Inexpensive software for recording? Help Please

[Denny]

Hi All - I'm a high school teacher (and musician) and want to purchase some software to allow my students to make music/songs. what do you suggest? We've liked Cool Edit Pro (demo version) and N-Track (Demo) but I know there must be more out there? They want to make rap/hip-hop type stuff (nbot particularly my favorite) and maybe record live instruments as well so it needs to have different 'beats and stuff like that. Thanks.

Denny

[jbylake]

You can get an older version of Pro Tools, free, from their website. You'll have to go to Barnes an Noble, or elswhere, to get a manual. Steep learning curve, but total investment is under $20.00 (for the book), and can be used for simple to complex techniques.

Cheers.

[Denny]

Thanks - do you know if it has all the 'beats" and loops and stuff??

D.

[retro]

Does your school have Mac's? Or PC's?

Most I know seem to have Mac's.

Garageband is a good inexpensive and easy DAW for using loops and beats.
Every kid I've shown it to was working on it in minutes. Bundled free with Mac's for awhile now or one can buy iLife which GB is a part of for $80.00. Or less with School Discount? Very easy to use and create CD's with.

http://www.apple.com/ilife/garageband/

If interested good vid tuts here to get an idea how easy it is to work in.

http://www.apple.com/ilife/tutorials/garageband/gb1-1.html

Otherwise Sony Acid comes to mind and I would think be good for beat and loop based stuff on the PC side. Acid Music Studio is also very inexpensive.


http://www.sonymediasoftware.com/Products/showproduct.asp?PID=971&FeatureID=8321

[jbylake]

Thanks - do you know if it has all the 'beats" and loops and stuff??

D.
I don't recall what all the free version comes with. But there are alot of inexpensive plug-ins you can get (just make sure are compatible with that version. You can really put together a pretty good "project studio" on the cheap, this way.

[Denny]

I just ordered Acid Studio 6 (I think) for $59.00 - I hope i got the right stuff?

D.

[lettucecheese]

Check out Reaper.
http://reaper.fm/download.php

[Fuchsaudio]

You can get an older version of Pro Tools, free, from their website. You'll have to go to Barnes an Noble, or elswhere, to get a manual. Steep learning curve, but total investment is under $20.00 (for the book), and can be used for simple to complex techniques.

Cheers.


What book do you suggest ?

[Mark McPheeters]

I think you should be quite happy with Acid Studio. I use Acid Pro extensively. While it is often considered primarily a hip hop/beats/ looping application by critics(or the uninitiated), it more than suits my needs as a multitrack recorder.


You'll also have a lot of fun messing with the multitude of loops that are out there.

As for Pro Tools Free, I'm pretty sure it doesn't work on XP, just 98.

[bbarnard]

Doesn't have any canned beats or loops but it will record, loop and do most other type of sound editing and it is free, Audacity. Can import several formats (AIFF, OOG, MP3, WAV) so you may be able to rip or import beats/loops for it. Can do multiple channels and has a number of built in effects. You will need an MP3 encoder/decoder to use the MP3 feature but it is right there on the Audacity website (or a link is).

[Carlier]

I think audacity is free. Try googling that.

[Denny]

Thanks - The Acid Studio 6 is working great and it has tons of beats, loops, instruments and everything. I'll start the class on Monday - the students seem pretty excited bout it.

D.

[Srvwannab]

I wish I had a teacher like you when I was in high school!

[Denny]

Thanks ;o)

D.