Home Music Recording Programs

[Vorpalbob]

Being something of a multi-instrumentalist, (in descending order of skill: Guitar, ukulele, drums, bass, Alto sax, keyboards, harmonica, violin) I've always been interested in trying to record songs entirely by myself.

To that end, I seek a relatively user-friendly editing program. Previously, I've just been layering things onto a loop station, but as you can imagine, it's kind of hard to get the mix right. :P

I'm not sure how much system specs matter for these programs, but I've included them just in case.

Spoiler

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Windows XP
1.6 ghz processor
1 gig RAM
100 gig hard drive
Ironically enough, as to the only system I can see mattering (Sound card) I have no idea.

[Moff Chumley]

A gig of RAM, in this day and age, will not get you very far. That said, Reason 6 is one of the most stable, easy-to-use, and resource-light programs I've ever used, and I used an older version on a 512MB Mac. Multitrack recording might strain it, but if you're only doing track-by-track dubs, you should be fine.

[Vorpalbob]

A gig of RAM, in this day and age, will not get you very far. That said, Reason 6 is one of the most stable, easy-to-use, and resource-light programs I've ever used, and I used an older version on a 512MB Mac. Multitrack recording might strain it, but if you're only doing track-by-track dubs, you should be fine.

Oh believe me, I know. I've been using the same tiny little netbook since 2008 for, well, everything. I have to go archive-diving at game stores to find anything I have a hope of running.

But anyway, thanks for the suggestion! I'll look into that program.

[Whoracle]

Try Audacity. It's great for starting off, and has a plethora of plugins.

Plus, it does not need that much raw power.

One caveat: If you're going to do serious sound editing, you're going to want to have at least two monitors, both with a pretty high resolution, or better yet, three. helps not having to scroll all the damn time.

[Moff Chumley]

I've done plenty of editing on a 17" laptop. It's hardly ideal, but it's functional and there are a HELL of a lot of things that'll improve your recording more for the price of an extra monitor...

[Nameless]

I second Audacity. I use it a lot. It's free, very to use and I actually prefer it to some of the programs you have to buy.
The down side is, (and maybe it's just my computer), it has a tendancy to skip and freeze up on layers when you start having lots of layers of sounds.

One caveat: If you're going to do serious sound editing, you're going to want to have at least two monitors, both with a pretty high resolution, or better yet, three. helps not having to scroll all the damn time.

This can be helpful, (Especially with Audacity) but not THAT neccesery. I'd put that on the bottom of my my "to buy" list. I do find this more useful for film editing though.

[Vorpalbob]

I second Audacity. I use it a lot. It's free, very to use and I actually prefer it to some of the programs you have to buy.
The down side is, (and maybe it's just my computer), it has a tendancy to skip and freeze up on layers when you start having lots of layers of sounds.

How many layers, exactly? My recordings probably won't have more than six or seven. (lead guitar, rhythm guitar, bass, drums, lead vocals and background vocals)

[Nameless]

How many layers, exactly? My recordings probably won't have more than six or seven. (lead guitar, rhythm guitar, bass, drums, lead vocals and background vocals)

Well, I don't really stick to one formula or style. So, for example, one of my songs has a stereo layer for scynth and one other layer for my penny wistle, and that's without the usual harpsichord that I have in pretty much everything else because harpsichords are awesome . The one I'm working on at the moment currently has a stereo layer for scynth, three guitars and some vocal layers. That's when it starts to act up funny when I try and play it back or make another recording. Which is a pain, because I still have a lot of work to do on it.

[grimbold]

just putting it out there
audacity is kind of an ugly program and it takes some now how to run

other programs cost money but are a tad easier to work

[Gwyn chan 'r Gwyll]

*suddenly connects the dots*

Dot 1: my dad uses this one program to rip vinyl to mp3

Dot 2: I have this strange "Audacity" thing sitting on my harddrive

Dot 3: it seems to have something to do with music recording or something

Dot 4: i needed a better recording program

Conclusion: my dad installed Audacity on my computer when i was complaining about not having a recordable program thing, and forgot to tell me?

Either way, I am happy with this turn of events.