Best software for someone just getting into recording

[Trevor Jackson]

The gist of this thread is correct:

Before you go out and spend a thousand bucks, check out all of the amazing stuff you can get for free.

No one has mentioned Protools yet. You can get Protools Free at www.digidesign.com

Plus a jillion other things on this website. No need to spend a ton.

[Lunch Money]

ALTHOUGH.... I would highly recomend that you download the demo and try that first as it is a different way of working to most other apps and seems to either make sense to people or be completely unworkable for others.

Yup, and though I have no concerns about a newcomer to recording finding the GUI "different" (no basis of comparison!), there ARE occasionally systems (nobody has ever figured out if it's the vid card, the processor, or what...) that don't get along with T and the two combine to make a bit of interface sluggishness.

It's always worth demoing ANY software. Tough to demo Cubase at home, though...!

Greg

[loveless]

Protools Free is only for Win98SE, if memory serves.

[spaceman]

a tape recoder with a friendly attitude

[Cyniq]

Ableton Live has excellent lessons and tool tip help. I found it very intuitive to learn recently.

[darcyb62]

I would recommend Tracktion as well. For someone starting out it is quite easy to grasp and has some excellent features.

[k3nb]

Thanks for all the replies. My son plays bass and his band is very basic - no MIDI or keyboards. They play all original music of the pop punk type. I'll download and try the demos that were suggested. I'm not looking to spend thousands of $, I'm looking more at under $200. I work for a school district, so I can get the academic discounts.

[Jason Brian Merrill]

reaper, totally. especially for what you need it for.

the version you get now is free and will never expire.

you may never have to pay for audiosoftware (for recording) if you dont need the updates....

[GreyLion]

Yep. Reaper.

And, if you haven't already gotten into the second part of the technology, KVR is an excellent place to find out about VST plug-ins.

These are add-on programs that integrate into hosts such as Reaper and Tracktion. They extend their functionality, giving you the ability to add effects such as EQ, reverb, compression, and so on. And to better mix the various tracks so that the songs your son records will sound more nearly 'professional'. Whatever that might mean to you.

There's been an explosion in the past few years of development of high-quality, low-cost plug-ins. Many excellent ones are free.

I encourage you to do some research here before you spend a penny. You might well be able to accomplish everything you need to, for free. I know how unusual that sounds, and it wasn't true just a few years ago, but it is true now.

...Except for the hardware you'll need to have on hand, of course....

[koolkeys]

Yes, Tracktion and Reaper are the best bets. Two totally different feels, so make sure to try them both.

But then again, this isn't something that hasn't already been suggested.

Brent

[goldbaker]

I started out with Cakewalk Music Creator. It actually can get more done than you might expect. I think it's only $30-$40.

[RTaylor]

Sonar or Live... depends on what he wants to do.

[diverdee]

I don't use Tracktion personaly anymore, but for someone working with mainly audio, recording a band & such it's simple, intuitive, yet also pretty deep.
Your son would be up & running with it within half an hour.
Reaper is cool, stuff added everyday, again very good for straight audio based stuff, personally I find the workflow & general useability to be more comples - although I must confess i've only played with it & it's obviously stil in development.
For a bit more money that tracktion, for audio multitracking & editing there's also Adobe Audition - top bollock (don't have it myself, but have used it).