Best MP3 Recording Software?

Whistle
1

What are the best software programs to use for recording sound files? There are a bunch listed on various freeware sites, but they all seem to have the same features and they all cost about $40.00 to register. I’ve read with interest the thread about the MiniDisk recorders, but I’m looking for something that will allow me to save and email sound files and my understanding is that MiniDisk doesnt do this.

What are all of you using to record your sound files? And a special question to the prolithic Tony Higgins of Clips & Snips: what are you using to record your files–real recording equipment that feeds into your computer, or software that connects to a microphone in your computer?

If this has been discussed and answered ad nauseum, will someone please point me to the thread so I can read it?

Thanks!

Kevin

2

I use Goldwave, it has a free demo period of 150 commands per session - although mine has never stopped working. I recently recorded three hours of audio from minidisc onto this in one blow with no hiccups (YMMV depending on your computer specs).

3

I’ve always liked Cool Edit 2000 - it’s powerful, expandable, and affordable. I produce a weekly classical music program for kids on it in my home studio, and also make MP3 tracks for my solo gigs. It’s worth a look… http://www.syntrillium.com

4

I use Goldwave. (it’s $40 or $45) You can overlay tracks. It was tricky to figure out (someone on the board told me how). Now, it’s easy. I plug a microphone into the back of the computer. Don’t bother with the ultra cheap mic that came with your computer. Spend about $20 or $30 at least. People have recommended different mics, so you might want to search the board for recommendations.

I’ve been lusting for actual recording equipment for some time, but I don’t see that happening soon. Comparing my mp3 files on Clips to what the whistle sounds like while I’m playing it, I think the file gives a good approximation. I can’t get a good bodhran recording, though, and low whistle is a bit of a problem. Any filtering of static on a low whistle recording and the sound of the whistle is pretty well destroyed by my filtering skills.
Tony

5

Tony:

Thanks for the info. How do I find Goldwave…is it a boxed program or a download? I’ve been trying to decide whiether to get a MiniDisk or do this computer microphone thing. I think Im gonna go with something like Goldwave…

Great work on Clips & Snips, by the way. I really like the idea you posted about beginner and intermediate level sections…Im a beginner with a thick skin, and I’d love to post a recording or two and get constructive criticism from Those Who Know…do you think a program like that would get much response? It certianly might spike up the clips and snips board.

Its really been a pleasure becomin part of the C&F community. Thanks for your help.

Kevin

6

Actually, I think minidisk does let you save and e-mail it… at least, mine came with a USB cable and some software (which I haven’t messed with yet, so I can’t tell you exactly what the capabilities are.) Anyway, you can definitely do minidisk->computer (directly and digitally; obviously, any recording can be piped to line in on your sound card).

–Chris A.

7

My minidisc came with a USB adapter that lets you run data from your computer’s USB port into the optical in on the minidisc player. I don’t recall it coming with any wires for output. I rigged an analog connection with a stereo cable from headphones out on MD to line in on computer.

8

Here is my “free” Solution to making
mp3 recordings on my PC.

I use Multi Track Studio Lite.
Which can be found at http://www.multitrackstudio.com

This software is very easy to use and comes with a good manual and lots of effects. The biggest limitation is you can only record two tracks before you have to create your master.

When you create your master recording from Multi track it creates a .wav file.

I then use Rightclick-mp3
which can be found on http://www.shareware.com
This is a very easy utility that converts .wav to an .mp3.

And that’s that.
Hope this helps.

9

I agree that “Cool Edit” is great for PC. It’s what I use. “Pro Tools” is THE program for MACs. I record songs as WAVE files. Then, I convert them to MP3 files as needed. For a MP3 converter, I use “Shuffler Music Converter” available for a free download from http://www.illustrate.org With it, you can convert MP3’s, wav files back and forth.

Good luck, Gary

10

Hey BigWheeler:

Free is GOOD, VERY GOOD.

Thanks a LOT for the links! I was checking out MiniDisks online, and now I have to totally rethink this…because, of course, free is good.

Kevin

11

Goldwave is a download. I’ve always found their site by putting “Goldwave” into the search engine.

From time to time someone has posted a tune on Clips and asked for feedback. I’ve seen a small amount of feedback posted. I understand that people have also responded by email, so I have no idea how successful this is. I, personally, have been a bit reluctant to critique people. I’m self-taught and I know what works for me. I’m a little iffy about suggesting changes in technique to people. It’s all been trial and error for me. With that caveat, ask away and I’ll say what I think. :slight_smile:
Tony

Just reminded myself of that line from an old Fleetwood Mac song: “Don’t ask me what I think of you, I might not give the answer that you want me to.” :slight_smile: :slight_smile:

12

Tony:

Yeah, I appreciate your thoughts on critique. I appreciate how considerate you and everyone in the forum is when it comes to the issue of critique…lots of us are self taught and thankfully are humble enough to know that our thoughts and styles are our own.

My problem is that I know just enough music to be dangerous (three years of violin and five years of classically trained French Horn when I was younger) and though I’d be a rich man if I had a dime for every hour I’ve spent listening to Irtrad music, I’m still at a loss in the common standards and conventions in ornamentation, etc. (its a whole different story when you are reading the basic tune in ABC and its up to you on how to create the ornamentation).

I’ve heard that overuse of certain ornamentation is a sin, but how much is too much? I love ABC because I can read music, and having access to so many tunes to match up against the music on my CD’s has been such a big help. I’ve listened to enough irish music to have a general sense of the style, but I’m still trying to get a sense of using a proper balance of ornamentation to get the true “feel” and “sound” (while, of course, still learning how to actually finger the stuff)

Thats where I was kinda interested in the thought of beginners/intermediates posting tunes…I’d like to hear about how more experienced players would ornament the same tunes. Plus, of course, any comments on more basic stuff like breathing. I realize that the mechanics of playing are only going to come as I spend more time on the whistle…

Am I on drugs? Would I be the only one interested in doing something like this?

