Jump to content
Why become a member? ×
  • advertisement_alt
  • advertisement_alt
  • advertisement_alt

Free recording software for a laptop?


solo4652
 Share

Recommended Posts

Hi,

Is there any free software for a laptop running Vista Home Premium we could use to record ourselves at rehearsal, please? Don't need anything pro-quality - just need to be able to review our practice sessions. What about a mic? Could we use one of the mic's at the rehearsal room plugged into the input jack of the laptop?

Please don't get technical with your answers! I've only just managed to work out how to switch on my new laptop....

Steve

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Computer Music magazine has a free suite of DAW stuff (plenty to get you started) to use for recording.
If you are using a microphone you will need either a USB interface or a PCMCIA audio card to plug in the cardslot in your laptop. Built in soundcards are notoriously crap.
Another easier alternative is to use one of the new crop of digital recorders something like [url="http://www.nevadamusic.co.uk/Home_&_Studio_Recording/Digital_Multi-Track_Recorders/Hard_Disk_Recorders/p6616.aspx"]this[/url]
That way you can concentrate on your music instead of buggering around with a laptop.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='~tl' post='432180' date='Mar 12 2009, 09:51 AM']If you fancy installing Linux rather than Windows, then Ardour is pretty excellent:

[url="http://ardour.org/"]http://ardour.org/[/url][/quote]

I think that if he's just learnt to turn the laptop on, trying to install Linux may fry his brain

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[size=3]Hi,

I now run a Licenced Pro-tools home studio set-up, but I would recommend Adobe Audition.

For years I used Syntrillium Cool-Edit Pro 2.0 which was a good wave file (.WAV) editor and the multi-tracker is pretty good, and has some very usable effects, I've always found it easier to use than Steinberg Wavelab.

[url="http://www.adobe.com/special/products/audition/syntrillium.html"]http://www.adobe.com/special/products/audi...yntrillium.html[/url]

Adobe bought out Cool-edit and you can do a 30 day free download of the latest Adobe Audition 3.0 from the website which I have used for Vista and is fine.

[url="http://www.adobe.com/products/audition/"]http://www.adobe.com/products/audition/[/url]

You may be able to download a free full copy of the older Syntrillium Cool-Edit Pro 2.0, but i'm not sure if the driver support Vista, I have only tested with XP.

Any technical problem send me a message


Hope that helps,
Cheers Neil [/size]

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='crez5150' post='432184' date='Mar 12 2009, 09:53 AM']I think that if he's just learnt to turn the laptop on, trying to install Linux may fry his brain[/quote]


Quite right! I'm being pointed in the direction of Audacity freeware. Anybody used this, please?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='solo4652' post='432210' date='Mar 12 2009, 10:18 AM']Quite right! I'm being pointed in the direction of Audacity freeware. Anybody used this, please?[/quote]
Yes, I use it a lot both on Linux and Windows.

Its quality. But like Audition, its really a sound editor with some multitrack features; not a music production centre. However, if all you're after is to record rehearsals and don't need to do fancy mixing or effects etc. (it has some though) then it'll be great.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='Eight' post='432242' date='Mar 12 2009, 10:59 AM']Yes, I use it a lot both on Linux and Windows.

Its quality. But like Audition, its really a sound editor with some multitrack features; not a music production centre. However, if all you're after is to record rehearsals and don't need to do fancy mixing or effects etc. (it has some though) then it'll be great.[/quote]


Just tried to download the Audacity software onto my (fortunately) spare laptop. McAfee threw an utter wobbler. Result was a disabled laptop with what looks like a virus. McAfee now working hard to sort it out.

I give up. I'll just use the Sound Recorder that comes with windows. Flaming computers.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I tried downloading Audacity recently and couldn't do it. The website directed me to what I assume is a new version that you have to pay for.

Fortunately I had an old version on another computer.

Most USB audio interfaces come packaged with Cubase LE or something similar.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[url="http://audacity.sourceforge.net/"]http://audacity.sourceforge.net/[/url]

is the proper site for it...

[quote]Audacity is always free to download from us, but third parties can also sell or otherwise distribute our program, thanks to the GNU General Public License. If you want a copy of Audacity on CD-ROM, we encourage you to use the options listed below.[/quote]

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='orangepeelneil' post='432203' date='Mar 12 2009, 10:10 AM'][size=3]
I now run a Licenced Pro-tools home studio set-up,
Cheers Neil [/size][/quote]

I bet the pro pirates are filling there pants... :)

+1 for the CM mag...
all you need there for free [ well apart from a sick squid for the mag ]

Garry

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='51m0n' post='439386' date='Mar 19 2009, 04:22 PM']Reaper.

really
not
going
to
bother
saying
again![/quote]
$225 for a full licence thou! The poster is asking for free recording software, i would assume a free copy of audacity is adequate, not a multitrack cubase-type program.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

LE versions of most software comes with audio interfaces.
You'll need a proper interface with decent ASIO/WDM driver support or you'll hit problems with the dreaded latency.

I know Edirol comes with Sonar LE


I run Sonar7 producer edition at home and it's dead simple.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='solo4652' post='432138' date='Mar 12 2009, 08:51 AM']Hi,

Is there any free software for a laptop running Vista Home Premium we could use to record ourselves at rehearsal, please? Don't need anything pro-quality - just need to be able to review our practice sessions. What about a mic? Could we use one of the mic's at the rehearsal room plugged into the input jack of the laptop?

Please don't get technical with your answers! I've only just managed to work out how to switch on my new laptop....

Steve[/quote]

Steve its not the Software thats the pro quality - they all will do the Job, free or otherwise.
[ top end software has more options ]
Its in the Audio Interface / sound card,
The signal and conversion will not be that great with the laptop sound card,
Not to mention the dreaded latency.

Garry

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='SteveO' post='439491' date='Mar 19 2009, 06:00 PM']Reaper

not

free

any

more

:rolleyes:


/edit missed Al's post :)[/quote]

news to me... the version I run was released as honesty ware (for personal non-commercial use. Any other usage and you had to purchase a license) and didn't time cut or nag at all when the evaluation period ran out...

Does the new version time out now when the evaluation period is over?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='Paul Cooke' post='439975' date='Mar 20 2009, 09:11 AM']Does the new version time out now when the evaluation period is over?[/quote]


I dunno. Did a format and clean install of everything a couple of weeks ago, thought i'd download Reaper again to get the latest version, but it's not free anymore so I used my old installation file.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='solo4652' post='440006' date='Mar 20 2009, 09:00 AM']Thanks for all your replies.

It turns out that the drummer is a bit of a computer boffin, so he's taking responsibility for this. Thankfully.

Steve[/quote]
Blimey, thats a turn up, I reckon our drummer would struggle getting the pc out of its box.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...