Which recording software do you use/reccomend?

rubber_ritchie · #1 06-18-2009, 06:27 PM

I've been using a basic version of Cubase (LE) for some time but suddenly it won't let me save any more MP3s of my recordings and I figured it was the tight time to go for something decent.

I'm prepared to spend money but am not rich. I use a pc not a Mac.

Thanks in advance.

Illbay · #2 06-18-2009, 06:33 PM

You know, it probably would be best to do a search on this first.

That said: starting from "very little personal experience," and working with most "lite" versions of stuff, I finally settled on "Ableton Live," because IMO you get so much bang for the buck. Not only does it make a great DAW, but you're allowed to put a second copy on a laptop, and you can use it in live performance.

Charling · #3 06-18-2009, 08:10 PM

well LE is fine, mp3 conversion is not a big issue as you can download loads of freeware progs to do this anyway, cdex for example (if its still around, its been on my pc for an age!)

Cubase has seemed a bit hit and miss for me recently, sx3 was great, 4 seemed like a step backwards but 5 is apparently great (I haven't used it yet). if you can get a cheap copy of sx 3 I'd go for that, great program.

the big hitters are logic, cubase and pro tools, ableton is great, not designed for recording a band but quite capable of doing so, it doesn't have all the features of the other 3 and you don't see it used in any top studios for that reason but its great for home/project studio recording. It also has loads of extra live performance features and audio warpery stuff which is great fun and really useful if you want to do live shows, experimental music or just sync up tracks from different sessions.

pro tools is also great, but le has some really annoying limitations which a lot of the other's don't, they really push for you to buy HD (very expensive) and I dont like that microsoft monopoly thing they have going. That said, for recording a band pro tools has the most fluid and powerful editing/setup I have used.

logic is my normal reccomendation but mac only, annoyingly.

then there are the others, sonar, reaper, digital performer(mac as well) etc.

I havent used these progs very much so I can't comment but there are many happy customers and they seem to be as fully featured as the rest of them. cheaper too in some cases (especially reaper)

what would you mainly be using the software for? recording bands or building tunes from scratch etc?

rubber_ritchie · #4 06-19-2009, 03:40 AM

Thanks a lot Charling. I'm mostly recording myself at home; bass, guitar, vocals, drum machine, perhaps moving to accoustic instruments later.

gnasher1993 · #5 06-19-2009, 04:06 AM

Check out Sonar. It has a really usable interface

**tbar0000** · #6 06-19-2009, 04:40 AM

+1 for Sonar

seamonkey · #7 06-19-2009, 08:43 AM

Reaper is good and quite affordable and good forums.
http://www.reaper.fm/
Free to try.

rubber_ritchie · #8 06-19-2009, 04:53 PM

Thanks. Feedback I'm getting elsewhere is telling me I must get a Mac. I'm hearing Logic with Mac or Cubase with PC. One music legend I know told me "windows pc equals failure... you have been warned my dear friend".

seamonkey · #9 06-19-2009, 05:04 PM

No PC's are fine. Major software packages are on PC's.

ljazz · #10 06-19-2009, 05:44 PM

10 years ago, that was true.

Software for PC, and PC's in general have closed the gap.

rubber_ritchie · #11 06-20-2009, 05:33 AM

Anyone use Cubase?

chicago_mike · #12 06-20-2009, 06:58 AM

Cubase SX3 / Nuendo 3 Very well laid out
"Sequence 4" for said programs were bug ridden and never fixed right.
"Seq 5" Of said apps is much better and more true to the "Seq 3" versions

Sonar always felt left behind

Samplitude / Sequoia is a great audio app, but the sequencer / midi side sucked. Plain and simple..I beta tested this for over a year so I know.

PTLE , for those who want pro tools. THats it.

Logic was really cool, then that fruit company came along ......... Company also hired the originators of ACID around the same time.

I run Nuendo for 90% of my / clients stuff, and only run PT if its requested.

DeluxeRed · #13 06-20-2009, 07:14 AM

Cubase here, and I plan on upgrading to 5 after this Summer's playing season slows down a bit. I also use the Intel/Windows platform. That seemed to have some limitations several years ago in that not all sw products were available for the PC, but that line has blurred considerably over the last couple of years, and virtually everything is available on both platforms. I prefer the Intel/Windows platform mainly because that's what I know and have used for everything else, and it is easier (imo) to incrementally upgrade. And unless you already use Macs, why have to learn a whole new paradigm just for one application?

mrufino1 · #14 06-20-2009, 08:14 AM

reaper, without a doubt. If seamonkey is the same seamonkey from the reaper and ardour projects, listen to him because he knows his stuff. But reaper is great and you can try it out fully functioning for as long as you need to make your decision, then a license is very affordable (30 days is the term in the trial, but it is a suggestion).

John Wentzien · #15 06-20-2009, 08:20 AM

Nuendo here. Great program.

rubber_ritchie · #16 06-20-2009, 01:43 PM

I just watched the promo vid for Cubase 5. I want that sexy beast!

http://www.steinberg.net/en/products...se5_media.html

wildhorse · #17 06-20-2009, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubber_ritchie

Thanks. Feedback I'm getting elsewhere is telling me I must get a Mac. I'm hearing Logic with Mac or Cubase with PC. One music legend I know told me "windows pc equals failure... you have been warned my dear friend".

That being said.... I've had tons of pc's... problems with virus's and what's the name of that other problem? Oh yeah malware. I almost forgot since I got my imac over 2 yrs ago and have never had a problem and no virus or malware scanners used. For home recording use garageband works great. Of course PC's work just as well now days but as long as I'm working with music I'm sticking with Apple. 4 pc's in our house and I use them for other things only because I can afford downtime on them since I have my imac.

HaPpYfAcE · #18 06-24-2009, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildhorse

That being said.... I've had tons of pc's... problems with virus's and what's the name of that other problem? Oh yeah malware. I almost forgot since I got my imac over 2 yrs ago and have never had a problem and no virus or malware scanners used. For home recording use garageband works great. Of course PC's work just as well now days but as long as I'm working with music I'm sticking with Apple. 4 pc's in our house and I use them for other things only because I can afford downtime on them since I have my imac.

so here i was looking for recording software recommendations and i see this.

sorry to keep the hijack going, but i think if you don't download a bunch of crap, you're not going to have a problem with your pc. i have never gotten a virus infection on my computer. i use avast antivirus software and that's it. i've had 0 issues with pc's and i don't ever see myself being forced to use a mac because i want to avoid malware.

that being said (

), i really think it should be more what you like using over how many viruses you won't catch by using one or the other.

gdthomas · #19 06-24-2009, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seamonkey

Reaper is good and quite affordable and good forums.
http://www.reaper.fm/
Free to try.

I second this... reaper is a great program

azarias · #20 06-24-2009, 08:59 AM

I made the change to Logic 8 on a Mac and wont ever go back to PCs. 8) I wish i would have done it sooner...And i always said i would never use a Mac blah blah blah...

However, i have a friend who loves the new Ableton stuff on PC. I heard some of his work and it sounded good plus he said its pretty easy to learn the software. Give it a try!