[XCSSA] Re: [SATLUG] Multitrack recording query

[xcssa@xcssa.org]

>[Cross posting to XCSSA]
>On Monday 11 September 2006 04:57, Donguitar wrote:
>[...]
> > I want to build her a Linux multitrack studio and teach her how to use 
>it
> > so she can make her own demos.  I've got a 733 MHz IBM that should 
>probably
> > work just fine (if not, I'll buy a faster machine from RetroBox) and 
>I've
> > been researching Open Source recording apps.
>
>The big thing you're going to want is a lot of RAM.  At least 1 GB.
>With multitrack audio.. you want lots of RAM.  If you're only running a 
>733,
>you probably don't want to run a full desktop environment like KDE or 
>Gnome.
>Probably more something like FluxBox, FVWM, of XFCE.  EIther that or get
>soemthing faster.
>
> > I've got a nice 16 channel
> > Tascam mixing board and a rackmount effects panel I'm not using.
>
>Good for input level adjustment.. but you can also do this in PC hardware
>too.. although I prefer to keep my mic level inputs OUTSIDE the PC.. as it 
>is
>electrically a very RF/AF noisy environment.
>
>
> > The recording needs are simple.  She wants demos of songs she's written.
> > No sampling or digital magic is required.  Most of the time she'll need
> > four tracks or less for her voice (melody & harmony tracks) and her 
>guitar
> > but I'd like to give her the ability to mix in additional instruments
> > and/or voices if she wishes.
>
>Check our Audacity:
>http://audacity.sourceforge.net/about/
>
>My brother's a musician and it's all he uses now.
>
>
>Also check out Audor (I haven't tried this one yet.. but it looks cool):
>http://www.ardour.org/
>
>I'll also cross post this to XCSSA.  Be sure to ask our audio expert 
>Charles
>about multi-channel audio cards.. he's they guy to ask about all things
>audio.
>
>Tweeks

I've used Audacity to record my mixes for burning to a CD. It works very 
well, even an hour-long mix. I haven't figured out how to make and send a 
TOC using Audacity yet, but I can cut the tracks by hand.

I've also goofed around with Ardour and Hydrogen using jack - the first 
couple of beats don't sync up correctly between them, but that can be fixed. 
I'm sure using a higher-end audio card would help tremendously as well. 
Also, if you need to make any midi tracks, I believe one of the best Linux 
applications for that is Rosegarden.

There are tons of information on using Linux for audio recordings, plus 
there is a website for music made with Linux: http://lam.fugal.net/. Some of 
it is pretty rough and sounds like old, old synthesizer music (Moog). Other 
tracks are really excellent.

Enjoy!
Tom King