Recording program question

Clinton Zimmerman · Post by **Clinton Zimmerman** » 3 Oct 2015 11:59 am

Can I get some opinions on which recording program to use as a beginner don't want to spend much and was thinking of just using audacity. Any thoughts?

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 3 Oct 2015 12:00 pm

If you have a mac garage band is free. It works fine.

Les Cargill · Post by **Les Cargill** » 3 Oct 2015 2:23 pm

Audacity has limitations. Reaper has many less limitations but is a bit daunting at first.

SFAIK, Reaper always works with WINE so it's cross-platform.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 4 Oct 2015 1:21 am

This seems to be a common question these days as the price of PRO DAW's gets up there. Audacity is a nice program although I have read where it has some configuration issues with sound cards and interfaces, Reaper as well, well known and respected.

Why not just grab one, download it and see what happens !

I will say this and I will say it each time I hear the words "Basic" or Bells and Whistles. DAW's are full of "Production Tools" which many call Bells and Whistles , which they claim they will never need. Well, not until you need them !

Mechanics have a garage full of tools, they don't go to Lowes and come home with a 7 piece socket set and open up shop.

Now that we have departed from the analog recording world and entered into the digital domain with DAW's on PC's and MACS, one of those embedded "bells and whistles " can take a very minor issue, fix it and not only save hours of going backwards but perhaps save a very nice project, in minutes. How much is that worth ?

Tim Whitlock · Post by **Tim Whitlock** » 4 Oct 2015 1:33 am

Audacity is a great way to get your feet wet. Way more intuitive than most of the others I have looked at. It allows you to record, edit, add effects, render and export your project as wav or mp3. Many of the others require expensive upgrades to do all that. Lots of online tutorials to help you get started. You just need a USB audio interface to get started. The Behringer UMC404HD is a great little 4x4 you can get for $99 at Sweetwater.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 4 Oct 2015 1:47 am

Audacity can also TAG MP3's for song names, track titles, etc...use the EXPORT feature.

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 6 Oct 2015 8:21 am

Here's an article my 'technical adviser' in New York sent me on DAW options: http://ehomerecordingstudio.com/best-daw-software/
His concern with Audacity was the destructive editing--once you've edited a part, added an effect, etc., the original is gone.

The article begins with free vs. paid software:
"Yes, it’s true…free DAW’s do exist.
And no matter how many people say they’re a waste of time…
It’s a lesson most people must learn for themselves.

Of all the options, I recommend Audacity, the most popular free DAW on the planet.

Now at this point, you have two choices:
Waste 2 weeks playing with Audacity, only to decide you need something better.
Or skip that part, and get something better now.

If you choose option 1, I’ll see you back here in 2 weeks.

If you choose option 2, let’s move on…"

I tried Audacity, and I'm thrilled to have gotten Ableton Live bundled with my M-Audio interface. The level of support--emails, tutorials,
material about creative things Ableton users are doing with their software--the level of support has been amazing, particularly
compared to what the entry level Pro Tools user encounters. I got rapid personal responses from a company representative in Germany.

Ableton is covered in the article, along with Reaper and some others. I recommend giving it a glance.

Michael Haselman · Post by **Michael Haselman** » 7 Oct 2015 5:22 pm

If you have an Android tablet you need to check out Audio Evolution. An absolutely amazing recording app.

Clinton Zimmerman · Post by **Clinton Zimmerman** » 7 Oct 2015 6:06 pm

Thanks for your help guys.

Scott Duckworth · Post by **Scott Duckworth** » 8 Oct 2015 3:25 am

I use my Tascam DP‑008EX and then import to Audacity for the final mix.

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 8 Oct 2015 6:16 am

I use Sonar Platinum version (Sonar is owned by Gibson) and as I'm not a Mac user, I have no issues with Sonar only being Windows compatible. Lots of support and enhancements since it has gone to a subscription model. We also get a lot of help and modeling from music electronics guru Craig Anderton. Craig is very helpful on the Cakewalk Sonar forum. One caveat, Craig works for Gibson in their audio electronics division.

Dale Rottacker · Post by **Dale Rottacker** » 8 Oct 2015 7:01 am

I’ve dabbled in Reaper and a little in Audacity and then got a Mac and used Garageband for a time and liked it, still like it but have moved to Studio One... I like the more intuitive look of the mixer and the ability to change keys of tracks I have where I may not like the key it was written in and also being able to tune tracks that for one reason or another may be a 1/4 step flat or sharp... Others may also be able to do this, this is just the one I’ve settled on.

Tim Whitlock · Post by **Tim Whitlock** » 9 Oct 2015 3:35 pm

Charlie McDonald wrote:His concern with Audacity was the destructive editing--once you've edited a part, added an effect, etc., the original is gone.

You can always duplicate your tracks before editing, which I often do, in my blissful ignorance. So with other DAWs you can remove an effect at any time after you applied it?

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 9 Oct 2015 4:23 pm

Yes. I understand that's the way to use Audacity, to duplicate the track, which is not blissful ignorance, but wise on your part.
With Ableton, and others probably, the track remains as it is, with the effect separate, as it is with a stand-alone unit.

It seems each of these programs has its own strengths; there's a lot of variety, thus each has its own individual learning curve.

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 10 Oct 2015 2:36 am

Sonar, as do some other DAW's, has "take lanes" that then can be used with the original track. Also Sonar has an "undo" feature, if you do an overdub and then do not like it you can return to the original. The Undo allows going back over several current changes, and a redo if you delete something and want it back.

Paddy Long · Post by **Paddy Long** » 19 Jan 2016 6:37 pm

Cubase Elements 8 for me - it's outstanding.