Audacity recording program

[NoHall]

Has anyone out there used it? I'm setting up a recording studio for my students and would like to know what to expect. I hear that it's similar to Garage Band, but I haven't done much with that, either.

Any relevant comments from the peanut gallery are welcomed.

 

[barefootguy]

I've only used it for pitch correction, or for changing what key the song is in without changing the tempo. I've heard nothing but good things about it.

 

[rdelong43065]

Ehh, it's OK I guess. It's good for converting various audio formats. As far as a multi-track recorder, well let's say its free at least. Garage Band is still much better with the included instruments, beats and effects. Remember that you should also have some sort of audio interface. This will enable you to get a higher quality of sound in and out.

 

[NoHall]

Ehh, it's OK I guess. It's good for converting various audio formats. As far as a multi-track recorder, well let's say its free at least. Garage Band is still much better with the included instruments, beats and effects. Remember that you should also have some sort of audio interface. This will enable you to get a higher quality of sound in and out.

Dumb question: What do you mean by audio interface?

As for the instruments that are included, we'll be using live instruments, live drums, etc.

Is it pretty easy to use?

 

[wrobert]

Ehh, it's OK I guess. It's good for converting various audio formats. As far as a multi-track recorder, well let's say its free at least. Garage Band is still much better with the included instruments, beats and effects. Remember that you should also have some sort of audio interface. This will enable you to get a higher quality of sound in and out.

I am just starting to research this sort of thing. My son wants to be able to digitally record music, play around with it, and then burn it to CD or play it back. And also wants to manipulate music to play along with. Is Garage Band the type of software I need to be looking into?

 

[Will B]

Look at a program called Sonar (I believe). If you have some $$ to spend you can look at the different versions of Pro Tools...

 

[wrobert]

Look at a program called Sonar (I believe). If you have some $$ to spend you can look at the different versions of Pro Tools...

I am poor. I have no money. But since it is for the boy child I will seek further employment to encourage his musical attributes.

 

[wrobert]

Have you ever tried Music Creator 4? It looks like it might do what he wants.


Garageband is out. That is made by Apple. And since it has to do with music I am sure at some point it will want to put Itunes on my computer. And since the Itunes end user agreement will not let me use the software to develop, design, manufacture, or produce anything that has to do with nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons I can not agree to it. So I will just have to pass on that one.

Sonar took me to Cakewalk.com which is where I found Music Creator 4.

 

[NoHall]

Audacity is free...

SC, rdelong mentioned ProTools also, but we're talking about high school kids. ProTools is not only expensive, it's complicated. Either of those would have been a deal-breaker for my program. I'm using this as a support program, and teaching ProTools would require a lot of class time.

I'm still waiting on the microphone to come in to use with Audacity at school, so I haven't had time to play with it. That's why I was asking. (WRobert--that's the only thing about Audacity that isn't free. You have to have a USB mic. I ordered this one for about $100, but I've seen them as low as $70.)

Thanks for all your input. Hopefully I'll know more by the end of the week.

 

[wrobert]

Audacity is free...

SC, rdelong mentioned ProTools also, but we're talking about high school kids. ProTools is not only expensive, it's complicated. Either of those would have been a deal-breaker for my program. I'm using this as a support program, and teaching ProTools would require a lot of class time.

I'm still waiting on the microphone to come in to use with Audacity at school, so I haven't had time to play with it. That's why I was asking. (WRobert--that's the only thing about Audacity that isn't free. You have to have a USB mic. I ordered this one for about $100, but I've seen them as low as $70.)

Thanks for all your input. Hopefully I'll know more by the end of the week.

I can download Music Creator 4 off the website and it is only $35. Has a trial if I am remembering correctly so I am probably going to give it a try. Got to get him a new video card first. It was a really stupid idea to put fans on video cards, imho. He keeps the video games and music so loud in his room he missed the clue that it was failing until it was fried.