Guitar Recording Software for any Desktop PC

I've been using guitartracks 2.0 to record. I use a 20 channel mixer, lined out into the sound card. Is there any way to record live onto separate tracks? So it would be true multitrack recording, instead of all members being recorded on one track. If GT2.0 won't do this, what will? Thanks.

I've been using guitartracks 2.0 to record. I use a 20 channel mixer, lined out into the sound card. Is there any way to record live onto separate tracks? So it would be true multitrack recording, instead of all members being recorded on one track. If GT2.0 won't do this, what will? Thanks.
Hardware. I bought the Delta 10/10 10 channels in, 10 channels out. It came with a free version of Vegas Pro, which (IMHO) is the greatest recording software I've seen. Using the Delta 10/10 I can have 10 people playing at the same time, and they are each on a separate track. So, you can very easily adjust volumes not only of the in dividual tracks, but also to sections within the track. You can use the effects the same way. (Reverb, horus, dither, distortion, delays, etc...)

However, if you just want to record tracks one at a time, you wouldn't need the Delta, Vegas allows you multitrack all by itself. I also have ACID and SoundForge. ACID not only allows you to record and easily edit separate tracks, you can also get or create "LOOPS", and use them to create backtracks. SoundForge allows multitracking as well, and is now Sony's main audio software. There are two versions. Each of these products come with a number of effects, and there are others you can buy, or in some case get freeware for.

Oh, one other thing about these products is they are super easy to use. Lining up tracks is as easy as clicking and dragging. You can set the ruler up to show time or measures and beats. I can't say enough about how much I enjoy working with them.

You can check out (and I think download a free trial version.) here:
ACID products: http://www.sonymediasoftware.com/products/acidfamily.asp
Soundforge products: http://www.sonymediasoftware.com/products/soundforgefamily.asp

By the way, I've heard that Soundforge 8 is the industry standard for audio recording software, and it is right at $300.00 (well $299.96, close enough? :lol: )

Note:
Apparently Vegas has morphed into their movie/DVD software. It still does audio, but also much more than is needed to record music.

Hope this helps.

Ken

EDIT: Oops, I almost forgot. If you want to see the Delta 1010, go here: http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=products.list&ID=pciinterfaces

I have a version of acid express that came with a handfull of loops. I'd like to get a program that has thousands so I can experiment and get ideas for songwriting. Do you think it's worth getting the full version of ACID ? Or do you know where I can download some free loops? I'd really like to have a progam like ACID and get thousands of differnt instrument loops. I don't mind paying, so please let me know your recommendations. Thanks for the help.

I haven't used ACID Express, so I don't know how it differs from the full ACID product. Does your version include beatmapper? It's quite handy if you intend to use the measure/beat ruler. It analyzes the audio input to determine the where the down beat is, and the tempo of the track. This allows you to create your loops in measures, so making them very easy to align. If it doesn't, then I would consider buying ACID just for that.

As far as loops go, I do know there is an internet site for ACID loops, and every month they have free downloads called "8-packs". I don't remember the site address, it's on one of my other computers. There is an option in my version of ACID to download loops (look for that on your version). I will post the address for you when I'm on the other computer. Also, have you looked here?: http://www.sonymediasoftware.com/loop_libraries/default.asp?cid=20 (They charge for these, and there are plenty more at some other sites.)

ACID planet also provides loop downloads for mixing contests they run. Some of the loops are useful, but not usually my style.

Lastly, I prefer to create my own loops. One thing I like to do is create ACID drum loops using my drum machine (Boss DR-5.) That way I gett exactly what I want instead of having to settle for something close that was created by someone else. (I know that some people take samples from CDs and turn them into loops. Much cheaper than buying them, as long as you aren't going to sell the end product. LOL)

Hope some of this helps.

Ken

Edit: Sorry, my link to the ACID downloads no longer works. I got my software when the product was still owned by Sonic Foundry. They have since been bought out by Sony. I guess I just never download loops, so I didn't know the link was bad. LOL. In any case, I noticed that you can still download the free "8Packs" from the "ACID Planet" site. Also, if you do an internet search for "acid loops" you'll find a lot of sites. Sorry, I can't vouch for any of them. Like I said, I don't really like using other peoples loops.

You can pick up Acid Music Studio for about $80.00 retail. Online I think it's about $100.00. It has many of the functions that Acid pro has with the exception that it does not support rewire among other things. I believe AMS only supports 1 stereo input at a time as well. Whereas Acid Pro supports multitracking. I use Acid Music Studio just to piece together drums. Everything else I do in Cubase.

Regarding Soundforge being the industry standard: well it may be an industry standard for audio editing but certainly not THE industry standard. Audition is becoming more popular as an audio editor. ProTools is and has been for a long time THE industry standard for multitracking. Logic, Cubase and Samplitude following closely behind. Not to mention, Digital Performer.

There is also a program out there called Reaper which has many of the features of Acid as well as the typical multitracking features found in most DAWs. It's cheap. I haven't tried it but it looks good. http://www.reaper.fm/ Looks very similar to Ntrack.

Ntrack is another option for a cheap DAW. There is also Cubase SE which can be had for $99. Lots of features.

