The question: "What features should I look for when choosing audio recording software?"
The answer: "It depends on what you want to record."
There are many low cost recording programs available that can be used to record from existing media (tape, cd's, vinyl lp's) or from radio and internet broadcasts. Even these low priced software programs have editing features and native effects that can be applied to the recording.
Live recording is best accomplished by using multitrack recording/editing software that incorporates tools and effects suitable for application to live voices and instruments, one of the most important being compression. Compression is essential to level the extremes in volume that inevitably occur in live recording.
Several features/capabilities should be considered when choosing software for live music recording (listed below).
Required features:
1. Recording - record multiple stereo tracks
2. Editing - edit a track's waveform
3. Mixing - mix multiple tracks into one stereo track
4. Effects - native (built-in) effects such as delay, reverb, fade in, fade out, flanger, compressor and various high/low filters
5. File conversion - convert to/from the most popular music formats such as wav, wma, mp3
Additional useful features:
6. Plug-ins - accepts 3rd party software plug-in effects and tools
7. Ripping - pull individual tracks from music cd's
8. Burning - copy recorded tracks to cd audio
Optional features (depending on need):
9. Midi - record midi instruments (midi keyboards, synthesizers, guitars)
10. Video - synchronize audio with video files
So, in conclusion, if you are recording music to computer from pre-recorded media, you can certainly get by with software on the low end of the price spectrum. But, if you want to create professional sounding mixes from live music, you'll need the higher level of sophistication available in a quality multitrack recording program.
Cost shouldn't be an issue in the choice as the difference in price between the low end software package and a quality multitrack program can be as little as $10 - $20.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
I feel pain in my lower left abdomen and i am kind ...
By: JaNNa FerNaNdez | 24-07-2008
i feel pain in my lower left abdomen and i am kind of bothered because of this, the pain i feel sometimes transfer to the center part of my stomach and sometimes i feel pain on the right part of my abdomen. what possible reason why i feel this?
Does Motorola manufacture cell phones for non profit groups or small companies?
By: Juanita McNeil | 23-07-2008
I very specifically have a particular design in mind for a cell phone. Does Motorola manufacture cell phones for non profit groups or small companies?
I need to know who sings this song PLEASE!!!!
By: maryliebig | 23-07-2008
This song's lyrics go something like this....who loves you for you. so many times times you just give it away to someone who, who don't even remember your name. Did you save yourself for someone who? who loves you for you who loves me for me........and so on this is the refrain to the best of my ability...HELP I need to know
Movie from the 80's...I think!!
By: Shevvy | 23-07-2008
Hi ALL!!
I was hoping if anyone remembers the title of this movie I used to watch back when I was a kid.
It was in the 80's I think..hehe!!
About a singer/rockstar, who want a break from it all, somehow finds a twin look alike that he trades places with him for a while.
I dont remember much else about it...hope someone knows what I'm talking about :)
Cheerz
Shevvy
What is yahoo! Messenger 8
By: abhiraj | 23-07-2008
what is the use of Yahoo! Messenger 8
Night sky software?
By: jim | 22-07-2008
when i bought a telescope, i got software with it to track the night sky. then i needed to buy a new computer, and the program does not work with it. anywhere to get free software to i.d. the night sky?
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Computers Articles
Get the Most Out of Your Nanny Spy Cameras - Use Them For Other Purposes!
By: Nahshon Roberts | 25/07/2008
Lest you think that nanny spy cameras are only good for spying on the nanny, think again. The term is another designation for hidden surveillance cameras, supposedly because these are now more commonly used to monitor childcare providers in an increasingly nanny-paranoid society.
Nanny spy cameras are usually...
Analyzing Consumer Electronics Devices
By: James Brown | 24/07/2008
Many consumers are drawn to consumer electronics because of the technology that makes each device perform its mission. While many consumers might not have a technical degree, many have a working knowledge of what the device is equipped with and the selling points of the device after they enter a...
Types of Consumer Electronics
By: James Brown | 24/07/2008
With so many updates and changes made to consumer electronics lately, some consumers are having a difficult time understanding what types of consumer electronics are most popular among middle class Americans and those who live on limited incomes where budget cuts made most consumer electronics seem unaffordable. Families across the...
Benefits of Unlocked Cellular Phones
By: Abe S. | 24/07/2008
You may not know much about your cellular phone other than that you cannot live without it! Your cell phone is your connection to the rest of the world and is a very important tool. Many cell phones are made to use a SIM card - a Subscriber...
How to Start a Business Selling Cell Phones
By: Abe S. | 24/07/2008
In today's unstable economy with reduced income and rising prices, everyone wants to save money if they can. Even if the economy were booming, saving money is always a wise choice. There is no shame in wanting to save as much money as possible when it comes to...
How Can I Work With Sybase Database Tools?
By: Patricia Stevens | 23/07/2008
To use a Sybase server, you are should have Netscape Enterprise Server. You cannot get an access to Sybase from Netscape FastTrack Server. Sybase has both one-line, and multiline drivers on some Unix-platforms. If Sybase has the multiline driver for the concrete Unix-machine, you are obliged to use LiveWire for...
Baselining--Stress Testing--Performance Testing--Oh My--Part TWO-Testing
By: Barry Koplowitz | 23/07/2008
This article is also available as a Podcast on "The ROOT Cause" available on iTunes. Written and Narrated by Barry Koplowitz.
This is the second of two articles discussing the topic of Test Environments and Testing Practices. The first one, "Baselining--Stress Testing--Performance Testing--Oh My--Part One--Environments," focused on proper testing environment design....
Page Yield / Cartridge Yield
By: Kwan Lo | 23/07/2008
Page yield is the number of pages that you can print with a printer cartridge. It is also known as cartridge yield. Many cartridge manufacturers use the terms "standard yield" or "high yield" to describe their printer cartridge but each cartridge should have a page yield value. It...
More from Steve Leedy
The Frugal Soundman
By: Steve Leedy | 28/06/2008 | Computers
As the soundman and projectionist for my local church, I found it to be frustating and time consuming when searching for a particular song among all our cds for choir practice. I was determined to sit down at some point and catalog all those songs and cd's. I took some...