Audacity
Download page for Audacity
Software we use for recording our sessions Rusty Rabbit.
This program will allow you to record in stereo using your computer.
Your recodings can be exported as MP3 files which we can post here.
More...
It has a huge number of features allowing you to add all sorts of effects or even cut and paste sections of music as you please, but can also record in a very simple fashion so you don't need to become an expert to use it.
You can record multiple tracks (two at a time unless you have a more advanced sound card with multiple instrument inputs) and mix them down to a single stereo track. We can also save and share the project files for continued production by multiple people.
Cakewalk
Download page for Cakewalk
This is a full blown recording studio program which a professional recording studio might use.
Not a joke; it's now freeware. FREE!
The catch?
In order to get it you may have to jump through a hoop. I had to join BandLab in order to download it. That's okay, it's also free to join. Bandlab is using this as an incentive to join their music community where folks share music they've created. I'm not really into that myself. But WOW, this Cakewalk program is an industry standard with 30 years of development behind it.
Want a multi-track recording and mixing console? This one is virtual, on your computer screen, and is unlimited in the number of tracks. Unlimited tracks. It has all the pro studio effects you could dream of, is MIDI compatible, and is literally a music production studio on your computer.
Because of all of that complexity, it might not be the easiest thing to learn how to use. It's what you should consider if Audcity isn't enough for your projects. If you want an unlimited home recording and production studio then I suggest getting it and taking the time to learn how to use it. I'm sure there's lots of Youtube videos on it to help. You can write MIDI files with it also.
Oh, this might interest everyone. It has an ear training feature. You can learn to have perfect pitch. Maybe that's worth the trouble?
VanBasco
Download page for VanBasco's karaoke player
This free program plays MIDI files as well as .KAR files ...which are MIDI files with lyrics.
The program will allow you to sing along, karaoke style, complete with moving lyrics.
You can solo or mute the tracks too, which is handy if you want to hear just one instrument or play along. You can also change the key and tempo. An excellent practice tool.
Song Resources
Main page for VanBasco
From this main page you can search for karaoke (.KAR) files across the internet. They are written by a huge number of people and vary in quality depending on who produced them. A search may turn up several links. The links often lead to a list of their karaoke music files at the person's website where you can then download what you want.
Synth List
Burnie's Synthesizer and Virtual Instruments list
This site is a review of some of the best existing free virtual instruments and synths with links to download them. I've got an Arp program running on a computer here connected to a small MIDI keyboard. Output from the computer goes to the mixer and mains here at Rusty Rabbit. I've looked at serveal others as well.
I should mention that I'm not a piano player and more intrigued by the sounds which can be made. I've recently picked up a 6 channel MIDI pickup, which should allow the guitar to act as input when running the synth.
This might be the next best thing, a virtual sysnth. And these free ones, might not be up to the state of the art or have as many features as those for sale, they still kick ass. And here's a whole list of them, with reviews. Nice!
Arppe2600va
Arppe2600va
Again, I am NOT a synth player either, but I did once get to play on a real ARP back in the 1990's, as a friend's dad brought it out just to let me have a go at it.
I was amazed at the sound it produced, to the extent that I felt like I was randomly creating Keith Emmerson-like music. Having a basic understanding of electronic circuits, it made some sense to me what it was doing as I experimented with it through the rest of the evening. Very cool tool This virtual one is similar to it.
