is A)zero latency monitoring B)ASIO drivers-even if you're using DX drivers C)an external breakout box.

If you don't have two of those three, you need a card geared for recording.

As to software, I know more people happy with Sonar than anything else on the PC. But, then, they also don't seem to have used a whole lot of others, so YMMV. I don't like it. I like the Steinberg stuff far better, but I ran into so many little issues that it's hard to recommend. Then, I'd recommend you do it on a Mac anyway.

I agree with Popmann on the new soundcard. I have an EMU 1820m (actually an upgraded 1212m which boils down to the same). It comes with Cubase VST. Besides that you get the chance to buy a CD (for $20 I think) with light editions of some products (Sonar, Ableton, Amplitube - an amp simulator - and more).

I myself use Ableton for recording with Soundforge as wav editor. The choice for Ableton wasn't really a conscious one. A friend of mine (who is into way other music than I) recommended it, so I tried it out and found it suited my needs. And the more I get to know it, the more features I appreciate.

If you're short on cash and you just wanna play around a bit, I suggest you try Kristal or Audacity - they're freeware sequencers.

So which sound card on here would be good??
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?type=category&id=cat01053

or could somebody look for a good one on eBay or something>

quote:

So which sound card on here would be good??
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?type=category&id=cat01053

I wouldn't recommend ANY of those for audio. They're mainly for gamers and none are considered decent cards for audio production. At minimum I would suggest some of the cards by Echo or Maudio.

drbam

I totally agree with the soundcard suggestions! Getting a soundcard first and using some freebie or "lite" software would give you better sound quality right off the bat than the stock PC soundcard's and you can get your feet wet in the recoring process with inexpensive software. This will allow you to get a feel for what features you want in your recording program and allow you to make a decision on which software you want to use later on down the road.

Any one of the MAudio cards would be perfect for your needs. The Delta44 gets great reviews and has 4 inputs and 4 outputs, and it costs $150.
http://www.zzounds.com/item--THKMIMD442

quote:

Originally posted by Bruce:
Demo some stuff.

That's the best advice you can get for choosing software!

I have tried everything I can get my hands on. Samplitude fits my needs the best, but it has quite a learning curve so try out the demo and any other programs you can track down and see which one works best for you.

-tkr

I got a M-audio firewire audiophile for around$170. It will let you hook up your mixer to it with RCA jacks. I highly recommend it
I am using Audacity till i can save up my nickles and dimes for something better, but i have to say that Audacity is not bad for what it is. Its even being updated and improved. -ken

for a great piece of software at a very reasonable price, definately take a look at:N-Track Studio

It will do everything you need it too.

quote:

for a great piece of software at a very reasonable price, definately take a look at:N-Track Studio

It will do everything you need it too.

Hi michaelst. It's nice to see someone else using n-Track. It's a great program. I recommend it often.

FWIW I use PC and a Mac - recommend Cubase SX for PC and Logic Express for Mac.

There's a very real possibility that you will have to try something, get used to it, and then either stay with it or change.

As you can see, many here have tried several different audio applications and many will go on to make different decisions in the future.

I found this posting from the Berkleemusic site. The part on how he'd spend 20K cracked me up.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: Re: pro tools 7 or logic pro 7 Reply to
A reply to mikely (post #4789537) ...

Dear Michael Stalas, Montreal

I have been a user of Logic since "Notator Logic on Atari ST1040" since 1991. I also be using a Protools System running on (7100/80 Nubus) since 1996. Both are great technologies and they made me rich over the years. So here are my thoughts;

Protools is more of a multitracking system with limited midi. It is the preferred system for Engineers that do sound for Film, TV, Radio, Records and other types of recording. Great for editing waveforms. Runs on both Mac/PC.

Logic Pro 7 is more of a Sequencer system with audio features. It is the preferred tool for Producers who compose and write their own music for Film, TV, Radio, Records and other types of recordings as well. Great for Composing with Notation. Runs only on Mac. (If you want PC, check out Steinberg)

Both will get you to your destination. You will have to invest your time to learn, so that's irrelavent. So ask yourself the following question;

1. Do you want to be a Engineer or Producer?
A. Engineer Annual Salary; 40k to 80k
B. Producer Annual Salary; 10k to ??? (Depends if its a Hit!)

2. How much can you afford to invest?
A. Protools system aprox: $20k (Any CPU, Interface, Software)
B. Logic system aprox: $5k (Mac Quad, Interface, Software)

Do some soul searching before you decide. One last thing, we are moving into an era where the days of big studios are no more. (I sold mine back in 2002) We now live in a time where technology is becoming less of an important issue. The playing field has been leveled. It's, all about ideas!

BTW, This is how I would spend 20k

1. Three day trip to Las Vegas ($2,000) For soul searching of course
2. HDV Camera ($3,000) to record my awesome trip
3. A new Suit, Shades, Shoes and bling ($2,000)
4. A Limo for the night for all the beautiful ladies I met ($1,000)
5. A new Flat Panel ($3,000) to show my friends what they missed
6. We can't be so irresponsible, so invest! Sirius ($3,000) $6 (SIRI)
7. Presents for Mom, Dad & Family ($1,000)

wow... almost forget.

8. Logic Pro 7 on Mac Quad w/ 4gig RAM & 250gigHD ($5,000) The CPU power issue is resolved and in 2-3 it will be even more bananas! And if you really need more power, buy another system and network the two.

So little grass-hopper, only you know the answer to your question. But here are some small hints to help you decide: Rick Rubin, Dr Dre, BabyFace, Don Gilmore, The Neptunes, Timbaland, Kanye West, Phil Ramone, Sir George Martin, BT, Eminem, TBone Burnett, etc.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_record_producers

Good Luck,
Mr.Moe

Darius

I'll second the Ableton Live recommendation. I'm supposed to be using DP 4.5 but I keep coming back to Ableton for ease of use. I don't like bit twiddling in the recording process. I want to get my ideas tracked and focus on performance/compositional if it's part of the process, etc.

I did not see any mention of Adobe Audition 2.0. I have been using the predecesors of this program for years and consider myself as a quite proficient user. New advances enables me to couple this via REWIRE to Propellerhead's Reason. I am lacking in the sound card department as I still use an onboard soundcard. My question is, how do I get that bid studio sound, is because of my sound card or the fact that I record at 16bit 44.1khz.

quote:

Originally posted by Khrys:
My question is, how do I get that bid studio sound, is because of my sound card or the fact that I record at 16bit 44.1khz.

Damn good question, and damn hard to answer. My 2 cents....It's probably NOT your soundcard. It probably IS your engineering chops and your ears. Work on those 2 things. Yes, better equipment will help.

I suggest you ask lots of questions here, and also, you might want to identify exactly what you think is lacking from your current sound. You might even want to post some examples.

Peace and good luck!

-Fox