Best Multi-Track Recording Software For Newbies, Simple, effective, inexpensive, for OS X Options

[Dadoo]

Well, here's the update on my experience thus far. I downloaded Tracktion (demo) and have found the time to record a short little instrumental piece with an acoustic, electric, and bass. I was able to add effects to the tracks that I wanted and was able to easily adjust the volume of each of the 3 tracks to levels that were complimentary. I was surprised at how quickly a newbie like myself could does this stuff. I have a ton to learn still but so far Tracktion makes it easy. I even learned how to connect my old Yamaha keyboard to my Audiophile USB interface, load a midi file into Tracktion and have it played for my on my keyboard. Probably old hat for many of you, but to me .... amazing!

I did download Intuem (demo) to try it out as well. So far, a big disappointment. Tried to do the midi thing with it and it wouldn't play. It just kept freezing up my computer. And not like just the program freezing up, but its freezing up did it to every other program I tried to open up, so I had to restart my computer (which I rarely have to do in OS 10.2.8). So I'm not impressed with Intuem at all.

[Meneudo]

Heh. Did you set up your preferences in Inteum? It works fine for me in X.3. I only use Inteum when I'm recording piano music that I'm playing, and when my younger brothers want to record some stuff. As far as editing goes, its lacking. But one thing I do like is the actual display of the clefs and time signature (similar to music, easier to read for me).

Other than that, I can't decide whether to register Tracktion or spend the extra $70 (educational discount) for Logic Express. I doubt I'll be trying to sell anything I make, so the educational label doesn't bother me that much. Any suggestions?

[Dadoo]

Yes, I did set the preferences. It still didn't work. I was able to get the midi stuff converted to musical notation, which is nice but the program kept hanging up on me (OS 10.2.8, 512 MB of RAM, iMac 600 MHz)

[editbrain]

has anyone every heard the saying "time is money". what i get from that is. you can spend a little more money and get a quality app like logic express, or you can skimp and get a budget app that you spend more time with lock-ups, crashes, and put lack of features.

happy recording,

editbrain

[fingers]

If you have a G4 iMac try GarageBand - it runs fine on my 667 tibook. I have never tried Tracktion tho but iLife 'O4 is a bargain...


MacIDOL Mac Music Collective

[td3k]

I do have a PA system, would that work as a pre-amp or is it too powerful?

ONLY if it has a "line level" output. DO NOT plug speaker level signal from any PA or amp into the inputs of any digital recording interface.

Now, a mixer (unpowered), is OK

TD

[td3k]

I'm putting my bass and guitar directly into my Audiophile USB interface. Should I be running it through a pre-amp first? If so, what pre-amp works well for computer recording?

For bass, I use SanAmp bass driver, it's an awesome piece of kit. Next to my Stingray, it's the single best piece I've added for recording bass guitar. $200 and worth every penny. They also make SansAmp for guitar as well.

Hope that helps,

TD

[fingers]

They also make SansAmp for guitar as well.

Which i can highly recommend - i have an original one - it's fantastic.

mac music collective

[Righteous Bullet]

fingers by 'original' do you mean the SansAmp classic?

[fingers]

fingers by 'original' do you mean the SansAmp classic?

Well it was just called the Sans Amp when I got it - it probably is the same as the classic version - but i don't know for sure. It sure looks the same to me...

http://www.tech21nyc.com/

You can probably find an original on ebay cheap.

I hope this helps.

Rich

mac music collective