What program/interface to record unto laptop?

[BassMick]

I used to own a macbook with garageband and would use my line 6 usb device to record.

My mac no longer works that well, so I now own windows 8.1 and would like to know what program and device I should get? I'm planning on recording on top of backing tracks for that is what I mainly will
use it for.

Thanks everyone and take care!

 

[wlater]

That's a pretty wide open question since there are so many DAW software programs and hardware audio interface devices, and many of each that are very good. I can tell you what I use: Reaper for DAW and Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 for audio interface. A pretty popular budget combination and I am very happy with both. There is also a lower cost Scarlett 2i2 and I think they just came out with an even cheaper entry level product. But there are many other good DAWs and audio interfaces too with lots of info on the internet out there. Some more specifics of what you need/want might help narrow things down a bit. HTH

 

[BassMick]

Thanks for your reply
I pretty much just want to record myself playing on top of backing tracks and then convert it to mp3.

 

[wlater]

OK, if something that simple, maybe a DAW is overkill. Something like Audacity (http://audacity.sourceforge.net) might be enough. Records and converts stuff to mp3. I haven't really used it myself but I know it's popular. Since it's free (free is always a good price ), you can download it and check it out. It very well might do everything you need.

 

[BassMick]

I used to use the line 6 Toneport UX1 straight into garageband on my macbook. Is there an equivalent program to garageband that works well on a pc with similar functions?

I will probably be getting the new version of the UX1 or the Focusrite Solo. Any recommendations will be helpful

Thanks again!

 

[testing1two]

Reaper is probably the best "bang for your buck" DAW software out there. It's not as full featured as Avid's Pro Tools or Cakewalk's Sonor or Steinberg's Nuendo, but it's a huge step up from Audacity and it's free to try and incredibly cheap to buy. http://www.reaper.fm/

There are also a ton of useful training videos for Reaper on YouTube.

 

[seamonkey]

Reaper is great and it has a strong community
Tracktion is also back in a big way
http://www.tracktion.com/