Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hey guys, I know this probly isn't the right place for this, but oh well Im sure you guys dont mind.

Im looking into getting some recording software. I was thinking Logic Express but people seem to be telling me Cubase or Pro Tools. So I was just wondering what you guys use.

Also if i get the software im gonna need a interface. Probly something that well allow me to record up to 4-8 at a time. Using firewire. I dont know much about this subject either lol.

Thanks guys.

Get Pro Tools. Any version you can afford.

If you use a MAC, Digital Performer is also quite good. But Pro Tools is usually the top choice for most people. It depends on what type of recording you plan to do. If you want to be micing stuff into the computer, then Pro Tools or Sigital Performer are great. Cubase works for this, but it is better suited for MIDI type things. You'll want to get something like the MOTU 2408 Mk. 3 to interface with the computer, and you'll also want a mixer of some sort to be able to route signals.

I use Logic Pro, which since you are a student you can get half off from apple.com. For a firewire interface I tried out the M-Audio Project Mix (interface and mixer with motorized faders) and it was pretty good.

If you have a Mac, Garage Band comes bundled with it. I know some folks are going to flame me, but you can do some fine recording with it for low bux.

I agree Scott. It's a fantastic program. I still use it sometimes. It's just too easy.

Plus - Nine Inch Nails is a fan of the program and released a couple of their singles as garageband files for fans to play around with and listen to.

See I was really learning to Logic Express, Express because well, I dont have the money or the need to go all out and get Logic pro. Plus I like it that, If I do want to upgrade, I can just buy the upgrade and theres no wasted software or money. After watchig their little demonstration video. As well as the fact that I love all my other Apple software.

Bassically what Im wanting is to be able to record 4-8 tracks at once on my lappy. Which you can't record more then one at once w/ garage band I believe. So an upgrade is needed. I just want to be able to take what I got and maybe make something close to demo level (if i get pretty good w/ the software).

Ill look up more about pro tools sense it seems to be on everyones mind. As well as digital performer.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Focusrite-Saffire-FireWire-Audio-Interface-?sku=245020

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Edirol-FA101-FireWire-Audio-Capture-Interface?sku=705369

Those are the main two interfaces I was looking at. Then again I dont know much about them. I didn't figure I needed a mixing board b/c theres one within the program. Altho it would be nice to have one. Is there any way to go back and get one later that'll work w/ the interface I get now. Im trying to watch my cash amount.

Thanks for all the help again guys.

"Plus - Nine Inch Nails is a fan of the program and released a couple of their singles as garageband files for fans to play around with and listen to." - AT

That sounds great. I'd love to play around with that and add some of my patented chainsawesque Ric bass to it.

Scott - Check it out. It was a while back but you should be able to dig and find the files on their homepage: http://www.macworld.com/news/2005/04/15/thehandthatfeeds/index.php.

Jacob - If you are using your student discount I don't think any of Apple's programs are upgradeable. I think that's the drawback (get the student price but have to buy the full versions the higher you go). I don't think it's a problem to record 4-8 at once on GB.

I didn't think it was possible to record more then one track w/ garage band, then again I have never try'd cus i dont have a interface or any such thing.

The student discounts are for college students. Still a senior. So I wont be in college till next year. From the looks of it Logic Express is pretty awesome anyways. Plus if I change my mind later, I can buy the upgrade and it works out to about the same price. So I think it'll work and its not to crazy priced.

So is it like possible to use
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Mackie-1402VLZ-PRO-Compact-Mixer?sku=634221
and
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Focusrite-Saffire-FireWire-Audio-Interface-?sku=245020
Together? Run the mixer into the interface or whatever.

I have no clue how any of this works. Iv never done anything more then just plug my bass into an amp and play.

Thanks Alisha. This'll be fun....

Jacob, I used a Mackie Onyx 1220 (similar to the 1402VLZ) through an M-Audio Firewire 410 and it worked well. It's very similar to the set-up you just described. BUT - if you run the 8 inputs of the board into the 2 inputs of the interface your software will only recognize the two inputs (i.e. all of your instruments will be lumped into a channel 1 or channel 2 input and cannot be broken down individually).

Another site that offers a discount include www.studica.com (including high school students).

With Mackie's Onyx mixers you can get the optional firewire card which gives you an all-in-one mixer and interface and you can use any recording software. That solves the problem above and you can control the 8 channels independently.

Thats kool. Ill have to look into it. Chips gonna help me out next week and give me some lessons on this subject. Maybe I can come to make some sense of it haha.

I think im gonna go with Logic. I think im just more comfortable with it. Being how much I love everything else to do with my mac. Doesn't seem like Logic is very low on the list of the good ones anyways.

Thanks for all the help once again.

For a low budget approach, I use an old Fostex 4 track recorder a s a mixer & run the outs into my sound card input & through Cubase.
It's decent for demo type stuff.

Thats kool, thanks for the advice.
I got alot of research to do it seems.