ProSoundWeb Community

Sound Reinforcement - Forums for Live Sound Professionals - Your Displayed Name Must Be Your Real Full Name To Post In The Live Sound Forums => The Basement => Topic started by: Doug Fowler on July 10, 2017, 02:14:20 PM

Title: Windows based inexpensive multi tracking software
Post by: Doug Fowler on July 10, 2017, 02:14:20 PM
Need 8 tracks, with nothing fancy at all.  Going to track it, then hand it off.

I'll ban the first member who says "get a Mac". :-)

(Not really....)
Title: Re: Windows based inexpensive multi tracking software
Post by: Bryan French on July 10, 2017, 02:22:53 PM
Waves Tracks Live?

http://www.waves.com/mixers-racks/tracks-live#presenting-tracks-live
Title: Re: Windows based inexpensive multi tracking software
Post by: Adam Whetham on July 10, 2017, 02:40:52 PM
I've used Tracktion when I was asked to multi-track off of an x32 last minute before.

Otherwise I've been told you can compile Audacity with ASIO so that you can multi-track. Haven't done it myself.
Title: Re: Windows based inexpensive multi tracking software
Post by: Tim McCulloch on July 10, 2017, 02:42:51 PM
Need 8 tracks, with nothing fancy at all.  Going to track it, then hand it off.

I'll ban the first member who says "get a Mac". :-)

(Not really....)
Waves Live, Audacity or Reaper.
Title: Re: Windows based inexpensive multi tracking software
Post by: Corey Scogin on July 10, 2017, 02:55:18 PM
Waves Live, Audacity or Reaper.

This.
Title: Re: Windows based inexpensive multi tracking software
Post by: Dave Scarlett on July 10, 2017, 03:19:20 PM
Reaper will do this and so much more!
Title: Re: Windows based inexpensive multi tracking software
Post by: Doug Fowler on July 10, 2017, 03:19:35 PM
Thanks fellas.
Title: Re: Windows based inexpensive multi tracking software
Post by: Adam Kane on July 10, 2017, 03:30:35 PM
Thanks fellas.

Haven't used it myself, but a buddy of mine uses Reaper and likes it.
Title: Re: Windows based inexpensive multi tracking software
Post by: Corey Scogin on July 10, 2017, 04:20:42 PM
Reaper will do this and so much more!

By the way, Reaper will record to multiple storage locations simultaneously. This eliminates one of the many single points of failure in a recording setup.
Title: Windows based inexpensive multi tracking software
Post by: Brian_Henry on July 10, 2017, 04:50:46 PM
I use reaper professionally. I have basically stopped using protools except when someone just "must" have their sessions in protools. DAW choice really comes down to workflow and personal preference. They will all do what you want and much more.

However the reaper license is cheap and you can try full featured before buying a license.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Windows based inexpensive multi tracking software
Post by: Craig Leerman on July 10, 2017, 06:17:16 PM
We switched to Reaper a while back. Easy to learn and very reliable. No problems at all.
Title: Re: Windows based inexpensive multi tracking software
Post by: Mac Kerr on July 10, 2017, 07:06:41 PM
Get a Mac...

Mac
Title: Re: Windows based inexpensive multi tracking software
Post by: Tim McCulloch on July 10, 2017, 07:39:16 PM
Get a Mac...

Mac

You won't fit in Fowler's work box.
Title: Re: Windows based inexpensive multi tracking software
Post by: Mac Kerr on July 10, 2017, 07:54:42 PM
You won't fit in Fowler's work box.

I don't know, I've lost some weight.

Mac
Title: Re: Windows based inexpensive multi tracking software
Post by: Jonathan Johnson on July 10, 2017, 08:26:43 PM
I'll ban the first member who says "get a Mac". :-)

Get a Mac...

Mac

If I understand things correctly, Mac is the first member... period.

I'll just sit back here and wait for PSW to implode. (Is anyone recording this?)

