Choosing the right software

reign · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 1

Could someone please help me i own a realitvly speedy laptop, tascam 122l audio/midi interface, Behringer XENYX 1002FX mixer and some studio monitors. i want to be able to record my friends guitar/bass and vocals wilst playing my electric drums (roland td6) once done i want to be able to create some electronic synthasised stuff over the top and some complex beats to mix with my elctric kit...... eny sugestions on the easest and best software that will let me record acustic/anologe and electric/digital using the hardware that i own please x

Brien · Posted: Sat Dec 16, 2006 12:06 am Post subject:

That is going to get a different answer from everyone that reads it.

I have used cakewalk software for about a decade and prefer it.

You can also try some of the offerings here:

http://www.hitsquad.com/smm/cat/RECORDING/

Gotta ask yourself what you want it to do and what do you expect because "ease" of use is subjective.

Do you have an idea as to how you are going to even hook the hardware you have up yet?

lynnmonk · Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2006 12:52 pm Post subject:

Hi Reign

What you are effectively asking is how to record a "live" backing track, then overdub some extra tracks. This can be done with any good recording software...notably Cakewalk, Logic, Cubase, and Pro-tools being the most widely used applications. I would suggest that you download some of the free demos available and see which program suits your way of working the best. Cakewalk is probably the most user-friendly program if you've never used one before. However, you may also find a free program that suits your requirements, such as Cubasis (PC) or Garageband (Mac) or Krystal Audio Engine (PC).

The soundcard you have available to you is a stereo card. Therefore you need to ask yourself if you need to have the guitar/bass/vocals/drums on seperate tracks. If you do, then you'll have to track everything seperately rather than playing the backing tracks "live" together with your friend. However, if you think you can get away with the backing track being on only two tracks (left and right), then the easiest way is to:-
1. Plug the guitars, vocals & drums into your mixer.
2. Set up what you think will be a good mix for the backing track as the basis of your song.
3. record the stereo (mix) output from your mixer into your soundcard.
4. Add the overdubs seperately into your soundcard.
5. Mix down the whole project.

TIPS

1. Recording the backing track to the metronome click from your recording software will ensure easier cutting and pasting of tracks when you come to do the overdubs.
2. For a better end result, learn to play the backing tracks without vocals, and overdub the vocals afterwards.
3. Add only the most essential effects to the instruments as you record them (i.e. perhaps some overdrive to an electric guitar) as you can always add them in the mix, but you can't take away what is already there. Though remember that if the track is on the stereo backing track, it will need to have the FX added up front and there will be no room for error, so plan your mix thoroughly in advance.

Regards,

Lynn

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