Free Music Recording Software

[wallzo298]

Theres two links to MIDI recording software, but as far as I can see, they are just free trials.
http://www.multitrackstudio.com/
http://downloads.theregister.co.uk/W.../midi-key.html

I just stumbled across this site - http://www.pcmus.com/Free-Software.htm
It gives a list of free recording and editing software, as well a few other audio related trials. Check it out, see what you think.

[YLG]

Well, I ended up dowloading Audacity and buying a mobile-Pre interface, and there is no going back. Computer recording is definitely the way to go. I've thrown out the 4-track.

Which brings me to a new question - what is a good way to put drums/backing beat to a track? Are there files to download and play around putting them on Audacity?

Also, is there an upgrade to Audacity (I don't mind spending maybe $100) that can do more effects like guitar distortion etc.

thanks

[wallzo298]

You cant create drum sounds in Audicaty. If you had a program like Ableton or Garageband you could create any drum beat you want, but i presume you dont want to pay that much. All I can think of is plugging a standard keyboard into your PC and playing a beat off that.. either a prerecorded beat or make up your own, if the keyboard will let you.
This is where MIDI is a good idea...
There is no upgrade you can pay for, Audacity is a free program with updated versions released from time to time. I presume you are running 1.2.6, this is the link where you can download extra features, like an MP3 encoder (so you can export in MP3), and effects. In total, I got 110 effects, and distortion is included.

[brandondrury]

You cant create drum sounds in Audicaty.

There is no MIDI sequencer within Audacity?

If you Audacity doesn't have a MIDI sequencer, there are many programs out there that do. (I'm a Cubase guy myself).

Brandon

[wallzo298]

Adapted straight from Audacity help:-

"Audacity currently supports displaying MIDI files if you import them ... Audacity does not suppport playing, recording, or editing MIDI files. It does not even support saving MIDI Tracks in a project file."

Apparently, the only reason for the import MIDI feature is so "people who are studying algorithms that relate to MIDI data.... may wish to see the visual representation of the MIDI data..."

As for cubase, how much is it for a version? Im thinking about getting some decent software, (not that Audacity isnt good, its just the seperate recording because of the lousy layering is a pain) and Cubase seems pretty good...

[brandondrury]

As for cubase, how much is it for a version?

Here are a few examples:
http://www.recordingreview.com/prods...keyword=Cubase

[thesilentdrummer]

hmm, so according to this chart, SE is better than LE? I am in the process of getting a Firepod (which comes with LE), but I might want to pick up the SE version if its better. $50 is a steal for the program.

[brandondrury]

hmm, so according to this chart, SE is better than LE?

That's what it appears to me.

Brandon

[Leeate]

Has anybody tried the Reason-like Wired:
http://wired.epitech.net

..and Muse? These are free and come with Ubuntu studio. I don't have the disk space to install this os now But wonder if anyone has experiences with them.
Muse is an old timer sequencer, Cubase-like. At least it was about 10 years ago, but they stopped developing it I think (Hehe, but that time every recording software had similiar interface)
If they would have continued it, perhaps it would be a kick-ass software today. But worth a try

There are some other music stuff for Linux, like LMMS, the FL-alternative and Rosegarden that almost everyone talks about when it comes to music making under linux, but personally I don't like it.
http://www.rosegardenmusic.com/

Maybe if some developer team would unite and make a mixture out of Ardour, Rosegarden, Muse, Wired and the others, no one will buy expensive OS and music softwares.. chances are few.

And 'Music Studio Independence':
http://www.frieve.com/english/index.html
It works under Windows, and seems like know a lot, but it's still a mistery to me.

[guitar junkie]

uBuntu Studio seems like a really sharp OS with all the multi media software installed in it....

I am looking at what I am gonna do with my laptop for a basic recording software (two tracks at once) it is an older laptop from Apple that I am thinking just using a less feature laden version of some older software might well be the ticket I need to record guitar and vocals and then use a little compression and reverb... Maybe an EQ as you can see my demands are light and only real limit is that I need to do multi track record.