Why do people use Audacity when there are DAW programs? I mean, if you are recording in today's world, aren't we all using some sort of dedicated DAW program that already has audio editing options? or, is this an open source sample editing software? If so, I then get it. but.
I understand the open source interest but not why someone would use open source software with a proven and stable DAW in the first place? This seems quite risky and backwards. If you are serious about recording, personally I wouldn't think about even installing any open source software into my tuned recording system and if I was was interested in sample editing software, I would take sound design to a more serious level and actually get something like the Emulator X3.
30 years ago when there wasn't sample libraries, I was big on this and building libraries. I actually has 30 thousand invested in samplers and workstations (but not as over the top as with Frank Zappa and the Synclavier II that cost something like $100,000). Terrible investment. but damn fun at the time!
I find there are so many quality samples out there that don't need to be reinvented, over and over. My experience has led me to identify precise sounds already in the marketplace that are proven and ready for inserting into your music via loops or samples. I don't even waste my time doing this anymore. So much can be accomplished in the DAW environment now. Anything more begins to become plugin clutter and more is less.
Using a DAW to truncate, reverse, bend etc etc etc is so easy within the DAW platform now, just don't get it why we need this?
I'm not putting this down by any-means at this point, I'm just confused and at the same time very curious to discover more on this program and if I am actually missing something. I just love sound design and using samples. I actually have les and less interest in much else. High-end samples are just to cool to ignore. Its hard to get much better control. (em, a deep and fascinating topic that I live in).
I admit to never looking into this software as I have so much to learn already but the current topic on 32-bit floating point, Audacity was brought up so I'm interested in it more and thought a new topic on this would be appropriate.
I'll stop now. Here's this link that I am going to read
Comments
Audacity is a pefectly fine thing for beginners to learn "basic"
Audacity is a pefectly fine thing for beginners to learn "basic" basics on. It's good that it's freely available, because it may help keep more people from downloading pirated software. It may give new users more of an idea what included/missing features to look for if they want to get more serious and spring for higher level stuff.
It's on my Internet computer for quick little edits, MP3-iPod stuff, and other relatively unimportant stuff that I don't want to fire up the other computers for. Keeps the other computers from getting worn out for minor nonsense.
I's free. It's legal. It does pretty much what it's supposed to, even if limited. I think it's a good thing to have available.
Kapt.Krunch
My mum uses Audacity ;-) I set her up with a cheap 'Joe Meek' S
My mum uses Audacity ;-)
I set her up with a cheap 'Joe Meek' SDC I picked up on ebay, so she can easily record anything in her study, and she can multitrack herself to help teach harmony parts to choirs. She really likes it: it does everything she needs without overwhelming her with extra complications.
I could also imagine it being useful for pod casting, or for assembling a radio show, recording audio books etc. Sometimes less is more!
There is no advantage to Audacity for anyone serious about recor
There is no advantage to Audacity for anyone serious about recording. It is essentially a beefed up version of the microsoft recorder that comes in the OS. It is open source and it is free. It is also extremely limited compared to a full DAW.
I think that limitation and simplicity is one of the things however that attracts a novice that is maybe only interested in transferring audio formats (ie. records to CD through one of those usb turntables or handheld video to DVD). People get scared when you say DAW.