Home recording software?

quicklickpaddy · 10-06-2011 05:20AM #1

I'm completely clueless about how to go about this but I'm eager to try have a crack at it and see what I can do.

First of all, for a personal use laptop (4gb ram, 2ghz) and considering I'm just trying to find my feet with recording what software would make the most sense?

I know you need a specific sound card and whatnot for Pro Tools but do I need a specific one for all (decent) recording software? Also, which one - how much I should really spend?

What audio interface? Jaysus there's loads and I don't know enough to differentiate which is better and why?

Thanks in advance

Squidgy Black · 10-06-2011 12:51PM

Possibly put this in the music production section.

For protools 8 and under you need a digidesign mbox. You can use any normal interface with protools 9 and all the other DAW's.

With the interface, what kind of stuff are you gonna be recording? If it's simple acoustic and vocals etc, or a demo with electric drums, 2 mic inputs should do.

Or if it's live tracking then you need a mixer and and interface etc.

http://www.thomann.de/ie/roland_ua_55_quad_capture.htm this is really good, two decent mic preamps, so there'd be no need to upgrade so soon, unlike most cheaper interfaces.

Also, don't go cheap on mics, invest in good quality mics, no jts ****e. I have some of the t-bone mics as spares, the sm57 copy and the em700's, they're good value for beginners.

pinksoir · 10-06-2011 12:52PM

Reaper is good (and cheap) but you'll need an audio interface. They usually come bundled with software like cubase le, which would be fine for your needs. Have a look on the music production forum, loadsa threads about this sorta thing.

EDIT: Also, obviously have a look on adverts for a second hand interface.

quicklickpaddy · 10-06-2011 07:51PM

Nah, I'd like to try recording my own band and seeing what I can do just to get together some rough demos and whatnot. If I managed to get Pro Tools would my laptop be able to handle it? I have Photoshop and that runs fine but I imagine Pro Tools is in a whole other ball park.

And yeah, most of the hardware is going to be bought off adverts!

Squidgy Black · 10-06-2011 08:52PM

Well if it's a full band, possibly look at getting a mixer and an interface, I use a behringer xenyx 1202 and a line 6 ux1, it does for full band stuff with 4 mic inputs for drums, 2 overheads, a snare and a kick.

quicklickpaddy · 10-06-2011 09:36PM

Yeah I think I'd need the extra inputs.

Do you know if my laptop would be able to handle Pro Tools or whether I'd be better off going with something more manageable?

Squidgy Black · 10-06-2011 09:46PM

Yeah your laptop's fine, I have more or less a similar machine, 4gb RAM, i3 dual core processor 2.4ghz, I run photoshop, reaper, ableton, fruity loops 9 etc with ease.

If it's protools le then you'll have no problems. Expensive program though, be careful with torrents they might be corrupt etc.

flyswatter · 11-06-2011 03:43PM

I wouldn't recommend Pro Tools for your spec machine.

Don't get me wrong it's excellent for audio recording, probably the best but it requires the extra cost of an external hard drive and I'd say it will struggle with your processor. It's overpriced, and runs better on Macs. Also, Digidesign audio interfaces aren't the best around to be honest. I have PT8 with an M Audio Fast Track Ultra.

Reaper uses way less system resources and is far less costly. Cubase is a far more powerful overall recording and production tool than Pro Tools and would run quite well on your system, has unlimited audio tracks unlike Pro Tools. Expensive but worth it. You don't need the full Cubase version either which costs a lot. There are Studio versions too.

As for an Audio Interface, depends how many different things you want to record at the same time?

quicklickpaddy · 11-06-2011 08:23PM

Thanks for all the replys!

Ok so I think I'm starting to get to grips with what I need. Im gonna go with something like this http://www.thomann.de/ie/alesis_multimix_8_usb_20.htm for the interface.

I know I'll be able to get Ableton off a friend. Would that be a good starting point? Or should I try get Cubase?

**Vai** · 11-06-2011 08:52PM

Ableton is far simpler to use, a great starting off point. Cubase takes a bit more getting used too.

For audio interfaces, Ive only ever used M Audio so dont know bout the Alesis one. I'd recommend M Audio though if thats any use to ya!

Demeyes · 11-06-2011 09:17PM

I'd go with Reaper over something like Abelton. Abelton is a good DAW but might be more centred around electronic music and looping. Reaper is cheap, and free to demo with no restrictions. It's also very easy to get to grips with and is a fairly lightweight program so running it won't be an issue. You could use Cubase but if you're using a limited version, you might as well get Reaper which is not as restricted.
Pro Tools is not a great choice because of the hardware limitations as well as being somewhat limiting regarding plug-ins and track count. Pro Tools is a big name but for the guy doing tracks as a hobby there are better programs to look at.

