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December 2003
Posts: 1071
Location: Carle Place, NY | I've been reading some reviews of the SONAR Home Studio 4 that turns a home computer into a recording studio.
Anyone have any experience with this software? |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | I had a copy here at work a few years ago that I used to make/stitch together midi files into .wav files that eventually got used as "background music" for animated renderings for sales proposals. It was pretty easy to operate, as I recall.
Since my workstation didn't have a really good audio card, I couldn't really "record" anything w/it, tho.
When I finally got a system at home, I brought the software home (we don't use it anymore here), but by that time it was very out-dated and wouldn't run on XP . . .
Ended up getting Cubase.
Having a lot of fun with it
(when I can find the time).
WHATEVER you decide to get:
Get a good audio card (something better than SoundBlaster).
READ THE SPECS and make sure your machine has enough power/speed/available memory. |
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May 2004
Posts: 2850
Location: Midland, MI | I haven't used the Home Studio stuff, but I have Sonar 2XL, 3PE, 4PE and 5PE (yeah, and I don't really record much, go finger). I think the HS line is just a feature limited version of the Professional/Studio line, so it should have the same basic functionality. Very nice stuff and the Cakewalk support forums are pretty friendly. |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | (when I can find the time).
Ain't that the truth.
To many toys...not enough time. |
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October 2005
Posts: 400
Location: North Texas | These midi/audio programs are pretty cool. Yes, you can use your computer to make decent recordings. All of these programs are about the same. People have preferences, but it boils down to the user getting comfortable with a particular gui. If you have questions about this kind of stuff I can probably help. I've used 'em all. Power Tracks is an inexpensive sequencing, and audio program that I seem to use more than Cakewalk, Cubase, and others. Different programs have their own strengths and weaknesses. Drop me a line if you have some questions. Good Luck, Buck |
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May 2004
Posts: 2850
Location: Midland, MI | As long as Buck is mentioning PowerTracks...if you buy the Band-In-A-Box MegaPak (you know, so you can have backing tracks), you get a copy of PowerTracks included. It's put out by Cakewalk, so if you start with that and want to move up later, it's not a completely different GUI to learn. Definitely doesn't have all the bells and whistles, but in my experience that just means less shizzle to get in your way/distract you. |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Current version is 5 so if you go the Sonar route, get the latest version. I personally use Cubase 3.1SX but I have also played around with Sonar 5, Ableton Live 5 and Fruity Loops 5.
They are all good. Just a matter of taste and learning curves.
Like Cliff said...GET A GOOD AUDIO CARD or external unit like a MOTU 828MKII or some other equivilent. Without a good one, you are wasting your time. |
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December 2003
Posts: 1071
Location: Carle Place, NY | Thanks for the advice, especially about the sound card. I will have to upgrade it. |
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February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Externals, especially firewire units, are really getting nice. I've got the M-audio Firewire 1814, and it's awesome. Plus you don't have the interrupt sharing going on as with PCI cards. And I can move it easily between my desktop and laptop for mobile recording.
Crusty, I don't think PowerTracks and/or BIAB is affiliated with Cakewalk. They've always been PGMusic, originally in the US, but in Canada for quite a few years. At least AFAIK.
They are, however, amazing value for the money. I used PowerTracks for years before I got into more advanced apps like Cubase. And I love setting up BIAB for accompaniment. |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 1071
Location: Carle Place, NY | I saw that Sound Blaster has an external 24 bit unit for about $50. Is that good enough as an upgrade to do basic recording on my computer? |
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February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | NO.
I never recommend Creative. If you want to hear what's coming OUT of your puter, fine. But for input, you need better.
Check into MOTU or M-audio.
M-audio Audiophile 24/96 is a great starter card. 24 bit/96Mhz input. It's PCI, but if you're starting out on a tight budget, it's great. You can pick them up for about $100. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | ". . M-audio Audiophile 24/96 is a great starter card. 24 bit/96Mhz input . ."
That's the one I got . . .
$100/MusiciansFiend.
Just make sure you read, read, READ the documentation. |
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February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | I used that card for 3 years, before I needed something with more inputs without having to haul a mixer along. Great little card. |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Yeah.
20/20Hindsight being what it is, I probably would now prefer something with multiple inputs, but at the time, I was on a tight budget (still am).
When I get better at it, I'll upgrade . . . . |
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February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Cliff, do you have a small (4-6 channel) mixer? |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Behringer UB802 |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | I have the MOTU 828MK2 which has like 8 inputs and I still run a little Yamaha mixer. Just extra flexibility that I will never need but nice to have.
I used that internal card for a while. Very nice card for the money.
I echo the sentiments of STAY AWAY FROM THE SOUNDBLASTER STUFF!!!! |
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February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | I understand the desire for more inputs. I was fine for a long time till I started wanting to mic the guitar from 3 different positions, and blend all that with the feed off the pickup. You can do it with 2 channels using a mixer, but you have to be really happy with the mix when it comes time to record. |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 1071
Location: Carle Place, NY | Thanks to all again.
It looks like the M-Audio Audiophile card is the wasy to go.
Do I have to be a computer wiz to get it installed and working? I have no fears about opening the computer case and installing the hardware, but is the software tricky to get it running?
M-audio also has a USB external unit, but it the reviews were lousy as compared with the card. |
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February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Just read the manual, and as soon as you install the software/drivers - go to M-Audio\'s site and download and install the latest drivers. |
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December 2003
Posts: 1071
Location: Carle Place, NY | Thanks once again.
I think I'll go with the M-Audio card and the Cubase recording software. |
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October 2005
Posts: 400
Location: North Texas | Behringer makes nifty mixers. They are quiet too. I've got two of them. You really don't need to record a lot of inputs at the same time anymore, unless you are trying to record a live band, a Waskel multi positional mic setup, or a jam session. In the digital realm you can dub, and overdub without tone loss. I've kind of gotten away from using the PC for recording. The prices have gone down dramatically for stand alone digital multi track recorders. You can make multi track recordings and then import them to your PC for editing and mastering. Actually, almost anything is possible these days with the digital gadgets available for the home recordist. The sound quality can rival that of the pros. Have fun! |
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December 2003
Posts: 1071
Location: Carle Place, NY | Buckaroo:
Thanks for the info, but the digital recorders are still way more than I want to go for. I'm just looking for the basics at this point. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | If you're going the 2496/Cubase route, you'll need a mixer.
It'll allow you to record tracks while MONITORING your previously-recorded tracks (simultaneously).
Y'can get a basic Behringer mixer for under $50. |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 1071
Location: Carle Place, NY | Thanks Cliff.
(I like the photo you posted on "The Map") |
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Cakewalk Sonar Home Studio
