Help with recording music?

Question

I have being playing piano for a long time now and I really want to record a couple songs but I don't want it to only have the piano. Does anybody know about a software where you can add let's say a guitar, or drums or something like that to my music, maybe even prepare if first and then record the piano with it? I was wondering if thats possible. Thank you

Answer 1

Try Finale Notepad for recording notes and being able to playback the notes, Audacity to actually record sound from a microphone.

Answer 2

use Guitar pro software

just google it for the software

Answer 3

     you have many choices...i'll name a few...most expensive to least (all involve havin a cpu), to save the most money buy all equipment/software online, all of the below mentioned programs can be downloaded(pirated, but i didn't say that) as torrents

(disregard option #1 if your broke like me)

1. If you want proffesional/radio/industry/ quality... you can spend anywhere from $700-$1000 on a program called pro tools(the industry standard for all audio professionals) which is a multi track sequencer that includes an mbox(mic preamp specifically designed for pro tools)with purchase... than you will need a decent dynamic mic for($100-200, i recomend a Shure mic)...install the program, connect the mbox into your cpu via firewire(fast) or usb(medium fast), connect the microphone to the Mbox with an XLR cable(can be distinguished by the 3-pin connector on the male end) and start recording...as for drums and other elements you will need plug-ins such as Kontakt Native Instruments or you will need to buy equipment/racks such as drum machines and such

2.  (I myself use this option...) Download 4 Free/Purchase($350+/-) a program called Reason 4.0(designed by Propellerheads). Any real producer knows about this software.  It is designed to digitally create beats from scratch and is industry standard.  Although it is digital, the program interface uses racks(racks are different pieces of equipment in analog recording such as equalizers, compressors, drum machines and so forth...it has everything you need to create, change and manipulate tracks...you can design/sample your own sounds or use the awesome presets like grand pianos, orchestras, and too much more to explain....this would be the ideal choice for you...the only problem is that you said you actually PLAY the piano, in which case to be the most creative you would need some time of control/midi unit (such as a keyboard or a drum pad)....for about $100 you can get a brand spanking new USB Oxygen 49 from Sam Ash or Guitar Center which is a keyboard that hooks up to your cpu through USB or you can search online(google USB midi interface)...hook that up to your cpu with Reason installed and your ready to go...find the piano that suits you (from a list of hundreds)or create one and start recording...as for the other elements(drums, lead, bass) pick a different rack in reason such as the Redrum drum machine, pick a few drums and start pressing keys on the keyboard to decide how you want it to sound

3.  Download Fruity Loops XXL Studio...same idea as option #2, but more simple... by simple I mean easier to use as beginner...but the more complex your tracks get, the longer it takes to get them where you want them to be and you'll find yourself spending hours trying to do what you can do in reason in 5 min.  FL Studio is a good(free) stepping stone into home recording, but honestly it's better to dive head first into something more professional like Reason...though i have seen producers make some SERIOUS beats on FL...the quality of Reason cannot be denied

Sorry about writing an essay...but if i really went into detail...I might as well write a book...too much to be said...hope this helps...feel free to message me if you have anymore questions about it...this is what i do

-Eskimo aka Esko

Answer 4

There is Guitar Pro, and I'd recommend Finale's music software. It is well organized, and easy to use. Mac users can use Garageband as well.