EDIT: I think I was wrong, it appears that Doug is the first member; Mac may be #2 or #3 (depending on how you count it). But I'm still waiting for PSW to implode.
Title: Re: Windows based inexpensive multi tracking software
Post by: Tim Weaver on July 10, 2017, 11:00:40 PM
Plus Juan for Reaper. I got rid of protools months ago and we t to Reaper. My life is soo much easier now.
Title: Re: Windows based inexpensive multi tracking software
Post by: Luke Geis on July 10, 2017, 11:06:30 PM
REAPER!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Windows based inexpensive multi tracking software
Post by: Diogo Nunes Pereira on July 11, 2017, 08:00:56 AM
+1 for Reaper. Extremely lightweight, reliable, cheap, and you can try for free for as long as you wish... Or for as long as you don't feel bad about it.

I eventually paid for the license after a couple of years of "evaluation"... I feel a lot better now.

Enviado desde mi XT1072 mediante Tapatalk

Title: Re: Windows based inexpensive multi tracking software
Post by: Chris Hindle on July 11, 2017, 12:13:14 PM
Need 8 tracks, with nothing fancy at all.  Going to track it, then hand it off.

I'll ban the first member who says "get a Mac". :-)

Hey, if I thought my clients could afford it, I'd hire in Mac...... ;D
Chris.
Title: Re: Windows based inexpensive multi tracking software
Post by: Tim Rose on July 11, 2017, 04:35:20 PM
+1 for Reaper. Extremely lightweight, reliable, cheap, and you can try for free for as long as you wish... Or for as long as you don't feel bad about it.

I eventually paid for the license after a couple of years of "evaluation"... I feel a lot better now.

Enviado desde mi XT1072 mediante Tapatalk


haha
Title: Re: Windows based inexpensive multi tracking software
Post by: Bob Leonard on July 12, 2017, 01:39:16 PM
Hey Doug, how are you? You might like this for $99.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/CubaseE9

Title: Re: Windows based inexpensive multi tracking software
Post by: Justice C. Bigler on July 12, 2017, 05:22:07 PM
C'mon Doug, you're a professional. You should be using professional tools. You know which multi track recording software is the right one to choose. It's not that expensive anymore.
Title: Re: Windows based inexpensive multi tracking software
Post by: Corey Scogin on July 12, 2017, 06:25:11 PM
C'mon Doug, you're a professional. You should be using professional tools. You know which multi track recording software is the right one to choose. It's not that expensive anymore.

Ha! It may be the worst option for lightweight live recording.
Title: Re: Windows based inexpensive multi tracking software
Post by: Andrew Broughton on July 12, 2017, 11:14:03 PM
I have no idea why anyone (on purpose) uses anything other than Reaper...
Title: Re: Windows based inexpensive multi tracking software
Post by: Justice C. Bigler on July 13, 2017, 12:11:18 AM
I have no idea why anyone (on purpose) uses anything other than Reaper...
To be quite honest, Reaper is somewhat complicated. The input and output routing isn't real straight forward, and there are a tonne of options that you don't really need access to.


I used it to record our youth opera in June, but only because I was tracking 38 channels and Protools tops out at 32 channels unless you have HD hardware connected. But I can get a session up and running in Protools in like 5 minutes, including naming all the tracks. Reaper took me almost an hour just because the layout was just too wonky. And I still can't figure out how to name the tracks so that the files have the same names on them.


Here next week when I sit down to start going through the youth opera recording, I'm going to have to import everything back into Protools and hope that the naming conventions on the files that Reaper used makes some kind of sense.


Yes, Protools isn't the most stable platform for live recording. But the workflow is about 17 times easier and more straight forward. Plus the GUI doesn't look like you are living in a cave.
Title: Re: Windows based inexpensive multi tracking software
Post by: Andrew Broughton on July 13, 2017, 12:16:25 AM
To be quite honest, Reaper is somewhat complicated.
Funny - I feel the same way about all other DAW software. I guess the UI just makes sense to me, but it may depend on what you're used to or started with...
Title: Re: Windows based inexpensive multi tracking software
Post by: Brian_Henry on July 13, 2017, 01:39:17 AM
To be quite honest, Reaper is somewhat complicated. The input and output routing isn't real straight forward, and there are a tonne of options that you don't really need access to.


