Daw?

[johntyler1228]

I am a seasoned 4 track home recorder looking to upgrade system in favor of something a little more versatile. Especially, I don't know much about DAW recording but it sounds pretty good. I would like to learn
1. what types of software you need.
2. what type of computer hardware you need to install on pc.
3. what additional types of recording or interface hardware do you need
4. also where is a good place to learn more about recording in general?

Basically to learn enough about what i'm doing before putting myself at the mercy of a salesperson.

Any thoughts?

[Jason_Dionne]

I'm not familliar with DAW, but what about ProTools?

[Jon Broderick]

Software:

There is a good free program you can start out with called Audacity.

It is open source and totally free, working like a software based multitrack.

You can use that and google for "audacity tutorials" to learn what it does.

This will get your education going, with zero investment.

Hardware:

This is a hard topic, there are many choices. I really like this review site:

http://www.tweakheadz.com/soundcards_for_the_home_studio.htm

The style is a little silly, but the "for noobs" link on that page takes you to some simple choices, and the rest of the site has more high end gear being reviewed.


Have fun!

Jon

[equator]

A very good DAW is Reaper.
It does the same things you would expect from Pro tools or Cubase.
This is more advanced than Audacity.
Try it for free and if you like it buy it or donate.
http://www.cockos.com/reaper/download.php

Hardware:
All you need to start off is an USB sound interface.
(You can find inexpansive ones on ebay)

After you get used to recording with this setup, you can upgrade to a more powerful computer, interface with plentty of ins and outs, monitors, screens, etc.

But the way, Reaper accepts most VST and VSTI plugings, whereas Audacity is very limmited on that regard.

Good luck :)

[Douglas Showalter]

DAW means "Digital Audio Workstation." It pretty much means any program that you use to record on your computer. This being Pro-Tools, Logic, Cubase, etc.

I use Logic Pro and find it to work great for me. However, I firmly believe that it is how you work with what you have. I have seen people with very limited resources make great recordings. I would say whatever you use, learn it to your best extent and don't get caught up in having a million plug ins and instruments and so forth. Get something, and really work with it. Logic is inexpensive and VERY user friendly. Pro-Tools is the industry standard. Whatever you get, make great music with it!