NOT Bose L1 Related (thanks for indulgence):
VERY SIMPLE Recording Software?
Does anyone know of, and/or use, recording software that is honestly very simple? REALLY simple?
I’m willing to (and WANT TO) give up a LOT of functionality in exchange for the simplicity that I seek. I have a friend with ProTools, and other friends with other products that all just look overwhelming - much more complex functionality than I personally need or want to undertake.
I own and am just starting to understand a Zoom H4. It seems simple enough, sort of, and I can ignore the stuff I’m not interested in. But I question whether such a small interface will be workable and most convenient. I think the device might serve well enough as the connection from my live instruments and the computer, and can be a useful field recorder, so I’m hoping to keep it. As background, a hundred years ago I enjoyed owing and using a Teac 4-track reel-to-reel, and later a 4-channel cassette recorder which I still own. Yes, I am a dinosaur, proud! 
What I want to record is… 99% vocal and guitar, limited overdubs of additional tracks. Possibly more than four tracks, but not very many, not by today’s standards. I want to end up with a live-sounding, NOT OVER-produced promo recording of myself - like a 4-to-5 minute sample of several song segments. Then possibly a collection of full tunes using the same basic instrumentation, possibly adding tracks of live bass and percussion. Each track recorded separately, except for simultaneous guitar and vocal sometimes. So - nothing elaborate, no need for plugins for synth, horns, drums, symphony, etc. Just very basic track recording of live instruments and vocals with basic mixing functionality, similar to the 4-track tape recorders of yesteryear, just on the computer screen.
Does this exist?
Thanks, Mike
Hi Mike,
I’m using Audacity connected via USB to my T1®. It’s working for me. My needs may be a little less involved than yours though.
Just vocal and guitar. Very rarely do I do an overdub. Just for fooling around. Works fine for that.
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
Windows (XP, Vista and Windows 7), Mac
Price is right.
ST
Gee, I downloaded Audacity opened it …took one look …got scared and closed it. It this is what simple is then my brain is one celled! LOL!
I also connect usb to tonematch. Anyway…I wnet back to my tascam CD recorder. I just run it from Master out and it records what is coming out of the speaker on cd. I must admit…I would really 'love" to be able to just simply record what is being heard to my computer but so far…too complicated for Mr one cell me. Any suggestions regarding me trying Audacity again? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks fellas!
AJ - I may be right with you! Good ol’ ST may have to conduct a PC Recording For Dummies class for us!
I will check it out - thanks as always ST…
Hi, AJ:
I have to say that the Audacity interface is not simple … it may be simple for those used to running “real” recording boards, but it is not “Garage Band” simple (for those using Macs).
On the other side,however, Garage Band is only “intuitive” and simple if you happen to think like the Garage Band designers … there are a few things with Garage Band that are not “obvious” when you look at the interface or the “Help”, but … once you stumble across the ‘tricks’, it’s not too bad.
Hi AJ, Mike
If you have a T1® and get the connections set so that the USB to Computer is sending the output you want to the T1® then things are pretty easy.
I only use a few of the buttons in the Audacity interface.
But then - all I am doing is recording vocal and guitar and making the odd mp3 to send to friends. This is the only part of the interface I touch. (Oh, and the file menu to save files).
Here is an article from Wiek-at-Bose (Europe)
Live Recording with T1® Aux and Audacity
Very interesting and he has included some wonderful recordings.
quote:If you have a T1® and get the connections set so that the USB to Computer is sending the output you want to the T1® then things are pretty easy.
Hi ST and all the nice people in this formum!
I have the Ti connected USB to computer. All I know is that "easy" is connecting my tascam CD recorder to Master out into the cd recorder and press "record" and then "start" and it's recording what ever is coming out of my "stick", reverb and all! Now, when somebody has the "Audacity" to come up with a program that allows me to see a CD Player on my laptop with a record button and a start button then it will get my interest. LOL! Until then....it's the "old" fashion way for me. Like my dad use to say...."if it ain't broke....don't fix it. Dat's my story and I'm stickin to it. .....right Mike? LOL!
Bonjour messieurs les musiciens,
Being a really cheap person, I found Audacity when looking for a free software. I was taken aback when I saw all these functions. But I finally realized there are only a few buttons I use:
- Record / Stop
- Save / Save as
When I connected the T1’s USB cable out to my laptop and turned the T1 on, Windows saw and recognized the T1. Then I started Audacity and it directly read the USB signal when I pressed Record. When I was done, I pressed Stop then Save. And that’s it! The only step somewhat complicated, you need to find a DLL file or something like it to convert the file from the native Audacity format to MP3.
Like ST, we have simple guitar / voice arrangements and there is no post-production. Just straight, live music. You can hear samples of the resulting sound on our web page (below). We haven’t had much time to record much more… Hope you like it.
try energyXT distributed by behringer.
www.energyxt.com