I have purchased a new laptop with the plans to use it for recording. I am wondering what software some of you use in your home studios. Please tell me what you like/dislike about it.

Thanks!

I line in my daughter's boom box with an eighth inch plug and record my casettes in wav format. If only the guitar player would not bogart the tapes, I would have some stuff to listen to.

Yes, it's low-tech but it's all mine, baby!

I don't know how good laptops are for recording. I use a Presonus Firepod (FP10, as they are called now) which comes with Cubase LE software. It's worked out well for me so far.

If you're going to consider this route, you're going to need a fire wire port. I'd also recommend a portable hard drive. I've already had one system crash. Thank God I had all my music on a portable drive, so it was safe.

use a good di box and use acid pro for rec software.

I looked at the Acid software at Best Buy yesterday when I bought the new laptop. Not sure if it was the Pro, though. I have a USB based interface to record through that can control 2 tracks at once and provide phantom power for mics that require that.

Does the Acid software have much in the way of drum loops? I have an electric kit, but sometimes finding a live drummer to record can be a pain in the neck.

I have been using Riffworks from Sonomawireworks/Line 6. It is great software and FWIW I highly recommend it...I use the Toneport UX2 for the hardware interface. The software will work on Mac & Winders...

Check other peoples songs here on the sonomawireworks site. www.sonomawireworks.com/riffcaster

www.line6.com
www.sonomawireworks.com

Do you use the free or paid version, DrJam?

I own the software (plus several additional drum sessions and FX packages). You will also need to purchase a hardware interface (I have Line6 Toneport UX2). Line6 modeling of the amps and cabinets is amazing! definitely worth your time in researching into it.

There are several amazing bundle packages for sale right now, so its a great time to jump into the software/setup. I also found that the learning curve on this setup is quick...

If you go to www.myspace.com/brokenunionrocks those songs were created using the riffworks software.

Hope that helps alldat?

It's definitely something to look at.

yes they have drum loops but.......... If you want really really good drum loops get beta monkey. real drum loops and only 30 bucks. for like 3000 pluss loops
I love it and my bros in strangeland love it also.

I use Sonar 6 Home Studio edition. Awesome tool. Very visual and easy to work with. For a free program try Audacity soundforge.

Sonar cost me about 100$ I think.

What type of drum loops can you use with Sonar? Or, are you having Hoops do your programming, Endy?

Hoops does the programming. He's pretty good!

DrJam, so how hard would it be to record real drum tracks with the Sonoma Riffworks?

drjam, I am downloading the free version to try.

Imo sony acid pro is better and infinite loops and all u need is a myxer to hook up to computer and then u can record anything. and use any wav file.

I use Sonar 3 at home and it's definitely been good to me and what I do. You can check out stuff I've recorded through the links in my signature thingy down below!