I used it to record our youth opera in June, but only because I was tracking 38 channels and Protools tops out at 32 channels unless you have HD hardware connected. But I can get a session up and running in Protools in like 5 minutes, including naming all the tracks. Reaper took me almost an hour just because the layout was just too wonky. And I still can't figure out how to name the tracks so that the files have the same names on them.


Here next week when I sit down to start going through the youth opera recording, I'm going to have to import everything back into Protools and hope that the naming conventions on the files that Reaper used makes some kind of sense.


Yes, Protools isn't the most stable platform for live recording. But the workflow is about 17 times easier and more straight forward. Plus the GUI doesn't look like you are living in a cave.

When did you last use Reaper? To me, the routing matrix couldn't make things simpler. I came from PT and Cubase and was instantly able to set up I/O before anything else.

On the other hand I have a good friend who won't give up Cubase until it's pried from his cold dead hands.

Regarding workflow, this is truly in the eye of the beholder. The best thing the OP can do for himself is spend an hour with everything is his price/requirements range and see which speaks to him. Those few hours are well spent to make the right choice for what works best for him (Unless of course he's only going to use it once, in which case...)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Windows based inexpensive multi tracking software
Post by: Tim Weaver on July 13, 2017, 11:57:23 AM
To be quite honest, Reaper is somewhat complicated. The input and output routing isn't real straight forward, and there are a tonne of options that you don't really need access to.


I used it to record our youth opera in June, but only because I was tracking 38 channels and Protools tops out at 32 channels unless you have HD hardware connected. But I can get a session up and running in Protools in like 5 minutes, including naming all the tracks. Reaper took me almost an hour just because the layout was just too wonky. And I still can't figure out how to name the tracks so that the files have the same names on them.


Here next week when I sit down to start going through the youth opera recording, I'm going to have to import everything back into Protools and hope that the naming conventions on the files that Reaper used makes some kind of sense.


Yes, Protools isn't the most stable platform for live recording. But the workflow is about 17 times easier and more straight forward. Plus the GUI doesn't look like you are living in a cave.


Here's the main thing about Reaper. The UI is extremely simple. The setup and preferences are extremely complex. This has nothing to do with how good or bad reaper is, but simply puts ALL of the control in the hands of the user. To set up Reaper you need to spend plenty of time in the preferences dictating where the files go, what to name those files, how to split those files into different folders or drives, etc, etc. And that's just the file handling part. You have extremely deep control over every part of the program.

Unfortunately the way it is set up "stock" is pretty miserable. Everything dumps into one folder and that's in the documents folder for some inexplicable reason, and there is no file naming structure beyond the basic date and track name.

ALSO, and this is a biggie for people importing into other DAW's for editing, There's a limit to how big a file (track) can be in Reaper. After that limit it breaks the track into two files. Now, Reaper handles this just fine with no interruption in audio, but if you import this into PT you'll have the beginning on one track and the end on another track and reassembling this is a PITA. Fortunately Reaper provides a way to fix this. It's a setting just like everything else. There is no limit afaik about how big the file CAN be, but there is a setting to split the track once it hits a certain size. I think you can record about 45 minutes stock, but I changed mine to handle 4Gb files and have never hit the size limit since (I'm recording 90 minute services). This setting does not hurt performance at all, but now you have Gb's of files to move around instead of xxxMb's. Like I said, it makes no difference to reaper how big the files are.

I would suggest spending lots of time watching the help videos, and surfing the (very active) forum and start setting up Reaper to be how you like it! This is NOT something to be done 10 minutes before a show.

After it's configured, reaper is an absolute joy to work with.
Title: Re: Windows based inexpensive multi tracking software
Post by: Riley Casey on July 13, 2017, 12:51:55 PM
Get a 2" Studer  ::)

Need 8 tracks, with nothing fancy at all.  Going to track it, then hand it off.

