Yes. You purchase the plugins you want to use, install them like any other software, and reaper has inserts and sends like any other daw.
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Home Recording
- Thread starter Quap
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I build PCs as a hobby (used to be a business) so I have one made to my specs. The hardware is more or less the same as a store bought PC, but it doesn't have all that software "stuff" in the background. If you can find a reputable builder, the horse power needed to record these days is pretty middle of the road.
I like my Focusrite Scarlet interface. I only need two inputs. It comes with Ableton, which wouldn't be my first choice, but it is something. Reaper is a very capable DAW.
I would really start learning about Amp sims, cab Impulse Responses, and other VST plugins. I can craft a great guitar or bass tone with all the stuff I have collected.
I haven't recorded vocals with my gear, but it is hard to skimp on a mic and not notice it. There are some good, value mics out there if you look. Do your homework.
I like my Focusrite Scarlet interface. I only need two inputs. It comes with Ableton, which wouldn't be my first choice, but it is something. Reaper is a very capable DAW.
I would really start learning about Amp sims, cab Impulse Responses, and other VST plugins. I can craft a great guitar or bass tone with all the stuff I have collected.
I haven't recorded vocals with my gear, but it is hard to skimp on a mic and not notice it. There are some good, value mics out there if you look. Do your homework.
@Mingus_Habens you are right. You can load it into any recording program, but you can also use it as a separate program when you just want to jam (using speakers or headphones for example). The bass amp on the free version has some different cabinet options to choose from, which you can tweak as you please.
Reaper is not free, it costs $60. It's just easy to pirate since they use the honor system.
Waves Tracks Live is free. It costs if you want support.
Tracks Live – Multitrack Recording Software | Waves
Where Reaper has a small price, you'll get support, and a great community.
Tracks Live – Multitrack Recording Software | Waves
Where Reaper has a small price, you'll get support, and a great community.
I logged on today to start basically this very same thread.
I've got a HP from 2009, that runs great, it's just maxed out on hard drive space. I've got a 1TB external HD loaded up with music. I bought an 8 track Boss BR-800 a few months ago to start laying down song ideas as they come to me, and then realized I didn't have enough hard drive space on my computer to export tracks and do any editing or mixing.
I figure it's almost 2020, and rather than just expand the HD on this baby, it's time to invest in an updated desktop. I like the idea of using a tablet and doing simple mixing on there and exporting it, but I have zero desire to use Apple products. That mostly just stems from how much I hated iTunes. Just wasn't a fan, and I do not want to start converting all my stuff to Apple products.
For someone like me, who hates recording and isn't interested in spending hours upon hours making stuff sound pristine, I'm just interested in recording either rough demos or simply capturing a song lick in the moment, and then being able to go pack, overdub other instrument tracks myself, and then saving it for some rainy day, is a new tablet the way to go?
I'm not some old un-tech savvy fart. I just don't spend money on a lot of tech stuff. I ride whatever I have to obsolescence then update when it's finally time to do so, and right now, it's time to do so.
I've got a HP from 2009, that runs great, it's just maxed out on hard drive space. I've got a 1TB external HD loaded up with music. I bought an 8 track Boss BR-800 a few months ago to start laying down song ideas as they come to me, and then realized I didn't have enough hard drive space on my computer to export tracks and do any editing or mixing.
I figure it's almost 2020, and rather than just expand the HD on this baby, it's time to invest in an updated desktop. I like the idea of using a tablet and doing simple mixing on there and exporting it, but I have zero desire to use Apple products. That mostly just stems from how much I hated iTunes. Just wasn't a fan, and I do not want to start converting all my stuff to Apple products.
For someone like me, who hates recording and isn't interested in spending hours upon hours making stuff sound pristine, I'm just interested in recording either rough demos or simply capturing a song lick in the moment, and then being able to go pack, overdub other instrument tracks myself, and then saving it for some rainy day, is a new tablet the way to go?
I'm not some old un-tech savvy fart. I just don't spend money on a lot of tech stuff. I ride whatever I have to obsolescence then update when it's finally time to do so, and right now, it's time to do so.
My wife just got a Lenovo Flex at Costco and it is totally capable system. Works as a Laptop or tablet.
Great back-to-school pricing at Costco.
Costco is also great about returns should it not work out - letting you try it for 3 months.
Dell and HP have the same types of laptops.
Great back-to-school pricing at Costco.
Costco is also great about returns should it not work out - letting you try it for 3 months.
Dell and HP have the same types of laptops.
i wouldn't get a "tablet". if you want it portable, i'd get a laptop. if you need it to be tablet-esque, there are options like that lenovo flex, or microsoft surface. if you don't need portable, upgrade the storage in your desktop. even if it's running windows 7, you can still put a DAW on it, hook an audio interface up to it, and do all you need to do. light recording doesn't use a lot of a modern (even 10 years old) computer's resources.
Keep in mind that Microsoft will no longer support Windows 7 next year, so DAW and interface manufacturers will stop supporting it as well. If you're on the fence about getting a new PC, now would be a good time.
HP and Dell both make laptops with touch screens, so +1 to @And I's comments above.
