Topic: New to Matricing......

[Brian G]

Hello all,

I know this is probably a repeated question.

I am starting to do 4 channel recording with the R-44.  What software do people reccomend to do the matricing?  I have Soundforge, Acid Pro.

I did a seach on the site, I have seen people are using Wavlab. Will what I have do it ( can't find anything in the manuals about it), or do I need to pick up more software?

[Roving Sign]

Audacity will do it easily for free...

[easy jim]

Audacity will do it easily for free...

That may be true, but it is like carving a turkey with a cleaver and a butter knife.  Audacity is fine to start out learning, and for basic or quick & dirty mixing; but, it is very clunky and does not have a lot of the tools that you would be able to use on other (better) multi-track editing software.

[Brian Skalinder]

Audacity is fine to start out learning, and for basic or quick & dirty mixing; but, it is very clunky and does not have a lot of the tools that you would be able to use on other (better) multi-track editing software.

Given that price is often a major issue for people when it comes to multi-track editing software, do you have recommendations for free or inexpensive alternatives?

I'll offer my usual:  Samplitude SE (~$65).  And for reference, SAM version differences.

Since the OP mentioned WaveLab -- it will work, too, but it's much more expensive, has a clunkier interface, and may or may not (I don't recall) offer object-oriented editing (which I find a big plus in SAM).

[easy jim]

^ I wish I could offer suggestions in the 'budget' range, but I am not aware of many for multi-track editing.  It seems to me that starting out with Audacity is a good option for getting one's feet wet; but that you'll want to move on to something with more functionality and that is easier to fine tune if you develop a knack and interest in mixing.

Samplitude SE seems like a good option for a PC user.  Most fully functional multi-track software (w/ automation, more detailed/advanced editing tools,etc.), for both platforms, is going to cost at least a few hundred dollars.

[Brian Skalinder]

Samplitude SE seems like a good option for a PC user.  Most fully functional multi-track software (w/ automation, more detailed/advanced editing tools,etc.), for both platforms, is going to cost at least a few hundred dollars.

I'm not very familiar with some of the other fully functional multi-track apps.  What's lacking in SAM SE that those apps provide (and that might be useful to someone working with, say, a 4-ch mixdown of mics or mics + sbd)?  It's replaced everything I've needed to do in the past with WaveLab or Audition, but then again I've never done any heavy multi-tracking, other than the occasional 4-ch mixdown.

[easy jim]

^ For straightforward mixes from 4 tracks, it looks to be a real bargain with an excellent bang:buck ratio.  It should do quite nicely for most things regarding which I find Audacity lacking.

It seems to me that SAM SE has almost all of the functionality I use in Digital Performer; just less FX options, no EQ automation, and some limited file processing capabilities and limitations on the numbers of buses and plug-ins you can run.  To get the same functionality out of it that I currently use in DP, I'd probably end up upgrading to the SAM 10 full or pro version.

[Brian G]

Thanks for all of the help. I deceided to start with Audicity. Its pretty easy.  Good to get my feet wet with.

[ghellquist]

Do try Audacity.  It is limited and awkward, but free.

My long time favourite is Samplitude. Check the feature list, especially if you want to burn directly to CD which some of the versions do. As for sound quality and stability it is up there with the best.

Another program to test is Reaper. It is fairly complete already and does evolve rapidly. Not expensive, you get to test it for free on downloading.

// Gunnar

[mblindsey]

Another program to test is Reaper. It is fairly complete already and does evolve rapidly. Not expensive, you get to test it for free on downloading.

I am a big fan of Reaper.  It is solid and cheap.

--Michael

[tgakidis]

I use Sony Vegas Pro, real cheap if you know where to look 

[boojum]

I started with Cool Edit and then on to SAM SE.  I am now with SMA 10.2 Pro.  The nice thing about SAM SE is that it is a good piece of DAW software and the entry point to the whole Samplitude/Sequoia family of great DAW software.  You can start with the SE package.

Cheers

[heyitsmejess]

Another program to test is Reaper. It is fairly complete already and does evolve rapidly. Not expensive, you get to test it for free on downloading.

I am a big fan of Reaper.  It is solid and cheap.

--Michael

[goodcooker]

I do all of my 4 track mixdowns with Audio Montage in Wavelab5

I use Adobe Audition for multi-tracking (more than 4 tracks)

Audacity never really caught on for me....I don't really know why.

[bugg100]

Wavelab v5 won't open 4 channel files. Soundforge 9 will but can't mix tracks.