Free Audio Recording Software Recommendations?

Hey Everybody,

I've got a favor to ask on behalf of a "Pilgrim's Progress" cast member. John Sipple, who did the credits voice over and "Azer" in "Similitude Of A Dream", just switched to Windows 7 and tells me that Audacity is no longer working for him. Is there a different version he can download for Windows 7 or another free/cheap program he can use with Windows 7 of the same or better quality?

He's primarily using the software to record with a microphone on his computer. But he'd probably like some ability to edit audio as well. He's not real comfortable with new media technology, so the easier the better in terms of interface.

Thank you!

Audacity should work with windows 7

Can he talk on this forum? I could troubleshoot the problem. There's a couple things we could try but I'd like to know exactly what happens "when it doesn't work"

Hello Hackmodford,
I appreciate your response and Paeter's presentation of my problem. Problems with Audacity have been primarily voice track skips. It's cost me a lot of time and energy in trouble shooting and with professional help to no solution. I'm thinking of moving on and trying Sony's Sound Forge Audio Studio.

Thanks for any response.
John

So when you're recording... it skips like a broken record?

Have you tried updating your computers drivers using windows update?

The Windows updates reports that there are no updates available for my computer.

So is my description of the problem correct?
I will respond ASAP or we could start a chat session if you want...

Yes, like a broken record. Would it be more convenient to discuss this per telephone? If so, my cell is: 623/680-5418.
Thank you for your efforts.
John

Well I'm at work right now... but how about starting a remote computer session?
Go to our website

www.posmanage.com

And click remote assist. I can then connect to your computer and we can have a chat window going. (it's what I do all day anyway )

I have a feeling it's related to your sound card... Is this a desktop or a laptop?

What do I enter for details on your site's question box?

Thank you.
John

Your name... it doesn't really matter, it's just what shows up in the list.

I lost the connection...

Have you tried quitting every uneccessary program? Do you leave skype running when you record? When did this problem first start?

Skype is something I enrolled in just last evening to assist another tech with this issue, so because it is new to me then, it had nothing to do with the Audacity problem.

This problem began when I bought this new Toshiba computer with Windows 7OS 64 bit about a week ago. Since then I've been totally out of my voice over business and I'm aggravated to no end.

Thanks for your help.

One other thing you could try is to buy a usb soundcard.

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=imic&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=15123733622572696124&ei=sz0aTaDwBs2nnAfvj7mbDg&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CD0Q8wIwAw#

This really sounds like an issue with the drivers for the new OS. Do you just jack in to the mic input on the laptop? In other words use an analog signal? Or are you using some kind of usb mic?

Brandon, thanks for your help. I'm using an SP diaphragm condenser mic, as I understand, which is plugged into a Tascam interface, which is connected to the computer. Thus, it's not an ISB mic.

You obviously are very tech savvy.

Okay so you're using the little headphone jack to plug into the computer.

I really don't think this is related to the audacity program since this problem is present in both of the programs you use.

Brandon, yes, the Tascam interface is an ISB plug. I'm sorry if I'm not responding as rapidly as you are.

I'm attempting to figure out a trial version of another recording software, as I'm pretty well drained on Audacity.

Any other ideas?

Thank you.
John

I'm thinking you just need updated drivers.
http://tascam.com/support/downloads/
That's their support website.

What model do you have? You can use the site to download the latest drivers and install them.

Also if you're experiencing the problem in two different programs a third one will not make a difference.

Hi again, Brandon,
Since we lost communication yesterday, I decided to leave Audacity, since it was the cause of most of my problems, and go to Sound Forge Audio Studio for a trial. So far, after working some bugs out, this new recording software seems serviceable. My interface is working well with it and I'm becoming more comfortable with OS7.

I really appreciate your efforts on my behalf. There are some really good people involved with Spritblade Productions, beginning with Paeter.

Best regards for the new year.
John

So you don't have the skipping issue in sound forge? But do in audacity?