Guitar recording software.

[JimmyMoorby]

So it looks like my bands is going tits up and it always seems to be ridiculously hard to find musicians let alone like minded and good ones in my area so im looking into home recording.  I'm really new to this and im sure theres a bazillion things to consider however for now I just want to limit it to asking which software is 'best' for amp/fx simulation and recording to PC or even MAC.

For now ill say theres no budget but it has to be computer software as opposed to say an axe fx ultra or micing cabs/amps up

Could any one give me any advice?

Thanks

[Stevepage]

I'm in the same position. It's impossible to find like minded musicians and I've taken to recording my own stuff.

I use a program called Reaper. You can download it for free but have the option to pay a $45 donation which gets you a full licence (so you get updates as soon as they come out too).

For recording to the software I'm using my Digitech GSP1101's USB port to my computer and use cabinet impulses.

Another option is using a program like Amplitube or Guitar Rig but you will need a sound card to be able to record your guitar.

For drums I use the midi 'score' of Reaper which lets me map out drum beats and then use Ez Drummer for my drum samples (which make the drums sound more realistic).

Hope this helps.

[JimmyMoorby]

I'm in the same position. It's impossible to find like minded musicians and I've taken to recording my own stuff.

I use a program called Reaper. You can download it for free but have the option to pay a $45 donation which gets you a full licence (so you get updates as soon as they come out too).

For recording to the software I'm using my Digitech GSP1101's USB port to my computer and use cabinet impulses.

Another option is using a program like Amplitube or Guitar Rig but you will need a sound card to be able to record your guitar.

For drums I use the midi 'score' of Reaper which lets me map out drum beats and then use Ez Drummer for my drum samples (which make the drums sound more realistic).

Hope this helps.

No that does help thanks, the only think id need to ask is what are cabinet impulses?

[Stevepage]

A bit like an effect really.

You record your guitar with no cabinet emulation from your hardware or software. It's sounds terrible at first but it's meant to. Once you record yourself you then add the impulse (effect) to the channel strip you recorded to, which then makes your guitar sound like it's been recorded in a room with a real amp. The other plus to this is that you can choose different variations to make then sound different (e.g an SM57 on the edge of cone or an MD421 on the cap).

[JimmyMoorby]

A bit like an effect really.

You record your guitar with no cabinet emulation from your hardware or software. It's sounds terrible at first but it's meant to. Once you record yourself you then add the impulse (effect) to the channel strip you recorded to, which then makes your guitar sound like it's been recorded in a room with a real amp. The other plus to this is that you can choose different variations to make then sound different (e.g an SM57 on the edge of cone or an MD421 on the cap).

Thanks.  I've bought a couple of books on the matter.  Gonna take my time with making the decision which is just as well coz im skint!

[JJretroTONEGOD]

there's a lot to learn...

I'd get Cubase, Pro-Tools, Nuendo or Sadie, reaper is a good software for the money as well.

I like Cubase 7 and think it's the best looking and most powerful DAW I've ever used.

[itamar101]

Personally, I've always liked Logic Pro. It just seems far more intuitive than the rest of the recording softwares and that's important when you're using something as complex as these.

[JimmyMoorby]

Cheers for that.  I know theres a lot to learn.  Like learning guitar and acquiring gear im sure its an endless quest!

Its hard to know where to start so completely contradicting the original question id like to know what sort of things id need (Other than guitar, amp and mic)  if I wanted to record my amp, cab and guitar direct as opposed to using modelling software of fx units and then using say cubase and ez drummer to bring it all together to make music.  Thinking about it it seems a shame to have acquired guitars, amps and pedals that I love only to use computer software.

What are the 'basics' i'd need?

[TheyCallMeVolume]

Personally, I've always liked Logic Pro. It just seems far more intuitive than the rest of the recording softwares and that's important when you're using something as complex as these.

+1 what I use as well.

[MDV]

Theres no special guitar recording software I know of. You could use Reaper, Pro Tools, Cubase, Logic, Sonar, Studio One, Audition and a legion of others.

I use reaper, and highly recommend it (especially to start with, as its as good as any of the others (on average; they all have strengths and weaknesses) and its cheap and free to try).

[Alex]

I use Ableton Live 8 (Intro). It's fun and works, but at times it feels a lot like a toy (it is really geared towards sponaneity and DJing).

[Nadz1lla]

As far as direct "line-in" recording for your guitar, software to use might be stuff like Amplitube, Guitar Rig, Pod Farm or Toontrack have just released an add-on for their EZMix software that gives you guitar sound pre-sets that were created by Misha Mansoor, Fredrik Thordendal and Devin Townsend, so that's a pretty good place to start, too. However for that last one, you need to buy the host program first as the pre-sets are just an extension for it.

You would need a DAW program to host it, too. So any of the free ones like Reaper and Audacity or something a little more powerful like Cubase Essential etc should see you right.

Note on Logic: Logic is now Apple only, so only buy it if you are running a Mac.

Cubase will run on anything, which is why I use it.

[WeAreNotGentlemen]

I get along really well with Pod Farm 2 and Ableton 8. It took me a while to really figure out how to use it well though.

[MrBump]

Sonar Home Studio 6 for me.

Although don't be fooled into thinking that this is a low cost option!  You'll need a good audio interface, decent headphones etc as a minimum.  Then there's the HOURS of your life you'll spend getting the sound in your head....

;)