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Posts: 1071
Location: Carle Place, NY | I've been reading some reviews of the SONAR Home Studio 4 that turns a home computer into a recording studio.
Anyone have any experience with this software? |
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Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | I had a copy here at work a few years ago that I used to make/stitch together midi files into .wav files that eventually got used as "background music" for animated renderings for sales proposals. It was pretty easy to operate, as I recall.
Since my workstation didn't have a really good audio card, I couldn't really "record" anything w/it, tho.
When I finally got a system at home, I brought the software home (we don't use it anymore here), but by that time it was very out-dated and wouldn't run on XP . . .
Ended up getting Cubase.
Having a lot of fun with it
(when I can find the time).
WHATEVER you decide to get:
Get a good audio card (something better than SoundBlaster).
READ THE SPECS and make sure your machine has enough power/speed/available memory. |
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Posts: 2850
Location: Midland, MI | I haven't used the Home Studio stuff, but I have Sonar 2XL, 3PE, 4PE and 5PE (yeah, and I don't really record much, go finger). I think the HS line is just a feature limited version of the Professional/Studio line, so it should have the same basic functionality. Very nice stuff and the Cakewalk support forums are pretty friendly. |
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Location: south east Michigan | (when I can find the time).
Ain't that the truth.
To many toys...not enough time. |
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Posts: 400
Location: North Texas | These midi/audio programs are pretty cool. Yes, you can use your computer to make decent recordings. All of these programs are about the same. People have preferences, but it boils down to the user getting comfortable with a particular gui. If you have questions about this kind of stuff I can probably help. I've used 'em all. Power Tracks is an inexpensive sequencing, and audio program that I seem to use more than Cakewalk, Cubase, and others. Different programs have their own strengths and weaknesses. Drop me a line if you have some questions. Good Luck, Buck |
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Posts: 2850
Location: Midland, MI | As long as Buck is mentioning PowerTracks...if you buy the Band-In-A-Box MegaPak (you know, so you can have backing tracks), you get a copy of PowerTracks included. It's put out by Cakewalk, so if you start with that and want to move up later, it's not a completely different GUI to learn. Definitely doesn't have all the bells and whistles, but in my experience that just means less shizzle to get in your way/distract you. |
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Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Current version is 5 so if you go the Sonar route, get the latest version. I personally use Cubase 3.1SX but I have also played around with Sonar 5, Ableton Live 5 and Fruity Loops 5.
They are all good. Just a matter of taste and learning curves.
Like Cliff said...GET A GOOD AUDIO CARD or external unit like a MOTU 828MKII or some other equivilent. Without a good one, you are wasting your time. |
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Posts: 1071
Location: Carle Place, NY | Thanks for the advice, especially about the sound card. I will have to upgrade it. |
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Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Externals, especially firewire units, are really getting nice. I've got the M-audio Firewire 1814, and it's awesome. Plus you don't have the interrupt sharing going on as with PCI cards. And I can move it easily between my desktop and laptop for mobile recording.
Crusty, I don't think PowerTracks and/or BIAB is affiliated with Cakewalk. They've always been PGMusic, originally in the US, but in Canada for quite a few years. At least AFAIK.
They are, however, amazing value for the money. I used PowerTracks for years before I got into more advanced apps like Cubase. And I love setting up BIAB for accompaniment. |
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Posts: 1071
Location: Carle Place, NY | I saw that Sound Blaster has an external 24 bit unit for about $50. Is that good enough as an upgrade to do basic recording on my computer? |
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Location: closely held secret | NO.
I never recommend Creative. If you want to hear what's coming OUT of your puter, fine. But for input, you need better.
Check into MOTU or M-audio.
M-audio Audiophile 24/96 is a great starter card. 24 bit/96Mhz input. It's PCI, but if you're starting out on a tight budget, it's great. You can pick them up for about $100. |
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Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | ". . M-audio Audiophile 24/96 is a great starter card. 24 bit/96Mhz input . ."
That's the one I got . . .
$100/MusiciansFiend.
Just make sure you read, read, READ the documentation. |
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Location: closely held secret | I used that card for 3 years, before I needed something with more inputs without having to haul a mixer along. Great little card. |
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Location: NJ | Yeah.
