[Harp-L] Re: PC Program

[Richard Hunter <turtlehill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The PC program most like Garageband is Mixcraft 5:
http://www.acoustica.com/mixcraft/

It's a pretty good package for a starter at about $75.

If you're considering that you might want to start with something relatively simple and move up to something more complex, without losing everything you learned on the starter, consider one of Cakewalk's programs, such as Sonar X1 LE, which sells for about $60:
http://www.store.cakewalk.com/b2cus/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=10-X1G31.00-20E

But if you want to keep it simple, go with Mixcraft.

Most of the digital audio workstations out there do very similar things.  The differences are usually more about the way the program is set up, and the way you work with it, than about the functions and features.  So it's probably a good idea for you to download the demos when you can and play around with them.  If you enjoy playing with the thing, you'll make music with it.  If not...

Regarding a microphone, my advice for a home recording starter setup is to buy an Audix Fireball V.  The most difficult problem to solve in home recording is usually getting a decent-sounding, quiet space to record in.  With a handheld fireball V, you don't need to worry about that.  The Audix produces a very nice recorded tone, plenty of body and detail without any big peaks or dips anywhere in its frequency range.  You can get a decent USB stereo audio interface for between $100-$150; if you buy a Digitech RP155/255/355, it's got a decent USB audio interface built into it--I've used it for several recording sessions with good results.  

Regards, Richard Hunter



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