outputs. Expect to spend at least $500 for two input channels and $1,000 and more (often much more) for higher counts.
Choosing the right software
For the most part, audio production software falls into the following two categories:
Audio-recording programs: These programs allow you to record numerous tracks (the number depends on the program) and let you edit, equalize, and mix those tracks as well as add effects.
MIDI-sequencing programs: These programs allow you to record MIDI performance data (without the sounds) and edit and mix the data. The difference between audio and MIDI recording is covered in detail in Chapter 11.
Researching a program you’re interested in
If you already own a computer and you want audio-recording or sequencing software to go with it, do the following research on the software that interests you:
Find out the product’s compatibility with your system. Visit the software manufacturer’s website for information about whether your system will work with that program, as well as what additional hardware you may need in order to get the software up and running.
Find out what other users are saying. On the Internet, you can find an online discussion board for each of the major audio-recording software programs. Before you buy a program, go to the sites of the programs that interest you and see what people are saying about them. Ask questions and explore the issues that other people are having with the programs. Doing so can save you lots of time dealing with bugs in your system and allow you to record a lot more music. You can find these sites by using the product name as the keyword in your favorite search engine and checking out the Internet forums. One great way to see whether a particular program is right for you is to find out what people who play your type of music are using. For instance, a lot of people who compose with synthesizers and MIDI use Logic Pro X because using MIDI and software synthesizers is quick and easy in this program. They also don’t need a bunch of hardware synthesizers to get the sounds they want, which saves space in their studio and saves money, because they can bypass the hardware to get their synthesizer sounds.
Checking out some popular programs
You can choose from numerous music-production software programs. In this section, I include some free ones, full-featured, professional-level ones, and online collaboration-friendly ones. I’m sure at least one of these will meet your needs.
FREE PROGRAMS
There is a huge amount of free audio recording programs available if you are on a tight budget. Here are a few I recommend:
Audacity: Audacity is the most popular free multi-track recording program. It is compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux computers.
GarageBand: GarageBand is extremely easy to use. It is only available for Macs, but it’s so popular I can’t not include it in this list.
Pro Tools First: This is a free version of one the most popular and powerful professional programs. You are limited to 16 tracks and four inputs, which may be plenty, depending on your music. It can be used with both Windows and Mac computers.
COLLABORATION PROGRAMS
For many people, making music is a collaborative process. You can find a variety of websites online that make this process easy with full-featured recording programs and active communities of artists you can connect with. Here are some popular options (you can find many more with an Internet search):
BandLab: BandLab is a free and is compatible with Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices.
Soundtrap: Soundtrap has several pricing tiers, including a free tier. It is compatible with Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android devices.
Pro Tools: Avid has made it easy for you to collaborate with Pro Tools software on Mac and Windows. There is no extra cost to use the tool. All you need to do is enable collaboration in your Pro Tools session.
PROFESSIONAL-LEVEL PROGRAMS
Though there are numerous high-quality audio recording programs, some have been around long enough and used by enough professionals that they stand out. Here are a handful of companies that make some of the best:
Apple: Makes Logic Pro Audio and GarageBand. These programs run only on Mac systems. Logic Pro X has been around for a while and is one of the top programs available. The downside is that it’s for Macs only. Like all the programs, Logic has its way of working — some people like it, while others have a hard time grasping the way the user interface functions. (I love it.)
Avid: Makes Pro Tools, Pro Tools HD and HDX, and Pro Tools First. These programs work on both Mac and PC systems. Avid’s Pro Tools HD and HDX systems are arguably the standard for digital audio in pro studios, although many pro studios are using any one (or more) of the other programs I list in this section.
Mark of the Unicorn: Makes Digital Performer. This program runs only on a Mac up to version 10, and now works on Windows as well. Digital Performer is a powerful program that does MIDI and audio equally well. One advantage of this program is that Mark of the Unicorn makes very good audio interfaces that are designed to work well with its software. You end up with a better chance of having a stable system.
Steinberg: Makes Cubase, Cubasis, Nuendo, and WaveLab. These programs run on both Mac and PC platforms. Nuendo is Steinberg’s best program, and it’s excellent for recording audio. Nuendo isn’t very strong in MIDI sequencing, so if this feature is important to you, this may not be the best program to use. In that case, if you like the Steinberg line, you may want to try Cubase, which is a great program that’s on par with Logic and the others, and is stronger in MIDI sequencing than Nuendo.
Most of these manufacturers offer program demos that you can download for free to see whether you like them. These demos work just like the full versions except that you generally can’t save or print your work.