solo4652 Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 Hi, Is there any free software for a laptop running Vista Home Premium we could use to record ourselves at rehearsal, please? Don't need anything pro-quality - just need to be able to review our practice sessions. What about a mic? Could we use one of the mic's at the rehearsal room plugged into the input jack of the laptop? Please don't get technical with your answers! I've only just managed to work out how to switch on my new laptop.... Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prosebass Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 Computer Music magazine has a free suite of DAW stuff (plenty to get you started) to use for recording. If you are using a microphone you will need either a USB interface or a PCMCIA audio card to plug in the cardslot in your laptop. Built in soundcards are notoriously crap. Another easier alternative is to use one of the new crop of digital recorders something like [url="http://www.nevadamusic.co.uk/Home_&_Studio_Recording/Digital_Multi-Track_Recorders/Hard_Disk_Recorders/p6616.aspx"]this[/url] That way you can concentrate on your music instead of buggering around with a laptop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~tl Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 If you fancy installing Linux rather than Windows, then Ardour is pretty excellent: [url="http://ardour.org/"]http://ardour.org/[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crez5150 Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 [quote name='~tl' post='432180' date='Mar 12 2009, 09:51 AM']If you fancy installing Linux rather than Windows, then Ardour is pretty excellent: [url="http://ardour.org/"]http://ardour.org/[/url][/quote] I think that if he's just learnt to turn the laptop on, trying to install Linux may fry his brain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orangepeelneil Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 [size=3]Hi, I now run a Licenced Pro-tools home studio set-up, but I would recommend Adobe Audition. For years I used Syntrillium Cool-Edit Pro 2.0 which was a good wave file (.WAV) editor and the multi-tracker is pretty good, and has some very usable effects, I've always found it easier to use than Steinberg Wavelab. [url="http://www.adobe.com/special/products/audition/syntrillium.html"]http://www.adobe.com/special/products/audi...yntrillium.html[/url] Adobe bought out Cool-edit and you can do a 30 day free download of the latest Adobe Audition 3.0 from the website which I have used for Vista and is fine. [url="http://www.adobe.com/products/audition/"]http://www.adobe.com/products/audition/[/url] You may be able to download a free full copy of the older Syntrillium Cool-Edit Pro 2.0, but i'm not sure if the driver support Vista, I have only tested with XP. Any technical problem send me a message Hope that helps, Cheers Neil [/size] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solo4652 Posted March 12, 2009 Author Share Posted March 12, 2009 [quote name='crez5150' post='432184' date='Mar 12 2009, 09:53 AM']I think that if he's just learnt to turn the laptop on, trying to install Linux may fry his brain[/quote] Quite right! I'm being pointed in the direction of Audacity freeware. Anybody used this, please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eight Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 [quote name='solo4652' post='432210' date='Mar 12 2009, 10:18 AM']Quite right! I'm being pointed in the direction of Audacity freeware. Anybody used this, please?[/quote] Yes, I use it a lot both on Linux and Windows. Its quality. But like Audition, its really a sound editor with some multitrack features; not a music production centre. However, if all you're after is to record rehearsals and don't need to do fancy mixing or effects etc. (it has some though) then it'll be great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solo4652 Posted March 12, 2009 Author Share Posted March 12, 2009 [quote name='Eight' post='432242' date='Mar 12 2009, 10:59 AM']Yes, I use it a lot both on Linux and Windows. Its quality. But like Audition, its really a sound editor with some multitrack features; not a music production centre. However, if all you're after is to record rehearsals and don't need to do fancy mixing or effects etc. (it has some though) then it'll be great.[/quote] Just tried to download the Audacity software onto my (fortunately) spare laptop. McAfee threw an utter wobbler. Result was a disabled laptop with what looks like a virus. McAfee now working hard to sort it out. I give up. I'll just use the Sound Recorder that comes with windows. Flaming computers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eight Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 Ugh. I hate virus scanners - assuming you got it from Audacity's sourceforge site or a reputable download place then I'm amazed you had a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlloyd Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 I tried downloading Audacity recently and couldn't do it. The website directed me to what I assume is a new version that you have to pay for. Fortunately I had an old version on another computer. Most USB audio interfaces come packaged with Cubase LE or something similar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Cooke Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 [url="http://audacity.sourceforge.net/"]http://audacity.sourceforge.net/[/url] is the proper site for it... [quote]Audacity is always free to download from us, but third parties can also sell or otherwise distribute our program, thanks to the GNU General Public License. If you want a copy of Audacity on CD-ROM, we encourage you to use the options listed below.