26 May
2011
26 May
'11
4:59 p.m.
Hi!
Rather than tell you what software is "best" to use, (as its down to opinion
anyway)
I'll tell you about how I go about making my tracks:
-Audio & MIDI: JACK is an server that does inter application audio / midi
routing. It's gonna be the core of any pro-audio system you have on linux.
QJackCtl is the frontend to the server, & that's how to launch it all.
-Sequencer software: Qtracktor, handles both audio & midi tracks, has some
useful keybindings you'll need to learn before you get the most out of it.
-Audio recording: I usually compose tracks in MIDI, bounce them trough an
XV-3080 roland synth, record the audio *back* into Qtractor. That way I can
keep that instrument playing, and change the patch on the synth, to record
another instrument or 2... Then I export the audio to .wav files, and
import them into Ardour. (tip: make the recordings all from the beginning,
and align the starts to a beat in Ardour. No more messy aligning the tracks
per ear.) In Ardour I make all the automation, effects, mixing volumes etc.
Export the track once happy.
-Mastering: Audacity, just load it up, and have a look if your happy with
the overall dynamics or if it could benefit from some compression / name it.
Export to .ogg, .mp3, .flac, .wav or whatever format you want, type in the
track info, done! :)
Hardware wise, the following is *needed* for the above setup:
-Soundcard: can be simple & onboard thing, but for better performance &
quality go with a pro-interface. Check compatibility of the card before you
splash out!
-MIDI interface: To drive the synth. (Also to record MIDI into QTractor if
you so wish)
-Mixer: a hardware mixer isn't strictly needed, but its healthy to have a
real fader you can pull down if things go too loud.. :S
-Speakers: but you know that :)
Accessories: Of course you can add on as much hardware as you like, but
sometimes its *easier* to do things in software, like automation of
parameters on you FX unit over MIDI can be a pain, Ardour takes care of
details if you use an LV2 or LADSPA reverb.
Note that there are many many more sequencers, another couple of HDR
solutions and hunderds of other workflows available. The best part is that
you get to pick a workflow that suits you best. As I've said, I've described
my workflow here, no need to stick to it!
Cheers & good luck! -Harry