Downloadable Music Software, which is best?

Recently bought myself a new laptop, and want to install some simple to use, (preferably free) dowloadable recording software onto it.

Had looked into Audacity, but it doesnt create wav. or mp3 files, and I have heard that that can be a bit of a bind.

Anyone have any other ideas, for something I can easily use that will easily make useable files, or am I making too much out of what Audacity can or cant do.

Would welcome folks views.

Thanks

but it doesnt create wav. or mp3 files

This is incorrect, I use it all the time.

This is incorrect, I use it all the time.

I stand corrected, thanks.

I just heard that it didnt, I think I'll go ahead and download it then.

Sounds good to me, thanks

Check out Reaper.

Reaper is not free, the download is then they ask for you to pay for it...if you decide to keep it and use it, I believe it is $50 amateur and maybe $200 for pro...

nice software though...

t

I have been using the trial of Mixcraft,and it does really good.It costs $75 to buy.

Everyone raves about reaper.

but it doesnt create wav. or mp3 files



This is incorrect, I use it all the time.


Audacity creates WAV files "out of the box" and needs a codec to make MP3s.

At least, that is my experience.

I have been using the trial of Mixcraft,and it does really good.It costs $75 to buy.


Mixcraft is the greatest, cheapest and easiest application in the world to use.


http://www.acoustica.com/images-new/products/mixcraft5/Mixcraft5LargeScreenshot.jpg


My CD (below) was made 100% with Mixcraft. But don't hold that against it. :wink:

+2 on Reaper. In all honesty, all SW have their benefits. The quality of rrecording is in your audio card. What I like about Reaper is that they have a GREAT support Forum, like here where there are an equal number of Noobies and experts and all are treated with respect and great answers.

The Reaper cost is $60, they update all of the time (free) andare really responsive to feature requests.

If you are new to recording, I would seriously consider the fact that there is a learning curve to tackle. Audacity is OK, but you will outgrow it, if you want to take things to a higher level. Do you want to waste your learning time on yet another SW?

You can evaluate Reaper, check out the YouTube Vids, read the Forum, the manuals. Reaper was developed by the guy who wrote WinAmp and is very stingy on computer requirements. It can be run from a USB stick as an example. Many of their free plugins (compressor, reverbs, eqs, etc) are great and may be all you need.

I had Mixcraft GT Pro, which served me well, I guess, but outgrew my needs. I stumbled on Reaper about 5 years ago and have not looked back.

The developer of Reaper was featured in a Tape Op interview a while ago. It looks like the pro recording world is interested, although Pro Tools is something that people there are very dedicated to. It will be interesting to see how this develops.

Someone recommended Ardour to me, but the installation process was a little complicated, so I didn't pursue it. Like Reaper, it is very cheap.

I'm on a Mac so things are a little different... but Logic Pro is $200 now, and it has some fantastic amp modeling in it.

Links on the Audacity forum will provide you with links to lots of plugins and the MP3 codec. Both work fine. I do suggest running the Beta version as it offers the most features and usually only has minor bug issues. I've tried most of the LE downloads and other trial versions and have purchased both Sonar and Mixcraft and I still prefer Audacity. Can't speak personally about Reaper, but everyone around here seems to love it.