HP and Dell both make laptops with touch screens, so +1 to @And I's comments above.
well @CB3UK didn't say windows 7, i just said that, so it may be moot. when something is "not supported" it doesn't mean it stops working... but yeah, certainly not optimal to plan on using an obsolete OS...
Mine does run on Windows 7. I was running Ubuntu on my laptop until I fried it. I really hated Windows 8 and 10 so that's partially why I never felt compelled to do any upgrading.
Ive always been a live guy. I just hate recording. So mind numbingly repetitive. But lately Ive really been pumping out ideas on all manner of instruments and I really need to start putting them to tape so I can go back and expand on them with or without other folks.
Ive always been a live guy. I just hate recording. So mind numbingly repetitive. But lately Ive really been pumping out ideas on all manner of instruments and I really need to start putting them to tape so I can go back and expand on them with or without other folks.
Home recording systems are a lot like everything else out there in the world today.
The more you spend, the better the equipment
So the things you will probably want to focus on
1) Computer - Need lots of fast storage, preferably 2 HD's. Mac stuff is nice, but you can get more horse power for the $$$ with a windows based computer. Computer will need the ability to take music in by way of audio interface. USB is ok, Firewire worked well but is near end of life IMHO, and Thunderbolt which is more $$$
2) Audio Interface - Tons of options, but $50 to $100 will get you there. If you want to record singing and an instrument at the same time, you'll need to get at least a 2 channel interface
3) Microphones - As indicated a used SM58 will go along way - $75
4) DAW - Digital Audio Workstation. Many different packages out there. As suggested, Reaper for $60 is fantastic. There is a learning curve with reaper though
5) Monitors - Don't rely on cheap headphones. Invest a little money here. Sony and AKG make some good headphones for @$100. Studio monitor are preferred, but can get pricey.
6) Plug in's - You'll want to get some reverb, compressors, limiters, ect. This can cost alot of $$$ - Go to KVR audio free plugins Invalid Link Removed Lots of good stuff there
So, for @$300 plus computer, you'll have a good start.
Problem with computers right out of a store is that they are so filled with bloat ware, your performance is degraded immediately.
If you understand computers, I suggest building your own as you will get WAYYYYY more computer for your dollar
The more you spend, the better the equipment
So the things you will probably want to focus on
1) Computer - Need lots of fast storage, preferably 2 HD's. Mac stuff is nice, but you can get more horse power for the $$$ with a windows based computer. Computer will need the ability to take music in by way of audio interface. USB is ok, Firewire worked well but is near end of life IMHO, and Thunderbolt which is more $$$
2) Audio Interface - Tons of options, but $50 to $100 will get you there. If you want to record singing and an instrument at the same time, you'll need to get at least a 2 channel interface
3) Microphones - As indicated a used SM58 will go along way - $75
4) DAW - Digital Audio Workstation. Many different packages out there. As suggested, Reaper for $60 is fantastic. There is a learning curve with reaper though
5) Monitors - Don't rely on cheap headphones. Invest a little money here. Sony and AKG make some good headphones for @$100. Studio monitor are preferred, but can get pricey.
6) Plug in's - You'll want to get some reverb, compressors, limiters, ect. This can cost alot of $$$ - Go to KVR audio free plugins Invalid Link Removed Lots of good stuff there
So, for @$300 plus computer, you'll have a good start.
Problem with computers right out of a store is that they are so filled with bloat ware, your performance is degraded immediately.
If you understand computers, I suggest building your own as you will get WAYYYYY more computer for your dollar
My hatred for M$ and Bill Gates causes me to totally stay away from any of their OPSYSs.
I'm also NOT going to iPoo or anything from Apple or Mac. Just ain't my style.
I'm into Linux with both feet and I find it has all I can every need - all the VM-stuff and a very fast operating system without a gazillion lines of code.
For fun, I take a decently late Windows machine, scrub all the M$ stuff .... make a clean install of Ubuntu Studio and just go from there.
Just wipe out all the partitions - Linux can do that .... when Windoze cannot.
For fun - in the cold, dark winter months here, and between chewing up a new pair of snow boots from seal skins - I'll build a new recording station with a drum room and a video link, bidirectional, of course.
All on (FREE) Linux distros.
I'm also NOT going to iPoo or anything from Apple or Mac. Just ain't my style.
I'm into Linux with both feet and I find it has all I can every need - all the VM-stuff and a very fast operating system without a gazillion lines of code.
For fun, I take a decently late Windows machine, scrub all the M$ stuff .... make a clean install of Ubuntu Studio and just go from there.
Just wipe out all the partitions - Linux can do that .... when Windoze cannot.
For fun - in the cold, dark winter months here, and between chewing up a new pair of snow boots from seal skins - I'll build a new recording station with a drum room and a video link, bidirectional, of course.
All on (FREE) Linux distros.
...I guess you haven't built it from source for some time...
Last year there were 61,725 files with 25,584,633 lines - only in the kernel.
(But I still love Linux and use it daily, just not for work. Recording and writing on an old Windows 10 laptop.)
Linux is great! It runs on everything. It's embedded into a lot of gear that people don't even realize it's even there.
Huge announcements on the Linux Foundation this week!
Keep an eye on Linux as it is growing and branching out more than ever.
Huge announcements on the Linux Foundation this week!
Keep an eye on Linux as it is growing and branching out more than ever.
