Recording....you guys use Mixcraft, or what??

[Geezer]

I'm going to start doing some sound clips....what mixer are you folks using? Any good "freebies"? 

Mixcraft is ~~$79, not too bad, if it's easy to use, I guess....

TIA, G

[jojokeo]

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

This is free to use but I have and use a couple of CuBase programs, Acid, and Vox stuff I paid for. I think you can mix stuff w/ audacity?

[alerich]

I use an old version of N-Track Studio. It was great little program at one time until the developer tried to add too many bells and whistles to it. When I purchased it the cost was $39 but that was years ago.

[Heinz]

Ardour is a sophisticated recording tool for Linux. You can use it from a live cd without installing Linux on your PC.
It's free.

Take a look at this thread for more infos:
http://www.el34world.com/Forum/index.php?topic=8617.0

[Geezer]

All I want to do (at this point) is take a backing track, which I already have in MP3 format, & add a guitar part.
I have Audacity, but I can't figure out how to add the overdub of the guitar. I can import the MP3, but can't see how to record the guitar track.
I'm just plugging an SM57 into the mic input of my soundcard thru imp adaptors.....is that OK, or do I need some other type of interface??
I'm a real novice at this, which is why I haven't recorded any clips before......

G

[tubenit]

I'm just plugging an SM57 into the mic input of my soundcard thru imp adaptors.....is that OK, or do I need some other type of interface??

Example straight into soundcard:  http://www.soundclick.com/player/single_player.cfm?songid=6775767&q=hi&newref=1

That is what I did for several yrs and it worked OK ............ but NOT for overdriven sounds. I could do clean or slight OD but that was it.   I use an EMU pretracker now and it allows me to crank the amp and record a more overdriven tune.

Example with EMU: http://www.soundclick.com/player/single_player.cfm?songid=7988948&q=hi&newref=1

or: http://www.soundclick.com/player/single_player.cfm?songid=7971197&q=hi&newref=1

If you try the soundclicks and a window comes up asking if you want it to close just click "no"

BTW, I am really looking forward to hearing your playing and your amp soundclips.  Don't know about Audacity but on Mixcraft the recording window has a box to check for overdub.

With respect, Tubenit

[JayB]

Reaper is a decent one for 60 dollars. Practically does everything the big boys do.

http://www.reaper.fm/

I'm still stuck on cakewalk sonar since it's beginning. Old habits are hard to kick I guess.

[tubenit]

Speaking of CakeWalk Sonar ..............

The EMU Pretracker comes with about 10 different programs including CalkWalk Sonar:

http://www.emu.com/products/product.asp?product=17511&nav=softwareBundle

So if you're needed a preamp and a recording program, that could be a very inexpensive purchase. My home computer doesn't have DVD capability currently, so I haven't installed CakeWake Sonar yet (which is a DVD download) but plan to.

Tubenit

[Geezer]

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/0202USB/

I found the EMU 0202USB for $99 shipped .....AND it has Mixcraft 4 LE bundled with it!

Looks like just what I need (to my unexperienced eyes)........What'da yawl think?

[Geezer]

Hmmmmm........here's the same interface (same $99), but with:

*Cakewalk SONAR LE,
*Steinberg Cubase LE,
*Ableton Live Lite 4 for E-MU Systems,
*Steinberg WaveLab Lite,
*IK Multimedia Amplitube LE,
*SFX Machine LT,
*E-MU Proteus VX Software Sound Module,

Which is the better deal?
Do I need all that stuff, or should I just go with the Mixcraft??

http://www.samedaymusic.com/product--EMU0202

http://www.zzounds.com/item--EMU0202

[alerich]

Do I need all that stuff, or should I just go with the Mixcraft?

Mixcraft looks suitable. It actually looks like a pretty decent little mutil-track application should you decide to venture forth into full fledged song recording. Honestly, I think most of the available multi-track apps out there are pretty decent. It's just a matter of taste.

To do only what you said before - add a guitar track to a backing track - the mic > adapter > sound card approach will work but I personally think you will get better results if you invest in a small mixer and patch it into your computer via the line in and line out jacks on your sound card. I started with the mic > adapter > sound card method and it was okay but my recording results improved markedly with the mixer. You could probably purchase a small mixer and the necessary cables for around or under $100.

[Geezer]

Well, I went ahead & ordered the 0202USB bundled with the Mixcraft.

I will (hopefully) soon be pumpin' out the soundclips......

Thanks for all the help!

G

[EL34]

That bundle that had all those programs is kind of silly.
Not sure why they want to clog your computer with several different programs when it only takes one to get the job done.
I found out long ago that many of those programs are not very intuitive
I could not even figure out how to do some of the most basic things.
Very frustrating to say the least when all you want to do is start making music.

Mixcraft can do what you need, it's very intuitive and it's very easy to use.

You are going to like how easy mixcraft is to use and there are several users here that can lend a hand if needed.

[EL34]

Hey Geezer, ( and other Mixcraft users)
I am working on a Mixcraft foot controller right now.
Pretty cool, you can do overdubs using foot switches instad of using the keyboard and a mouse.

More info later

[Geezer]

Sounds cool!

I'm still waiting for my interface & software to arrive.....should be today, then hopefully start "learning the curve" this weekend.

G