Also you don't really need a mixer/interface. I think they are fairly poor on a budget because they make it seem to do a lot but it won't do anything well. You should look into buying something like a Presonus Firepod/Firestudio http://www.thomann.de/ie/presonus_firestudio_project.htm or Focusrite Saffire http://www.thomann.de/ie/focusrite_saffire_pro_40.htm. 8 inputs, which should be enough to do an ok drum recording as well as lots of decent I/O options. This kind of interface is a better step towards recording properly than the Multimix you were looking at, better quality A/D conversion so it should sound better. They also can go for decent prices second hand so it's not crazily expensive.

Adyx · 12-06-2011 04:03AM

quicklickpaddy wrote: »

Thanks for all the replys!

Ok so I think I'm starting to get to grips with what I need. Im gonna go with something like this http://www.thomann.de/ie/alesis_multimix_8_usb_20.htm for the interface.

I know I'll be able to get Ableton off a friend. Would that be a good starting point? Or should I try get Cubase?

I have the Multimix 6 and to be honest I can't recommend it. While recording there is a very loud whine. Apparently this occurs with some USB interfaces. It doesn't actually come out on the recording but it is very off-putting. In addition I think the Multimix range only record to stereo so it wouldn't be much could if you want to record several sources simultaneously to a multi-track.

I'd also recommend Reaper over Ableton Live for recording work.

Feelgood · 12-06-2011 04:45AM

Garageband on Mac is probably the best you can get if you are an absolute beginner. There are great guides included and its very simple to pick up.
Any MAudio USB audio card will work with it also.

Pro Tools is industry standard though I would stay well away from it until you learn the basics digital audio workstations.

Sell the laptop and buy a Mac!

Seziertisch · 12-06-2011 11:19AM

Do you already know people who have home recording setups?

If you have a friend who has their setup together and who knows their way around the software they are using, my advice would be to use the same software.

Nothing like having someone more knowledgeable nearby when it comes to trouble shooting and asking complete beginner questions.

quicklickpaddy · 12-06-2011 03:33PM

Seziertisch wrote: »

Do you already know people who have home recording setups?

If you have a friend who has their setup together and who knows their way around the software they are using, my advice would be to use the same software.

Nothing like having someone more knowledgeable nearby when it comes to trouble shooting and asking complete beginner questions.

Yeah I do but he does it in a way that suits what he has. I think he uses a mix between a recording desk, a line 6 soundcard, reason, audacity and soundforge so I'd prefer to go figure it out myself on one software and interface with help from youtube tutorials and such. I'm a fast learner so I'd definitely prefer to go with the best available software rather than go for one that's easier to use. I also know a few people doing courses in studio recording so if help's needed I can find it!

flyswatter · 12-06-2011 08:45PM

**Vai** wrote: »

Ableton is far simpler to use, a great starting off point. Cubase takes a bit more getting used too.

For audio interfaces, Ive only ever used M Audio so dont know bout the Alesis one. I'd recommend M Audio though if thats any use to ya!

I think this guy is looking for recording software and Ableton can record but it excels at live performance, DJing, looping. I reckon it will only alienate someone new to recording. The GUI would be confusing for someone looking to record. Best off with something like Reaper, Cubase, Sonar, Pro Tools. I'd recommend Reaper first cos of the cost and see how he gets on with that.

I've heard great things about Focusrite interfaces. Pretty affordable too.

http://www.focusrite.com/products/audio_interfaces/scarlett_8i6/

http://www.focusrite.com/products/audio_interfaces/scarlett_18i6/

The Saffire range also. M-Audio are generally good quality. I like my soundcard I have to say but would be tempted by a Focusrite.

Feelgood wrote: »

Garageband on Mac is probably the best you can get if you are an absolute beginner. There are great guides included and its very simple to pick up.
Any MAudio USB audio card will work with it also.

Pro Tools is industry standard though I would stay well away from it until you learn the basics digital audio workstations.

Sell the laptop and buy a Mac!

If he has a laptop, I don't know why he should sell it and buy a Mac just to use Garageband. He would be better off using a more powerful recording software, learning it gradually. He would get more out of it anyway as a programme eventually as you would get deeper into it's functionality.

Pro Tools is industry standard really only because every Pro studio will have it.

I dislike using it at home.

Home recording software?

Comments