Looking for some good simple recording software

[Naetharu]

Hi folks,

I would like to try laying down some recordings and I was wondering if someone here could point me in the direction of a simple piece of software that could get me started. Ideally I am looking for something that is (1) not too expensive and (2) pretty simple to use.

Cheers

James

[40hz]

In a word, Audacity. Simple as it gets and free!

[r16ktx]

[quote name='40hz' timestamp='1439894402' post='2846492']
In a word, Audacity. Simple as it gets and free!
[/quote]
+1

[Naetharu]

Fantastic! Cheers

[ChunkyMunky]

I have to politely disagree with the folks on Audacity and put in a vote for Reaper.

[Sonic_Groove]

I've not tried Audacity, but another vote for Reaper

B

[neepheid]

Reaper does not satisfy the ease of use criterion. Nor does any DAW I've had the displeasure of encountering. I get a headache from just looking at it for 30 secs, never mind trying to figure out how to use the damn thing

[Mykesbass]

Check the recording section, in fact, get this thread moved there - loads of advice and this: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/248509-beginners-guide-to-home-recording/"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/248509-beginners-guide-to-home-recording/[/url]

[ambient]

Mac or PC?

If you have a Mac, then you should already have Garageband, which is great, and fairly easy to use.

[Skol303]

[quote name='Mykesbass' timestamp='1439896218' post='2846514']
Check the recording section, in fact, get this thread moved there - loads of advice and this: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/248509-beginners-guide-to-home-recording/"]http://basschat.co.u...home-recording/[/url]
[/quote]

Aye! Plenty of info on this in the Recording forum right here:

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/248509-beginners-guide-to-home-recording/"][b]LINKY DINK[/b][/url]

As mentioned above, my advice would be to start with GarageBand (if on a Mac) or Reaper.

Audacity is a great little piece of software, but think of it as being like a "virtual tape recorder" with bells and whistles... you can't compose a song with it, but you can record yourself playing. I use it a lot myself as a tool for processing audio.

[BobVbass]

Reaper's great and it has a brilliant user guide and loads of online videos to start you off

[pfretrock]

I also found the sound card in my PC was rubbish. A 2i4 (other interfaces are available) works great. It comes with software (download), but Audacity is good for a quick check. You need to add Lame to save as MP3 from Audacity.
My headphones (mid price 'hi-fi') sounded rubbish on the low end when plugged into one of my bass combos, but were 'OK' on the 2i4 headphone out.

[Annoying Twit]

[quote name='ChunkyMunky' timestamp='1439895114' post='2846501']
I have to politely disagree with the folks on Audacity and put in a vote for Reaper.
[/quote]

I use Audacity, but not Reaper. However, I would recommend Reaper for the OP because Reaper supports realtime plugins and instruments in it. Adding reverb to an Audacity mix is possible, but is a pain unless you can always get it right the first time. Audacity is great for simple recordings, but IMHO it's not designed for nor suitable for sophisticated mixing of music. ProTools and Logic (which I use) are streets ahead, but Reaper is close enough such that someone who can't afford the larger packages can still do music production in it. Reaper also does mix down automation, doesn't it?

PS: If the OP has a Linux box at home, then Ardour might be worth looking into.

[mcnach]

For simplicity: Audacity.

But Reaper is also pretty simple for most basic operations, and it allows you to do much more... It just looks a bit more scary at first but the basic operations are just as easy as in Audacity... so I vote for Reaper

[dannybuoy]

Tracktion is supposedly pretty simple to use. v4 is available for free and v6 is only $60:

http://www.tracktion.com

Anyone here used it?

[ambient]

Ableton, you can get it for a free trial.

[operative451]

Deffo Audacity for ease of use for getting ideas down, recording in a 4-track stylee with no added mucking about! Otherwise presonus studio one is pretty easy to use for multi-track 'DAW-lite' stuff. And there's a freebie version..

[xgsjx]

I tried Audacity & Reaper. Preferred Reaper as it's straight forward & if you've use any other DAW, then it feels familiar.
If you are on Mac though, GarageBand is better.
Just got Logic myself & it's as simple or as complex as you want it to be. Best £150 I've spent for a long time (it is Mac only & a damn good excuse to get a Mac).

[Lotusmark2]

I use Auria, on the iPad, great DAW, quite straight forward

[Rikki1984]

Another vote for Reaper,

[mrtcat]

Reaper all day long for me. $60 and great online support.

[Lw.]

I use Reaper for anything more than quickly checking a line or riff works (which is the limit of audacity for me) - Reaper is super easy to use & just as powerful as the famous paid for DAWs I've used.

[Bassjon]

I know its old and out of date now but my vote goes to Cubase. Its so simple even I can do it!

[lowdown]

[quote name='Bassjon' timestamp='1440062740' post='2847905']
I know its old and out of date now but my vote goes to Cubase. Its so simple even I can do it!
[/quote]

Why is it out of date? Just curious.

[chriswareham]

[quote name='lowdown' timestamp='1440067663' post='2847976']
Why is it out of date? Just curious.
[/quote]

Maybe he's still using the Atari ST version?