Free Host for some students

[sluggo]

Thanks everyone. Just an FYI, my particular inquiry isn’t for a whole class but for only one student. But this is good info for other people and other circumstances.

Having been an ex-Sonar user and checking it out again after several years... I think it's interface is too complex for a student. I know it can be simplified. I like that it has a staff view, which I know my student is interested in. I don't know if Studio One or Tracktion have a staff view.

I've been playing with Studio One Prime for a bit and it seems like a good candidate. This studio may be purchasing a new audio interface, which would get them a copy of Studio One Artist if they go with PreSonus.

I'm a Mulab user so I'll think about that some more too. My student is a bass player and is into jazz and metal. I suspect they would be best served with learning about mixing channels, buses, sends, recording modes, effects, bouncing tracks, etc.

I'll also check out Tracktion and maybe even... gulp,.... Pro Tools.

[Obsolete236871]

Just know that Studio One Artist + Prime do not allow you to use third party plugins, unless you buy some paid add-on. I prefer Cubase AI, which comes bundled with Steinberg hardware, in that regard. It also comes with the staff view / notation editor.

Also: If it's very important for you to be able to do bass recording with complex real time amp simulation & fx while playing, you should make sure your new audio interface is capable of low latency performance. Internal PCIe and Thunderbolt are generally considered faster than USB. Thunderbolt on PC is only available, if your motherboard (or laptop) does support it, while it's standard on Mac. If you get USB, get at least an USB 2 interface (standard nowaydays). My guess is that the new USB 4 standard will eventually deliver solid low-latency performance on all platforms, but there aren't any audio interfaces yet.

Here are two threads about latency on various audio interfaces:

https://www.gearslutz.com/board/music-c ... -base.html

https://discuss.cakewalk.com/index.php? ... interface/

[dave dove]

cakewalk also has a great education site:
https://edu.bandlab.com/

[toddbooster]

I suspect they would be best served with learning about mixing channels, buses, sends, recording modes, effects, bouncing tracks, etc.

Well then, why not just go for the free version of Pro Tools?

https://www.avid.com/pro-tools-first

[Kenmac]

Isn't there a simple DAW made free by Magix recently? (with enough features for a teaching activity on kids)

Yes, Magix Music Maker free: https://www.magix.com/ca/music/music-ma ... usic-maker

Didnt they make the ability to use 3rd-party plugins a paid option, though?

Yes, that's true.

[BlackWinny]

Isn't there a simple DAW made free by Magix recently? (with enough features for a teaching activity on kids)

Yes, Magix Music Maker free: https://www.magix.com/ca/music/music-ma ... usic-maker

Didnt they make the ability to use 3rd-party plugins a paid option, though?

Yes, that's true.

Then I bet they haven't got so many new users!

[fmr]

I suspect they would be best served with learning about mixing channels, buses, sends, recording modes, effects, bouncing tracks, etc.

Well then, why not just go for the free version of Pro Tools?

https://www.avid.com/pro-tools-first

This is weird. They request to have an iLOK account, and then request to directly link to that account? Why is that, if the software is free? Thanks, but no thanks.

[toddbooster]

I suspect they would be best served with learning about mixing channels, buses, sends, recording modes, effects, bouncing tracks, etc.

Well then, why not just go for the free version of Pro Tools?

https://www.avid.com/pro-tools-first

This is weird. They request to have an iLOK account, and then request to directly link to that account? Why is that, if the software is free? Thanks, but no thanks.

Hmmm, I forgot about the iLOK, so I guess it's not free if you have to buy one. But if you have one already, I don't see it as a big deal. it's free as in beer, not free of the shackles of DRM.

[scalawag]

I suspect they would be best served with learning about mixing channels, buses, sends, recording modes, effects, bouncing tracks, etc.

Well then, why not just go for the free version of Pro Tools?

https://www.avid.com/pro-tools-first

This is weird. They request to have an iLOK account, and then request to directly link to that account? Why is that, if the software is free? Thanks, but no thanks.

Hmmm, I forgot about the iLOK, so I guess it's not free if you have to buy one. But if you have one already, I don't see it as a big deal. it's free as in beer, not free of the shackles of DRM.

You don't need an iLok key. You just need to install iLok License Manager and activate Pro Tools First.

[Halonmusic]

Why not also Reaper, you can always use it for free til you decide to buy it off: http://reaper.fm/download.php

For up to 60 days, sure.

You can still use it after though