Right so going on lots of advice which I'm very restful for I think I'm getting the iRig Pro to record my stuff. Now comes the question of which DAW to use? I know GarageBand is a popular choice as its free but does it give you everything you need or is it worth shelling out for something like amputube? I'm going to be recording my guitar and need artificial drums & bass wtc as as it wil just be me laying down a few song ideas. So which is best in everyone's opinion? Cheers for all the help!
James
That question will get you 10 different answers from 10 different people, GS. :P
But the answers will be interesting... ;)
I'll have to agree with Joom :)
My 2c worth though ... It depends how you plan on recording and what you want to do. Apps like JamUp Pro and AmpliTube have optional 8-track recorders you can purchase that work perfectly with their own tones. AmpliTube has the additional (and also for a fee) backing drum pack. If you want to do everything in one app, AmpliTube is the way to go.
If you plan on using AudioBus to connect your guitar tones to a different drum app then it might be worthwhile getting a dedicated DAW in iOS. We are talking iOS by the way I assume ;)
My favourite iOS DAWs are MultiTrack DAW (http://www.harmonicdog.com/) and Meteor Multi Track Recorder (http://www.4pockets.com/product_info_apple.php?p=8&nb=4). I use Meteor the most.
I hope that helps.
Cheers mate. Thought ampitubr was the way I was swaying but didn't want to shell out unless I felt it was needed.
Quote from: GuitarStarTV on October 10, 2014, 07:28:23 PM
Cheers mate. Thought ampitubr was the way I was swaying but didn't want to shell out unless I felt it was needed.
If you're buying iRig then trial the free version of AmpliTube first. You'll get a simple recording option to trial I believe (single track?) so you can see if you like it before you guy it. Just know that if you buy addons in the free version they do not transfer into the paid version. So either buy no add-ons or buy them all from the free version (you end up paying the same amount and end up with the same gear :))
Oh and watch IK Multimedia on Facebook or Twitter. They often have huge deals that can save you heaps!
Thanks so much mate! I will definitely do that! I think I'm going to get the iRig pro. Amputube looks the best for me as it has a lot of addons available for me to create drum tracks by myself.
Will follow them on Twitter & facebook for some deals!
Thanks again mate!
Right...I think I'm sold on amplitube as it seems to offer everything I need.
Has anyone purchased the drumloop add on? If so is it good & how much is it?
Thanks guys!
I've purchased it. I pretty much have everything in AmpliTube. Well, up until the most recent update. But I'll get that new gear too ;)
I do like the drum loop addon. My only dislike is that you can't start drums in any other bar than the first bar. so if you wanted to start with a guitar part and then have the drums kick in later, you can't do that in AmpliTube. You'd need to use a proper DAW (iOS version included) and combine the guitar and drums there.
I've done that too.
Cheers mate for that!
So I will need a decent laptop or Mac to really utilise it fully?
What DAW do you use?
How much is the drum loop add on?
AmpliTube on iOS is where you get the drum loops addons. I know they just released a second drum style pack and that is $18.99 (AUD prices) which includes Jazz, Reggae, Latin, Rock, Pop, Metal Blues and Funky packs. I assume the first pack of similar styles cost me the same. It really depends on what you want to do and where you want to do it.
I've spent probably about $100 or so over the years on AmpliTube for iOS (I've been using it since 2011 at least). I have almost every add-on the app contains. I am a big fan of their tone. I can record very decent sounding songs using just this app. It's not a complete package, but it's pretty damn close. Connect it to a DAW like Meteor using Audiobus and the sky is the limit.
For PC or Mac though, you'll need a DAW like Reaper and the VST version of AmpliTube. PC/Mac is more versatile and you should be able to produce more complete and professional recordings. Or you can combine the two.
Check out Evangelos Koudonas on Bandcamp (https://evangeloskoudonas.bandcamp.com/). He records all of his guitar in iOS and then mixes it all (using GarageBand for drums I believe) on the Mac. There's more to it than that, but he really shows what is achievable. Plus he's a great musician and person :)
Thanks so much for all your help my friend. I'm a complete novice at home recording and have always concentrated so much on my playing and live performance that when it comes to recording I have always been in a band and gone to a recording studio!
I will be sure to check it out!
I will undoubtably be coming to you for further help! :-)
Quote from: GuitarStarTV on October 19, 2014, 06:29:45 AM
I will undoubtably be coming to you for further help! :-)
No worries at all. I'll be here :)
Maybe I should put together a few articles later on the processes I go through on iOS and PC ...
That would be a massive help to me mate! I'm in a bit of a minefield at the moment! Lol!
Quote from: Scarebear on October 19, 2014, 12:27:15 AM
AmpliTube on iOS is where you get the drum loops addons. I know they just released a second drum style pack and that is $18.99 (AUD prices) which includes Jazz, Reggae, Latin, Rock, Pop, Metal Blues and Funky packs. I assume the first pack of similar styles cost me the same. It really depends on what you want to do and where you want to do it.
I've spent probably about $100 or so over the years on AmpliTube for iOS (I've been using it since 2011 at least). I have almost every add-on the app contains. I am a big fan of their tone. I can record very decent sounding songs using just this app. It's not a complete package, but it's pretty damn close. Connect it to a DAW like Meteor using Audiobus and the sky is the limit.
For PC or Mac though, you'll need a DAW like Reaper and the VST version of AmpliTube. PC/Mac is more versatile and you should be able to produce more complete and professional recordings. Or you can combine the two.
