Computer Recording Software and Interface?

[stroke]

Anyone do any computer recording, or personal recording in general? I'd like to familiarize myself with the process because I'd eventually like to start recording. I'm not talking about setting a mic up and playin my acoustic and singing, but actually recording software. Not necessarily commercial-grade, but sufficient. I lead contemporary music at our church and thus far the other members of our team (primarily my father-in-law, who played in a gospel quartet and is trying to figure out how to play in rhythms other than on the down-beat lol) listen to the songs recorded by professional artists to practice with. The problem is the professional artists commonly play in different keys and rhythms than I do, so it makes it difficult.

Maybe if I'm half-way decent I can post up on Youtube! lol :guitar:

Anyway, any info on recording software, interfaces, mixers, or multitrack recorders? I don't have to record on the computer, as long as there's a way to get it onto the computer. Thanks!

 

[theshoreways]

If you have a MAC Garageband is pretty basic but decent. For PC you can check out Cakewalk's products such as Sonar. It's pretty advanced but would be professional.

As far as an interface, if you want something pretty cheap you should check out M-audio's fastTrack. I have one and it gets the job done.

 

[stroke]

thanks bro!

 

[theshoreways]

Yea, I hope those help...

I tinker around with music in my spare time, nothing too serious, but it's a good hobby. I almost exclusively use music software so I am somewhat familiar with what is out there.

I just remembered you could also check out Record by Propellerhead, It's fairly simple and pretty powerful. I believe it is for Mac and PC. I use the sister product Reason, and I love it.

http://www.propellerheads.se/products/record/

Also, keep us posted on all the music stuff, I'd love to hear it!

 

[stroke]

can you explain the refills to me? Does that mean fills are not permanent, or are they in addition to fills you already have? Also, am I correct in assuming they're pretty much drum pads, etc? I saw a keyboard one, would you select rhythm and chord progression or something?

 

[pnoguy]

If you have a MAC Garageband is pretty basic but decent. For PC you can check out Cakewalk's products such as Sonar. It's pretty advanced but would be professional.

As far as an interface, if you want something pretty cheap you should check out M-audio's fastTrack.

Yep, that's pretty much what I would have said, had I gotten here first. That being said, how much you wanna spend?

 

[theshoreways]

can you explain the refills to me? Does that mean fills are not permanent, or are they in addition to fills you already have? Also, am I correct in assuming they're pretty much drum pads, etc? I saw a keyboard one, would you select rhythm and chord progression or something?

No they are permanent. They are like little add-ons. Yes, either drums, or other "music" instruments. You can find grooves and other stuff like that too, but they are mostly just different sounds and stuff. Normally you can change the tempo and stuff like that fairly easy with the "Dr. REX" Format, which the Refills generally come in.

 

[stroke]

Yep, that's pretty much what I would have said, had I gotten here first. That being said, how much you wanna spend?

No range, I'm just browsing for now. Got my first little one on the way, expecting her in a month or month and a half. Needless to say, it may be a while, but I'll use thise time to familiarize myself with the equipment and software, because right now I'm clueless! lol

 

[sean]

I used protools with an M-box and a mic... I also program a bunch in reason adapted (the baby version that comes with the protools/mbox package). It cost me around $500 at the time, and I have yet to tap into each piece of software's fullest potential... and I used to spend hours playing with it. I even gave up drinking, and never left my house. I just stayed up all night recording in my livingroom (this was also before the wife and kids.)