Audacity: free recording software

Mar 7th, 2006 | By Scott Andrew | Category: Recording and Tools

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Cash-strapped musicians who want to do computer-based home recording might want to look into Audacity, a totally free multitrack recording program that runs on Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. I haven’t used it myself, but after looking at the feature list I just might give it a whirl.

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8 Responses to “Audacity: free recording software”

  1. C-Dub Says:

    I have used audacity for editing mp3 and wave files. Works pretty good.

  2. shane Says:

    audacity works well, but for a more advanced freeware DAW try ardour. http://www.ardour.org works on mac and linux systems… supports most audio interface solutions .

  3. David Hooper Says:

    I’ve used it for years and love it. In fact, when I upgraded hardware, I specifically chose stuff that would work with this program. It’s very good and easy to use.

  4. Jeff Epstein Says:

    Yes, I use Audacity too on my laptop…it is what I record all my worktapes on. If I make a demo, I can normalize, compress, EQ, echo, basically do anything I need to do. Frankly, at this point I can’t imagine ever needing Cool Edit or ProTools…unless you are a professional engineer, and then you might as well hire a studio.

  5. Scott Sweeney Says:

    Although this software does a good, but basic, recording job, I still think you would be best served investing in some kind of cheaper Protools rig. There is no reason to short change your recordings, I can’t imagine being able to release any sort of professional recording using this peice of software. UNLESS you have the professional plugins to match and which Protools gives you a nice supply of when you purchase it. And an MBox is so cheap these days, why even bother with a free recorder.

  6. Scott Andrew Says:

    “I can’t imagine being able to release any sort of professional recording using this peice of software.”

    Hmm, that sounds like a challenge to me ;) A full-length release done entirely with free software? A pretty remarkable acheivement.

  7. Taiwan Locke Says:

    “I can’t imagine being able to release any sort of professional recording using this peice of software.�

    The hell with that. I’ve used Audacity for almost a year now and released 2 professionally recorded hip-hop mixtapes, and i love it. Audacity is yet free and very easy to use. Do some real work with it and then criticise. I’ve used Acid, Cubase, Sonar, Protools Free, and N-Track and none of these “pieces of software” even come close to the accuracy and sound quality that come with Audacity. So yeah, I think that sounds like a challange to me also. “Holla”

  8. castro Says:

    what is the best way to record my own vocals over beats and make them sound somewhat professional with mixing and mastering
    basically not sounding like a recording of a recording

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