If you are old like me, you might remeber 4 track recorders and cassette tapes. We would turn our house into a little studio and record songs. I have heard there are programs for this for Apple, any for PC? are they easy to use? are they good enough for demos?
2006-06-26 18:45:49 · 8 answers · asked by mike c 5 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Music
Absolutely.
Though I'm *not* old {smiling}, yes, I remember all kinds of tape recording formats, and even went to a school for multitrack recording, with the aim of getting a job in a studio.
There are numerous programs for your PC that will turn it into a multitrack recorder with all the familiar features a console has -- channel and master faders, VU meters, pan knobs, mute and solo switches, etc. But they go beyond the wildest dreams of a recording engineer in the 80s, when tape (often 2" wide) was the only respectable medium, and a reasonable studio would cost many tens--if not a few hundreds--of thousands of dollars to assemble.
Computer software on a good PC does the job of both the mixing console and the multitrack recorder, and even lets you do a mix-down to stereo, and even editing of your projects... and mastering to CD!
I don't have enough experience with any of the programs I've seen to recommend one, but suspect you'd find a lot of useful info at emusician.com, the online version of Electronic Musician magazine.
They probably review software as well as hardware, and I'm sure there are plenty of other sites that do, too.
You might want to just get your feet wet with a great *free* program, called Audacity. I *have* used that one, just playing around, and it seems to have just about everything I've seen in pay programs, and which a beginning (or even semi-pro) band would need. I can't say for sure, but I'd be surprised if this software *isn't* good enough for a demo, as long as you know how to use it.
The recording and mixing process takes practice, some knowledge of sound and microphone placement, a good ear, and a bit of creativity... as with any other type of recording equipment. Since Audacity is freeware, you have no money to lose, there.
As for "easy to use," that depends a lot on your experience with the hardware these programs are designed to emulate. I find the software pretty intuitive, but I have studied and used this kind of hardware on and off for years. I can imagine it being an awful lot to a newbie. But then, so would the hardware versions of these tools.
One other tip: don't skimp on your microphones. A mic of poor quality will ruin a recording quicker than just about anything else, no matter how good the software is. And it's not one-type-fits-all-duties. Way too much to cover here, I'm afraid.
Oh, alright, one more thing... you do have to have a certain level of hardware in your computer. Check the system requirements of the software you get, but I'm guessing you'll want at least 1 GB of RAM, a fast hard drive (7200 rpm or better), and a fast processor (I won't guess, on that). And obviously you need some way to get the microphone signals into your PC. If your sound card doesn't provide the necessary inputs, you may need to buy a "breakout box" which you connect to the computer via USB port, probably, and which then gives you various mic and line inputs.
This may sound like a lot to learn, and I won't lie... it is! But it is possible, and I think can give you a surprisingly good quality recording via your PC.
Good luck, and maybe you'll send me your demo CD! ;-)
2006-06-26 19:27:25 · answer #1 · answered by Question Mark 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For simple, no-nonsense multitrack recording, Kristal is hard to beat - it's easy to use, powerful enough to get good results and it's free. If you want a few more possibilities (and MIDI support) you can look into Cubase SE or SL or even Pro Tools M-Powered.
Get a good audio interface with enough inputs and outputs, and you may not need a mixer (analog or digital) at all. For a mid-size band, I'd look into the M-Audio ProjectMix I/O - it's got both plenty of inputs/outputs and good controllers (faders and knobs), which makes it look a little less intimidating to those who have used an analog mixer or a portastudio before.
Good luck!
Cheers,
Arne S.
2006-06-27 02:30:15 · answer #2 · answered by Bitstreem 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure you can! Pro Tools is great for PC, although it will take a high end PC, and a digital mixing board wouldn't hurt. There are also plenty of digital recorders you can buy now, Yamaha makes a good one.
2006-06-27 01:52:25 · answer #3 · answered by thekilierdonut 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know on Apple there is Garage Band which is part of iLife.
For PC you can try Sony Acid Pro. I have tried it and it is slightly tricky but there are turorials that are very helpful. Just go through them and you should be able to work it out.
2006-06-27 01:49:38 · answer #4 · answered by ljtj28 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
absolutely
I am also a fan of analog. Digital is too well digital some distortion adds to the real expeience, I am a musician and songwriter You may contact me I will do all i can to help.
Michael 850-418-2818
Good luck
2006-06-27 01:50:40 · answer #5 · answered by michaelrises 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have the right type of software. If you son't have it you can guy it at either a computer store or a music store.
2006-06-27 01:48:40 · answer #6 · answered by golfyguy16 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you have to get this card for the recording all u do is put it in your computer and you can record
2006-06-27 01:51:59 · answer #7 · answered by sagar_leva 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes of course there are
2006-06-27 01:48:45 · answer #8 · answered by double v 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