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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Mar 2010
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 264 |
Besides needing to upgrade my 2018 BIAB this December, I'd like some suggestions for some fairly good (and user friendly) home recording software. Preferably UNDER $200.00, if that's possible.
I especially desire that the software include PITCH CORRECT or, if it doesn't, an inexpensive pitch correct add-on suggestion.
TIA
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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You need to specify if this is for Windows or Mac. If Mac, Garage Band. If Windows, try downloading DAW demos to see how you like the workflow. Since you mentioned December, I assume you have a PC.
Cakewalk by BandLab is excellent and is now free (formerly many hundreds of dollars). I’m not sure about pitch modification; I use another utility for that.
And, have you tried RealBand, bundled free with BIAB (Windows version)?
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Hi, I use Reaper to record, arrange, mix and produce my songs. https://www.reaper.fm/A Reaper expert, Kenny Gioia, has heaps of fantastic and very-easy-to-follow videos from 'how to get started' through to 'expert'. http://www.kennymania.com/reaper-videos/Regards, Noel P.S. If you want to have to have a listen to some of my songs, click on the Soundcloud link in my signature below.
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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True. In addition to Cakewalk (formerly SONAR), there are many users of Reaper here. I think that’s also free to download, last time I checked.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 264
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Yes, PC/Windows. Reaper $60 for the license. A great price.  Thanks for the replies. Enough to get me started. cheers
Last edited by rokq22; 08/12/19 05:50 PM.
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 464
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: May 2011
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I like Reaper. There are a couple of things you might want to consider:
You can try Reaper free for as long as you need. They say 30 days but if you hit the Still Evaluating button, it still works. I did that until I was sure.
Reaper doesn't come with instruments (if it does, I haven't found them)so you will need some VST's to play your midi files. If you download Cakewalk (free), you get the TTS-1. It has a decent piano and a couple of basses. For drums, you can use Westwood Drums (think I paid $5) and MT Power Drums (free).
Reaper does have one gigantic advantage for me: I have had only one crash in about 200 hours of work.
Good luck and have fun.
2b
i5-3210 laptop. Win 10 Home. 2.5ghz, 64 bit. 6gb RAM. Focusrite Scarlet 2i2.
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Dec 2003
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What is wrong with RealBand? You already have it and I always said if you don't have a favorite DAW use Realband. Here are some free pitch correction software: https://bedroomproducersblog.com/2011/07/25/bpb-freeware-studio-best-free-pitch-correction-auto-tune-vstau-plugins/Don't ask as I have no experience with any of these. But the price is right and one or more may work for you. Most are for both 32 and 64 bit software. Good luck.
The bumper sticker said "I'm a veterinarian, therefore I can drive like an animal".
Suddenly I realized how many proctologists are on the road.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Expert
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Expert
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In the Mac world its hard to beat Logic Pro X
Its got every feature imaginable and a large user community.
Plenty of YouTube videos to help you get started and challenge you as your skills grow
Its right at the limit of your budget.
You will never need another DAW.
biab2025(Mac) Latest Build
Mac OS (Latest)
Apple Mac Mini M2 pro 32GB Ram
Logic Pro (latest or pretty close)
Heddon Super Spook XT (Mullet)
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What is wrong with RealBand? It is clunky, slow and limited. Plus it has an old GUI. I always suggest starting with a real, modern DAW. They are no harder to learn than RealBand and will take you much further! Reaper is an awesome DAW to start with. Modern and full featured. Easy to learn but tremendous depth if you need it. Large community. Inexpensive/free. Upgraded frequently. Tons of add-ons. Supports all common plugin formats. Great tutorials available.
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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What is wrong with RealBand? It is clunky, slow and limited. Plus it has an old GUI. I always suggest starting with a real, modern DAW. They are no harder to learn than RealBand and will take you much further! Reaper is an awesome DAW to start with. Modern and full featured. Easy to learn but tremendous depth if you need it. Large community. Inexpensive/free. Upgraded frequently. Tons of add-ons. Supports all common plugin formats. Great tutorials available. I agree completely. Plus it is only 32 bit. Note that I do not use RB; I use Studio One Pro but that is not in his price range. As I don't know what his DAW experience level is I suggested using it as it is free. Some people love and use RB. We both are not in that category.
The bumper sticker said "I'm a veterinarian, therefore I can drive like an animal".
Suddenly I realized how many proctologists are on the road.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,333
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,333 |
Besides needing to upgrade my 2018 BIAB this December, I'd like some suggestions for some fairly good (and user friendly) home recording software. Preferably UNDER $200.00, if that's possible. I'll throw out these considerations....all are free: https://www.tracktion.com/products/t7-dawhttps://www.bandlab.com/products/cakewalkhttps://softdepository.com/search/?q=aud...ASAAEgIVC_D_BwENOTE: I've been with Cakewalk since 1994 and have no working experience with Tracktion or Audacity. I know you're just starting out but "user friendly" is very subjective . So, whichever one you choose just give it a chance and accept the initial learning curve protocols. We've all been there with our own (various) DAWs of choice. All of these choices have their place in the recording context....it's a matter of checking them all and determine which GUI/workflow works best for YOU. Happy hunting....
Last edited by chulaivet1966; 08/13/19 12:24 PM.
