Multitrack recording software for Mac at DVinfo.net

Jim Andrada · November 6th, 2008, 12:22 AM

I usually work in Sound Forge, but would like to use my MacBook to record multitrack sessions from an external firewire interface that I can then open and edit in Sound Forge under Windows.

Any suggestions for software that would produce a multi-track uncompressed file which can be opened in Sound Forge? No editing, mixing or other processing required or desired, just clean recording at 96k/24 bit, with automatic new file at the 2GB (or whatever) point.

Steve House · November 6th, 2008, 04:40 AM

Boom Recorder is a pro favourite. 30 day free trial. http://www.vosgames.nl/products/BoomRecorder/

Also in wide use is Metacorder http://www.gallery.co.uk/metacorder/intro.html

Jim Andrada · November 6th, 2008, 09:56 AM

Thanks much! I'm basically a PC guy but my latest notebook is a Mac!

Seth Bloombaum · November 6th, 2008, 10:54 AM

On the pc side of your macbook, consider also Vegas. You may find it more straightforward as an SF user and "pc guy". (I've not used boomrecorder)

We know Vegas today as a speedy NLE with a workflow many like, but it started life as the multitrack non-destructive editor complement to sound forge, developed by the same people, and it's audio capabilities have only improved over the years. You can record/play/dub as many tracks as you want.

PS. I suggest this in ignorance of the ability of pc software to connect with a firewire device on the macbook...

Jim Andrada · November 6th, 2008, 02:09 PM

Seth,

Thanks for the suggestion. I've found that the I can't capture from firewire on the Windows guest system. I use VMware (which I love - I've been a huge fan of virtualization since 1967 which was when IBM released it for mainframe systems. I was working at the IBM lab where it was developed, although on a different project at the time)

Sorry for the digression - basic issue for me is that without capture capability under the Windows guest system I have to capture on the Mac OS host and then access the captured files from the Windows guest.

I think if I used Bootcamp and ran the system as dual boot I would have no problem, but I like being able to flip back and forth among Mac OS, Win XP, and Linux and have applications under each open on the same desktop at the same time.

I seem to be creating my own problems!

Seth Bloombaum · November 6th, 2008, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seth Bloombaum

...PS. I suggest this in ignorance of the ability of pc software to connect with a firewire device on the macbook...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Andrada

...I've found that the I can't capture from firewire on the Windows guest system. I use VMware...I think if I used Bootcamp and ran the system as dual boot I would have no problem, but I like being able to flip back and forth among Mac OS, Win XP, and Linux...I seem to be creating my own problems!

Umm, yeah, I can certainly relate to that!!!

Boomrecorder has certainly received good press and reviews, including from forum super-contributor Ty Ford, download the 30-day trial, it may be just what you need.

Steve Oakley · November 7th, 2008, 03:16 PM

Ardour2 is open source and works ok. requires you to install jackOS as well - RTFM in installation into.

garage band should, soundtrack will, FCP certainly will ( I've used it ).

there are a number of DAW apps too you could pick from. the ciritical bit is if you want / need TC support. then a number of these get crossed off the list.

Rick Reineke · November 7th, 2008, 06:02 PM

It should be noted that Sound Forge is NOT a muliti-track application.. though SF-9 supports multiple channels, (5/1, ect) it would not be much good for "multi-track" mixing, ect. Sony's Vegas or Acid would be better suited.

Jim Andrada · November 9th, 2008, 12:37 AM

Good point. I actually use both Vegas and SF.

Cole McDonald · November 9th, 2008, 02:44 AM

I'll be the first to recommend audacity (free - Mac OS X Software Updates and Mac OS X Downloads - VersionTracker ) here. It's not specifically what you're looking for, but does handle multitracking (probably doesn't export to anything that will open directly as a multitrack docu over on the sound forge side of things, but will handle multitracking and allow you to export them individually for import on the windows side. Lots of format options too :)

November 6th, 2008, 12:22 AM	#1
Jim Andrada Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Tucson AZ Posts: 2,211	Multitrack recording software for Mac I usually work in Sound Forge, but would like to use my MacBook to record multitrack sessions from an external firewire interface that I can then open and edit in Sound Forge under Windows. Any suggestions for software that would produce a multi-track uncompressed file which can be opened in Sound Forge? No editing, mixing or other processing required or desired, just clean recording at 96k/24 bit, with automatic new file at the 2GB (or whatever) point.

November 6th, 2008, 04:40 AM	#2
Steve House Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Posts: 5,742	Boom Recorder is a pro favourite. 30 day free trial. http://www.vosgames.nl/products/BoomRecorder/ Also in wide use is Metacorder http://www.gallery.co.uk/metacorder/intro.html __________________ Good news, Cousins! This week's chocolate ration is 15 grams!

November 9th, 2008, 02:44 AM	#10
Cole McDonald Trustee Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Sauk Rapids, MN, USA Posts: 1,675	I'll be the first to recommend audacity (free - Mac OS X Software Updates and Mac OS X Downloads - VersionTracker ) here. It's not specifically what you're looking for, but does handle multitracking (probably doesn't export to anything that will open directly as a multitrack docu over on the sound forge side of things, but will handle multitracking and allow you to export them individually for import on the windows side. Lots of format options too :) __________________ Web Youtube Facebook

November 6th, 2008, 09:56 AM	#3
Jim Andrada Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Tucson AZ Posts: 2,211	Thanks much! I'm basically a PC guy but my latest notebook is a Mac!

November 6th, 2008, 10:54 AM	#4
Seth Bloombaum Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,420	On the pc side of your macbook, consider also Vegas. You may find it more straightforward as an SF user and "pc guy". (I've not used boomrecorder) We know Vegas today as a speedy NLE with a workflow many like, but it started life as the multitrack non-destructive editor complement to sound forge, developed by the same people, and it's audio capabilities have only improved over the years. You can record/play/dub as many tracks as you want. PS. I suggest this in ignorance of the ability of pc software to connect with a firewire device on the macbook...

November 6th, 2008, 02:09 PM	#5
Jim Andrada Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Tucson AZ Posts: 2,211	Seth, Thanks for the suggestion. I've found that the I can't capture from firewire on the Windows guest system. I use VMware (which I love - I've been a huge fan of virtualization since 1967 which was when IBM released it for mainframe systems. I was working at the IBM lab where it was developed, although on a different project at the time) Sorry for the digression - basic issue for me is that without capture capability under the Windows guest system I have to capture on the Mac OS host and then access the captured files from the Windows guest. I think if I used Bootcamp and ran the system as dual boot I would have no problem, but I like being able to flip back and forth among Mac OS, Win XP, and Linux and have applications under each open on the same desktop at the same time. I seem to be creating my own problems!

November 7th, 2008, 03:16 PM	#7
Steve Oakley Trustee Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: United States Posts: 1,158	Ardour2 is open source and works ok. requires you to install jackOS as well - RTFM in installation into. garage band should, soundtrack will, FCP certainly will ( I've used it ). there are a number of DAW apps too you could pick from. the ciritical bit is if you want / need TC support. then a number of these get crossed off the list.

November 7th, 2008, 06:02 PM	#8
Rick Reineke Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York Posts: 2,039	It should be noted that Sound Forge is NOT a muliti-track application.. though SF-9 supports multiple channels, (5/1, ect) it would not be much good for "multi-track" mixing, ect. Sony's Vegas or Acid would be better suited.

November 9th, 2008, 12:37 AM	#9
Jim Andrada Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Tucson AZ Posts: 2,211	Good point. I actually use both Vegas and SF.