Songwriting Software Express, Issue # 33 - Recording Software For Your Songwriting Studio

October, 2005 Issue

To help your songwriting with a focus on the benefits of innovative software, tools, resources and programs for your songwriting craft and career.

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First up: Editor's Note from the laptop of Robert Curtis,
your songwriter in residence at Songwriting Software Plus.

1. Recording Programs For Your Songwriting Studio
2. One Minute To Better Songwriting With Evyn Charles
3. This Month's Notable Quote
4. Songwriting Software Plus Software Superstars

In last month's issue we discussed the basics from furniture to equipment for setting up a computer based home studio and we did briefly touch on recording software. In this go round we'll go deeper into discussion about recording software as essentially you can't record on your computer without it.

In particular we'll get into some of the most popular programs for Windows and Apple Macs and cover the bases from the budget minded to the no-holds barred fully featured recording programs.

Bear in mind that as many of these programs have evolved so have their requirements for operating. For example new versions of Logic Express, that runs on a Mac, need Apple's Mac OS X v10.3 or later to work. So keep operating systems in mind, like XP on Windows, and thier release versions as you shop to buy a new program or upgrade an existing one.

For the record I currently use Cubase LE with GigaStudio 3.0 as my synthesizer panel to load instrument sounds into Cubase. I run these programs mostly on my Dell Inspiron 5100 laptop via a Tascam US-122 audio interface and occasionally run this set up through my Gateway desktop. I used to use PG Music's Power Tracks up until earlier this year and can definitely recommend it for an awesome program for under $50 US (see link in feature story).

Although I have great recording equipment capability I'm not a very adept audio engineer as yet so I do pre-production demos on my own system and then go to local demo studios to get a polished, well produced demo of my songs.

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It has pretty much gotten to the point today where you can record an entire song on your computer, even a laptop (with a good audio interface like the Tascam US-122), and have it come out sounding like it was done in a high-end recording studio. Albeit a lot of know-how and the right combination of hardware and software are crucial to getting this accomplished and a sound that you're satisfied with.

Overall though most everyday aspiring songwriters can produce at least very good demos of their songs even if it's just to convey the song production to another producer who's going to make a more polished rendition.

This has been made possible by advances in computer hardware and of course the key to making it all happen - music recording software.

What you'll generally need to take advantage of your recording software is pretty basic - a computer, a microphone, a piano keyboard (preferably with midi capability) or a guitar and a recording software program.

A good sound card is important too, like the Tascam US-122 that I just mentioned for an external audio interface or for an internal card check out the EMU 0404 or similar, as that will not only enhance the ultimate sound of your recording but may be the difference of whether or not you'll be able to satisfactorily record anything to begin with.

Typical software should have at least eight recordable tracks that you can mix together into a final rendition of your song. Each track should also have its own fader, level meter, mute and erase and individual effect controls. All these features are found in most respectable recording programs and will include the ability to employ commonly used effects such as reverb, compression, distortion, chorus, gate and equalization.

In spite of what may seem like a dizzying array of options with music recording programs it's easy to start simple.

For example you could just record a guitar or piano on one track and your voice on another to get used to using it. In fact a lot of times you may only want to record a guitar-vocal or a piano-vocal to present your song to other writers (i.e. for getting their feedback on your song before you do a complete demo adding tracks for drums, base and maybe even a tambourine).

Of course you can play it on your computer for yourself or others, email an mp3 or click and burn a cd of your song.

Take note that if you use midi tracks such as for a drum part or any other instrument you'll have to convert those files to .wav format first (an audio file) before you can prepare a CD In some programs this can be somewhat of a multi-step challenge.

However some programs are starting to make life easier in this regard like the very affordable PG Music's Power Tracks (for Windows PCs) that allows you to do a direct midi to .wav conversion right in the program - a great convenience.

Now's a good time to look at some top Windows Programs for all budgets - then we'll peruse Mac programs.

Let's take one quick look at one of the great values in this department Mixcraft from Acoustica (screen shots pictured).

Mixcraft comes with built in effects like reverb, flanger and EQ and has DirectX and VST effects capabilities, etc., all the standard sequencing features plus more.

Accordingly, Mixcraft is a very adept sequencing program for songwriters and an affordable and easy download. It's now on its third generation of tweaks and improvements.

Moving up the line take a look at base versions of CakeWalk and also Steinberg's Cubase.

Going more featured and more expensive you're looking at higher-end versions of Cubase and Cakewalk.

Top of the line systems that include hardware components as well include programs like ProTools that is most regarded for it's audio recording capabilities and not so much midi.

A great base program for Mac's is Logic Express running around $300 US or you might even be quite satisfied with Apple's GarageBand, it's cheaper and in part accordingly has just 8 tracks for recording.

Also if you're looking to save money a nice thing about GarageBand is that you can start with it when you're ready to move to Logic or Logic Express you can import the GarageBand files into them.

Moving up from here you'd primarily be looking at Cubase again (the Mac version of course) and full versions of Logic and a long time Mac based program Digital Performer.

If this is all new to you and you're a bit fearful of being overwhelmed the best way to start getting involved is to try out an inexpensive or base program and start recording with simple steps as I alluded to above.

In any event once you're started you'll pick up skills as you go with the programs direction and help menus and you can start small, one track at time. Whatever you learn will be applicable in all the above programs so switching to something different later will be much less of a leap.

Remember most entry level versions of the above majors, whether for PCs or Macs, typically have more than enough capability for most songwriters' needs and you can always upgrade from any big name program you may start with.

Get the sheet music or a chord lead sheet with the lyrics to a great song you like and learn how to play it.

With your keyboard or guitar play through the chord progressions, slowly at first, then up to tempo.

As you acquaint yourself with the song see how the chord progression supports the feelings conveyed in the lyrics and see where the melody goes, high, low and in what sections of the song. How does the groove of the song support the energy and feeling of the song? A lot of the tricks of the trade are right there in front of your eyes and in your ears.

The more great songs you study and learn the better your writing will become almost by osmosis.

Need more direction on where to start - check a list of the 5,000 greatest songs ever written by clicking here.

Evyn Charles is a singer-songwriter and musician in Los Angeles and graduate of the prestigious Berklee College of Music. He regularly performs on his own and he's played stints from Club Med to a current Orville Redenbacher popcorn commercial as well as with numerous classic touring acts.

"Our aspirations are our possibilities."
-- Samuel Johnson - Simple Abundance

Lyricist - the premiere indispensable and affordable lyric and lead sheet music writing program.

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