For loops try http://www.betamonkeymusic.com

I am up to my nose in starting home studio recording. or at least trying to get started.
I have a nice Dell PC. powerful memoryordered.
I decied to use Cubase. it comes loaded inbto sevral audio interfaces .
ProSonus Firebox. around 300$. very cool device.
here I ran into trouble. it has a firewire port and hookup. my computer doe4s not. so I had to get a PCIcard with firewire ports.
then troublew began. the card does not fit my computer slot. the busses ae configured differently on the card.
so that went back to the store.
next up I tried Lexicon's Lambada home recording device. again loaded with Cubase.
this one uses a USB connection. it connected right up to my computer. next I had to download the Cubase program.
here I ran into trouble.
the entry process needed me to enter the serial code on the package. entering the letters I soon ran out of room in the required boxes.
what the f. ?
so this goes back to the store.
hopefully, the problem was a mislabeled CD.

so if anyone can suggest another system I can try on my PC I would be very happy.
so far, I cannot home record.
it sucks.

I use the E-mu0404, which comes with Cubase LE as well. For 150 you've got the slightly better 1212m, or you can go for the external version of the 0404, which comes with a mic preamp and stuff and has the same software package.

E-Mu. is that PC USB ? have not tried that.

E-mu is the 'professional' line of Creative (soundblaster). The 0404 is an internal PCI card with break-out box, so no firewire/usb/whatever. You'll need a free PCI slot but as PCI is one of the ultimate standards that should not be a problem. The 1212m is basically the same but with some extra functionality and a 2nd card, so you'll need two open slots. The external 0404 works through USB. For the rest they all kinda work the same so see what works best for you.

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/sep04/articles/emu0404.htm

USB external boxes that are out there are very nice.

However, there is one "gotcha" to using USB versus firewire that you should be aware of:

USB work by actively polling the channel for device status and changes every couple of cycles. This means that having USB enabled on your computer is taking cycles away from focusing on recording.

Typically this is not a big deal.

However, if you're doing alot of MIDI work with soft synths (and I stress alot -- one or two soft synths won't be enough to see this on a modern box) and sequencers, combinend with a couple of dozen softwar effect chains, those lost cycles can start introducing latency that WILL effect the final product.

Again, for most of use folks recording guitars and doing a few VST effects, it's no big deal. But if you're running a large collection of soft synths and a number of midi channels all at once, it might start to effect your work.

All that said, I use a USB soundcard and am quite happy with it.

Regarding Soundforge being the industry standard: well it may be an industry standard for audio editing but certainly not THE industry standard. Audition is becoming more popular as an audio editor. ProTools is and has been for a long time THE industry standard for multitracking. Logic, Cubase and Samplitude following closely behind. Not to mention, Digital Performer.

I guess everyone has an opinion. I understand Toyotas are much more "popular" than Ferraris too. :lol:

Since I haven't used any of the software you mentioned, I can only go by what I've read, and that is that SoundForge is THE industry standard. I do know there isn't anything I've wanted to do that this software isn't capable of doing very easily. That being said, I should also mention that I bought my stuff back 2000 or 2001, so there may very well be better stuff now. If fact I know that even the new SoundForge is much more capable than mine. Perhaps I'll start looking around at some of those you've mentioned as well.

Thanks for the info.

Over here the 'industry standards' are Cubase and ProTools, the latter one slowly gaining a lead. I've no idea why SF could be considered any kind of standard at all...

Over here the 'industry standards' are Cubase and ProTools, the latter one slowly gaining a lead. I've no idea why SF could be considered any kind of standard at all...
Sorry, I can't argue this with you, since I have only second hand knowledge of the products other than the ones I use. I did go out and look at both cubase studio 4 and Pro-Tools. Both seem like great tools. They seem to cater a little more to midi users than does SoundForge. So I suppose in that regard they do seem better. Since nothing I do requires the use of synthesized instruments (with the exception of some drums) I never use the midi capabilities I do have.

That brings up a question I've been meaning to ask you. I was listening to some of you recordings. Very nice indeed. Is that you playing the cello and flute, or are those synth instruments? In either case, they sound GREAT!!!

I guess everyone has an opinion. I understand Toyotas are much more "popular" than Ferraris too. :lol:

Dude. It's not just my opinion. I don't even use ProTools. It just happens to be the standard. Find a studio that will argue that fact. As far as Ferrari's are concerned ProTools HD is the Ferrari of all DAWs. Not just because it's expensive but because it is a hardware based DAW. That is you need Digidesign hardware to run it. Which is fine because the hardware allows for higher sample/bitrates, because the hardware takes a considerable amount of the load off of your cpu.

Have a look at this "toyota":

http://www.digidesign.com/index.cfm?navid=24&langid=100 &

Base price $7995 US

Soundforge base price: $299.

That brings up a question I've been meaning to ask you. I was listening to some of you recordings. Very nice indeed. Is that you playing the cello and flute, or are those synth instruments? In either case, they sound GREAT!!!

Thanks. :) Those are sampled instruments, played with a MIDI keybord. The sounds are from Garritan Personal Orchestra, a sample library (fairly cheap, around $170) that contains all standard orchestral instruments. The same company also has a specific 'stradivarius solo violin' library for the same price. Just one instrument but it sounds amazing. I've heared some recordings that are really darn hard to distinguish from the real thing.