OT: Some cool recording software I found

[adouglas]

This isn't an ad or anything, since I have no vested interest. But I've been really happy with some new DAW software I found and I thought it might be of interest to some of you.

Mods, if this is too far OT go ahead and blow it away, or slap my wrist and I'll do it.

DAW software (Digital Audio Workstation), for those who do not know, is what you use to do multitrack recording these days. There are many, many programs out there....Cubase, Logic, ProTools, Garage Band, etc. etc. etc. Most of it is very difficult to learn and it can be really cantankerous.

This new app is uncrippled shareware and is remarkably easy and intuitive. I don't really know if I'm having so much success because it really is much easier than Cubase (what I'd been using before) or if it's because I've already gotten past the initial spike in the learning curve. Probably a bit of both.

It's cheap, efficient and very compact (installer is only 3.1 meg, and it can even be run from a thumb drive).

Anyway, for those who are interested, it's called Reaper. REAPER | About .

PC only at this point, but they promise a Mac version in Q1 08. Once that's out I'll buy the license.

I used it to re-master some tracks with good results, which can be heard on my band's MySpace page (link is in my sig).

 

[jaylegroove]

Thanks for that info !

Well, when I was a baby I accidentally fell into the DAW magic potion pot, and I guess that's why I never found Cubase or ProTools difficult to approach. But what is great here, at least to me, is the size of the installer (only 3 Mb).

The downside is : no Mac version yet ... but I take the bookmark to stay updated.

Thanks again,
Jean

 

[oli@bass]

BTW, I just upgraded to the new Logic Studio... and it is a huge step forward regarding usability! So, all those who looked at previous versions of Logic and found it to be somewhere in between challenging, arcane, obtuse and creatively hostile -- take another look. You might like it better now.

 

[kayneex]

+1 with Oli, and this is a word from a diehard Protools stuntman..yup, cool indeed it is..

 

[phatduckk]

cubase and protool confuse the hell out of me. granted in not a very avid user of recoding software so im by no means well versed in these products.

for me garageband has been a nice, simple and cheap tool. if this app had a mac version i would give it a shot.

eventually if i start recording at home more ill be looking into Logic due to the good things i keep hearing about the usability

 

[Slingy]

Reaper is a great, it was free up to version .99 that you can still download it. It was developed by the creator of winamp and he regularly adds updates based on user requests. It's got quite a following as a full featured low price app. I use it for some stuff.

 

[lomky]

I participate on alot of the "pro" recording forums, and many sing praises for Reaper, with excellent sidechaining and workflow at this price it's hard to beat. Unfortunately I'm a mac guy, so I use Cubase/Nuendo.

 

[stretch80]

thanks for the tip! I'm going to give it a try..

 

[Psycho Ward]

I was a Cubase man for many years; I was always upgrading, adding new plug-ins, buying faster and faster computers. I had computers just to run virtual instruments, one for recording and mastering. Dongles everywhere and every MIDI gizmo there was.

Then, I bought a bass. I haven’t fired that high tech stuff up in years; heck I doubt I could remember how. The bass guitar has given more peace of mind than I’ve had in years. I still play keys and wind controller more than bass, but I’ve simplified my setup there as well. The bass has changed me.

That said, Reaper looks like a program that I could use. I found that I didn’t need 99% of the features Cubase had.

 

[Alvabass]

Reaper and Tracktion seem to receive the most positive reviews these days. Have any of you guys/gals compared them?

 

[beej]

Reaper rocks.

I've been using it for quite a while- it's lightweight and great for most applications. Uses just about any FX plugin so you can use your favourites.