20/20Hindsight being what it is, I probably would now prefer something with multiple inputs, but at the time, I was on a tight budget (still am).
When I get better at it, I'll upgrade . . . . |
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Location: closely held secret | Cliff, do you have a small (4-6 channel) mixer? |
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Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Behringer UB802 |
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Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | I have the MOTU 828MK2 which has like 8 inputs and I still run a little Yamaha mixer. Just extra flexibility that I will never need but nice to have.
I used that internal card for a while. Very nice card for the money.
I echo the sentiments of STAY AWAY FROM THE SOUNDBLASTER STUFF!!!! |
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Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | I understand the desire for more inputs. I was fine for a long time till I started wanting to mic the guitar from 3 different positions, and blend all that with the feed off the pickup. You can do it with 2 channels using a mixer, but you have to be really happy with the mix when it comes time to record. |
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Posts: 1071
Location: Carle Place, NY | Thanks to all again.
It looks like the M-Audio Audiophile card is the wasy to go.
Do I have to be a computer wiz to get it installed and working? I have no fears about opening the computer case and installing the hardware, but is the software tricky to get it running?
M-audio also has a USB external unit, but it the reviews were lousy as compared with the card. |
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Location: closely held secret | Just read the manual, and as soon as you install the software/drivers - go to M-Audio\'s site and download and install the latest drivers. |
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Posts: 1071
Location: Carle Place, NY | Thanks once again.
I think I'll go with the M-Audio card and the Cubase recording software. |
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Posts: 400
Location: North Texas | Behringer makes nifty mixers. They are quiet too. I've got two of them. You really don't need to record a lot of inputs at the same time anymore, unless you are trying to record a live band, a Waskel multi positional mic setup, or a jam session. In the digital realm you can dub, and overdub without tone loss. I've kind of gotten away from using the PC for recording. The prices have gone down dramatically for stand alone digital multi track recorders. You can make multi track recordings and then import them to your PC for editing and mastering. Actually, almost anything is possible these days with the digital gadgets available for the home recordist. The sound quality can rival that of the pros. Have fun! |
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Location: Carle Place, NY | Buckaroo:
Thanks for the info, but the digital recorders are still way more than I want to go for. I'm just looking for the basics at this point. |
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Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | If you're going the 2496/Cubase route, you'll need a mixer.
It'll allow you to record tracks while MONITORING your previously-recorded tracks (simultaneously).
Y'can get a basic Behringer mixer for under $50. |
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Location: Carle Place, NY | Thanks Cliff.
(I like the photo you posted on "The Map") |
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Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Jeanette likes that picture, too.
That was last NewYear's at cwk2's.
. . . don't know if that "rosy glow" is from the sun setting in the window behind me . . .
. . . or some REALLY good red wine . . |
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Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Yes, you'll want a mixer - but get the Behringer UB1204-PRO. It has an alt3/4 output that's priceless for monitoring. About $120, you'll find it invaluable. |
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December 2003
Posts: 1071
Location: Carle Place, NY | Lots of great information to be had here.
I originally thought that I could just load up the $100 SONAR software and be able to digitally record. Now I know that that won't work. I need a new sound card ($100) and a mixer (Cliff says $50, but Waskel says go for the better $120 unit). Plus, the Cubase software starts at $300. That makes a total of $520.
I'm not a pro, more like a hacker. So let's go back to the beginning. If I put in the M-Audio sound card and go with the SONAR software will I be able to do some simple recording on my computer? I'm just looking to record some stuff with my son who's 16. |
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Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Yes, you can always add a mixer later if the desire hits you.
