Tech: Home recording software

Subject: Tech: Home recording software
From: Kim C
Date: 07 May 20 - 10:18 AM

Y'all, I tried searching the forum for this topic, but I couldn't find anything that was less than 5 years old, so I hope nobody minds what is probably a repeat of this question.

I'm getting a new laptop and I'd like to get some decent recording software. I had a program years ago - I think it was Cakewalk - but whatever version I had is obsolete now.

What do y'all like for just recording acoustic stuff?

Subject: RE: Tech: Home recording software
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 07 May 20 - 10:45 AM

If you were previously at Cakewalk Sonar level of music tech usage,
it is now available from it's new owners, free of charge.

There are now also other very good free recording DAW programs
like Tracktion WAVEFORM FREE.

I don't have time to provide links right now,
my wife is working from home,
and I am now her on call 24/7 IT technician.
I just took a couple of minutes break for a quick look at mudcat.

But google "Best free DAW recording software 2020" and you should be ok...

There are more recent relevant mudcat threads on this subject,
but the genuinely useful expert advice,
can be bogged down in unhelpful opinionated non expert posts..
Which can cloud the issue for readers...

Depends who is posting here today..

Have fun...

Subject: RE: Tech: Home recording software
From: Kim C
Date: 07 May 20 - 11:01 AM

Thanks!

Subject: RE: Tech: Home recording software
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 May 20 - 11:23 AM

The old threads, though, make for some great reading and people usually come back to see what the new question is.

This thread has answers from several Mudcat regulars. JohnInKansas is long gone, but he always had technically clear and complete answers. And I think some of the folks who participated in these threads before would point you to Audacity. BillD is still around and he still has a lot of those handy obscure program links to share.

Poking through a couple of those old threads I found dead links, but I also found this from a few years ago that still seems viable: links to various tech resources that might include something helpful now.

Subject: RE: Tech: Home recording software
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 May 20 - 11:27 AM

Personally, I like the Nero products. At this point I'm using a program I bought several years ago; now they tend to break up the software in the categories for editing and making videos from making audio recordings or doing other digital tasks.

Subject: RE: Tech: Home recording software
From: cnd
Date: 07 May 20 - 11:44 AM

I've always been happy with the usability of Audacity. It has functions which allow you to layer music as well if you want to but I've never used them much

Subject: RE: Tech: Home recording software
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 07 May 20 - 12:27 PM

Audacity is essential on any computer - for go to quick easy high quality recordings..

It will be good enough.

Other free DAW software will provide extra levels of functionality,
but may be too complex for beginners and casual users.

But experience tech savvy musicians, will still use Audacity,
when they can't be bothered opening up their more advanced recording software..
eg.. just to record a quick spontaneous idea on the fly.

Recorded audio can then be transferred later to the DAW
[eg Cubase/Reaper/Waveform/Cakewalk Sonar/ etc..],
for more creative processing and editing.

Audio software is always being updated and improved, - it's non stop progress..
Which is why it's best to always check the latest 2020 internet review lists and articles.

Unless your computer is old and running an outdated system like Win 7 or XP.
Then older legacy software is necessary if it can still be found somewhere online...

Subject: RE: Tech: Home recording software
From: Bill D
Date: 07 May 20 - 01:29 PM

These days Audacity is all I use on the PC, but for quick live recording I have an H-1. It depends on how critical you are and the end purpose.

Subject: RE: Tech: Home recording software
From: Nick
Date: 07 May 20 - 02:00 PM

I have a copy of a number. Some have come free with Audio Interfaces (lite versions of Ableton, Pro Tools) and at the end of the day if you know Cakewalk why not stick with it? At the end of the day they do very similar things in reasonably similar ways. And it depends what you are looking to do.

I have friends who record themselves singing with a guitar and are not too bothered about what it sounds like. I have friends who make very high quality CD quality music at home. If doing the former find something that works easily. That you can set up in seconds and doesn't get in the way.

I have used or have copies of Reaper, Cakewalk (several products), Ableton Live, Pro Tools and Presonus Studio One but mostly use Reaper because I have used it most and know it more than the others. Knowing it reasonably well I can be up and recording in about 20 seconds (there's a VERY SHORT VIDEO here which shows me launching it and having two tracks armed and ready to record with two clicks I think. I have LARGER PROJECTSwith many more tracks so it copes with what I need.

I am doing a mixing course on line which uses Logic (which isn't available on a PC) but all the principles that are shown and taught are equally applicable to other DAWs. At the end of the day they all take recorded things and sync them together, offer a range of tools to edit and offer a vast array of effects that you probably will never use.

Find something that you are comfortable and familiar with. If it's difficult then it will just get in the way.

I have a copy of Audacity too but hardly ever use it as I always head for Reaper because it's easiest and I know what it does. If Audacity does it for you then use it. The sound quality that comes out the other end will be the same regardless. Your ability to USE the software and willingness to learn about it will be a much greater factor than the thing itself.

I have some very old tracks made on Cakewalk Guitar Tracks years ago which I use Cakewalk Sonar to edit. And it's a very good piece of software. Very good tutorial stuff on Creative Source's Youtube channel. And loads of stuff on Facebook groups on Reaper. And all the rest I'm sure.

I recorded the Dawn Chorus the other morning and used Reaper to process it and also use it for things like this (not finished but a work in progress) - Lances Song
So most of it is familiarity and using something you are familiar with rather than necessarily the complexity of the project

Subject: RE: Tech: Home recording software
From: Nick
Date: 07 May 20 - 02:06 PM

Like Bill I also have a Zoom recorder (an old Zoom H2 that is mentioned on Mudcat from years ago and is still going) which I use a LOT. I record all our practices and then use Reaper to edit and process them a bit. And have used that combination to record gigs etc

100% agree. It depends what you want to do. Again i have friends with wonderful (and expensive) gear that makes terrible noises because they don't know (too much effort to learn?) how to use it.

I made an album with a friend which used terrible mics and an AKai cassette deck as a preamp as I had nothing else and it is not too bad. (It's not folk but... What you can do with awful equipment and Cakewalk guitar tracks 15 years ago )

Subject: RE: Tech: Home recording software
From: Joe G
Date: 07 May 20 - 05:00 PM

Cakewalk by Bandlab as it now is is excellent and there are some superb tutorials especially those on the Creative Sauce YouTube channel. There is also a very active and helpful forum where I spend much of my time

It's free but it a fully featured DAW and is regularly updated with new features and bug fixes