Which recording software do you use/reccomend?

[wildhorse]

that is plain ignorance right there. and anyone using computers since 1982 should know this. if you are spending countless hours cleaning your PC's, then you are doing something wrong. thats just bad, inaccurate advice.

Rather than be arrogant why don't you explain your highly intelligent knowledge of encrypted files and malware?
I am sure there are tons of ignorant PC users on TB that can use your advise. Come on tell them how you can be online, search the internet, open emails and NEVER pickup a virus or malware. It would even be helpful to this ignorant long term PC user so my wife doesn't have to struggle with these issues.
Me no worries, I use a MAC.

 

[Kevinmach]

Me no worries, I use a MAC.

You do have worries. You just have fewer of them because your not using the platform used by 80% of the users out there, which is PC and Internet explorer. There are plenty of viruses coded for Mac, but the proliferaion is vastly slower-because people who code these things want bang for the buck, it just makes sent to target a larger audience. It has little or nothing to do with Mac being superior or inherently more secure (I am not saying anyone said this here, I'm just making that clear)

Though not impossible, it's pretty unlikely that you receive a harmful virus just being connected to the Internet. I've been an Information Technology consult for the last 15 years, and I can tell you it's usually from visiting a site or downloading a something that you shouldn't be downloading anyway. However, the complications arise because it the past few years, malware and viruses have infiltrated seemingly "trusted" sites.

Wildhorse- There's a popular program called Spyware Terminator (you can get it for free at download.com) that's integrated a feature called Web Security Guard which essentially warns you when you're visiting a site that has been reported to infect with Malware or viruses of any kind. I've found it pretty effective and at least that way your wife will know when she's potentially subjecting your PC to risk.

Bottom line, most virus are annoyances more than destructive (that didn't always used to be the case- 15 years ago people seemed to get mindless pleasure from destroying your data). Now, they are created for a host of other reasons that are too wide and varied to detail here.

It's also correct that no one virus scanner catches everything, so I typically run a few when I am using a PC that I know will be accessing a variety of Internet sites (particularly when accessing questionable sites to begin with, such as Limewire).

Back to the original question, I have really only used FL Studios, which is more geared toward Hiphop and electronica, but I got it free from a friend, so I am not sure I can recommend it as highly for acoustic intruments. They demo'd a few for me at Guitar Center, and I thought Abbleton looked pretty easy to use.

 

[Blackmag+c]

cubase for windows
or Ardour 2.0 for linux

 

[darth-bass]

I like audacity for its ease of use and for the fact that it is free--each edition keeps getting better and better too. I have used cubase too as well, although for me its a bit too complicated.....I hope whatever you choose works out for you!

 

[HogieWan]

cubase for windows
or Ardour 2.0 for linux

ardour runs on mac as well. I love that program, but I have some vsts that won't run under linux

 

[azureblue]

And use Garage Band- it's free.

But if you serious, then Cubase is the way to go. It will do midi, scoring, sync to vid, and audio recording, plus mastering (get the Roger Nichol's digital Frequalizer) and is cross platform. Further, you can install it on multiple machines- it uses a hardware key. I have a PC laptop and a Mac tower, and run Cubase on both. But the hardware key is the whole thing- if you get Cubase, guard the key dongle with your life- lose it and you will have to jump through way too many hoops to replace it, and you may have to buy a whole new version of Cubase. BTW, this is not limited to Cubase- a lot of other hardware keyed programs have the same issue.

BUT

I keep running into Protools import issues, mostly from PT people who don't know how to export to other file formats. Everybody uses PT because everybody uses PT. You can get PT and be somewhat standardized, but PT won't do decent midi or make scores.

If you get a Mac, you may run into issues with importing wma files- a simpleconverter will fix this.

 

[pasta4lnch]

I've been using digital performer for years - if I had to start over i'd go w/ logic though . . .

 

[wildhorse]

You do have worries.

