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right now I'm using cool edit pro its cool but what is a better and easyer program i should get I'm new I'm usng a 4 channel mixer i just need some advise i want a program were i can record a already good sound but can mix it better and add preamps or should i stick with what i have and just use it anyone have any advise

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Codemonkey Tue, 05/19/2009 - 19:59

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[="http://recording.org/ftopict-49996.html"]in case you missed it the first time[/]="http://recording.or…"]in case you missed it the first time[/]

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[[url=http://="http://recording.or…"]If you care to read it you should see that [/]="http://recording.or…"]If you care to read it you should see that [/]

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[[url=http://[/URL]="http://recording.or…"]this topic has been covered and plenty of suggestions have already been made[/]="http://recording.or…"]this topic has been covered and plenty of suggestions have already been made[/]

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FWIW I'm not in school either but I find it helps to speak correctly. Imagine if I bust out the weegie patter on yous aw yed be total baffelt ah mean wut am ah oan aboot ya forinners

See what a difference it makes using proper sentences? Even makes you sound older and more mature.

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^^

TheJackAttack Sat, 02/12/2011 - 22:00

We upgraded the forum software twice since then. If I remembered which thread Code linked to I would fix it but I don't. This topic comes up about once a week so if you use the search engine you will find lots of threads. The short answer is that all the full featured DAW programs have a learning curve. The "easy to learn" stuff tends to be limited so very few folks learn parallel paths unless it's required. Reaper is cheap and fabulous for multi tracking. The pdf manual is superb and it is the lowest load on a computer. If you are a Mac then Garage Band is the cheapest way to get started since it is already on your computer. All the other major players are about the same and it will depend on what kind of workflow you are comfortable with.

Mudman Sat, 02/12/2011 - 22:11

Thanks Jack, much appreciated! I found this thread through search and you're right, quite a few threads, but your post above was very helpful. To be honest, before joining this forum I only knew of two software brands, Pro Tools and Cakewalk. I was a bit bowled over to learn there are so many! I'm also starting from scratch in putting together all the hardware (not counting computers)...am I correct in assuming that any software will work with any hardware?

TheJackAttack Sat, 02/12/2011 - 22:45

Cubase, Nuendo (very high end), Logic, Sonar, Sony Vegas has wonderful video implementation, Adobe Audition, Studio Live, and I would include Reaper even if it doesn't have a file editor. There are many others that are more specific for application like Ableton Live etc, but stick with a full featured program. Many engineers use a couple of programs one of which might be PT so keep that in mind as well. As a relative beginner I would stick with a single program for a while.

RemyRAD Sun, 02/13/2011 - 00:19

Here is a cost effective suggestion.

Purchase yourself one of those approximately $500 8 input computer interfaces. You have many to choose from in that price range. Then purchase yourself one of the Avid/Digi M box micro or, mini. The 8 track interface will come bundled with some lovely multitrack software. The micro/mini will come with ProTools 8. This will allow you the most power & flexibility you could possibly hope for. You won't need to purchase any additional plug-ins until much later in the game.

The alternative multitrack interface will allow you to cut simultaneous tracks along with the mini providing a ninth input, also into the bundled software of the multitrack interface provided it has ASIO support. This will allow monsterful capabilities. Just know that there generally isn't a 1 stop software package that we are exclusive to. The one as there isn't a one-stop software package that does everything we want it to yet.

Audition/Vegas/ProTools user
Mx. Remy Ann David

TheJackAttack Sun, 02/13/2011 - 11:18

A mixer is only important for live work.

Your interface records as many individual channels as you purchased (on the interface itself) into multitrack software of your choice. An MBox3 will get you four tracks total. An RME Fireface 800 will get you 10 analog inputs, 2 spdif inputs, 16 ADAT Toslink inputs. Of course in the latter you only have the four onboard mic preamps and you have to have outboard gear to feed the rest. In the case of the MBox it has two mic preamps and two line inputs to be fed by outboard.

Now, you can record one or two channels at a time and stack up as many channels as you want to muddy the waters with. It doesn't have to be all at once. And, some mixers can also do dual duty as an interface. The cheap USB mixers do not as they will only grab the main fader and not individual channels.

First step. Decide how many simultaneous inputs you really need. Then decide if you have to have a mixer as the interface (if you do you can't probably beat the Studio Live). Now worry about what software you need. As Remy has said, there is NO one stop program to fit all persons.

TheJackAttack Sun, 02/13/2011 - 19:02

Find an 8 channel firewire or PCIe interface. Read about product service/support before you purchase. The idea is to use the software that is most compatible with your workflow. If that happens to be PT, then great. If that happens to be something else, great. Remy mentioned the MBox mini (and it's "complimentary" PT 8 LE) simply because most noobs are enraptured with the idee fixe of ProTools.

Mudman Sun, 02/13/2011 - 19:16

I see. So if I wanted to save a buck (and who doesn't?) I could do without the mini altogether (and PT) and just use the software that comes with the interface, or whatever other software I may decide to buy. If down the road I discover there's something PT does that I need and my software can't do...time to click on avid.com!

TheJackAttack Sun, 02/13/2011 - 19:50

Affirmative. Some really like PT and then you would be looking at a Digi 003 for instance. That has 8 analog inputs and 8 digital inputs via ADAT Toslink. Otherwise there a quite a few interfaces in that price range or a little bit more. RME Fireface 800, TC Electronic Konnekt 48, MoTU 896 MkIII, etc. That's just a smattering of firewire. If you had a desktop computer I'd probably steer you towards RME or MoTU. Make sure you have a good secondary hard drive. Glyph is what we generally recommend around here and what you'll find in many large studios.

anonymous Tue, 04/26/2011 - 01:15

Vellshank, post: 281319 wrote: right now im using cool edit pro its cool but what is a better and easyer program i should get im new im usng a 4 channel mixer i just need some advise i want a program were i can record a already good sound but can mix it better and add preamps or should i stick with what i have and just use it anyone have any advise

I think Adobe audition CS5.5 is the the best software that delivers the professional tools you need to make your video and audio productions sound their best. Handle a wide range of audio production tasks efficiently, including recording, mixing, and sound restoration.