Playing separate wave files simultaneously.

ulrichburke · Joined: 30 Jan 2008 Posts: 5

Dear Anyone.

Can you suggest a piece of software from this excellent site to do the following - I'm an utter Rube-the-Noob, so be gentle with me!

1.) Let me record and polish up - add reverb, compression etc - a bunch of instruments.

2.) Hear the individual wave files separately.

3.) This is the big one! Let me hear ALL the wavefiles TOGETHER, WITHOUT having to mix them down as a track first. So I can see if the cumulative effect of all the effects I've put on 'em is too much/not enough.
That way I can just undo/redo effects on individual tracks

4.) It would be nice if its sound recorder would have the option to wait until it heard a sound before it started recording, so I can press RECORD on the screen and know I'm not going to get 20 seconds of silence to chop off! Makes the tracks easier to line up, lining up sound tracks, as you guys prob. know, is an absolute nightmare anyway. Everything's always half a beat out - if you know any way around that one, do say, remember I'm a NOOB!

Now I've got NCH Wavepad Masters edition, legally obtained, which lets me add compression and reverb etc. But I can't find how to make it play all the files at once. It only seems to want to play one file, which means you've got to combine all the files, which means waiting about 15 minutes before you can hear your track. Which eats up time like you wouldn't believe!

There's gotta be something that'll play a bunch of soundfiles at once, and maybe let you add effects to 'em first?

Yours hopefully

ulrichburke

madmonk · Groupie Joined: 05 Jan 2007 Posts: 11

Hi.
Suonds like you're ready for something more comprehensive like cubase or pro tools.
these are expensive and tricky to set up but put you in a virtual studio where the limitations of your pc or the sky (whichever comes first) is the limit.
there may be some basic versions of the same or similar on the software download listings on this site, though I've never had occasion to browse for one.
If you do go for a pro application you'll need a good asio soundcard.
lots to learn but well worth it

Brien

>Dear Anyone.
>
>Can you suggest a piece of software from this excellent site >to do the following - I'm an utter Rube-the-Noob, so be >gentle with me!
>
>1.) Let me record and polish up - add reverb, compression >etc - a bunch of instruments.
>
>2.) Hear the individual wave files separately.
>>>
>3.) This is the big one! Let me hear ALL the wavefiles >TOGETHER, WITHOUT having to mix them down as a track f>irst. So I can see if the cumulative effect of all the effects >I've put on 'em is too much/not enough.
>That way I can just undo/redo effects on individual tracks

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
http://www.kreatives.org/kristal/

Either one of the two above links take you to free software to record with that work in the manner you describe.
Your computer soundcard is going to come into play...if it is a creative blaster or someother gaming board, your results will not be as good as a more up-to-date card.

>4.) It would be nice if its sound recorder would have the >option to wait until it heard a sound before it started >recording, so I can press RECORD on the screen and know >I'm not going to get 20 seconds of silence to chop off! >Makes the tracks easier to line up, lining up sound tracks, as >you guys prob. know, is an absolute nightmare anyway. >Everything's always half a beat out - if you know any way >around that one, do say, remember I'm a NOOB!

I would like to see your workflow to understand this better;) You push record and the digital tape starts...just like real analog. Making the tracks line up...that is crazy! But it is how you work...and I would like to see that...

I have never...ever...had to line up tracks from the same recording session. But I use software designed for audio recording, have been for all of this century +.

>Now I've got NCH Wavepad Masters edition, legally >obtained, which lets me add compression and reverb etc. >But I can't find how to make it play all the files at once. It >only seems to want to play one file, which means you've got >to combine all the files, which means waiting about 15 >minutes before you can hear your track. Which eats up time >like you wouldn't believe!

Yeah, Wavepad is an Editor so does not have the robust recording features that you can get in real audio recording software. I'd keep it. It may come in handy...but not for what you are trying.

>There's gotta be something that'll play a bunch of soundfiles >at once, and maybe let you add effects to 'em first?

Yes sir, Les Paul developed multi track recording on magnetic tape decades ago...well...after the magnetic tape idea was lifted from the Germans.

>Yours hopefully

Are you...hitting on me? :)

I appreciatte madmonks input...he is a knowledgeable person, but, speaking from experience, high dollar software you will be stuck with. Your current work flow is interesting and reads like it is most time consuming and archiac. For that reason only I suggest you get some free stuff to undo ALL of your notions on digital recording so they can be restructured properly.

EDIT:

If you look into a newer and more audio recording based soundcard, they come with recording software, limited versions that do work and would be a great introduction for someone in your situation.

HTH,

	Hitsquad Music Software Discussion Forum Index -> Music Software Discussion and Help	All times are GMT
Page 1 of 1