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Hi Guys,

I've recorded a lot of samples on my R-09HR. I want to use a software package to chop them up, distort them... basically destroy and disfigure them :twisted: and layer them up in as many different ways as I can until I find something that works which I can use as a basis for a film soundtrack.
Is there a software package out there that you would recommend?

I've used Logic in the past but am no expert. Layering tracks is ideal and the plugins are great but I've found it tricky to chop up audio samples, change their speed etc.
Audacity is fun, lots of effects but no layers means I frequently find myself jumping between Audacity and Logic which kills my workflow a bit.
Oddly enough I produced a soundtrack entirely in Final Cut a while back and really enjoyed how easy it was to change the speed of an audio track, chop it up and layer to my hearts content.

Anyone know of some kind of combination of all these?

Cheers
Dunc

EDIT sorry, yes... Audacity has tracks/layers... wasn't thinking when I wrote that. My real gripe with it is it's freeware and it's missing a lot of keyboard shortcuts and other things that really slow down the production process.

dunklk
... it's missing a lot of keyboard shortcuts

Timbre

dunklk
... it's missing a lot of keyboard shortcuts

You can define your own keyboard shortcuts in Audacity, so you can have as many as you want.
Look in "Preferences" (bottom of "Edit" menu in the latest version of Audacity), then select "Keyboard".

Got ya, thanks for that.

Since it seems like you are on a Mac and you have some interest in destroying samples, may I suggest you investigate Gleetchlab. For sure it is not a "normal" software, but that is sort of the point. For a more "normal" software I believe to be a nice step up from Audacity is Tracktion, which is currently on sale for $50. An overlooked part of that software is the "racks" area, which is a semi-modular thing that is pretty cool. Reaper is also definitely worth checking out as well, particularly because it is capable of loading AUs and VSTs.

Corsica_S
Since it seems like you are on a Mac and you have some interest in destroying samples, may I suggest you investigate Gleetchlab. For sure it is not a "normal" software, but that is sort of the point. For a more "normal" software I believe to be a nice step up from Audacity is Tracktion, which is currently on sale for $50. An overlooked part of that software is the "racks" area, which is a semi-modular thing that is pretty cool. Reaper is also definitely worth checking out as well, particularly because it is capable of loading AUs and VSTs.

Thanks for the links, much appreciated. Gleetchlab certainly is way, way out there. Really interesting concept though, would work well as a live instrument.
Reaper is great. Been playing with it for a few hours, really nice feel, very intuitive (although I'll be damned if I can figure out how to loop a selection while I fiddle about testing plugins).
I haven't splashed the cash on Tracktion ...yet!

You can find numerous Mp3 editor software’s on the internet but not all of them are supported by windows 7 All Sound Editor XP v1.41 comes with completely compatible with windows 7 and with this mp3 editor you can fix mp3 file saving issues

Drag the mouse in the timeline to loop in Reaper! It's an excellent program for messing with samples and production in general...

hi, i use acid studio 7 software for making beats. it does alot more than that. you can do everything you asked about very easily and you can do alot more to the sounds you chop, loop, etc.it has unlimited tracks as well and cost about 60.00 at office max or best buy

Everything you need to do is in Logic and Live. The time and effort you'd spend learning other software you should spend really learning the features in Logic. Put in the time and learn the good one. Your workflow would improve if you never closed Logic.

Having tried other programs, I would now swear by logic for this type of editing, the amount of different things you can do with it is immense, and spending time learning the shortcuts is invaluable as Kuru23 says. Things like holding alt and dragging to time stretch, and the sample editor provides quick and easy ways to edit each sample.
Plugins are AU in logic but you can easily get wrapping programmes for VST plug ins, so interesting freeware plugins are an option.
Plus you won't have to fork out for another piece of software!

If you run a Mac: Adobe Audition for Mac just became freeware

If you run a Mac: Adobe Audition for Mac just became freeware

Except that you miss out on the sound generation option that the windows version has :evil: grr
definitely get it though

Effectrix is pretty cool http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsk1mJ_vwZw

has like I think 16 different effects build in plus a step sequencer for triggering them etc.

If you've purchased any sort of M-Audio device (Midi Controller, Interface etc) then chances are you have Pro Tools light - A very powerful peice of software - even for liteware.

Cheers

David