https://guitarnoise.forum/in-the-studio-in-the-studio/which-music-software-to-choose/ Guitar Noise Discussion Board en-US Thu, 04 Jun 2026 05:14:36 +0000 wpForo 60 https://guitarnoise.forum/in-the-studio-in-the-studio/which-music-software-to-choose/paged/2/#post-311642 Sun, 19 Oct 2008 14:14:35 +0000
I did end up upgrading my out of date version of Cubase LE to Cubebase Essential 4, which is has everything that I need on the recording side of things, but for way less money than the full versions. I also upgraded the free version of Finale Notepad to Finale Print Music. This was also comparatively cheap but does everything that I need for writing both standard and drum notation, generating midi files etc. One handy aspect is being able to use 4 separate layers on one staff - good for writing a drum track where the kick drum, snare and high hat may be asked to play different note lengths on the same beat. It also sounds better than Notepad. I tried to get Band in a Box, but there were no copies available locally, and while I was waiting for someone to restock I changed direction....

I decided that, after 20 year of DOS and Windows style computers it was time to try out a Mac. The iMac came bundled with Garage Band, which is quick to get the hang of. A guy that I get some lessons from also has GB, so he can use his setup to add backing tracks to my projects. I use a thumb drive to transfer it around and can either just use his version, or attempt to copy it with my own playing.

The last piece was a Zoom H4 which doubles as a handheld recording device with a pair of condenser mics, or can be used as a USB audio interface, complete with built in effects if needed.

Now it's time to stop Gassing over gear, and hanging round music shops, and get on with doing the work..... :wink: So if I'm suspiciously silent for a few months, put it down to embarrassment at the results.... :oops:

Cheers,

Chris]]> In The Studio Chris C https://guitarnoise.forum/in-the-studio-in-the-studio/which-music-software-to-choose/paged/2/#post-311642 https://guitarnoise.forum/in-the-studio-in-the-studio/which-music-software-to-choose/paged/2/#post-311611 Sat, 18 Oct 2008 17:55:27 +0000
http://www.cakewalk.com/Support/kb/kb20061101.asp

Oh and don't forget Reaper now that is one piece of software that keeps getting better and better.

Good luck,

Gerry]]> In The Studio Gerry https://guitarnoise.forum/in-the-studio-in-the-studio/which-music-software-to-choose/paged/2/#post-311611 https://guitarnoise.forum/in-the-studio-in-the-studio/which-music-software-to-choose/paged/2/#post-307676 Wed, 03 Sep 2008 03:16:36 +0000

I would agree that while you are on a learning curve, it's probably not a great idea to spend a bundle of money. I personally think Cubase is the most intuitive of the lot and even the light versions are still very capable despite their limitations. One thing to note with Cubase LE ... you only have two VST slots so careful before you spend! For your needs I would recommend something like Halion because it's reliable and you will find plenty of decent and usable sample sets for free that will load into it. But even that I wouldn't rush into. Thanks for the input Lee. I think you've nailed it there. This exercise has cleared the fog a bit, and allowed me to get more of an idea about which are the important bits of the chain, and which aren't. I've now got a much better idea of how to work with what I've got.

I've already got a couple of free VST plug-ins - 4Front Bass and 4Front Piano, which I saw recommended somewhere - and they seem pretty good. Certainly good enough for me to learn with, try it all out, etc. I'll check out the Sampletank one too, so thanks for that.



Today is my weekly singing lesson. It's the 4th so far, and we spent the first 3 mostly stuffing around with hardware and software. The guy attempting to teach me has a great a little studio setup with a Mac running Protools, a HUGE screen to display it all on, and a nice little mixer thing to control it all with (the Digidesign 003 setup). It all makes my eyes light up with childish envy when I see it all.... BUT.... he was obviously having some kind of glitch with it all, and it's obviously not totally compatible with what I use either. So much grumbling and muttering has gone on. :mrgreen:

On the first week we didn't manage to get the proposed backing track onto a CD, so I went home, took a couple of minutes to write out the melody line and a couple of chords (using the free Finale Notepad) made a rinky-dink little midi, and sang to that. It worked just fine for the job at hand.

The second week also featured a lot of stuffing about, but I did come away with a great backing track (as a Wav) on my thumb drive. I sang along as a duet with him all week, green with envy at his playing and singing talent. The third week we split it up and I came home with his voice panned to one side of a stereo mix, and the guitar on the other. I was able to split that into two separate tracks so that I could practice singing solo. But somewhere along the way we had lost the original click track. :( Wipe-out.... I then had absolutely no idea when to come in, and kept losing track of the timing.... :shock: But that's not going to be solved by my buying more fancy gear, I need to learn how to improve my own timing, and also how to line up a fresh click with his file. I'll get there.... :)

I think the message is clear now. Get over the fantasy of copying his studio gear, and get on with the real job which is learning to copy his talent and knowledge. Thanks to everybody for for all the patient help.