Check out Evangelos Koudonas on Bandcamp (https://evangeloskoudonas.bandcamp.com/). He records all of his guitar in iOS and then mixes it all (using GarageBand for drums I believe) on the Mac. There's more to it than that, but he really shows what is achievable. Plus he's a great musician and person :)
Soooooooooo......
Excuse my ignorance, if I was to use amplitude to record my guitar parts and use the drum loop facility to insert my drum patterns, what would Meteor enable me to do? Meteor is another recording app right? So why use both together?
My brain aches!
It will be fun watching your progress on this, GS. Be sure and keep giving us the step by step, blow by blow, on how things fall into place for you...
Lol! I feel like I'm learning music theory all over again! There are so many things to take in. I want to create good sounding material on my own at home without having to get loads of other instruments plugged in too. I'm going to be recording instrumental ideas & need something that I can add drum & bass tracks myself!
I don't use a mobile device myself, everything on the PC.
For drums, there are quite a few good packages out there. EZDrummer, PC Drummer Pro, Steiberg's Groove Agent 3, and the list goes on. Even one called Hydrogen on SourceForge. Lots of people use EZDrummer, though I prefer PC Drummer Pro (though it's a toss up).
Mainly, though, I use the drum systems in Reason most of the time. I just like Reason for everything.
For bass, I either use a good bass synth and the keyboard, or I program bass samples into the drum systems and let it handle everything.
As you say, there's lots to take in, and everything depends on where you want to go and who is helping you. Everyone will suggest something different...
Well I have no tower PC and a very old laptop so that's out of the question. All my recording will be done on iPad so need something that I can access on here! Thanks for all the advice mate!
Oh my goodness........no PC? I knew somebody like that once back in '64... :P
I know a lot of people are doing some really cool things on mobile devices for recording and mixing now, but I'm one of those old school guys I guess. Sit down at the PC, and have all the software/hardware toys with all the bells and whistles ready to go. My systems are showing their age, though, so I think a new one will have to be on the Christmas list this year. Something big and bad... ;D
I've been trying out various DAWs on my PC, and have bought licences for Cubase Elements and Reaper. As I get more involved I find myself turning to Cubase Elements more and more, simply because of the very usable packaged VST instruments and the huge library of ready made drum and other loops - I still haven't managed to work my way through them all. I use Addictive Drums version 1 and 2 for most of my drum tracks, but the built in Cubase drum machine, even in the Elements version one iteration, is plenty powerful enough for a tyro like me. I was thinking of upgrading, but I have got loads of learning to do even with this base version.
So why mention it when you are lumbered with using an iPad? Well, because there is an iOS version (https://www.steinberg.net/en/products/mobile_apps/cubasis.html) and lots of other stuff. No idea how much it costs.
Thanks for all your input guys! Lol! I know...no PC?! I used to have one but never used it so just stuck with a laptop. Soon as I discovered the iPad i very rarely touch my laptop except for basic word processing. I nearly got a custom tower build specifically for recording music but love the idea that I can take my iPad and iRig around with me & record at any time or anywhere.
I've got a brain full of song ideas & riffs that if I don't record some soon my brain will explode. I even resort to using an old single deck tape recorder to document my ideas! Now that's what I call old skool!
I've wanted to try Cubasis on the iPad, but it's $50. I can't bring myself to start with $50 on an app (although some I've upgraded so much I know I've spent more). I prefer to start cheap and spend more if I like what I'm hearing/experiencing :)
How old is your laptop James? You could run Reaper on it and do more as Joom and Hinfrance have suggested than you could on an iPad. For when you want to make a seriously professional recording. I'm very much like you though. I like to create on the run :)
Oh, I see we're using VigLink now (because I didn't add links) :)
Quote from: GuitarStarTV on October 19, 2014, 05:42:33 PM
I've got a brain full of song ideas & riffs that if I don't record some soon my brain will explode. I even resort to using an old single deck tape recorder to document my ideas! Now that's what I call old skool!
For years I've carried a pocket recorder with me, especially while driving. They kept getting smaller, now about the size of a pack of gum. When I think of a tune, I just do the old "dum de dum de dum" thing so I remember it. Same when I think of lyrics. Then I sit down at the PC when I get home.
Not as cool as jamming a new tune with a guitar and tablet on the bench at the beach, but it works for me. Like I said, all the mobile stuff looks (and I'm sure is) cool, but I just can't personally get out of the old school mode... :P
Quote from: Scarebear on October 21, 2014, 03:20:22 AM
I've wanted to try Cubasis on the iPad, but it's $50. I can't bring myself to start with $50 on an app (although some I've upgraded so much I know I've spent more). I prefer to start cheap and spend more if I like what I'm hearing/experiencing :)
How old is your laptop James? You could run Reaper on it and do more as Joom and Hinfrance have suggested than you could on an iPad. For when you want to make a seriously professional recording. I'm very much like you though. I like to create on the run :)
Oh, I see we're using VigLink now (because I didn't add links) :)
My laptop is probably around 8 years old I think so pretty ancient! Lol! Might think about trying it out on the iPad first and then if I hit barriers in my recording demands I may look to get a new laptop!
There are also plenty of handy videos on YouTube that teach you about the drum loop and/or studio add-ons before you buy them. Such as ...
Fantastic video mate! Thanks for sharing! Loop drummer looks amazing as well as the studio add on!