BEST Audio Recording Program

[Dj G-Style]

Originally Posted by Max Lazarus

Why would you use Cubase for recording a DJ mix? All he wants is 2-track mastering and editing abilities, Soundforge is great for non-linear editing and EQing, compression, and many other effects, and it's a cinch to edit sounds right down to the sample, to get rid of clicks and pops. Cubase is a tool designed for a multitrack MIDI/audio environment at relatively inflexible tempos, and has an inferior selection of mastering tools. Unless you plan to sync audio to other sources such as MIDI gear or plan to cheat like hell on your mixing Cubase/Nuendo etc. is quite unnecessary.

I just know that once Kraig gets into it he'll find the limitations of Soundforge a little frustrating. It always starts with just wanting to do the basics but it doesn't last long. With Cubase he can actually create his own CD from scratch with all his own content. Really depends on what you want and how far you want to go.
G

[Max Lazarus]

He's a DJ, not a producer, and he wants to record a set. Soundforge is simply better than Cubase at that kind of editing, and probably a hell of a lot faster. What's so limiting about Sound forge?

And if you want ultimate flexibility in production, Cubase is definitely not that.

[Dj G-Style]

Kraig, simply trust whom you wish. I recomend Cubase for you. I think you'll find it's everything you want. More of a studio based software and less home personal use style. I think you will appreciate the little differences and the overall end result.
Others have their opinion and you have your own but I think this would be a tool you will learn to love.
G

[Max Lazarus]

DON'T LISTEN TO HIM KRAIG, HE IS A SECRET AGENT FROM GERMANY TRYING TO GET YOU TO USE COMMIE RECORDING TECHNOLOGY. TRUST ME.

[Candy-Kid]

My votes for Sound forage or Tractor

[Dj G-Style]

Ok I have to ask.....How many people have actually used Cubase in full and completed a finished project? Just curious.
G

[mux]

Heh.

Well, seeing as you aren't 100% sure on what cables you need to hook your decks up to your computer for recording, I'm gonna straight-up say that Logic, Cubase, Sonar, Protools, Cakewalk, Nuendo, Vegas, Acid, Live etc are right out. Start with a recording software, any concepts you learn there will be transportable to other software if you choose to later move towards production.

I've been using Soundforge since version 1, and other audio-editing apps before that (anyone remember "Razor"?). It is good, solid, stable wav recording and editing software, and time spent learning how to use it is not time wasted. It's been around for a while, and will treat you well.

That being said, a few months ago I gave Steinberg's Wavelab a try, and even though I love Soundforge, I find myself using Wavelab way more lately - the tools are much more intuitive, the layout is clean and useful, and the hotkeys make more sense. I get more done in Wavelab, quicker. Nice one, Steinberg!

When it comes to mastering your mix, I recommend you check out iZotope's *awesome* mastering VSTi, "oZone". Quick to understand, easy to use, and sounds wicked.

*shrug*. For simple recording of audio, package A sounds like package B sounds like package C - it's not like different recording HARDWARE, which *does* make a huge difference. Personal preference will win out in the end - if you're just doing a one-off demo mix, then pick whatever, and you'll be fine - if you're planning on doing this fairly regularly, I recommend you try out a few different softwares and pick the one that best fits the way you want to work.

[Dj G-Style]

Originally Posted by mux

Heh.

Well, seeing as you aren't 100% sure on what cables you need to hook your decks up to your computer for recording, I'm gonna straight-up say that Logic, Cubase, Sonar, Protools, Cakewalk, Nuendo, Vegas, Acid, Live etc are right out. Start with a recording software, any concepts you learn there will be transportable to other software if you choose to later move towards production.

I've been using Soundforge since version 1, and other audio-editing apps before that (anyone remember "Razor"?). It is good, solid, stable wav recording and editing software, and time spent learning how to use it is not time wasted. It's been around for a while, and will treat you well.

That being said, a few months ago I gave Steinberg's Wavelab a try, and even though I love Soundforge, I find myself using Wavelab way more lately - the tools are much more intuitive, the layout is clean and useful, and the hotkeys make more sense. I get more done in Wavelab, quicker. Nice one, Steinberg!

When it comes to mastering your mix, I recommend you check out iZotope's *awesome* mastering VSTi, "oZone". Quick to understand, easy to use, and sounds wicked.

*shrug*. For simple recording of audio, package A sounds like package B sounds like package C - it's not like different recording HARDWARE, which *does* make a huge difference. Personal preference will win out in the end - if you're just doing a one-off demo mix, then pick whatever, and you'll be fine - if you're planning on doing this fairly regularly, I recommend you try out a few different softwares and pick the one that best fits the way you want to work.

