What't your setup?

I pretty much exclusively use Audacity to record, mix and master. When I feel like recording MIDI (rarely) I use LMMS. I briefly tried Ardour but saw no benefit over Audacity. What software do you use to produce your music?

I've been playing with Audacity a little bit as a noise removal tool for audio files.  Looks cool although I've never used it for music. 

Finnforest wrote: I've been playing with Audacity a little bit as a noise removal tool for audio files.  Looks cool although I've never used it for music.

I use a 4 track looper, the Electro-Harmonix 45000 for recording and overdubbing. For post recording fix up, I use either the 45000 itself or a computer program, Praat or Audacity. Praat is made for phoneticians not musicians, but I got it off a free download and it is something I'm familiar with. I'm not saying this is the best set up, just that it's mine.

Dean wrote: Finnforest wrote: I've been playing with Audacity a little bit as a noise removal tool for audio files.  Looks cool although I've never used it for music.  yeah, I use to use it for cleaning up wav files - but found it a little too clunky for mixing. 'twas a long time ago though so maybe it's evolved a bit since then.

I suppose it's clunky if you need to be very precise or have many tracks to mix. It works for me because I usually just semi-randomly/intuitively cut and paste, try out different effects, mix and repeat. I tried learning a proper DAW (Ardour) once, but it was too complex for what I do, the GUI kept getting in my way and there were too many key bindings to memorize (and this is coming from someone who uses Emacs).

Vompatti wrote: Dean wrote: Finnforest wrote: I've been playing with Audacity a little bit as a noise removal tool for audio files.  Looks cool although I've never used it for music.  yeah, I use to use it for cleaning up wav files - but found it a little too clunky for mixing. 'twas a long time ago though so maybe it's evolved a bit since then. I suppose it's clunky if you need to be very precise or have many tracks to mix. It works for me because I usually just semi-randomly/intuitively cut and paste, try out different effects, mix and repeat. I tried learning a proper DAW (Ardour) once, but it was too complex for what I do, the GUI kept getting in my way and there were too many key bindings to memorize (and this is coming from someone who uses Emacs).

Dean wrote: ALotOfBottle wrote: I record and mix almost everything on my beloved Tascam 424 MKII tape recorder. Incredible machine, couldn't be happier with it. I use Audacity to get the stuff as wav files. Wow - I doft my cap to your skills Tymon - mixing and track bouncing on a 424 is an achievement and a half!   I have a Tascam 788: but only use it as a multi-track recorder, using several mic's to record a single instrument (or vocal) that then get transferred to the PC for mixing into the song. That way I can get direct, reflected and ambient tracks of each take that when mixed together produce a more "organic" recording. I'd never dream of trying to mix a whole song with it.

Well, I guess it comes down to what you are doing musically and how you like to work. It will be a few months now since I bought my Tascam and during that time I have been mainly recording this sort of kraut-esque psychedelia with a friend of minie as well as my own minimal electronic stuff. And, for these things, working with the 4-track is just miles more enjoyable and rewarding for me than using a DAW.

I haven't done all that much bouncing yet, but it's not that bad - just takes a lot of time, like any action in the recording process on a 4-track. Mixing is really fun, the mixer is really responsive.

And that's an interesting use you've found for your Tascam there! I'll try doing that sometime. I've seen a guy record 4-voice choir parts to the Tascam, playing around with the effects and eq and then sending the four tracks to the computer.

That being said, I definitely understand the convenience of working on a computer compared to a 4-track, but I just love recording and mixing on my Tascam. I don't know exactly how to put it into words, but the process has a unique old-fashioned charm to it. And it sounds amazing. I really like the warm sound of a good High Bias Type II cassette tape. A loud befriended stoner rock band asked me to record them with my Tascam next week and I'm interested to hear how it sounds.


Edited by ALotOfBottle - March 25 2017 at 05:07

Audacity is a sound editing programme.
Reaper is a DAW.