I'll ban the first member who says "get a Mac". :-)

(Not really....)
Title: Re: Windows based inexpensive multi tracking software
Post by: Tim McCulloch on July 13, 2017, 02:01:48 PM
Get a 2" Studer  ::)

For only 8 tracks a 1" machine would be fine... Think of the tape savings!!!

I'm betting the old 1" machine we made 8 track loop bin masters with is still here in town somewhere...
Title: Re: Windows based inexpensive multi tracking software
Post by: Ron Hebbard on July 13, 2017, 02:31:16 PM
For only 8 tracks a 1" machine would be fine... Think of the tape savings!!!

I'm betting the old 1" machine we made 8 track loop bin masters with is still here in town somewhere...
And still running rock solid no doubt.
A quick de-mag, a wipe with a moistened Q-Tip and off you go.
Toodleoo!
Ron Hebbard.
Title: Re: Windows based inexpensive multi tracking software
Post by: Doug Fowler on July 13, 2017, 05:28:44 PM
If I understand things correctly, Mac is the first member... period.

I'll just sit back here and wait for PSW to implode. (Is anyone recording this?)

EDIT: I think I was wrong, it appears that Doug is the first member; Mac may be #2 or #3 (depending on how you count it). But I'm still waiting for PSW to implode.

It's complicated.  After the discussion forum moved from CompuServe, Dave hosted it at Carlson Audio in Seattle with a PERL script was was/is very common.   

The first poster at live-audio.com was Monty Lee Wilkes (RIP) in May 1995.  I was second. 

It continued on like this until Uncle Kenny bought it and used it to start ProSoundWeb.com, which was then sold to Mark Herman (also RIP).

Then the forum software changed, etc etc etc.  There is a core group of users from even the CompuServe days.  Tim was there, Steve Payne, and many others.  At that time it was run by Mark McLean of Live Sound! Magazine.

There is really no "first" member.  But we were first on the 'net with maybe the exception of a somewhat exclusive AOL group at that time.
Ha! It may be the worst option for lightweight live recording.
Title: Re: Windows based inexpensive multi tracking software
Post by: Doug Fowler on July 13, 2017, 05:33:21 PM
C'mon Doug, you're a professional. You should be using professional tools. You know which multi track recording software is the right one to choose. It's not that expensive anymore.

???

Contrary to opinion in some circles, I really don't know everything.

My client needs a cheap solution to dump 8 tracks or fewer and hand it off.  I'll try Waves Tracks Live first.

In case you have not heard, I'm a professional publican nowadays.  With the best bar stereo on the planet.
Title: Re: Windows based inexpensive multi tracking software
Post by: Doug Fowler on July 13, 2017, 07:23:42 PM
Get a 2" Studer  ::)

Hmmmmm...
Title: Re: Windows based inexpensive multi tracking software
Post by: Scott Holtzman on July 13, 2017, 08:07:47 PM
Hmmmmm...

Someone has been talking to my wife.
Title: Re: Windows based inexpensive multi tracking software
Post by: Ron Bolte on July 14, 2017, 01:00:28 AM
... With the best bar stereo on the planet.

Yes.
Title: Re: Windows based inexpensive multi tracking software
Post by: Riley Casey on July 14, 2017, 10:26:26 AM
Not sure Studer ever made one inch machines but more importantly you could say you had a two inch Willi.  ;D

For only 8 tracks a 1" machine would be fine... Think of the tape savings!!!

I'm betting the old 1" machine we made 8 track loop bin masters with is still here in town somewhere...
Title: Re: Windows based inexpensive multi tracking software
Post by: Jonathan Johnson on July 14, 2017, 04:43:52 PM
Get a 2" Studer  ::)

As a one-time apprentice plumber, this is the first thing that came to mind when I read this:

http://www.ipscorp.com/plumbing/studor/minivent (http://www.ipscorp.com/plumbing/studor/minivent)