SW suggestions for recording & looping

[TexasT]

I want to record Vocals, Electric + Acoustic Guitar, and then Keyboard (bass) & drum machine.

Looking for good quality/affordable PC software system to record each individual tracks (myself) and to loop to mull over ideas.

Any ideas are greatly appreciated.
(Haven't bought anything yet so open to suggestions abotu PC based recording system.
Thanks

[TimOBrien]

How about a cheap solution?

I'm using ACID Music 2.0 (about $10-$30) for loops. Great for altering the tempo of drums without changing the pitch. You can also do basic recording and sequencing in it.

I'm using N-Track Studio - www.n-track.com ($39) for sequencing. Unlimited audio and MIDI tracks, VST and DirectX plugin support, automation and features like packages 10 times the price. Easy to use. There is a free demo and manual on the website.

For drums I'm using a combination of the abovementioned ACID and FruityLoops - www.fruityloops.com ($49) an excellent software drum machine that can use any recorded samples of real or electronic drums.


The above solutions are a great start that won't break your wallet and you can spend the money you save on things like mics and cables and other toys.

[dnmayn]

I agree with Tim.
Acid is a great way to go for looping and you cab record your own
instruments, vocals directly into it as well. There are a lot of pre-made loops on the market or get crazy and make your own!
I have made some real nice compositions of pre-made loops with
my original stuff over them.
If you have a few more bucks to spend Cakewalks Sonar rocks!
It does the same stuff but with waaay more elegance and ease.

[MuZiKUnHeRd]

I definitely agree! ACID Pro 3.0 is what i use to make loops and quick sequencing of drum tracks. Does simple sampling via .wav converter. It's a very nice and easy to use program... These guys are the best on real time tempo changes. They've got that system worked out to a science, patents and all. If you want quick drum tracks and loops definitely go for ACID. You could even make an entire beat in ACID. The only thing is it's limited in FX that you can use. 3 on one project is the max. Of course you can bounce the track down and record the track with the effect on it. Of course their there's no turning back. Now of course you can save before you do that but that brings a host of other problems down the line. But all in all, it's a great program and i think every PC owner should own this program or something like it!

[AcousticPro]

Wow. Acid is a very good program, but I think it's been pointed out here that it is best at doing loop and drum related manipulation. If you want to get into recording vocals and other instruments you need something that does a good job of letting you make your music without a bunch of messing around with files. There are several computer programs that do this, but it may be worth looking into a hardware piece. Many people miss the "how" to doing music and get gripped by the "what". How you work depends somewhat on what you are doing and greatly on your individual style. Just because DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) land is popular doesn't mean it's right for everyone. I don't need to bring up the age old jumping over bridges analogy. If you want someone to sit down and take the time to help you sort out your specific needs and save you some headaches then give me a call or shoot me a private message.

[Atterion]

I use Logic Platinum 4.7 and Acid Pro 3.0. Acid does fine on its own. It supports MIDI as well (to an extent anyways...Enter Emagic for superior MIDI). Both of these programs live up to there dollar value. Acid and Logic Audio both come in all sorts of sizes and flavors too.