Any thoughts?

[saulhudson]

My son thought you people may be able to help me out here?
I'm currently starting another 'Duo', (Previous one folded after the singer naffed off with my cousin!) any-hoo we're gonna be using Mp3's via a laptop.
What I'd like to know is there any good kinda 'Studio' software that would be useful, I'm thinking along the lines of the type you sometimes see that have like a virtual turntable, and the ability to alter things such as tempo, key, etc? as it is we're probably just gonna use either,'Media player', or whatever Mp3 player the singer may have in his laptop.
Also one 'bugbear' we had in the past with using a laptop was the noise from the damn drive on it, anyone else experienced this, or have any ideas as to how to get rid of it?
Thanks in anticipation.

[italianstallion]

I'd recommend using Acid Pro 6



http://www.sonymediasoftware.com/pro...t.asp?pid=1005

[Goport]

hard drive noise is only a problem from recording with a mic in my experience. for playback it shouldn't be an issue unless you are inferring you are getting interference running it through a PA.

But if it is just ambient noise when recording then hang a heavy duvet/quilt from the ceiling to provide a dampening barrier between the singer/mic and have the singer sing towards the duvet.

Software for recording (not playback) is widely covered. By the sound of your duo setup it would seem that you are going to be using backing tracks with live vocals and guitars. If you are recording these yourself then it is essential that you choose something flexible enough to build drum tracks and possible other instruments like bass, keys etc. If you haven't got these instruments there are plenty of virtual instruments (VSTi's and DXi's) that can do a passable job if programmed in midi.

As Italian Stallion suggests Acid Pro is a decent wav based package which now has pretty comprehensive midi support. I prefer cubase SX myself simply because I am familiar with it and have never felt restricted by it but everyone is different. Also consider Ableton Live (which is possibly the only package with an interface desinged for using in a live situation.) Sonar is a fine package too. It should be stressed that none of these packages are cheap as they are firmly pitched at semi pro set ups and musicians.

If you are looking for free recording software then there is a thread stickied in this room which contains quite a few links. Hope this helps

[italianstallion]

As Gport stated Cubase SX is a awesome program, and a lot of people use it, there for if you had any questions, they could be of help, also, I believe that Cubase has a collab function so that you can do collabs with others.

[saulhudson]

Mmm, I think I may be slightly confusing folk here?
Ideally the sort of thing I'm after is to basically just play the tracks back at the gigs, (So basically just an Mp3/WMA player.) I know we can use the windows media to get us going, but ideally I'd like a programme similar to what you see Dj's using on computers now, (D'ya get my drift?) that would be not only easy to use 'on the fly', (So if we decided to play a particular song slightly faster, we could simply input a figure, or dial it in.) but also visually appealing, (Hence the visual of record decks, or suchlike.) we could also use it as a disco whilst we had a break?
My son has both Cubase Sx, and the latest Fruity loops so I'm ok on that side anyway.
As regards the noise from the drive on the laptop, you are correct in assuming I mean actual noise via the P.A. it's fine on recording no noise at all, I'm beginning to think it may have something to do with earthing?
Any advice, as always welcome.

[italianstallion]

If you are look for something that looks and feels like a real turntable, try OtsTurntables, it is freeware or you can by pro...



Or try Tactile12000 v2.1 which I believe is $30



And then we have...

MixVibes 6 3DEX Edition is a professional software. It allows you to mix live with your computer as a real DJ can do.
Some tools are available as effects, loops, cue, BPM counter, waveform display. so you can create more and more technical mixes. MixVibes 6 3DEX uses the DVS Technology to propose the best sound quality so as the lowest latency time.

Take a look to Mv6 3DEX features:

3 Virtual players
Master Tempo (+-100%!) / Pitch shifting (+- 24%!) / Speed (+-100%)
Waveform display
Automatic Bpm Counting almost instantanely
Beat matching with one click
Seemless Loops (0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 et 32 beats)
Real time effects (flanger, egalizer...)
Cueing (up to 10 cues on-fly)
Equalizer 3 bands for each player
Every audio format supported (MP3, WMA, OGG, Audio CD, ASF, WAV, MIDI, AU, AIF...)
Manage up to 4 stereo audio outputs
External controller (Hercules DJ Console, DM2 and all MIDI Controller)
You can use a microphone

Which I believe is $106

[saulhudson]

Cheers for this italian, this is what I was thinking of, a friend has reccommended a programme called ''PCDJ'' which apparently is pretty good for what we need so I'm gonna take a look at that as well, once again, thanks for taking the time out to help me.

[mcnach]

Alternatively, for something extremely simple to use... try BestPractice:

http://www.xs4all.nl/~mp2004/bp/

it's free, with a simple interface. It can load up tracks (mp3 format is okay) as a list, and you can alter speed (without changing pitch) or pitch (without changing speed) by entering the appropriate values (or using the slide bar) on the bottom right part of the window. Take a look.

[italianstallion]

Originally Posted by saulhudson

Cheers for this italian, this is what I was thinking of, a friend has reccommended a programme called ''PCDJ'' which apparently is pretty good for what we need so I'm gonna take a look at that as well, once again, thanks for taking the time out to help me.

Anytime, and yes PCDJ is supposed to be a good program as well...good luck with your search for a program...