Kevin

13

On 2002-05-01 15:38, DazedinLA wrote

I’ve heard that overuse of certain ornamentation is a sin, but how much is too much? … I’ve listened to enough irish music to have a general sense of the style, but I’m still trying to get a sense of using a proper balance of ornamentation to get the true “feel” and “sound” … I realize that the mechanics of playing are only going to come as I spend more time on the whistle…

Am I on drugs? Would I be the only one interested in doing something like this?

Kevin

The short answer is Yes, you are on drugs.
My recommendation: Just say no.

Now that that’s out of the way…
I’ve wracked my brains eking out little essays on ornamentation and phrasing on this board. It’s very difficult to discuss. Do a search on “phrasing” and you’ll have the pleasure of me rambling semicoherently.

A few things are essential here: get a book that teaches the mechanics of ornamentation. Do the drills. Next, listen to a lot of different musicians to see what they are doing. I always recommend Martin Hayes (fiddle) and Lawrence Nugent (flute, whistle). They are easy to disect because of their slower speeds and expressiveness. I think both are masters at phrasing and ornamentation.

Now, my philosophy. (I don’t mind repeating myself. Nobody at home listens to me, so you’re it.) Ornamentation and phrasing are inseparable. They have to support each other. Ornaments help set up phrasing. You have to know how you want to phrase a tune in order to put ornaments in the right place. You have to know how to ornament (as well as other elements) to properly and artfully phrase a tune. The big question is, how do you learn to do it? My only solution is to listen, listen, listen. When you listen, follow the tune in your head as if you were actively playing along (don’t worry about fingerings) and feel where the tune is broken up into varying length measures. I think of the phrases like sentences with periods and commas in a paragraph. Look at how songs are phrased. That may be a bit more obvious.

I’ve been training myself to “hear” the phrases for years. That skill is still ahead of my ability to execute the same. I find interesting things emerge after I really learn a tune and have played it a lot of times and can get into the swing of the melody. The simplest phrasing technique I can think of is tonguing the first note of a phrase and not the other ones. Which note you tongue will dramatically affect the overall feel of the rhythm. (That’s one of many techniques.) Now this stuff really doesn’t work until you have a solid rhythm down. That only happens after you really know the tune and you’re not rushing it.

The other short answer is that it’s an art. There’s taste and discretion involved more than rules. The rules would be difficult to identify. I’ve heard a fiddler, Matt Cranitch, has a really good book out that gets into the details of the style of Irish music. I haven’t seent the book. It has been highly recommended. Good luck,
Tony

edit: Almost forgot: Do as I say, not as I do.

Clips](http://nwparalegal.com/clipssnip/newspage.htm%22%3EClips) and Snips Tunes
“When you make it to the top of the mountain, keep on climbing.” -Zen saying

[ This Message was edited by: TonyHiggins on 2002-05-01 17:34 ]

14

Kevin –

I don’t think there are any hard and fast answers to your questions about ornamenting, etc. There just isn’t any right and wrong. I would suggest that while you’re looking for MP3 recorders to download, you might also look for slow-down software. You can find threads about slowing music down in the archives; these have lists of what’s available. With this, you can slow down your favorite whistle tracks to the point at which you can actually hear what’s happening. I know this was a real eye-popper for me.

Charlie

15

Charlie: Thanks for the suggestion…I didnt know that slowdown software existed…it will really help to dissect the work of light-speed whistlers like M. Bergin.

Big Wheeler: Thanks for the tip on Multitrackstudio. I downloaded it last night and recorded my first tune this morning…it worked like a champ!!! Now all I need is a good MiniDisk recorder and Im set.

Tony: Good suggestions (other than the one about saying no to drugs :slight_smile: ) Thanks for your insights. Im still in the process of collecting all of the suggestions I’ve seen on the board from so many different people regarding the best recordings to listen to to get the feel of ornamentation, etc. After listening to my first few recordings of my playing, Im noticing that there is a BIG DIFFERENCE between listening to yourself while you are playing and listening to a recording of your playing…when listening to a recording I’m realling noticing the deficiencies in my breathing and phrasing, more than I notice it while I am playing. Its really motivating me to stop worrying about ornamentation and focus on the basics.

16

DazedinLa wrote: After listening to my first few recordings of my playing, Im noticing that there is a BIG DIFFERENCE between listening to yourself while you are playing and listening to a recording of your playing…when listening to a recording I’m realling noticing the deficiencies in my breathing and phrasing, more than I notice it while I am playing.

I CAN’T OVEREMPHASIZE HOW USEFUL THIS IS.
Sorry, was I shouting? Got excited. Dazed stated it beautifully. I’ve found self-recording to be a phenomenal learning tool. A real eye-opener.
Tony

17

Thanks for the tips. I downloaded Rightclick (for converting .wav files to mp3), but I couldnt get it to work. I did find another program called CDMaster32 and downloaded it from http://www.zittware.com, and it seems to be working just fine. CDMaster32 does seem to want to disable DirectCD, or says it is incompatible with it, but since im not trying to burn cds with thsi program, and only using it to convert from wav to mp3, I bypass the “disable directCD” window and everything seems to work fine.

Lord, I had no Idea that when I took up the whistle that I’d be downloading so much shareware! (abc notation, abc players, sound recorders, ripper/converters, and now Im looking at shareware for slowing tunes as well)

I almost feel like I’ve got some kind of Shareware Acqusition for Whistling Disorder (would that be SAWeD?)