Ok here's the deal. I want some simple PC recording software so I can record myself jamming and play it back to myself. Maybe tinker with what I've recorded a bit, nothing fancy. That's all I want. Can anyone give me suggestions? I don't want to spend a whole lot and I don't care if it makes crappy sounding recordings. I have a Dell laptop with a Soundblaster Audigy Card.
I ask this because I went to Guitar Center with these same questions and the guy in Pro-Audio tried to sell me a $500 home studio. when I said no, I just wanna record myself jamming, he basically laughed at me and called a buddy over, told him that "this guy wants to buy software just for jamming" and they had themselves a good chuckle at my expense. Then he went on to badger me relentlessly about "what are you gonna do when you want to record vocals? what are you gonna do when you wanna master a CD? what if you wanna track multiple instruments? Then your software is completely worthless." I told him that I don't want to do those things, and if ever I do I'll consider a $500 studio, thank you very much. He then implied that I was an idiot for not buying a home studio, and I simply said "I'm leaving" and left. On the whole, not a good experience and I'm very upset at Guitar Center right now. You're not supposed to make your customers feel stupid. Seriously, there were 2 guys in there laughing basically at me because I had the audacity to want to record myself with bad software through my "crappy" computer...yes, he called my computer crappy. At least he was civil with his underhanded insults.
Ok, Guitar Center rant over...
Software suggestions, anyone?
Cool Edit Pro. No question about it.
No fuzz, just a very simple multitrack interface. You just arm a layer for recording and record away. Then arm another layer and overdub if you want to. Export to MP3, WAV and others easily.
Behold! The great northern viking's pinnacle of evolution! Behold my wavy blonde locks, my icy blue eyes and my muscular physique! Behold my.. screw this, I'm going to McDonald's.
Guitar Center rant is extremely justified. Write a letter, maybe you can ruin their careers! :D
Cool Edit Pro's Demo is great for what you want to do. I'm not sure if it's still avilable online, but if you can't get it, PM me and I'd be happy to burn and mail you a copy. Having a way to record and playback loops to jam to or to just record jamming is a great learning tool.
Matt
"Contrary to popular belief, Clapton is NOT God. The prospect that he is God probably had a large hand in driving him to drugs and booze. Thanks everyone."
-Guitar World :lol:
Thanks guys! Ill check out Cool Edit.
And I've already submitted a complaint to Guitar Center. We'll see how that goes.
btw, Cool Edit Pro is now called Adobe Audition.
You used the word audacity in your post, but Audacity is also a simple and free recording program. I used it for a long time and still use it for quick recordings because it is small and fast.
Check it out at http://audacity.sourceforge.net
I had a weird experience with Guitar Center recently. No biggie but it did upset me. They send me postcards often with free strings, or a free guitar cord or some other item..I forget. I went in and asked what were the best accoustic strings they had, and he replied with Da'addario's. I said "give me two, one I'll pay for and one I'd like to use this postcard on". (I've used them before and they said it's not limited to a certian brand). While browsing around, he rang me up and I paid without checking the bag, and when I got home I had two packages of Takamine strings. :(
Does anybody know of a good linux program?
Playing guitar and never playing for others is like studying medicine and never working in a clinic.
the guy at guitar center needs his ass fired, you should have talked to te manager.
YOu should be able to write the corperate office of GC and file a complaint. Be sure to name the store location, date and time as a means to track the offenders. Be polite in the note, but let them know you are voting with your wallet by taking your shopping needs elseware and telling everyone you know about the bad service and treatment you recieved at their store. This should get you some responce from customer service if they are worth something. The key is to be civil, if you rant and rave they will delete the note. HQ does not like to get note like that at all. I work in a large HQ office so I know.
John M
Guitar Center has a good variety of gear and equipment. Thats the only positive thing I have to say for them. Hope your complaint gets some response.
And oh, I use this software called Melody Assistant. Works fine for simple recordings on multiple tracks.
Does anybody know of a good linux program?
I believe audacity is also available for linux. http://audacity.sourceforge.net/download/
I'd recommned audacity also. It's completely cross platform(win,linux,osx) and probly does more then what the asshat at guitar center was trying to sell you. It's also completely free and has a good community behind it.
you can try goldwave, IMO, easier to use than audacity , its only a 1 track recorder though
