computer recording programs-suggestions (I'm new)

[josefhalin]

wanted: multi-track, burning, XP friendly, record from mircophone, cheap.

I am VERY new to this, any suggestions would be extremely helpful

if you could...write down the product, and few things you like about it,

Thanks!
Joe

[Professor PT]

I use Cakewalk Guitar Tracks Pro, which is probably around $100. I love it. You get a lot for the money. So long as you have a decent computer with a CD burner, you're set. After recording a song or two, you'll be an expert on using it. The help menus are good as is the tech support if you have to call them( typical wait is five to ten minutes ). The only problems I've had in the past have been hardware compatibility problems with soundcards and upgrades in operating systems. If you don't switch those often, you won't have any major pains in the rear end. The end result is a high quality, semi-professional sounding recording for dirt cheap.

[Pete Martin]

For tracking, a decent cheap program is Ntracks. Just use your normal burning software for the CDs (I like Nero).

[Rod Freeland]

Thanks, Petimar, for your suggestion. #I, too, am interested in this kind of item. #The program's full name, by the way, is "n-track studio" and the product home page is http://www.fasoft.com/ .

[handpicked]

Try this discussion board (http://www.homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=79963&highlight=newbie+recommendations)

This is from the "newbie" discussion group at homerecording.com. #

I'm new to home recording myself. #Good luck to you.

[levin4now]

If FREE is cheap, I'd recommend "Audacity", a great program many of us are using in the "Beginner's Forum" to record our 'song of the month'. Multi track, XP friendly, easy to use (i'm a complete newbie to recording), effects, track alignment, etc....You have to download an encoder to convert to .mp3 but it's easy as pie.

alan

[Asha]

Cool Edit or Cool Edit Pro are what I used to use. This has since been bought out by Adobe and released as Adobe Audition. Does everything you could ever want.

[Pete Martin]

I too an a Cool Edit Pro user (1.2a). Great for tracking and editing. From what I've heard on the Cool Edit (Adobe Audition) board, a lot of people liked Cool better than Audition. When I upgrade my computer and shop for newer software in a couple years, I'll look around a lot, but keep using CEP for at least editing.