Guitar Recording Software for any Desktop PC

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.Sorry, I guess you missed my point, or I wasn't clear about it. I meant to emphasize the point that "Everyone has an opinion". A lot of has to do with what you want to do, and how much you want to spend to do it. I think everyone would rather own a Ferrari, but will settle for a Toyota because they get what they need at a reasonable cost. I guess it did come out wrong didn't it? :oops:

In any case, it seems a little strange that you had to compare the $8000.00 version of Protools to the $299.00 version of SF to make your point. But I'd bet that most of the people at this site wouldn't even use all the features included in the Sony products, and would find them much easier to use. But I still think it comes down to a personal opinion, even if you were trying to setup a professional studio, with an unlimited resources, there would be differing opinions regarding everything from chairs, to speakers, to software.

As far as SoundForge being the industry standard, I don't really care, that's just what I read. But it is very good musicians software for the money. I'm sure engineers might have a different opinion.

I was checking this blog regarding which DAW people consider the BEST. Lots of different opinions. I assume that's because everyone has different needs and different budgets. (i.e. personal opinions.)

http://www.computermusic.co.uk/page/computermusic?entry=opening_daws

Don't get me wrong. I love Acid. It's a great software and I think, well underrated. The comparison between PT HD and Soundforge was simply for the sake of comparison. That is, one persons tool is another's tinker toy. I certainly don't believe that ProTools is the be all and end all of DAWs but currently there is no major competitor. If you want compatibility with a mastering house or studio for mixing purposes, ProTools LE would be the way to go. An Mbox 2 mini with PT LE is comparable to purchasing most other software on it's own. Cubase Studio 4 is about $400. Sonar $400.00 or more Ableton Live $400.00 or more. Mbox 2 mini hardware and software bundle $350.00. Not bad. I will never get rid of Acid though. It's far too useful. Both for looping and mastering. As it is I'm a diehard Cubase user.

Just saw this thread.
I don't know where you're at in finding your software/hardware but

- for the hardware part, this link will get you started: http://www.etcetera.co.uk/Support/howto/howtoConnectGuitar.shtml
I personaly use option 2, a stereo multi-effects pedal directly in my SoundBlaster Live sound card.
I get good enough results for my need, which is to do online jams.
I f I really wanted to tweak my soundcard, I could probably have 4 individual inputs, with the drivers I'm using ( http://kxproject.lugosoft.com/index.php?skip=1 )

- for the software part, I'm lucky to have been able to get a free copy of Tracktion 1.6, when Mackie bought the rights to that software. No tracks limit, uses VST and VSTi plugins (the number of plugins is only limited by the power of your system), very simple and uncluttered user interface. I've tried a lot of software and this is the one that is the easiest to work with. Select your input, add effects then or later and hit record. Everything in one screen, no need to switch screens for different actions.
Get a look at it here: http://www.mackie.com/products/tracktion2/index.html

All I have is a guitar, my PC and some software.
When I want to create my own song, I don't have access to multiple MIDI instruments, nor would I have the abileties to use them so I use BandInABox to create a MIDI backing track, import it into Tracktion, uses some VSTi plugins to get some more realistic instruments sounds and record my playing over it.
Here's one I did to give you an idea of the overall quality of sound you can get: http://www.soundclick.com/bands/songInfo.cfm?bandID=376384&songID=4731997 (sorry for the lame playing though)
Besides the guitar sounds, everything else was done from VSTi MIDI plugins.
Even the acoustic sound was done thru a simulator VST plugin (Amplitube) as I don't have a real acoustic guitar.

Hope this will help you out.

Just saw this thread.
I don't know where you're at in finding your software/hardware but

- for the hardware part, this link will get you started: http://www.etcetera.co.uk/Support/howto/howtoConnectGuitar.shtml
I personaly use option 2, a stereo multi-effects pedal directly in my SoundBlaster Live sound card.
I get good enough results for my need, which is to do online jams.....
I see exactly what you mean. What you have does exactly what you need it to do, for the right price.

I got all my software free, bundled the M-Audio Delta1010. I think they were just supposed to be demo versions, but then Sonic Foundry sold to Sony, and they must have gotten confused. When I called Tech. Support with a problem (I think the demo versions must have reached their expiration dates), they allowed me to download all of the newest versions of the three products. ACID, Vegas Pro, and SoundForge, along with some additional plugins. :lol:

Pretty much I only have a Boss DR-5 drum machine, a few guitars, and some microphones. I run my guitars through a POD XT Live, into a Fender MX52-16 mixer, then straight into my soundcard. The microphones I run through a DeltaFlex Twin effects processor, then through the mixer. I put the DR-5 through the mixer dry. Since I no longer have multiple muscians recording simultainiously, I don't even have the Delta1010 installed any longer. But I still use the free software it came with. :D I keep the darn thing around hoping to form another band one day. What was that CSN song, oh yeah "Long Time Coming". :lol:

Most of what I do now is really for practice purposes, and sometimes for online jams, because I prefer playing for live audiences, I have no real need to do a lot of post processing on my recordings. Every now and then I like to write songs and record them. Primarily because it's easier than writing them down. I suppose if I were trying to make really high quality recordings I would need to upgrade, but for now what I have does what I need.

https://www.guitarnoise.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=27036

All free.

By the way, I use Acid Pro 5, Sound Forge and even Music Studio when I don't need all the power of Pro 5.

I picked up a Lexicon Lambda home studio. Cubase inside. I got the serial code sorted out and I now have it installed.
the user guide has language I can read and understand. wow. that is rare.

here is a site I found useful. hope the link works

http://www.tweakheadz.com

Same here, dogbite. I got the Lexicon Omega desktop system about a year ago. Comes with Cubase. A few minor glitches along the way, but it's all part of the learning curve. I recently moved all the equipment into another room and confirmed a problem. A low level "tchht" when the central air conditioner/heater cuts on. Really anoying when you've got a good loop going and all the sudden "tchht". It's worse now, because the room is closer to the inside unit. The best thing for me is that I have learned so much about sound recording wince using the software. It's been very educational. The PDF manual (500+ pages) is intimidating at first, but friendly. I did have to expand the RAM from 256 to 768.

While I'm on it, does any one know good software for removing noise? I got Polderbits, which is great for editing. It just leaves a bit to be desired in the area of pop/click removal, which is what it's advertised for.

`Instead of software consider getting a filtered power bar. Monster makes them. They're a bit expensive but worth it.

Make it $330 and get this:
http://www.digidesign.com/index.cfm?langid=100&navid=114&itemid=4962

They are the best and you can get the Pro version when you have enough money later on.