Cheers,

Chris]]> In The Studio Chris C https://guitarnoise.forum/in-the-studio-in-the-studio/which-music-software-to-choose/paged/2/#post-307676 https://guitarnoise.forum/in-the-studio-in-the-studio/which-music-software-to-choose/paged/2/#post-307670 Wed, 03 Sep 2008 02:04:08 +0000
I would agree that while you are on a learning curve, it's probably not a great idea to spend a bundle of money. I personally think Cubase is the most intuitive of the lot and even the light versions are still very capable despite their limitations. One thing to note with Cubase LE ... you only have two VST slots so careful before you spend! For your needs I would recommend something like Halion because it's reliable and you will find plenty of decent and usable sample sets for free that will load into it. But even that I wouldn't rush into.

In the meantime, grab the free Sampletank plugin at http://www.sampletank.com/Main.html?STFreeDwn this will give you a basic set of drums, bass and piano etc to spend some time getting used to it all and only using one VST slot. The samples aren't great but they are a hell of a lot better than what you'll get from your sound card with the benefit of giving you time to get your head around it all without spending a penny.]]> In The Studio Lee N https://guitarnoise.forum/in-the-studio-in-the-studio/which-music-software-to-choose/paged/2/#post-307670 https://guitarnoise.forum/in-the-studio-in-the-studio/which-music-software-to-choose/paged/2/#post-307594 Tue, 02 Sep 2008 16:41:07 +0000 In The Studio Ignar Hillström https://guitarnoise.forum/in-the-studio-in-the-studio/which-music-software-to-choose/paged/2/#post-307594 https://guitarnoise.forum/in-the-studio-in-the-studio/which-music-software-to-choose/paged/2/#post-307593 Tue, 02 Sep 2008 16:33:14 +0000
Thanks for the link to the drum demo, which sounded great. I'll check that program out too.

Interesting to hear about your experience with the Alesis. I noticed that on the Harmony Central review site most of the posters were enthusiastic about the Zoom unit, with a few minor quibbles. However, there were 2 or 3 who served up a zero score rant because it failed either immediately or soon after purchase. It's tempting to dismiss an isolated rant, but this is looking like it might be something more than just a one off bit of bad luck. Thanks for passing that on.

To be honest, I think that the USB mixer is probably a piece of un-necessary foolishness on my part, that I don't really need. When the music allocation bank account creeps up a bit I'm prone to bad attacks of G.A.S. and this is beginning to look more like a vanity toy than something that I actually need right now. With a bit of luck I'll have calmed down by the end of the week, and just go out and buy some of the software that's been suggested, and get on with the business of learning how to use that properly. :wink:

Thank you very much for all the input. You've all been most helpful, and I think that the light is beginning to dawn now... The time to look for grander bits of hardware should be AFTER I've mastered the software (not to mention making some major improvements in my instrument playing and song writing/arranging skills as well...). Interesting times ahead. :note1: :note2: :note1: :)

Cheers,

Chris]]> In The Studio Chris C https://guitarnoise.forum/in-the-studio-in-the-studio/which-music-software-to-choose/paged/2/#post-307593 https://guitarnoise.forum/in-the-studio-in-the-studio/which-music-software-to-choose/paged/2/#post-307580 Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:51:27 +0000 Here is a demo I did in about 15 minutes the first day I had it installed.

On the USB mixer, I haven't heard many good things about the durability of USB devices like that. I have an Alesis USB mixer and the USB quit working after 3 or 4 months. The mixer part works fine and I still use it, but I bought a cheap $30 external USB soundcard with the thought that if it goes out, it's much cheaper to replace than the $200+ mixer.]]> In The Studio jwmartin https://guitarnoise.forum/in-the-studio-in-the-studio/which-music-software-to-choose/paged/2/#post-307580 https://guitarnoise.forum/in-the-studio-in-the-studio/which-music-software-to-choose/#post-307559 Tue, 02 Sep 2008 05:59:25 +0000 http://www.artproaudio.com/products.asp?type=79&cat=1&id=124). If you also plan to record electric guitar, get a Line6 Toneport (http://line6.com/toneportux2/) instead. Both will run a little bit over the $100 and deliver great sound. By the time you've sold your house for a full-fledged studio you'll probably want to upgrade them but until then those two options will do all you need. Thanks very much for the great list of info about the virtual instruments. I've bookmarked it and will work through the links.