Excellent information and very helpful for those that haven't been into computers for a long time. Much better than taking a short input on TB and making it sound like someone is stupid. Even though one would say the word ignorant was used. Ignorant along with the wise cracks inplies stupidity.
That certainly is not my case. I know exactly everything you have given here and it will be helpful to those that read it.
This is not a hi-jacked thread but totally pertains to the question of what software and hardware to use. The OP said he had a PC but that opens the doors to what happens when 80% of users do use PC's. I have used and built PC's for years as previously stated and fought against Macs for a long time. Since I bought one that is no longer the case. There may be worries for sure but in 2 yrs it has not slowed down, had any issues with virus's or malware. And you are correct that you probably won't get a virus just by being connected to the internet. However you can just by VISITING an internet sight without downloading anything, which I believe you also confirmed. It is more likely that most virus's on a mac come through on downloads. Anytime I visit a sight that may contain a virus my imac tells me that without 3rd party software. And on a pc you are more likely to get a virus by opening email. Although MSN and AOL do a very good job of pre-screening for this. Again thanks for the great information and confirming that while a PC by design is not any worse than a Mac, it is more vulnerable because of Bang for The Buck. Someone said "Who connects their studio pc to the internet anyway?" The fact is thousands of people do because they can not afford to purchase TWO computers, especially in this economy.
On your point about virus' being an annoyance rather than destructive, yes but, when your computer is taken over by something that consistantly sends you to somewhere you don't intend to go then that annoyance can be considered destructive. We recently had a laptop over-taken by malware when my daughter in law hadn't downloaded anything. She sent it out for repair before I had a chance to take a look at it but eventually whatever it was shutdown the hard drive. Again I have NEVER had that issue in 2 years with my iMac. Hey I shouldn't be talking about this because yes as you say, I may go home tonight and find there is a virus on my mac. But my statements certainly are not ignorant or ill advise. Thanks for the tip on Spyware Terminator but I'd be a little leary at running it with Norton 360 and since using that program (as much as many hate it) we've had no issues.
Previously used McAffe because it's used here at work in a very large corporation and after 14 yrs of use we been hit by very few issues but at home it was a different story. Thanks once again you've been a great help.

 

[Charling]

And use Garage Band- it's free.

But if you serious, then Cubase is the way to go. It will do midi, scoring, sync to vid, and audio recording, plus mastering (get the Roger Nichol's digital Frequalizer) and is cross platform. Further, you can install it on multiple machines- it uses a hardware key. I have a PC laptop and a Mac tower, and run Cubase on both. But the hardware key is the whole thing- if you get Cubase, guard the key dongle with your life- lose it and you will have to jump through way too many hoops to replace it, and you may have to buy a whole new version of Cubase. BTW, this is not limited to Cubase- a lot of other hardware keyed programs have the same issue.

BUT

I keep running into Protools import issues, mostly from PT people who don't know how to export to other file formats. Everybody uses PT because everybody uses PT. You can get PT and be somewhat standardized, but PT won't do decent midi or make scores.

If you get a Mac, you may run into issues with importing wma files- a simpleconverter will fix this.

fair points but you missed out logic, which is one of the 'big 3' of logic/pro tools/cubase. logic is the most fully featured of them all in terms of flexibility but if you want to use that flexibility its is a higher learning curve.

pro tools in my fairly extensive experience has prooved the nicest to record bands on, it deals with fades, regions and editing in a way that is streets ahead of the others once used to it. The new pro tools 8 has score implemented, and pro tools midi capabilites have been pretty good for quite a few years now (it did used to be the case that they were rubbish). However its still not the way to go for 'all-midi' projects.

I believe the op went for a mac and logic, which is probably the best route with the best chance of upgrading in the future.

the problem with pro tools is you can't buy any mid range hardware to work with it! its choice between 003's and 002's etc or an HD system. you can integrate nicer a/d's and d/a's with it but it requires a complex set-up. with logic or cubase on a mac you have a sea of choice of hardware from good entry level stuff like motu gear, great mid range stuff from the likes of metric halo and apogee then great high end stuff like the new metric halo stuff or prism etc.

so I think logic or cubase on a mac (though logic would be my choice) is the best and most cost effective (long term) way to go. unless you want an hd system (which is silly unless you are a studio). the reason I say mac is that (aside from the well documented reasons why people prefer working with audio on them) many companies that make interfaces are starting to focus on the platform exclusively!

 

[Sonicfrog]

I normally use Adobe Audition 1.5. I know it is dated now, but it is a great program. If you are interested in transferring albums to digital, it has one of the best noise / crackle / click reduction engines out there.

I will on occasion use Audacity. It's free, simple and high quality. How can you go wrong.

Now that so many here have raved about it, I plan on downloading Reaper and giving it a whirl.

 

[rob2966]

I also switched to a Mac about a year ago but I use ProTools 8 on it and it works great. However, I have been a PT user for about 7-8 years now so it is what I know.

I also find that the new versions of LE have much less limitations than older ones. Also, since I have a number of plugins for PT (loving Eleven at the moment) I don't see myself switching.

Later
Rob