Simple recording setup

[BJMtz]

I received a behringer u-phoria um2 interface this Christmas and I want to have a simple recording setup for my laptop. I don’t know the first thing about recording however.
What is a good simple to use recording software? Nothing fancy I just want easy to use. Don’t care if I have to pay.
I want drum tracks so is there a different software that I can create drum tracks from (or pre-made) and use in the recording software?
Is it better to use my effect pedals before going into the interface or is there some modeling software that I could use for guitar and bass?

 

[DirtDog]

I received a behringer u-phoria um2 interface this Christmas and I want to have a simple recording setup for my laptop. I don’t know the first thing about recording however.
What is a good simple to use recording software? Nothing fancy I just want easy to use. Don’t care if I have to pay.
I want drum tracks so is there a different software that I can create drum tracks from (or pre-made) and use in the recording software?
Is it better to use my effect pedals before going into the interface or is there some modeling software that I could use for guitar and bass?

Did you get any software bundled with the UM-2 interface? If so, you might want to start with that.

If not, are you on Windows or Mac?

If Mac, I'd try GarageBand (free) first - its got a built in drummer/drum loop capability and amp sims that'll get you started quickly.

If Windows, Reaper is the go-to. Other options are Audacity and Ardour (all free). In the non-free category, you have things like ProTools (Lite version is affordable), Studio One, Cubase, Ableton, etc.

For Reaper, Ardour or Audacity, you'll need some sort of drummer VST plug-in and/or drum loop library. I use ToonTracks EZDrummer. Not free, but reasonable for what you get. There are free options out there, but I don't have any intel on that. Maybe someone else will chime in. Another option is an external percussion device like beat buddy or an analog drum machine of some sort. Other beat making software - FruityLoops, Native Instruments Maschine and so on are options. Depends of what type of drums you're looking for.

While you can use an external preamp/tone shaping pedals before going into the interface, in a DAW like GarageBand (for Mac only), you can choose amp and cab sims to shape your tone on the track you want to record. There are other guitar/bass VST plug ins out there - some free, some pay - that will get you going in Reaper, etc.

Welcome to the dark side!

 

[FDR Jones]

For DAW software, since you’ve never recorded before, you might want to start with Audacity. You can work your way up to Reaper. Your interface apparently comes with Tracktion, which I’ve never heard of before.

As far as effects and processing, I prefer to do as much as possible with pedals and outboard gear.

Along those lines, you might even like an external drum machine such as a Beat Buddy or Mooer Micro Drummer.

This is coming from someone who finds fiddling with software to be a huge waste of time.

 

[seamonkey]

Tracktion is good start.

It has many vids and tutorials.


Find a bunch of grooves at Groove Monkee | Best MIDI Drum Loops and Bass Loops for Songwriting

 

[BJMtz]

I actually have been using traction 7. It’s pretty easy to use and I have found some great how-to videos on YouTube.

I’ve been using outboard effects so far but I’d really like to find an amp sim and other effects for guitar and bass. Ideally I’d love to get a Helix but I don’t think that’s in my future anytime soon.

I’m still looking for a drummer vst. I looked up EZdrummer and it looks cool, but it’s a bit pricey for what I need.

 

[The Owl]

If you decide to go the drum loop library route, there's tons of great free and paid sources. For example:

www.thelooploft.com

Link Removed

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