Sonar 8.5 works for me. I appreciate the included Yamaha Tyros instrument definition patch list file. When I was kid, I started out running Notator (predessor to Logic) on the Atari 1040ST, then moved up to a Mac and ran Logic Audio, and then several years later moved to the PC, running Logic Audio for PC, but then to my dismay, Apple acquired Logic, meaning 'no more' Logic PC support. I still believe Logic's the premiere DAW, especially on the midi side, but Sonar a close 2nd. - Scott

Reaper has three times more power per dollar than any DAW out there. However, I would not recommend it for recording novices (unless you're willing to put in a lot of study time). It IS possible to use it on a very basic level with good results, especially if you have a decent midi/audio interface and a quality mic (if you do vocals). It's inexpensive, very powerful, is updated constantly, has excellent support in the form of a VERY helpful and knowledgeable forum, of which the programmer/owner is a member. If this sounds too intimidating, then something like PowerTracks should do the job.

chas

PS: Make sure that whatever software you choose has drivers to support your midi/audio interface (soundcard).

Most of our sound productions for film are pretty big deals...adequate budget-36 traditional tracks...the best players in the area (working on one to bring Rory to Lexington to complete). Finished budget for a Fortune 500 company is north of $1500.00 a minute for a finished simple production (one with no or limited animation, limited "sky" shots, 4 instrument score and limited locations).

Recently, however, for a non-profit I'm involved in, we gave ourselves 3 hours to use a $99.00 software package to do a three plus minute "near broadcast quality" video, including score, extra .30, .60. and .10, scripting, shooting, editing, recording and posting for as close to zero dollars as possible. We started the project 1/2 hour after receiving the editing software.


For the music, we used the large Boss looper...no conventional recording equipment at all. I wrote the script, the music and recorded piano (an NP-30-$299.00 unit-remember we're talking cheap-something fast a non-profit can afford) nylon string and percussion. My son did bass, mixing, final edit and posting.

I'm not going to post a link, because that would be a political statement which may be a little controversial here, but the group is Kentuckians for Nursing Home Reform, and you can Google the site if you want to check it out. There are 5 videos posted from us, all done the same way, with the same score. The first one is the one accessed out of the left reverse blue column...an interview with the group's founder, Bernie Vonderheide.

Incidentally, we did the site, with the help of our designer and I drew the logo-a drawing of my dear father-in-law just before he passed away.

What this lets us do is "cut through the clutter" on YouTube and give some of the 501(C)'s we support access to a more than acceptable, effective product in a short time for little or nothing.

Incidentally, the video was shot with a Cannon Rebel with HD capability, and the on-camera audio/VO was done on a Zoom-H2, thru an old Mix-Pad 9 mixer.

Total equipment cost, including camera, instruments, editing software, etc was around
$2,500.00 (we even used cheap instruments-an Ovation nylon string and a Mexican Fender bass). In-house video at the bottom of the production value scale previously required the use of an Avid editing suite
( $75-80,000), plus the cost of the conventional recording equipment (varies by project).

I'm proud of our top end stuff, but this makes mass communicating for worthy but poor organizations a real possibility.

And, that's a GOOD THING!


Russ


[This message has been edited by captain Russ (edited 11-11-2010).]

Boss BR 900CD and Roland Cakewalk 15D, mics, etc (as loud as my wife allows), although I also have an MP3 recorder in my 800.

I have a more complex system now which is not even worth talking about. For MIDI i mainly use
Cubase 5.5 and for Audio i am on Accell HD3 PCIe which i am gonna get rid of soon.
I have a UAD 6176 and on Cubase i use TC Elctronics Impakt Twin, one of the greatest Audio Cards i
n my opinion...very cheap. Keyboards i still have a lot,. i had 17 of them but got rid of some.
Microphones i always change, sold my L480 which i refret now...but as of now i am moving completely
Digital where i will have only a PC, 2 pairs of speakers, 1/2 synths and 1/2 Hard Processors in
front of me, no more crap and cables and consoles, gone are the time.

I use a Roland VS 2480 which is an amazing machine. It's portable and you can record 16 tracks at a time. If I need sophisticated editing, I have Pro Tools on computer. I recently had the Roland out on a big project at the college and I needed several tracks for church. I recorded them on the S 900 onto a flashdrive and then into the computer to burn the CD. Worked like a charm. The stuff we have today is amazing.

Joe

For two tracks (stereo), I use the Tascam DR-07...quick , easy , on location recording...

For more than 2 tracks, and serious recording. I use MixCraft5..absolutely the best bang for the money and beyond..MixCraft5 allows multi vst operation, is a great host program, supplies a large number of VST's and effects...mixing tools etc..

You are missing out if you do not try a free trial...Also includes video editing too(basic)..Always free updates..

Been using Audition 3 on my laptop, with the Behringer UCA200 USB/RCA interface that came with my Behringer mixer.
It's a simple setup, but works very well for me - I'm able to take it along on gigs, and get pretty decent recordings, and I also use it for all my home recordings.
Could be that the real sound pros would wince at my quality and setup, but for my purposes, it seems to work well.
Been thinking about maybe trying a more official/professional software at some point though - I use Audition anyway for my media work, and it works very well for my purposes, but I'm curious to one day see what something like Pro Tools would do for me (I normally figure software out pretty quickly, so the learning part doesn't scare me).

I've just bought a Roland Juno Gi because it has a digital 8 track built in. Takes up very little space in my small apartment and is bundled with Sonar LE so that if I ever get round to learning how to use it, I can make more complex recordings.

Audition 1.5 on my Toshiba laptop running Vista. Plenty for what I need.