The setup you mentioned will take care of your basic needs. |
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December 2003
Posts: 1071
Location: Carle Place, NY | Thanks once again to all! I don't expect to have everything up and running in time to submit a substitute for one of Dave's uke songs on the OFC CD, but who knows. :) |
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Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | Originally posted by Mitchrx:
I don't expect to have everything up and running in time to submit a substitute for one of Dave's uke songs on the OFC CD, but who knows. I'm sure about 3800 members would be glad to help out to ensure you make the deadline! Dave |
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Posts: 400
Location: North Texas | If you have any kind of music software, cakewalk, cubase, PT, or even a free downloadable music program, you can start recording today. If your soundcard has a line in, just plug into it. Many stock onboard soundcards will do the job, at least to get you started. If you need bells and whistles and ultra multi track doo-dads you'll need to open your wallet, however, I suspect you already have enough equipment to start recording now. Bottom line is, if you have a computer with a sound card, and a cable to connect your instrument to it, you can make a decent recording immediately. Don't let the issue of not having exactly the "right" equipment hold you back. Even the crummiest PC audio equipment of today is far better than what we had a few years ago. Any piece of equipment with a line out; old tape recorder, mixer, or whatever can be plugged in to your computers' line in. Use the stuff you already have, and your imagination, first. Upgrade as needed. Most important thing, have a good time making music. Cheers, Buck |
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Location: closely held secret | Bucky's right, don't let us stampede you into a bunch of hardware. Install your software, rig up a patch cable to get into your existing soundcard, and go for it, have fun. As you get more experienced, you'll probably find yourself replacing/augmenting your setup with higher quality hardware.
One thing to note - the 24/96 card has RCA inputs, so you'll at least need to build some RCA to female 1/4" patch cable, or build a RCA to male 1/4" guitar cable. Not a big deal, but thought you should know. |
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Posts: 22
Location: Churchville, NY USA | I used Cakewalk Homestudio 2004 and Sonar 2...both work great for home-recording....
as far as the Soundblaster soundcard...I use the Audigy2...works fine...there is a fair amount of snobbery regarding recording gear...
It's easy with the Soundblaster to use Midi and you can get recordings thats sound pretty darn good...
My music using Cakewalk and Soundblaster Audigy
the recordings first listed (at the top are the newest)...
try out what you got before you replace something...the money you spent for a new recording card would buy a pretty nice microphone...or whatever...
Home recording is tons of fun. BTW...the acoustic in my latest tunes is my Ovation CC026. |
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February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Originally posted by Rasmuth:
as far as the Soundblaster soundcard...I use the Audigy2...works fine...there is a fair amount of snobbery regarding recording gear...
try out what you got before you replace something...the money you spent for a new recording card would buy a pretty nice microphone...or whatever...
It's not snobbery, but thanks. Simple facts, the Creative products up to this point are more focused on playback, not recording. Perhaps that changed in the Audigy2, I don't know, I walked away from Creative products the first time I recorded into an audiophile quality soundcard.
And it doesn't do you any good to put premium gas in a Yugo. |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | The Audigy2 works ok with a limited number of tracks but if you start getting too many, the latency will creep up and bite you in the ass.
But then, maybe some folks are better at correcting latency issues than I am. I get anal if it is greater than 10ms. |
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Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | It's not just the latency. They have had a lot of problems with their drivers, as well. My biggest complaint about them is the noise level on the inputs. If you want to use it to watch a DVD in surround, they're great. I just don't hear anything approaching studio quality on the input side. |
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Posts: 1445
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada | I have just done a bit of testing of my new M-Audio 2496 and there is no comparison between it and the Audigy. Particularly notable is the difference in the recording level before clipping...probably 30% more with the 2496.
Wayne |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Snobs :rolleyes: |
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Posts: 22
Location: Churchville, NY USA | I want to apologize for my "snobbery" remark from my earlier post...It wasn't directed at anyone at this forum...I've been to many other forums where the Soundblaster gets "blasted" so to speak...and I'm not sure why...and there are others who feel the same way I do...
but my point was...try your system as is and see how it works...that money may be better utilized elsewhere...
as far as latency...I haven't had issues with track latency...I've had as many as 90 tracks in a song and still have the Audigy work fine....and my system is modest...Athlon 2400+ (2ghz processor)
I've heard recordings with "superior" equipment sound much worse than music I've heard recorded By others using Soundblasters...or even on board soundcards.
again...I apologize for my off the cuff remark earlier. |
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Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | I would like to apologize for the entire "80's" and most of the "90's"! I should have bought more guitars. |
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Cakewalk Sonar Home Studio