GarageBand is limited. ProTools comes at a price. Reaper may be your ticket.

     Today I came across a program that just might spark the interest of the Nebraska music scene. If your band is trying to record and are having trouble in the process, read this.

Many of us have tried recording with programs like Apple’s GarageBand, which is a good quality program, but has many limitations. Apple also has Logic Pro. The program is a step-up from Garageband; however Apple does not offer a demo version. It’s hard to justify purchasing software that requires purchasing without a test-drive. Your next choice is the mighty ProTools. ProTools is very expensive and requires special audio interface system, plus a special iLok key system.

Which brings us to a program called Reaper. Reaper is a digital audio workstation software program that offers a complete multitrack audio and MIDI recording, editing, processing, mixing, and mastering environment. Some of the features Reaper offers is the ability to record audio and MIDI from multiple inputs simultaneously, layer recorded tracks and takes over previous recordings, edit recordings in almost any imaginable way, includes many effects and can use add-on third party effects, all editing and effects are completely non-destructive.

The software can be used on almost any system. There are Windows 32-bit and 64-bit versions. When I say Windows, I mean versions 98, ME, 2000, XP, Vista, 7 and 8. Even WINE. Why you would use WINE beats me because there are Mac OS X 32-bit and 64-bit versions as well. Hell, there is even a PowerPC version. So even the PowerMac G4 and G5 users are not left out.

For more information, get your ass over to www.reaper.fm and give it a 60 day test-drive. No strings attached! If you love it, you can purchase it for $60. Sixty bucks! Super cheap! Afterwards, come back here and comment on your experience.

-News Beast