What is the "best" recording program
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Posted on Jan 01, 2005 10:29 am
ZX6R1033
Perdido
Member Since: Dec 15, 2004
"best" meaning best for my situation, as I fully understand that it is all a matter of prefrence.
I will be recording guitar as well as drums, bass, and whatever other instruments may come into play somewhere along.
I would prefer a prog with an EQ, or one capable of an EQ plug in.
I would also like one that is capable of recording from two sources simultaniously, and just in case there IS another option, one that has recording level moniters for each source.
Money is not a big factor, but I am not going to pay $3,100 for the program.
On one final note, I have been using Acid 4.0 just to get a feel for these programs, and there are many things about it that I do not like. I can not get any of the plugins to work on any of the tracks that I record. This includes, but is not limited to, delay, eq, reverb, and distortion.
I have read many reviews on many programs, and have searched through the forums, but noone asks specifics... everyone just wants an opinion. for example... DB likes Sonar 3... but will that be the best for MY application?
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Jan 01, 2005 10:33 am From what you described as your situation, any modern application can do. Most any app can take plugins, most any can record two sources...
Check out www.multitrackstudio.com and give that app a try, it can do what you need and is only $120 (as I recall). Sonar, Vegas, Cubase, and a multitude of other can do it as well. I prefer Cakewalk products because in my opinion, they are the easiest to use.
RobertJExcuse Me, I Like 2 Ask QuestionMember
Since: Dec 05, 2004
Jan 01, 2005 11:38 am there is really no "best" program..
but i would check into multi track studio and adobe audition 1.5
ZX6R1033PerdidoMember
Since: Dec 15, 2004
Jan 01, 2005 12:36 pm lol... robert, you like to skim through reads, dont you? Thanks Dan. I will give that a try... since they were nice enough to include a trial version. If that doesnt work out for me, I think my next step is to try Sonar 4. Is there a difference between the "Producer edition" and the standard 4.0 edition?
WaltChief Cook and Bottle WasherMember
Since: May 10, 2002
Jan 01, 2005 12:44 pm Oh my, I must feel like typing. Good way to wake up. Phylosophy:
Yes there is best, but for what? Ozy-moron of the century.
Sonics, or the ability to render accurate sound is very much equal in most of the programs mentioned here at HRC.
Pro Tools will offer you control surfaces and integration to other often used gear in production studios at a great cost. Pro tools is considered the 'best' by many studio owners where 'time is money'.
Stienburg Cubase has etched a place in the market that has been nipping at Pro Tools heals for commercial use. Very broad spectrum of applications in one wraper. Still no where near the integration to control surfaces etc. of Pro Tools.
You can probably see where this is going.
The other consideration is visitudes in the market place. A good example is Cool Edit Pro and Stienberg Cubase.
CEP by Sterilium (if you noticed I can't spell) was a 'fair' recording program. It came with some built in processers, e.g. eq, compression, some effects, but did not accept the better plug ins such as VST plugs. Now owned by Adobe, it is being worked over. I have to ask for what purpose? Adobe is commercial grade video. Will Audition (former CEP) be tailored for integration with video productions?
Stienberg has been purchased by Pinnicle Studio. This one is closer to home for me. I have chosen Cubase SX and like it for my needs. Pinnicle MHO is a manufacturer of 'home' grade video. It would appear to me that they are using Stienberg as their effort to enter the commercial industry. How well can they do this with thier focus to present?
In the mean time, and that is probably not accurate, probably just my focus, Sony is scarfing up material that is potential commercial etc. Sony scares me a little too. They are the kings of propriatary, MHO again. Second to Pro Tools is a good qualifier of course.
Bottom line for me are questions like:
Do I want to open the DAW and work on a song or do I feel I am limited and can go no further? Or, do I not want to deal with what I have to go through to work on a mix? Does the thing becon me to 'play' or does it just frustrate me? How much can I do with what I have or am I constantly throwing money at the thing? Is it both convenient and challanging?
There, I have now qualified for the next presidential election. Babbled a lot and said nothing!
