So...
I've started dabbling in a bit of home recording via PC again after many failed attempts years back when i struggled with latency mainly on poor spec pc's and cheap interfaces.
Interface wise i'm using a Boss BR800 digi 8 track unit. To be honest for the last 4 or 5 years i've used the BR800 for direct recording and just downloaded the wavs to pc and done some simple mixing for demo's etc.
But, after a bit of experimentation and having the patience to actually learn how to use it as an audio interface i'm having loads of latency free joy and i'm willing to spend a bit of time working on some better quality recording and multitracking, hand in hand with my helix.
PLEASE REMEMBER: I'M UNDOUBTEDLY YEARS BEHIND EVERYONE HERE SO EXCUSE MY LACK OF KNOWLEDGE!
So, currently using Sonar LE which is fine. But i imagine its a little dated.
Just wondering if there is any alternatives to consider, either free, or up to £100 cost.
Is Pro Tools first any good?
All i want really is ability to have probably no more than 24 recordable tracks and some good mastering tools.
Effects wise I only really need some EQ, compression and reverbs
I'm not at the stage where i'm dabbling with plug ins etc yet, that will no doubt come in the future.
What's a good go-to, simple to use, feature heavy package?
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for some reason I thought I was talked out of this by someone recently but I on second thoughts I think I’m getting confused with Reason.
Will give it a whirl.
The interface is deceptively simple, but everything -EVERYTHING, is customisable.
First step should be to find a skin you like, and theres plenty to choose from, you arent coming across from another daw so choose something that you think will be a long term pleaser ( I am using default Commala 5, which has just the right amount of features for me )
When you have a setup that works for you-ie, folders and busses arranged how you like-save it as a template which you can uses to dive straight in, you will appreciate that when you have opened up an empty project, and find yourself doing the same things every time before you can get anything done.
I came from both Protools and Logic, and work mainly on a laptop so didnt like the way both of those Daws heavily rely on becoming a shortcut ninja, I find Reaper a lot more mouse friendly, but there is a never ending list of things that can be done with it, with scripts and stuff like SWS extensions.
Sometimes it is better to not let it get too personalised, you can even install it on a USB stick to carry around with you- to work on any host PC or Mac, but everybody will have their own needs anyway.
good luck.
The thing that I take from your post is that you appear to be going into this with the right attitude i.e. you recognise that it's going to be a steep learning curve but that you are prepared to put the effort in.
Reaper is a good recommendation if you are starting out, not because it's in anyway feature light or a beginner package but because it is so cost effective (it is also well written to be processor friendly and, as others have pointed out, there is plenty of help out there from other users). I have used it but I continue with Cubase because I've invested a lot of time learning it.
If you are getting into recording then I would recommend publications such as https://www.soundonsound.com/ . A little daunting at first due to the amount of jargon but stick with it (articles older than 6 months are available free without subscription).
Good luck
It's very much down to personal taste, but I can see a possible benefit of using the default Reaper theme/skin in the very early stages, so at least the interface looks like it does in the manual and Kenny Gioia videos.
But this is coming from someone who's used Reaper since version 1 and always goes back to whatever the default theme/skin is
I had a very quick go of Reaper yesterday evening. I think the interface and features are simple enough to navigate through. I did a few quick tracks but noticed that it was pausing and stuttering whilst i was recording live with 2 tracks playing back. Also, i had a bit of difficulty being able to edit and cut out bits of tracks out where there are gaps of silence. I'm sure its simple when you know how but it wasn't an obvious fix based on what was on the screen.
I managed to get helix native plug in (currently trialing it for 15 days free) up and running quickly which i couldn't manage to do on Sonar LE.
I will be spending a bit more time on it tonight. But generally like what i see so far.
Remember, it's easier to criticise than create!
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If you're a complete beginner like I was then they were a bit light on the very very basics because I think there's a bit of an assumption that you've used a DAW before to some extent, but a bit of reading around helped with that.
https://www.cantabilesoftware.com/glitchfree/
Sorry OP - mini-rant. It bothers me
Remember, it's easier to criticise than create!