I have a PC. I also have a laptop.

I want to record on my computer but I don't want to blow a thousand bucks on ProTools... or... necessarily... 500-something bucks on the fanciest version of Cubase.

I was thinking about getting a Mac Mini as an auxilliary computer and then messing around with GarageBand. Though I'd prefer to get something for the computer(s) I already have.

What's out there? Under 300 bucks ideally... the cheaper the better as long as it doesn't suck.

I've been using Cool Edit Pro for a couple of years, and it's totally fine. You should be able to find it pretty easily second hand. Cool Edit was bought out by Adobe a while ago and it's called Adobe Audition these days. From their store it looks like Adobe Audition is $349 but I suspect you'd be able to get Cool Edit Pro for much cheaper or for free

What about lighter versions of Cubase?
I know there's several levels you can get like, Cubase LE, VST, SX, etc.
You could also try eBay for a used version.

Thanks for the tips!

Is there anything really cheap and cheesy that's pretty much the equivalent of a $30 4-track tape recorder but that's "good enough" if I just want to tool around for cheap thrills?

Depending on what computer you have, you could try ProTools Free...which is free. Don't know if it's still available but just google it. There's 8 tracks and unlimited midi, but the learning curve is pretty steep. The good news is that if you do learn it, later on you can splurge for the full version and pretty much know what you're doing already.

Other than that..I tried a shareware program a few years ago but it was so bad I just erased it. It couldn't keep time for more than 30 seconds. Can't even remember what it was called but it wasn't worth the hassle anyways.

I vaguely remember hearing of a guitar oriented program for around $60 or something, but can't remember that either. Just use Google & you'll find something.

Check out Magix Music Studio 10. It's 80 bucks and it's a good program.

Cubasis VST or Cubase LE. Very easy to use plus most plug-ins are compatable.

You can get ProTools LE too... I would probably go with that one myself if I was starting all over again.

Not sure about the cost of Sonar but a lot of the guys here swear by it.

Cubase VST is an older program but it's way out of the league of the other programs mentioned and nowhere near being outdated.
I saw a windows version available on ebay for around $60 recently.
If you want one to get, that's it. Hell... just for the 32 bit recording and the plug-ins it's worth that much. Mine was a given to me, but I'm pretty sure they went for over $500 when they first came out.
There's also a 24 bit version that's actually is a little more stable on slower systems. It doesn't include True Tape, Reverb32 or 32 bit recording, but on most home recording systems, you'd never know the difference anyways.

Originally Posted by: schmangeDepending on what computer you have, you could try ProTools Free...which is free. Don't know if it's still available but just google it. There's 8 tracks and unlimited midi, but the learning curve is pretty steep. The good news is that if you do learn it, later on you can splurge for the full version and pretty much know what you're doing already.

I found that but it says it's for Windows98/ME, could you use it with XP? Also are there any other free recordong programs that are any good that you know of? I'm already gonna have to buy a mic, so I'm not buying any programs yet, I just want something that gives me the ability to record myself and edit it. Thanks.

Nah, I guess it'll only work on Windows 98 then.
Sorry... don't know of anything else free that's worth getting.
I'm a Mac user though so you might try seeing if there's something available in shareware for windows. Try tucows.com, download.com... those are the only two sites I can remember off hand..
I wouldn't buy anything shareware unless there was a demo version available that at least let you check it out throroughly first.

Has anyone used Cakewalk Guitar Tricks Pro ver3? I have a demo version of it and it sells for $99.00 at Musicians friend, I haven't had time to try it out yet I need to get an adapter to go from my 1/4 jack to a 1/8 jack and use my line in on my Soundcard. I want to buy a good program but don't want to spend $200 on it, if anyone has tried this I would like to know the results. I will post mine when I figure it out.