Need Advice! Guitar Recording Software

[deadhead]

I'm looking for a very basic, free program that I can download to record my acoustic guitar playing. I don't want anything fancy, just want to record when I play so I don't keep forgetting riffs and things that I come up with.

Anyone have any suggestions?

p.s. I've been searching the forum for information and haven't found any, so if this has been covered, sorry in advance.

Thanks for the help!

 

[GuitslingerTim]

Google "Reaper", and "Audacity."

 

[Scott Whigham]

Most of the modern phones have good recording software built in. I use my iPhone for this purpose and then copy/backup the files. Works great for what you're talking about. The phone is, for me, far more convenient than software. With a software solution, I have to (a) make sure the computer is on, (b) make sure I start the software, (c) make sure my connection to the software works, (d) plug in, (e) make sure my recording levels are hot, (f) hit the record button, (g) play, and finally (h) make sure that it actually did record. That sounds like a lot of steps and it is - but it's also a lot of time. Time is the idea killer - if I come up with an idea, sometimes I need to record it within 30 seconds or I lose the essence of it. I can't always do that in a software way.

With the phone though, I make it a habit to always have it with me anyway - the steps for the phone to record are (a) unlock if necessary, (b) touch screen recording app icon, (c) hit record. I know how to do the levels - just manage that by how close the guitar is to the phone. And I know it records.

But if you want software, cool - Audacity is free and Reaper is "free with a 10-second nag at the beginning". If you want to remove the nag, I think it's $60. That, to me, is pricey for just something to capture ideas.

 

[deadhead]

Thanks for your help. Unfortunately I still have an ancient phone so that isn't an option for me. I will look into Audacity for sure.

Thanks again

 

[kiki_90291]

Tracktion Waveform has a free version and is easy to use.
Audacity is free and is easy to use.

Bear in mind that "easy" is a relative term. Any audio recording app is going to take a little bit of time and effort to work with, even for simple tasks. Just commit to spending some time to learning the app.

 

[jthomas666]

I've used Audacity for years. It's easy to use, but also rudimentary. I've recently switched over to Mixcraft. The basic introductory program is $50. So far I have found it easy to use. (and I like using it, which is more than I can say for some of the pro-level DAWs) Much easier than the free/low cost DAWs that are shipped with audio interfaces (e.g., the SE version of Pro Tools).

For a freebie, it would be smart to check out what used to be Sonar by Cakewalk. Gibson bought the software and then abandoned it and sold it to a South Asian entrepreneur. It can be downloaded and used for free.

Cakewalk Home

Fueled by over 30 years in the relentless pursuit of innovation, we're building the most intuitive, next-generation music production tools that will empower all creators to push creative boundaries.

www.cakewalk.com

Lastly, I have gotten free versions of Guitar Rig. They primarily are designed to emulate various combinations of amps and effects for electric players, but the do have the ability to record and that output can be imported into Audacity or other DAWs. Guitar Rig probably is incidental to your main goal, but playing with it might be fun.

 

[singularity6]

I'm just now getting started, and I chose Cakewalk. There are extensive tutorials on how to use it on YouTube on Creative Sauce's channel. He does discuss recording acoustic guitar in at least one video.

As far as an input device, you could try to use a high quality USB mic (something $100 or so should work... I'd do some research if I were you.)

However, you can get some "solo" interface bundles for cheap

 

[8len8]

Tracktion Waveform has a free version and is easy to use.
Audacity is free and is easy to use.

Bear in mind that "easy" is a relative term. Any audio recording app is going to take a little bit of time and effort to work with, even for simple tasks. Just commit to spending some time to learning the app.

Holy retro thread, Batman!

 

[garden_goblin]

Hopefully going on 10 years later, the guy figured out what DAW to use, and hopefully moved past audacity by now

 

[jthomas666]

Yea. I didn't notice the necromancy until after I posted. My bad.

 

[kiki_90291]

Holy retro thread, Batman!

Wow - that's totally weird. I'm not sure how I stumbled on that and revived it . . . .

 

[deadhead]

Wow, thanks for sending me on a blast from the past @kiki_90291 !

Interesting to see where my knowledge was in 2012....

 

[kiki_90291]

Wow, thanks for sending me on a blast from the past @kiki_90291 !

Interesting to see where my knowledge was in 2012....

Heh. . So what DAW are you using these days?

 

[deadhead]

Heh. . So what DAW are you using these days?

Been using Reaper for quite some time now. Have found it really easy/intuitive to use and the online knowledge base is really extensive when arise.