PocketMatrix

I'd sort of like a program where I can record, create, and mix all in one.

I've heard of ProTools a lot before, do you know anything about it? Can I do all that in one? How much is it?

Basically, I want to do all of the following:

-Record music from external sources (guitar, drums, bass, vocals, field recordings, etc.)
-Import and sequence/layer all of these elements along with available electronic sounds/music
-Mix everything and add effects, adjust volume, etc.
-Master everything and press to CD-R

i know people that use cubase but they all have studios for recording. it does let you create your own bass lines and it has a built in drum machine thing and weird noises but it might hold you back if you are using it for real music. i know nuendo can do just about everything you'll need. i wouldnt use a computer for your medium of recording ever. makes it hard to decipher frequencies.

But what about all those people who home-record? They don't use computers?

Yeah, I don't want to electronically synthesize my bass... I'd rather record my organic bass, drums, and guitar.

This ProTools stuff is looking interesting... They have actual mixer decks that you hook up to your comp and record through, along with some seemingly very powerful software.

A thread I can actually provide usefull information in! I actually do this as a job (I'm a Computer/Sound Technician for a cover band which specializes in corporate parties). If you're wanting to go all out for recording, check out . Aside from the mac that we use in the studio (we have a studio set up to mix the backing tracks and record performer vocals in case they're sick the day of a performance and can't sing) all of our recording equipment is MOTU. I couldn't tell you about the mics that we use, but I can tell you they're expensive because the boss nearly turned blue when I dropped the travel case that had all six vocal mics in it. Sponge is right too, if you can get foam use it. When you're using the right equipment, you can make a bare garage a halfway decent sounding place to record, but padding made for studios will always help the sound quality.