If tracking audio exclusively, is it possible to use an editor in place of a DAW, e.g., RX, Melodyne, etc.? In my never ending search for a streamlined set-up I woke up wondering . . .

 

yea, people have been using Sony (now Magix) Sound Forge for simple recording like that for decades,
OcenAudio is a nice free simpler alternative nowadays,
question is why - what benefit of importing recorded audio into DAW later anyway?

my perspective (using Reaper) is, I'd rather use same software for record+mix+master to streamline overall workflow

 

I want to track and edit only....no mix or master. I w send out stems. I hoped i could do this in Melodyne but

 

Why not try Audacity? It's free and so on.

Some prelimiary info from ChatGPT:

You: using audacity as multi-track daw

ChatGPT said:

Audacity is widely used for audio editing, but it can also function as a basic multi-track Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). While Audacity lacks some advanced features found in professional DAWs (like Ableton Live, Logic Pro, or FL Studio), it is still useful for multi-track recording, editing, and mixing. Here's a guide on how to use Audacity as a multi-track DAW:

1. Setting up Audacity for Multi-Track Recording

• Install Audacity: If you haven’t already, download and install the latest version from Audacity's official website.
• Configure Input and Output: In the top toolbar, ensure that your input and output devices are selected properly (microphones, audio interfaces, speakers, or headphones).
  • Set the number of channels to stereo or mono, depending on your recording needs.
  • Go to Edit > Preferences > Devices and select your recording and playback devices.

2. Creating Multiple Tracks

• Add New Tracks: To add a new audio track, go to Tracks > Add New and select either Mono Track or Stereo Track. You can add as many tracks as your system can handle.
• Each track is layered on top of one another, allowing for separate control of each track.

3. Recording Multiple Tracks

• Record one track at a time: Audacity allows you to record a single track and then record additional layers on top of it. For instance, you can record guitar on one track, vocals on another, and drums on a third.
  • Record your first track by hitting the Record button.
  • After recording the first track, create a new track and record while listening to the previous one by pressing Shift + Record to enable overdubbing.
• Overdubbing: To ensure that you can hear your previous tracks while recording new ones, enable Overdubbing in Edit > Preferences > Recording.

4. Editing Multiple Tracks

• Cut, Copy, and Paste: You can edit each track independently. Use the selection tool to highlight portions of a track and use cut, copy, and paste options as needed.
• Move Tracks: Use the Time Shift Tool (two-sided arrow icon) to move audio clips on a track to adjust their timing.
• Track Gain and Pan: On the left side of each track, you will find sliders for gain (volume) and pan (left/right balance). Use these to adjust the relative volume of each track and create a stereo mix.

5. Applying Effects

• Audacity comes with a variety of built-in effects (like EQ, reverb, and compression) which you can apply to each track separately.
  • Highlight the portion of the track you want to apply an effect to, then go to Effect and select from the list.
  • Effects can be applied to individual tracks or the entire mix.
• Non-destructive Editing: Audacity applies effects destructively (meaning the original audio is altered), so it’s a good idea to keep a backup of your original audio or use Undo (Ctrl + Z) if something goes wrong.

6. Mixing Tracks

• After recording and editing all your tracks, you can start mixing them. Use the gain sliders to balance the levels of each track, ensuring that no track is overpowering the others.
• Panning different tracks to different positions in the stereo field will help create a fuller, wider sound.

7. Exporting Your Project

• When you’re happy with your mix, you can export it as an audio file.
  • Go to File > Export and select the desired format (WAV, MP3, etc.).
  • Make sure to mix down all tracks into a stereo file by choosing Export as WAV/MP3 (Audacity will automatically mix all tracks down to two channels for stereo).

8. Using Audacity with Plugins

• Audacity supports VST and LADSPA plugins, which can greatly expand its functionality. To install plugins, go to Effect > Add/Remove Plug-ins.
• Look for third-party effects like reverb, compression, and virtual instruments.

9. Shortcomings of Audacity as a DAW

• Lack of MIDI support: Audacity doesn’t support MIDI tracks or virtual instruments, which are commonly used in other DAWs.
• Non-real-time effect processing: Most effects in Audacity aren’t applied in real time, meaning you can’t hear the effect as you adjust it—you need to apply it, then listen back.
• No advanced mixing tools: Audacity doesn’t provide advanced automation features or mixing buses like some other DAWs.

Tips for Smooth Operation:

• Save Regularly: Save your project often. Use File > Save Project As to save your work as an Audacity project file (AUP format) so you can come back to it later.
• Keep Tracks Organized: Name your tracks properly by double-clicking the track name in the left panel to avoid confusion when working with multiple layers.

