Home recording setup help

[3chordcharlie]

Have laptop.

Would like multi-track recording and mixing software. Usable drum synthetic would be a bonus here.

Would consider spending a little for better sound input than my builtin soundcard.

 

[NL5]

Reaper.

 

[Mixolydian]

Any modern DAW will work. Most of them cost hundreds however. Off the top of my head: Pro Tools, Logic, Reason, Digital Performer, Live.

 

[3chordcharlie]

It kind of looks a lot like the half dozen I already downloaded/demoed/checked out.

So whis is this one better?

 

[Cerpin Taxt]

www.ubuntustudio.org ?

 

[Platypus]

Most decent interfaces can be gotten into for around 200 bucks (24bit / 96kHz preferred).

Some even come with a 'light' version of a real DAW like Pro Tools or DP or Abelton Live, etc. I use Logic personally but it's not cheap and runs on OSX.

It depends on how good you need it to be I guess. If you're just playing around you might try throwing Linux on your laptop and running http://ardour.org/

I would recommend getting a good budget interface though, the quality difference is worth the relatively low cost of entry.

 

[3chordcharlie]

This is purely for home hobby use, so I can see spending up to $100.

I'm sure I can get better software for more money, but can't really justify doing so.

 

[Soundmanred]

Get ur dad buy Q6600 SSD DAW 32GB RAM Windows Vista silky smooth Aero DAW!

 

[NL5]

I'm sure I can get better software for more money, but can't really justify doing so.

Again, Reaper. http://www.reaper.fm/

I run Cubase, but if I had to do it over again, I would have gone with Reaper. It's basically free. I think they ask tat you pay $40 eventually, but it's never required AFAIK.

Pro Tools sucks, unless you get the full blown one, and it's hella-expensive.

 

[3chordcharlie]

Alright installed and recorded 2 guitars and a vocal track. It seems pretty usable for sure.

Now how do I get a decent SNR into a laptop?

Anyone using 2in2out or mini-mixer to USB?