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Many software applications can record audio from your sound card. I have favorites for different uses, depending on the project. This page covers recording software from simple quick voice recording to full multi track recording.
What to look for;: Low price, you do not need to buy those big dollar names to get professional quality results. Latency trouble, this is a timing thing, if your app decides to send a couple tracks out of time with each other after using it for a while, or if you hit a note and it comes out of your pc speakers a second later, then it's probably not the best choice. Plug-in support, ease of use, tech support, multitrack capability,
This list in not in any type of preference order, we just use them all.
TrakAx - Is one bad-ass freebie! This software is an audio, video and image editor/sequencer. The coolest thing about it is that you can seriously edit audio within your video productions. No multitrack recording, but if you want to make a killer home movie or music video, this is the one!
Acoustica Mixcraft - This is a great app for the price range. You can record on as many tracks as you need for any type of project. Mixcraft accepts most VST plug-in effects and VSTI Instruments, and also comes with all of Acoustica's effects. The release of version 4 introduces MIDI compatibility. Simple copy/paste, drag/drop functions make it very easy to use, and once again the support is excellent. You would also need a multi input sound card if you plan to record multiple tracks at once.
Magix Audio Studio - There is mixed feelings here for this app, it is an awesome multitrack recording studio for your pc. It turns out excellent results, accepts most VST plug-ins, has no latency trouble, records multiple tracks simultaniously, and has a familiar mixing board look to it for you live engineer people. The problem with this software is the support, there is none. You'd have an easier time contacting Bill Gates than someone at Magix. There is a forum and the users do try to help, but everyone who purchases it is left by the company to figure it out on their own. I have spent about a year now using it and am still learning things, so if you don't mind the support thing then it is a great choice for the money.
Kristal Audio Engine - This is a free for personal use application that is very reminiscent of Magix Audio Studio. It comes with a few built in effects and a three band parametric EQ, and also supports VST plug-ins. Easy to use and seems to be clean and accurate. It presents you with multiple windows but is not cluttered or confusing if your screen resolution is high enough. One window is a very familiar looking mixing console and the other two windows are also pretty much clones of what you see when you start a new project with the Magix product. A few tests lead me to say yes, this is a great application for the price.
Acoustica Mp3 Audio Mixer - Seems to be a sort of smaller version of Mixcraft, but I like it and use it often. I purchased it years ago when it was called "Internet Audio Mixer" and have used it ever since. It will not record multiple tracks at once and is missing a lot of things that Mixcraft has, but for simple recordings, it is perfect. I used it to do the audio voive overs for some of the tutorials I have made. It is easier for me in Mp3 Audio Mixer than in Mixcraft to record, oops, delete, record, oops, delete, until i get it right.
Windows Sound Recorder - Came with your copy of Windows and is stupid simple but works for simple things like voice recording. It will only save to wav format which is fine for what I use it for. I sometimes use it to do the same things I do in Mp3 Audio Mixer. Though it doesn't have any of the extra's.
AnvilStudio - Praised for it's midi editing capabilities, the company claims anyone who is just starting out should try this software. I personally could not get it to do much, but then again, I had no midi equipment at the time. This is a free application
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