Free Music Recording Software

[brandondrury]

Here is a list of free audio recording software programs.? I've had tremendous luck with Open Source / GPL programs for just about everything I've ever tried them on from my word processing software (Open Office) to this forum.? This thread is for beginners who may want to save a little cash in the beginning of their recording quest or maybe put more money into hardware, mics, etc.


Reaper
http://www.cockos.com/reaper/index.php


Audacity
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

Kristal
http://www.kreatives.org/kristal/

Luna
http://www.mutools.com/products.html

If anyone would like to add to the list, please PM me.

Thanks
Brandon

[volsball]

So if I download any one of these, what else would i need to begin recording at home? I know I saw this in another thread, but I don;t remember wher eit was. Thanks!

[brandondrury]

I need to rewrite that article anyway...maybe make a video.

In no particular order, you'll need a microphone, a mic cable, a preamp, a soundcard, a computer, recording software, and studio monitors.

That'll get you started. Feel free to ask if you have any specific questions.

Brandon

[volsball]

Thanks Brandon. I know a lot of my questions sound stupid to those of you who have been doing this stuff for a while. But I don't know anything about recording. I don't even know that much about computers in general.

[guitar junkie]

You my friend are in for a lot of work!

it will stretch you out a lot in life, kill your wallet ;D

[TimRP]

Reaper just went to 1.0 it is now $40 hobby, $200 comercial. They have a 30 trial period, after which its on the honor system, $40 for a home recordist is not unreasonable.

http://www.reaper.fm/~pipeline/REAPERVideos/basics/ <---some nice video tutorials

One highlight I saw: Flexible FX chains allow unlimited FX per track

http://documentwrite.com/reaper/ <----manual

I tried reaper out 4-5 months ago, as buggy as it was it was promising. Now it seems like a chalenger to the big boys. No its not Cubase, Protules, Sonar, Logic, Traction, but its getting there. There is still stuff missing to me, but yet it seems like everything I would need is there or will be there in a few months (maybe more). Anyways try it out guys, post on their forum if you see something missing or lacking. I have already, and half of it was my misunderstanding, half of it was a feature that is/was not the same as cubase, so I worked around it and came to the same results Cubase would give have given me. Now am I gonna give up Cubase just yet fulltime, mmmmmmmm NO!!!!!!!

[guitar junkie]

You left out Garage Band.

Comes with every Mac

;D

[randall321]

Blagh.. garage band.

I prefer audacity..

What if you want to wait a bit before buying a good soundcard, preamp, etc...

Could you just use a microphone hooked into the computer?? and for the guitar, just place microphone clsoe by?

[brandondrury]

What if you want to wait a bit before buying a good soundcard, preamp, etc...

Could you just use a microphone hooked into the computer?? and for the guitar, just place microphone clsoe by?

You can record sound with your built in soundcard. However, the sound will be a little lacking. More importantly, the latency will probably be horrendously long. Getting a headphone mix could be impossible.

For $200-300, it's usually just way easier to get the real thing. Actually, there are a few models that are pretty awesome and are more like $150. If you need help with the soundcard, let me know. I've got a new tool that I'm not quite done with that you can try out.

Brandon

[guitar junkie]

Originally Posted by randall321

Blagh.. garage band.

I prefer audacity..

What if you want to wait a bit before buying a good soundcard, preamp, etc...

Could you just use a microphone hooked into the computer?? and for the guitar, just place microphone clsoe by?

with the rest of your post in mind, I question your merit as a true rating of the work flow that is Garage Band. Not saying that Garage Band is by far the best of anything, I use both Audacity and GB but I will say that for getting ideas down Garage Band is way better at making things happen. Oh yeah does Audacity let you monitor effects? NO! does it support VSTi Midi? nope.

Don't go trashing the oranges just because the apples have less seeds.