Recording Software

Free: audacity, Krystal, Pre 1.0 versions of Reaper.
I would probably go with Reaper.

Best .. I don't know , lots of choices. The best choice with an unlimited budget would be to go rent a studio :-)

If you're asking for the "Best" you should download some free ones, like vink advises, and have a play....

See what limitations they have and base your choice on what's "best" for you..

Maybe some of the free one's will do everything you're wanting.
A lot of free software now is pretty good. The limitations in quality often come from cheaper/noisy hardware... it can take quite a bit of experience in recording to warrant the need for expensive software.

Peace

J

http://www.kreatives.org/kristal/
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
http://www.cockos.com/reaper/download-old-0x.php

and http://www.asio4all.com/ for use with Kristal and Reaper

As long you don´t use Midi tracks I prefer Kristal over Audacity as it utilizes ASIO 2 driver for low track to track delay/latency on low cost soundcards.

If you want to mix Audio tracks and Midi tracks , Reaper is the SW to use

Thanks I will check those out. I have Audacity. Just got it really. But i will look at the others suggested. thanks again.

What is the best recording software out there? How much will I spend.
And are there any new or decant free software for recording?
Thanks :)

FlexiMusic Wave Editor, shareware and affordable audio recorder. Costs around $20.

hi Ginger. I thought you had settled on Kristal?
I tried PreSonus Firebox. my Dell computer could not work with it. it uses a firewire port and my PC did not have the proper buss arrangement for the card.
I switched to Lexicon Lambda. it has Cubase for the recording software.
easy to download. easy to use (so far). 149$.
the software comes loaded with cool stuff: an awesome reverb program and effects. it is USB connected too.

I've always been a fan of adobe audition, but then I've never really tried anything else.

I did tried Audacity once but you could tell it was freeware from its interface alone.

As everyone else suggested try lots of different applications and find one that you find the interface easy to navigate and use.

If by "best" you mean "most widely used by professionals" then you need to go with ProTools. You can get into an M-Powered pro-tools set up for around $600 or so . . . just get an appropriate M-Audio interface and a the software box and go to town.

If by "best" you mean "best price-to-feature ratio" then I'd look at the current version of Reaper. $40 goes a long way!

If by "best" you mean "best free product" then there are a few choices out there.

If by "best" you mean something else, then there's probably some other product out there that fits that description.

Sonar, Cubase, Logic and all the others exist and have market share for a reason, after all . ..

Sonar 6 Produce Edition buck for buck its the best out there. Great forum with lots of help and there is a trial demo available. Its worth it just for the plugs it comes with. JMHO

Reaper is certainly a good place to start but nothing would shift me off Sonar.

Oh if money is no object I might suggest something else like Pro Tools but even then I'm not too sure that it can do anything that Sonar or Cubase can't.

Good luck anyway.

Gerry

I personally use Cubase but truth be told most other alternatives would work as well. As long as it allows VST-plugs/instruments, enough simultaneous audio and MIDI tracks and has a decent interface it would work fantastically to get the basics of recording.

What is the best recording software out there? How much will I spend.

And are there any new or decant free software for recording?

Thanks :)

OOH! That's kinda like picks and strings. Everybody has their favorites.

My personal favorite for Windows is Tracktion, but I spend the majority of the time I'm recording in Linux using Ardour and Rosegarden. Tracktion gets used mostly for quick capture of ideas when I don't want to reboot, or laying down a quick and dirty overdub using a VST amp sim or instrument.

IF you're comfortable with installing another operating system (Linux) and dual booting then I'd recommend you download the Ubuntu Studio iso and enjoy a full blown Digital Audio/Video Workstation with tons of tools for free.

If you want to stay with inexpensive or free software under Windows, Kalle posted this in another thread:
Even if free SW was not your question I will still give you this answer.

There are at least 3 free and fairly good recording SW that are used by GN forum members and they can do all the things you asked for and more.
My recommendation is that you should learn to use one of the free SW ( it takes a time) and then when you find that you are blocked by the limitations in this SW, you will then understand what you really want and can select a recording SW much better.

Most used is Audacity http://audacity.sourceforge.net/ as it is very easy to start with.
Audacity is audio only, no MIDI.
Though it has some delay/latency issues on simple soundcards.

The second most is Kristal Audio Engine (KAE) http://www.kreatives.org/kristal/ .
With a user interface more like proffessional SW, it has a higher learn-in treshhold-
KAE is also audio only, no MIDI.
To avoid delay/latency problems KAE supports ASIO 2 sound drivers.
A free one is Asio4All http://www.asio4all.com/

Another recording SW is Reaper http://www.cockos.com/reaper/download.php that has a free version v0.999 http://www.cockos.com/reaper/download-old-0x.php
Reaper is Audio and Midi and supports Asio 2 driver.

Connecting a guitars and mics to a PC soundcard is a different story/question and is not really connected to the selection of recording SW.

best bang for the buck comes from Reaper.

"Best" for any particular application is highly dependent on what you want to accomplish and what you're starting with.