Audacity: free recording software

Cash-strapped musicians who want to do computer-based home recording might want to look into Audacity, a totally free multitrack recording program that runs on Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. I haven’t used it myself, but after looking at the feature list I just might give it a whirl.

9 responses

  1. I have used audacity for editing mp3 and wave files. Works pretty good.

  2. audacity works well, but for a more advanced freeware DAW try ardour. http://www.ardour.org works on mac and linux systems… supports most audio interface solutions .

  3. I’ve used it for years and love it. In fact, when I upgraded hardware, I specifically chose stuff that would work with this program. It’s very good and easy to use.

  4. Yes, I use Audacity too on my laptop…it is what I record all my worktapes on. If I make a demo, I can normalize, compress, EQ, echo, basically do anything I need to do. Frankly, at this point I can’t imagine ever needing Cool Edit or ProTools…unless you are a professional engineer, and then you might as well hire a studio.

  5. Although this software does a good, but basic, recording job, I still think you would be best served investing in some kind of cheaper Protools rig. There is no reason to short change your recordings, I can’t imagine being able to release any sort of professional recording using this peice of software. UNLESS you have the professional plugins to match and which Protools gives you a nice supply of when you purchase it. And an MBox is so cheap these days, why even bother with a free recorder.

  6. “I can’t imagine being able to release any sort of professional recording using this peice of software.”

    Hmm, that sounds like a challenge to me 😉 A full-length release done entirely with free software? A pretty remarkable acheivement.

  7. “I can’t imagine being able to release any sort of professional recording using this peice of software.�?

    The hell with that. I’ve used Audacity for almost a year now and released 2 professionally recorded hip-hop mixtapes, and i love it. Audacity is yet free and very easy to use. Do some real work with it and then criticise. I’ve used Acid, Cubase, Sonar, Protools Free, and N-Track and none of these “pieces of software” even come close to the accuracy and sound quality that come with Audacity. So yeah, I think that sounds like a challange to me also. “Holla”

  8. castro Avatar
    castro

    what is the best way to record my own vocals over beats and make them sound somewhat professional with mixing and mastering
    basically not sounding like a recording of a recording

  9. h0w d0 i make my vocals sound profesonal.? when i record vocals and quick mix it they have too much bass.. h0w do i make them have m0re treble than bass..?