This is a guy that knows what he's talking about. Wavelab is wicked! Stienbergs software is awesome. Not cheap but awesome. I like soundforge but the Stienburg line of audio products is what i have found to be the best overall. Kraig it's really what you want to do now and what you want to be able to do once you're comfportable with the platform. You never thought this question would bring so many results I'm sure.
G

p.s. If you need any cables at all give me a shout at the office and I'll set you up at the good guy rate.
G

[DJDeeb]

I used to use Wavelab now I use SoundForge

Very simple to figure out how to record then edit it up and cut up the single set into indivual tracks.

as far as the Sound card the Audigy will do fine for demos.....I have the M-audio 2496 soundcard ( bought from Tomlee ). I got it cause it has RCA jacks on the board.

[Dj G-Style]

Originally Posted by DJDeeb

I used to use Wavelab now I use SoundForge

Very simple to figure out how to record then edit it up and cut up the single set into indivual tracks.

as far as the Sound card the Audigy will do fine for demos.....I have the M-audio 2496 soundcard ( bought from Tomlee ). I got it cause it has RCA jacks on the board.

How much was your soundcard? I've heard good things about the 2496.G

[Rytalin]

www.kxproject.com

[Kraig]

Thanks again for all the info everyone!

Question - does the fact my sound card doesn't have RCA connections on the back and thus I am needing to use an dual RCA splitter cable to 1/8" to plug into my sound cards line-in mean I will get less quality sound?

I am thinking I am going to take a peak at SoundForge AND Cool Edit Pro. The reason being that both of these are available to me right now as is expertise on both programs should I have any questions.

Thanks everyone for the info and Gary - I may end up giving you a call for some cables as I will be changing the way my speakers are currently wired.

Cheers.

[Akeel]

Originally Posted by Kraig

Thanks again for all the info everyone!

Question - does the fact my sound card doesn't have RCA connections on the back and thus I am needing to use an dual RCA splitter cable to 1/8" to plug into my sound cards line-in mean I will get less quality sound?

I am thinking I am going to take a peak at SoundForge AND Cool Edit Pro. The reason being that both of these are available to me right now as is expertise on both programs should I have any questions.

Thanks everyone for the info and Gary - I may end up giving you a call for some cables as I will be changing the way my speakers are currently wired.

Cheers.

to answer your first question, yes it does...but as long as u use a good quality cable you'll be fine, i'd stay away from those radio shack jobbies since they're usually mono.

as for recording, i use Sound Recorder.

it comes with your computer and its intuitive layout is great for productivity.

[Dj G-Style]

Originally Posted by Akeel

to answer your first question, yes it does...but as long as u use a good quality cable you'll be fine, i'd stay away from those radio shack jobbies since they're usually mono.

as for recording, i use Sound Recorder.

it comes with your computer and its intuitive layout is great for productivity.

Only Akeel is up to date on the newest software platforms.lol. but he's right be wary of cheap cables because your sending a stereo RCA signle to your card doesn't mean the 1/8" on the other end is relayin the same stereo sound. Mono tracks suck really bad and it's really frustrating if you're listening to it in the car.
G

[Wood]

Originally Posted by Dj G-Style

Ok I have to ask.....How many people have actually used Cubase in full and completed a finished project? Just curious.
G

i have, and i guarantee you it's not the right software for Kraig's purposes. Cubase is for sequencing & multitrack recording. He just needs to record DJ mixes in stereo, Cubase is capable of that but that isn't what it's inteneded for. It's a much more involved & complicated program than is neccessary for that task. 'creating... your own content' isn't as simple as you make it sound, it's an entirely different creative process than recording a DJ mix. I don't really see what one has to do with the other, in this situation. If Kraig did want to get into producing his own choons though, i'd recommend Logic Audio over Cubase, especially since he's using a Mac.

[Pegasus]

^well put.

i also agree that for multitrack recording/producing logic far surpasses cubase. its like a more advanced version of cubase.

[Revolver]

My vote most definatly gose to soundforge! this program completley changed the way i make my music. everything i do from multitracked rock cuts to sampling/making loops to be thrown in acid or recycle...soundforge is ALWAYS used at some stage.

*if the main goal is to record dj mixes in one shot, and make slight mastering adjustments you cant beat SF,jumping into cubase or logic would be overkill*

the only reason i still have a pc is to run SoundForge 6.0 .

and on cubase,yes its powerful, yes its awsome for home recording, but i have still yet to meet a hardend PRO who uses it.

the combo always seems to be logic+protools amongst the pros