Conclusion
Audacity is a powerful, free tool that can serve as a basic multi-track DAW for recording and editing. While it lacks advanced features like real-time effects and MIDI support, it’s perfectly capable of handling multi-track audio projects, especially for podcasts, simple music recordings, and sound design tasks.

Let me know if you want details on specific features or need help with any other aspect of audio production!

 

burial claims he just used soundforge for some of his stuff its really good

 

Hmmmmm. We're getting close . . .

 

You'd probably be closer, if you explained what you are really trying to do. And why do you want to use a wave editor to do it?

Burial being able to use Soundforge in this way, does not mean you will have good results trying it yourself. You are deliberately asking for a tool to use, for something more than it is really designed for. Using a regular DAW is the most obvious way to do this. Why do it? When you explain that, you will find the best solution.

 

I'm trying to limit options to force out-of-box/creativity and keep it simple. I need to use Melodyne and an Editor. I'm trying to determine if I could track in one of those to streamline my workflow . . . master one (or two if I must) pieces of software and make it work. DAWs do too much and often have too much bloat. My current project features standard rock instrumentation (drums, bass, guitar (possibly keys), and vocals. I can do without MIDI . . . audio exclusive. Audacity would do it, but I prefer other editors and I would still need Melodyne. I wish I could simply jack into my brain and bypass it all. So, here I am . . . searching for a set-up that helps get me going.

 

I can't seem to find an "affordable" copy of Soundforge for Mac. ;-).

 

because it's dead, as official site says:

Dear SOUND FORGE Pro Mac Community, we regret to inform you that we have decided to discontinue further development of SOUND FORGE Pro Mac. We have since removed the product from our range. Already purchased software can of course still be used without restrictions. We thank you for your feedback and your loyalty for many years. Best regards, your MAGIX editorial team.

 

Wow!! So, that's off the table. Even if I find a copy, I'd be wasting my time falling in love with it . . .

 

around year 2000 I only used soundforge and waves. very easy to put a track together. now I can't even install it on my "old" computer.

 

Why can't you just use the last available version of Soundforge in Rosetta? You are asking for an audio editor to turn a Apple Silicon computer into an over-glorified tape recorder. You wouldn't even notice the difference. Running it natively instead is just going to make it a faster processor running the same tape recorder.

I'd just use Logic personally, or REAPER. You can do everything inside 1 program. You are using the term "bloat", but features you do not know how to use are not "bloat". Bloat is when a program is not programmed in an optimized way, and uses too much resources for what it is doing.

Think about Acustica plugins. They were 2+ gigabytes each, for plugins that could have been 500 meg. That is an example of bloat. It never means "features not necessary to what I want to use it for". Big difference. In Logic there is a "Expert mode" you can even turn off and it trims down a lot of features you would not be using. And REAPER is smaller than any other DAW and probably some Wave Editors like Wavelab. It can be as complex as you need it to be, but it can also be extremely basic.

Did you ever try Garage Band? It being less "complicated" than Logic is the reason it exists.

 

Last edited: Oct 17, 2024

Now that it's DC'd, I wonder if they will offer it for free.

 

not what you are after but i used samplitude, in the 2496 dayz, exclusively for noisereduction

but come to think of it
theres a daw thats completely non linear, without a timeline i think, forgot the name
or use Pyramix, HQ build in FX no VSTi

 

what about using USB recording directly (on an audio interface like RME UFX or SoundDevices) then? I mean, no software/computer DAW to use sounds very simple/streamlined to me, I do use it from time to time

 

Sounds like you want the software equivalant of a 4 track tape machine.
Something that lets you play with yourself without toys or features to distract you.

So the answer is yes a audio editor can let you do it. As long as it does multi-track files.

The recomendation you'll get from most people here will be to use Audacity.
https://www.audacityteam.org/

It's free software and has about as much features as a year 2000 cubase last time I looked at it.
So you can reord into that, listen to the multiple recordings playing together. Chop and shuffle them and export indevidual parts to edit in Melodyne.

If you want to go all the way with forcing out-of-box/creativity, it might be worth looking for a something to run on your phone so you can go completely off grid to work on your project.

 

Cool Edit Pro vibes ... shout out to Dave..

 

For Mac and strictly audio work, i can't think of nothing better than Wavelab Pro in Audio Montage mode. Unlimited audio tracks support. Adding the fact that it's a top tier audio editor and mastering soft as well (if not the best), makes it probably the best choice for serious audio rec/edit/mix/master.
Cheers

 

Last edited: Oct 18, 2024

Thanks. I'll give it a go.