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,173
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,173 |
I have used Cakewalk Sonar (now Cakewalk by BandLab) for years. More recently I also use Reaper. I tend to use them for different purposes. However, Cakewalk as a free product is brilliant but for manipulating audio Reaper is better and easier IMHO. For editing MIDI Cakewalk is more intuitive. Cakewalk also makes notation fairly simple.
Both Cakewalk and Reaper have all the plugins needed for creating a good mix. (And then some). Cakewalk has good intuitive channel strips in Reaper you need to create your own (there are plenty already set up but you need to add them)
When it comes to instruments there a many good ones out there both free and low cost. Kontakt player comes to mind as a free one. If you get Cakewalk some pointed out you get TTS1 which you should be able to use with BIAB. There are a number of free synths if you are into this.
Learning a DAW is something that can be transferred to other DAWs both Reaper and Cakewalk have heaps of tutorials.
I would recommend subscribing to a Groove 3 (groove3.com) for a while. They have a heap of training videos and books on all aspects of music production from writing a tune to mastering and selling the song. They cover many DAWs, heaps of plugins, how various aspects of audio work... IMHO it is the place to start as many of the DAWs folks here speak about they have covered in great detail (but then which comes first the chicken or the egg).
That’s my two bobs worth. Have fun
Tony
Last edited by Teunis; 08/13/19 12:50 PM.
HP i7-4770 16GB 1TB SSD, Win 10 Home,
Focusrite 2i2 3rd Gen, Launchkey 61, Maton CW80, Telecaster, Ovation Elite TX, Yamaha Pacifica 612
BB 2022(912) RB 2022(2), CakeWalk, Reaper 6, Audacity, Melodyne 5 Editor, Izotope Music Production Suite 4.1
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 264
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OP
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 264 |
I play guitar, but all I need for the rest of my sound is BIAB, no?
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 264
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OP
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 264 |
Thanks.
Hey, I'm clueless and have been out of the recording loop for years (I bought 2018 BIAB but didn't do a thing with it, then my motherboard got fried. Picking up the PC next month).
I'm just trying to catch up before it is too late. (Hell, maybe it's ALREADY too late. I'm 68).
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Mar 2010
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It seems that some here prefer Reaper over RealBand. Must be a reason for that.
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Mar 2010
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Oh my, over 9 years ago and I suck more NOW then I did THEN. (Before BIAB)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUhwf6ttIPwAnd over 11 years ago. Remember 4-track analog recording? (And played back on a karaoke machine). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8BqFSTNfpoSorry, just felt like doing that.
Last edited by rokq22; 08/13/19 02:57 PM.
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,173
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,173 |
Like your guitar playing.
Yep, use BIAB to generate backing tracks. I prefer using Realtracks but others prefer MIDI. Either way is great, but, you need to spend more on BIAB to get Realtracks. IMHO it is worth the extra to get the Realtracks. Then again for good MIDI you need to spend money on good instruments.
Then in BIAB it’s usually just a matter of finding a beat, setting the tempo, entering the chords then exporting the parts. I prefer to edit parts be it MIDI or audio in a DAW where you can cut and paste or slide stuff about (others don’t). I use RealBand where I want to change a bar or so of audio. Use the MultiRiff feature to change how a part is played (but that comes later).
I generate the backing tracks. Then “on stage” I use the backing tracks and put my guitar through an amp sim (TH3) into the PC where I can balance the guitar to the backing. I use a Behringer FCB1010 MIDI Foot Controller to control rig setups, stomp boxes, volume etc in the amp sim. All then goes into a PA along with my vocals. All quite simple and I think nice.
Tony
Last edited by Teunis; 08/13/19 03:24 PM.
HP i7-4770 16GB 1TB SSD, Win 10 Home,
Focusrite 2i2 3rd Gen, Launchkey 61, Maton CW80, Telecaster, Ovation Elite TX, Yamaha Pacifica 612
BB 2022(912) RB 2022(2), CakeWalk, Reaper 6, Audacity, Melodyne 5 Editor, Izotope Music Production Suite 4.1
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 464
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 464 |
I liked Real Band because of its simplicity. I'm one of the few people who like the interface. It's easy to edit with and has some nice effects.
The problem that led me to give up on Real Band was crashes. I rarely had a session that didn't have a crash. It would also Initialize the Arrangement Function right in the middle of a session and it was difficult to get the program back on track. I moved to Reaper and haven't had these problems since.
To be fair, there are some users on this forum who don't have any problems with RB. If you want to stick with RB, you might want to PM JFord or Jazzmammal; they seem to do well with it.
2b
i5-3210 laptop. Win 10 Home. 2.5ghz, 64 bit. 6gb RAM. Focusrite Scarlet 2i2.
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,794
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Sonar and Melodyne.
Sonar is now free as others have pointed out.... Melodyne isn't. But in the world of pitch correction.... there's Melodyne, then there's everything else IMHO. Melodyne is worth the cost if you're looking for transparent pitch correction.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,591
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Expert
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,591 |
I'm a Reaper user. Last time I checked Audacity, it was amazing how it has
continued to improve. Many very talented professional coders contribute to the source software. They provide a creative outlet and a relief from the workday world. PMG programmers work for such a cool company, I don't think they feel that need.
Last edited by edshaw; 08/20/19 07:08 AM.
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