DAW software for instruments

[X71200]

Hello, this might not be the best place to ask this, but some of you might have answers to it.

I've been looking for software to plug my instruments to and kick it out of my PC speakers.

Tried couple while toying with my Pioneer DDJ-SP1 (haven't managed to get anywhere pretty much). I generally stick the stuff to my cabinet + tube amp setup. Any suggestions? I know quite some are paid, trial or free might work. Thanks in advance.

 

[xrobwx71]

VB-Audio VoiceMeeter Banana

VoiceMeeter Banana, the Advanced Virtual Audio Mixer by V.Burel

vb-audio.com

The 12 Best Free DAWs to Create Music in 2024

Get the best free DAW app to start creating music right away. From lite editions to full recording software here are the best options.

blog.landr.com

These are some of the ones I use.

 

[X71200]

I prefer to stay away from VoiceMeeter or anything else made by that individual. Virtual XLR cable hasn't gotten me anywhere, I tried to make my mics stereo with it... and always sounded horribly. Reading a bit of the guy's posts, he doesn't even like know an Orange cab is. Makes you think he's very musically ignorant.

I'll check the post. I need a software for plugging my Suhr Modern to my Tascam 4x4, and go from there. Distortion effects are a must, alongside of other effects like chorus preferred.

I also got an Alesis Performance Pad and couple keyboards, to integrate with the software (an arranger and a synth). Will see how goes.

 

[skizzo]

what on earth are you plugging into that DJ unit?

when someone says plugging in my instruments I imagine guitar, bass, keyboard, drums, vocals, etc.....which as far as I can tell isn't what that unit is for. all it has in a single USB jack

you need more than just software to connect and record your "instruments". you need a proper interface to connect them to the PC too.

it sounds like you want to spend no $, just use audacity then

 

[X71200]

You should read my second post, I already have a US 4x4 from Tascam and a load of XLR cables and that kind of stuff.

I'm not plugging something to my DJ unit. The DJ unit is no longer supported from Pioneer and none of the links from their site work. Couple times I made it work for DJ stuff like cue, pad effects, etc. Other times I used EzDrummer on it. But EZdrummer costs a ton and I don't want to pay that, when my Performance Pad Pro does drums much better than small pads.

 

[DeathtoGnomes]

I've used Cakewalk Pro a long time ago not sure how it stacks up now

BandLab - Make Music Online

The cloud platform where musicians and fans create music, collaborate, and engage with each other across the globe

www.bandlab.com

 

[xrobwx71]

what on earth are you plugging into that DJ unit?

when someone says plugging in my instruments I imagine guitar, bass, keyboard, drums, vocals, etc.....which as far as I can tell isn't what that unit is for. all it has in a single USB jack

you need more than just software to connect and record your "instruments". you need a proper interface to connect them to the PC too.

it sounds like you want to spend no $, just use audacity then

This is the one I use.

 

[X71200]

Apologies for not mentioning that I had gear for this in the first place, I always noodled around with my tube amp setup, no recording. I some direct recording from my Suhr Modern to BandLab, sounded like garbage no matter most things I did. Thanks for the suggestion though, I might use it for other stuff in the future. Seems a bit too basic in amp sim / music style ranges, but yeah. I got an M-Audio M-Track II next to my Tascam as well, not sure what use a second interface would be for though, since the Tascam is a 4x4.

I was looking at some Kurzweil interfaces, those might be good as well... or Steinberg thereof, especially if you have Yamaha keyboards and whatnot in the first place.

There are lot of good interfaces out there. I'm not all that fond of Behringer gear, but I suppose that one is decent.

 

[Frick]

Personally I don't trust anything Behringer. Maybe they've stepped up their game, but I've never encountered anything by them that was worth it.

Me I'm still rocking an ancient Line6 UX1 and the Gearbox software, which works fine.

And for clarification, are you actually after a DAW (as in recording and mixing) or after like an software amplifier emulator? If the former Cakewalk i free now, but I haven't really digged into it.

 

[X71200]

More of a software to emulate an amp / cab, but compared to the setups I got laying around, simulators just don't seem to cut it. I don't intend on recording, just playing.

Behringer really stepped up their game from being meme guitar amps tbh, but I'm still kind of in the same boat of thoughts. Yamaha, Mackie and a bunch of others just seem to make better PA / mixers and whatnot.

 

[Frick]

More of a software to emulate an amp / cab, but compared to the setups I got laying around, simulators just don't seem to cut it. I don't intend on recording, just playing.

Google and trial and error is your friend here probably. There are plenty.

 

[X71200]

I usually just come across *insert free Google Play guitar sim for children here*, and the jack on my Suhr is not in an excellent condition. I don't want something too complicated either. You're right, there are plenty of these programs. Like Serato, GarageBand, etc. Maybe one day if I get a profiler amp, I could use its software. Till then, I might have to stick with my tube amp + cab configs.

My tube amps have their sockets a bit moved left / right, from consistently swapping tubes, and I get ground noise due to that. I'll have to take my hardware to somebody who can fix tube amps. My software for guitar / keyboards etc search is mostly a temporary fix until I get my amps back up and rolling.