Software

This section is dedicated to the kinds of software involved in recording. This is not a complete list, just some of the basics that have been encountered throughout this project that have applications in the classroom and for basic recordings.

The purpose of this site is not to tell you specifically what to purchase. The purpose of this site is to show you what is out there so that you can choose for yourself what will work best for you. There will be examples of what has been used, explored, and what others may recommend, but the point of this site is to give you the tools you need to get what you need.

Everyone is different, and not everyone will have the same needs and resources, so here is a sample form that can help you in determining what you should purchase. Filling out this form can help you find the best deals, using an internet search.

It is best to avoid expensive and/or overly-complicated software, things that are out-of-date, and things that may not be compatible with your computer/tablet you are using to produce the audio files or video files. If the manufacturer doesn’t make it anymore, it will be hard to replace, and if you rely solely on one piece of old equipment to get you through recording, you might have to replace more than just the one thing to keep going if it is damaged.

It also helps to make sure that you know what kind of "kit" you are putting together so you don’t buy something that won’t connect to or doesn’t go along specifically with what you’re doing. It is also good to find sources on how to operate it in case you need some sort of refresher after a summer break or want to show someone else in case you would like some help with operating your recording equipment.

• Click here (Google Doc) for some funding scenarios, where to look (printable PDF here)
• Click here (Google Doc) for my personal list of equipment, including hardware and software (printable PDF here)

There are a lot of free editors out there, find the best one if free is needed, but be willing to look for better software if editing is something that you become interested in. There are a lot of things out there, and there is no one right answer for what to buy, because each piece of software has different tools. Each DAW will have the same basic tools, but there are more advanced ones, and the more advanced they are the more they cost. If you are looking for something specific, search for a tool that does that specific thing, and ultimately you will have to decide if it is worth purchasing. There are a lot of free trials available, so search around for one that works best for you, experiment with different tools and see what you can see yourself using regularly, and make sure that there are resources that can help you find your way around the software.

What you can do depends on your software and device. Things like Audacity are easy and convenient, but don't have as many options as things like Logic Pro. Here is a list of free softwares and a list of free editors to get you started. Some options for paid softwares are Pro Tools (the industry standard), Waves, and Ableton Live. There are also free cloud DAWs, like Soundtrap and Bandlab.