I'm leaning heavily toward the digital keys. I have been looking around online, and have found quite a few for under $250, which is right around where I'm looking to spend. I haven't got the Loop Station yet, but was considering the Digitech JamMan. I'm pretty old school when it comes to music and not very familiar with MIDI. DigiTech® JamMan™ Looper/Phrase Sampler <--Specs

Audacity, it's really a good tool. i like it.

be sure to share a link to your recordings!

: D

I've used sonar/cakewalk and reaper. Sonar/cakewalk is good but expensive, Reaper is basically the free to use version of cakewalk (though obviously not as good). I find that Reaper is sufficient for some of my more basic recording tracks though. HOWEVER, I think having the right hardware is more important than the program, if only because even cakewalk sounds crappy if you're using crappy equipment. Buy a good mic + preamp (preferably tube) and maybe an analogue to digital usb mixing board. Check out ART (Applied research and technology), they've got some decent/cheap recording hardware.

I don't think that free software can serve the purpose or can have you a quality music piece after all your efforts. "Stone Birds" is right, try Cakewalk

Hello, i like to use audacity.

I'm just starting to dip my toes into audacity. It seem intuitive. The start up link someone posted in another thread is good

+1. Audacity is a fantastic free sound editor, but for multi-tracking it isn't an ideal solution, and instead a DAW is a better approach. Fruity loops has a demo mode which many people use as their software of choice, or you could try Cakewalk as previously suggestion, however I think MAGIX is a bit more intuitive as a software recording studio. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter what software you use as long as it achieves what you want from it. There are a lot of tutorials for Fruity Loops on youtube.

If ur on a mac I recommend garageband, or just use the software wich came with ur interface. If ur only recording vocals and guitar audacity would be alright.

It's a 4 year old post, I don't think he's coming back.