RobertJExcuse Me, I Like 2 Ask QuestionMember
Since: Dec 05, 2004
Jan 01, 2005 12:58 pm Quote
"lol... robert, you like to skim through reads, dont you?"
no, i read your post..alot of programs out there offer the same things and more, depends on how far u wanna take it..
but u were looking for a program with reverb,chorus,Eq and etc...
u want a easy to use program that offers that..
so i suggested adobe audition..very easy to you, with effects, and excepts VST And DirectX plug ins..
it can offer alot..
everyone on this site, will probably tell u a diffrent app to try, do to there favoritism of the product they use...
ZX6R1033PerdidoMember
Since: Dec 15, 2004
Jan 01, 2005 01:00 pm It seems that many people are attempting to answer the question in the title instead of reading my post? If i am seeing this incorrectly, I am truely sorry.
Dan, I have been playing with the multitrack studio demo for about 15 minutes now, and I find that it is quite difficult to adjust to, and the editing tools leave a lot to be desired. The program, overall, has lower sound quality than Acid 4.0 as well. I noticed that Cakewalk also has a Demo Version. I am going to try that one next. Hopefully, it will have a nicer layout. Thanks again for the quick answer.
Jan 01, 2005 01:06 pm you can't expect to " know" any program in 15 minutes...
ZX6R1033PerdidoMember
Since: Dec 15, 2004
Jan 01, 2005 01:08 pm you can when the demo only allows you to explore 8 steps... all of which are "guided" by a recording wizard.
Jan 01, 2005 01:12 pm I'm didn't know that but I will say with the demo of sonar, It is very intuitive but it will require a lot more than 15 minutes to get a good feeling for the program... at least it did for me, ow and you CAN't go wrong with sonar btw
What soundcard do you have?
Jan 01, 2005 01:15 pm Well, MTS is a bit different than many apps, when I first started working with it (it's not my main app, but I use it now and then) it was a bit of an adjustment, but like presley eluded to, 15 minutes is a bit quick to be passing very much of a judgement. After getting used to it, I found it actually pretty cool and intuitive...though I will admit, like I said it is different then many.
Cakewalk is very nice, you may wanna check out Home Studio, it's in the same price range, or Tracktion, which was free via a promo until yesterday, but it's still only about $80 and a very unique app, and very cool.
olddogMember
Since: Jul 02, 2003
Jan 01, 2005 01:19 pm Adobe Audition has a 30 day trial as well that has no restrictions for that period. I found it to be one of the easiest to figure out how to use and is loaded with features.
Dan
ZX6R1033PerdidoMember
Since: Dec 15, 2004
Jan 01, 2005 01:19 pm Currently I have a crappy AC97, but I am in the market for a new sound card. I have had a few really good suggestions, and currently I am still exploring all of my options.
One quick question... I have Sonar open, and it looks exactly like the type of program I was looking for, but I can not get it to record. The record button appears to be disabled. I have no Midi device... I am simply trying to record from the line in. What am I missing here?
ZX6R1033PerdidoMember
Since: Dec 15, 2004
Jan 01, 2005 01:23 pm ahh BINGO.... nevermind. When all else fails, read the instructions. I didnt click the button on the inserted track that said "turn record on".
Jan 01, 2005 01:36 pm yet another case of R.T.F.M. :-D
ZX6R1033PerdidoMember
Since: Dec 15, 2004
Jan 01, 2005 02:53 pm haha Exactly! I have been playing with this program for a while now, and it appears to be what I was after. I am getting this really annoying popping noise throughout the recording though. I hope that isnt there in the full program.
zekthedeadcowEat Spam before it eats YOU!!!Member
Since: May 11, 2002
Jan 01, 2005 10:54 pm the poping would be your buffer:
Options->Audio-> then change your buffer settings and/or slide the meter to "safe" ...but this is for 2.2
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jan 02, 2005 03:12 pm Well ZX, the AC97 will have a lot to do with the popping noise as it is not really capable of running at the levels Sonar needs. You will find that if you set the latency buffer up when just doing playback the noise will go away as the machine isnt working so hard to keep up with the sound device's weakness.
And that apply's to all the versions of any recording application. But as Zek said, slide the buffer slider into the safe zone and the noise should go awau during playback.