The answer to your questions about how I'll be using the audio interface and other aspects is a bit harder. Currently I have a perilously small amount of knowledge and a very large pool of ignorance when it comes to recording. Ditto for playing ability. I also have a modest pool of money, carefully saved for the purpose of upgrading the gear, coupled with a childish enthusiasm for new toys. All round it's a dangerous combination. :shock:

What I THINK that I'd like to do is have a setup that will allow the following:

1. Piano etc. Leave my Yamaha keyboard permanently plugged in and use it to provide either midi input or audio, depending on what I find out as I go along. I don't actually know yet what advantages, limitations, preferences etc will firm up as I go, so I'd like to keep as many options open as possible.

2. Drumming. I already have several different options for the drums. I can 'drum' on the keyboard, either using it as a controller, or using its own drum sounds. Or I could use the drum machine in the recorder, various software options or even a real drum set. I'd like to do some drumming myself, but after a few lessons I know that it will take a fair while to get my fitness and skill levels good enough. So one option is to program in a bass drum and just do the hand work. Or record each element separately, or.... the options go on and on (much like me.. :roll: )

2. Guitar and voice. Plug in one or more guitars and a vocal mic (maybe more?). On my own, two inputs would be enough, and I could plug and unplug to suit. But leaving a few things connected is appealing, and so is trying recording with other players at the same time (not right now, but it's certainly possible as I do play with others regularly now).

3. Do the same thing in different ways. E.g. write something using midi. Learn how to flesh it all out, still using midi. Then try replacing bits of it with live playing. Experiment with playing something all the way through and/or playing it bit by bit and then stitching it together.

The bottom line is that I don't have a single task or project in mind. It's a hobby for me, not a prospective career. So the learning itself IS the project. To out it another way, the only real goal is the journey itself. It's not about plug A into B, apply patch C and play D and out comes the pre-planned end product X. Nobody is awaiting my album or watching the studio cost clock. It's mostly about the endless fun of finding out what happens if you do this, and then that, but change the other, and then.....

Thanks again for all your generous advice. I've already made a fair bit of progress with your previous suggestion of learning to use the LE version of Cubase that I currently have. It's already been handy for handling backing tracks for the singing lesson that I just began (which so far have mostly been 'screwing about with software' lessons.... but we're getting there...). :)

Cheers,

Chris]]> In The Studio Chris C https://guitarnoise.forum/in-the-studio-in-the-studio/which-music-software-to-choose/#post-307559 https://guitarnoise.forum/in-the-studio-in-the-studio/which-music-software-to-choose/#post-307553 Tue, 02 Sep 2008 05:06:33 +0000 I tell you what I'll do for you, if you send me a chord progression I'll send you back 4 different versions of the same song as MP3s. I'll also include the scores as PDFs. It will take me all of about 15 minutes to do.
Nick, you are a prince among men. :D

I've now downloaded Reaper, as suggested by you and Kingpatzer. I won't take you up on that most generous offer of the demos just yet, but the knowledge that BiaB can do what you describe is in itself very useful. I do have the demo installed still so I just tried out the 4 different versions thing that you suggested, and it worked a treat. Just knowing that it CAN also handle the score side of things fairly well is probably enough for now. It's definitely firming in the betting that I'll get the full version of BiaB even if I do get some of other bits too. It does look like it would be able to teach me a lot as well as being a useful tool AND provide a lot of fun as well. Can't be bad...

Chris]]> In The Studio Chris C https://guitarnoise.forum/in-the-studio-in-the-studio/which-music-software-to-choose/#post-307553 https://guitarnoise.forum/in-the-studio-in-the-studio/which-music-software-to-choose/#post-307545 Tue, 02 Sep 2008 03:54:05 +0000
Oh, one last thing I forgot, once you put your chords in to BIAB, you can decide you want to hear it in many different styles, perhaps you wrote it to sound like a singer/songwriter/folk thing, you could see what it sounds like as country, rock, hard rock, psychedelic 60's, Shania Twain, Toby Keith, Wes Montgomery, Big Band, Jazz, etc. You can even have it do jazz chord substitutions for you. Heck, how about changing it to classical...or polka....or....well you get the drift. It's a lot of fun.

Sorry for the ramble.

I tell you what I'll do for you, if you send me a chord progression I'll send you back 4 different versions of the same song as MP3s. I'll also include the scores as PDFs. It will take me all of about 15 minutes to do.

I thought about it a bit, and BIAB is my sketchbook. I could do finished work with it, including creating harmonies and pitch correction and exporting to MP3s, but I don't really use it for that. I export tracks from BIAB and work on them in Magix Music Studio 14 or Acid Pro. Other times I just use BIAB to flesh out the ideas and then I record from scratch in another program. Reaper would be a fine choice to handle that task.


Good luck.]]> In The Studio Nick Torres https://guitarnoise.forum/in-the-studio-in-the-studio/which-music-software-to-choose/#post-307545