Getting started with using a computer

[docman]

I'm Docman.

I have recorded (mostly originals recorded in my bedroom), and played in bands for a couple decades. I play guitar, bass, sequence drums, and do some singing (lots of takes). My music style is a mix of rock, fusion and a little folk thrown in.

Over the last 5 years, I've recorded a couple of CDs worth of original songs using a Roland VS880 (digital 8 track) stand alone unit.

I was going to upgrade to a 24 or 36 track digital stand alone recorder but when I started researching, I heard more about software based recording.

I just built a room in my garage to use as a studio. Making the jump to using a computer for recording is somewhat daunting.

There is a lot I need to learn, so I figure I'll lurk for a while. I'm glad I found this forum.

After using the VS880, I really want a software program that has a user friendly interface. I'm not sure if I need MIDI (I've never used it) but I would like to dabble in adding some strings or other keyboard sounds to my stuff.

[brandondrury]

Making the jump to using a computer for recording is somewhat daunting.

While there is a learning curve, I would expect it to be smaller thanthe VS880. A buddy of mine had a 1680 and I thought that thing was impossible to use!

Brandon

[mikromort]

docman

I was in your position a few months back. I my opinion if you're doing that many tracks, go with a computer! Get something like a presonus fp10. I did and love it. I'd have to agree with Brandon. I've used both stand alone units and now use Cubase. It's not hard to use. Once you've learned one program, the rest are simular. Storage is less of an issue as well. Also if you don't want to bother with recording anymore, you're left with at least a computer. With a stand alone recorder, it's useless. Also a computer and interface will cost you less than a 24 track recorder will.

[brandondrury]

With a stand alone recorder, it's useless.

And the resell value of a stand alone is terrible....about like a computer, but most of us can find a use for a 3 year old computer or whatever. Hell, I built my home computer 3.5 years ago. It does fine.

Brandon