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Audacity vs. Tracktion
- Thread starter spidersbass
- Start date
hmmm, well, since i have no idea what VST is, and only a basic understanding of MIDI, there both equal to me on that aspect, 
.
how 'bout for some basic recordings with maybe a mixer, a couple mics, and whatever instruments i'd want to record?
ps. would i still need to buy another soundcard for this kinda recording? all i got is whatever is in my Compaq.
.how 'bout for some basic recordings with maybe a mixer, a couple mics, and whatever instruments i'd want to record?
ps. would i still need to buy another soundcard for this kinda recording? all i got is whatever is in my Compaq.
I don't know Audacity and so can't compare, but Tracktion is a great little program. Very easy to learn and surprisingly powerful.
Yeah, you should get another input device. Mackie sells Tracktion in a package with something called Spike, which is a coupla preamps/DIs that can be used for input. The whole package is no more than $400.
VSTs will be your friend. You can have VST instruments like pianos or drum machines, where the devices basically live in your computer, and you can have VST effects like reverbs and compressors. All of which minimize your need for outboard gear.
Yeah, you should get another input device. Mackie sells Tracktion in a package with something called Spike, which is a coupla preamps/DIs that can be used for input. The whole package is no more than $400.
VSTs will be your friend. You can have VST instruments like pianos or drum machines, where the devices basically live in your computer, and you can have VST effects like reverbs and compressors. All of which minimize your need for outboard gear.
Audacity is free. Perfect for anything I want to do that isn't complicated enough to fire up Logic for.
spidersbass said:
I'm gonna say yes. Your compaq probably has a generic AC97 audio rpcessor. Its fine for playback but cannot record without major latency issues and the DACs are not up to snuff.
Get a real pro grade card. I started off with an M-Audio 2496, fine if you don't need multiple inputs.
Stay away from USB interfaces, the bus doesn't have the bandwidth and most of them are too CPU intensive. Firewire/USB2.0 will work as long as the encoding is done in hardware.
I haveTracktion T6, Audacity and a trial version of NCH Audio Suite. Audacity:free, Tracktion:free after buying a Behringer USB mixer. NCH great too expensive. Tracktion great but heavy learning curve. Audacity does have great VST and MIDI now.
Audacity is a single track, single source software. I don't know about the other, but I'm a big fan. Reaper only comes out when I really need the big guns and am willing to allow time to get everything set up.
I'd say Audacity and Tracktion are completely different tools; which one to choose depends on the task at hand.
Audacity is a nice (and free) audio editor, perfect for simple (single track) recording and editing -- though it can be used for more complex projects, that is not its forté.
Tracktion is a really great, complete DAW that can handle the most complex recording sessions with ease. The best workflow of any DAW, if you ask me. Older versions are good enough and completely free, the latest version is cheap.
Audacity is a nice (and free) audio editor, perfect for simple (single track) recording and editing -- though it can be used for more complex projects, that is not its forté.
Tracktion is a really great, complete DAW that can handle the most complex recording sessions with ease. The best workflow of any DAW, if you ask me. Older versions are good enough and completely free, the latest version is cheap.
I've been using Audacity for a number of years now after a brief run with Cubase 4x that came with a USB interface I purchased. I found that Audacity was much easier to use for recording single tracks and simple overdubs. I've just ordered a Behringer X2222USB mixer and I saw that the Tracktion DAW SW plus a VST bundle are provided with the hardware. It hasn't arrived yet but once it does I'll be downloading it. I am looking forward to the multi-track capabilities and the ability to create drum tracks using the midi editor. I'm using an older version of Audacity now, v2.1.2 and I haven't seen any support for midi editing (other than export). It would be helpful to have a simple comparison of the two products - pros and cons. Not so much which is better as they are different tools. Not trying to hijack the OP's post.
It is apples and oranges, like someone else said Tracktion is a fully featured DAW and very easy to use. Tracktion 7 is totally free and it is great.
If you buy a Behringer device then Waveform 8 is included but if you already have an interface then you just need to download T7.
Go to Tracktion and Download version 7, you won't regret it
T7 DAW | Free digital audio workstation band editing software - Tracktion
If you buy a Behringer device then Waveform 8 is included but if you already have an interface then you just need to download T7.
Go to Tracktion and Download version 7, you won't regret it
T7 DAW | Free digital audio workstation band editing software - Tracktion