[/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowdown Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 [quote name='orangepeelneil' post='432203' date='Mar 12 2009, 10:10 AM'][size=3] I now run a Licenced Pro-tools home studio set-up, Cheers Neil [/size][/quote] I bet the pro pirates are filling there pants... +1 for the CM mag... all you need there for free [ well apart from a sick squid for the mag ] Garry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBunny Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 Steve go for Audacity and if you need a hand i am just down the road.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
51m0n Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 Reaper. really not going to bother saying again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Heeley Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 [quote name='51m0n' post='439386' date='Mar 19 2009, 04:22 PM']Reaper. really not going to bother saying again![/quote] $225 for a full licence thou! The poster is asking for free recording software, i would assume a free copy of audacity is adequate, not a multitrack cubase-type program. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twigman Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 LE versions of most software comes with audio interfaces. You'll need a proper interface with decent ASIO/WDM driver support or you'll hit problems with the dreaded latency. I know Edirol comes with Sonar LE I run Sonar7 producer edition at home and it's dead simple. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveO Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 (edited) [quote name='51m0n' post='439386' date='Mar 19 2009, 05:22 PM']Reaper. really not going to bother saying again![/quote] Reaper not free any more /edit missed Al's post Edited March 19, 2009 by SteveO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowdown Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 [quote name='solo4652' post='432138' date='Mar 12 2009, 08:51 AM']Hi, Is there any free software for a laptop running Vista Home Premium we could use to record ourselves at rehearsal, please? Don't need anything pro-quality - just need to be able to review our practice sessions. What about a mic? Could we use one of the mic's at the rehearsal room plugged into the input jack of the laptop? Please don't get technical with your answers! I've only just managed to work out how to switch on my new laptop.... Steve[/quote] Steve its not the Software thats the pro quality - they all will do the Job, free or otherwise. [ top end software has more options ] Its in the Audio Interface / sound card, The signal and conversion will not be that great with the laptop sound card, Not to mention the dreaded latency. Garry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Cooke Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 [quote name='SteveO' post='439491' date='Mar 19 2009, 06:00 PM']Reaper not free any more /edit missed Al's post [/quote] news to me... the version I run was released as honesty ware (for personal non-commercial use. Any other usage and you had to purchase a license) and didn't time cut or nag at all when the evaluation period ran out... Does the new version time out now when the evaluation period is over? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Heeley Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 [quote]Does the new version time out now when the evaluation period is over?[/quote] I'll let you know in about 12 days...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solo4652 Posted March 20, 2009 Author Share Posted March 20, 2009 Thanks for all your replies. It turns out that the drummer is a bit of a computer boffin, so he's taking responsibility for this. Thankfully. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveO Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 [quote name='Paul Cooke' post='439975' date='Mar 20 2009, 09:11 AM']Does the new version time out now when the evaluation period is over?[/quote] I dunno. Did a format and clean install of everything a couple of weeks ago, thought i'd download Reaper again to get the latest version, but it's not free anymore so I used my old installation file. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Heeley Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 [quote name='solo4652' post='440006' date='Mar 20 2009, 09:00 AM']Thanks for all your replies. It turns out that the drummer is a bit of a computer boffin, so he's taking responsibility for this. Thankfully. Steve[/quote] Blimey, thats a turn up, I reckon our drummer would struggle getting the pc out of its box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Cooke Posted March 21, 2009 Share Posted March 21, 2009 [quote name='Al Heeley' post='440551' date='Mar 20 2009, 07:00 PM']Blimey, thats a turn up, I reckon our drummer would struggle getting the pc out of its box.[/quote] mine would play the box... he'd probably get a mean sound out of it as well... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted March 21, 2009 Share Posted March 21, 2009 Unless you're overdubbing latency is irrelevant. Plus you can avoid it by monitoring in hardware rather than software. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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