 Audio Playback/Editing Software for Mac |
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 28 Jul 2010, 10:41 PM
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#1
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New member Group: Members Posts: 4 Joined: 26-July 10 Member No.: 16,757  |
What's the best piece of software for playing audio tracks, sound FX and cues for theatre work? I need one that is mainly for that purpose but can do recording and editing as-well. It needs to be available for Mac.
Thanks. Moderation: Topic title changed for clarity and to correct a spelling error. Numerous spelling, punctuation and grammar errors corrected in the body of the post. In the future, please be aware that the Blue Room places a lot of value on correct spelling, punctuation and grammar to ensure clarity in technical topics--posts that fall below a certain standard may be deleted without warning. |
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28 Jul 2010, 10:50 PM
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#2
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Settling in: Group: Members Posts: 23 Joined: 17-July 10 From: Lanarkshire Member No.: 16,701 |
Qlab
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28 Jul 2010, 11:43 PM
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#3
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 Recent Member Group: Members Posts: 7 Joined: 4-July 09 From: Ceredigion, Wales Member No.: 13,880 |
Ive not used it a huge amount but Ableton Live is pretty good. It has reasonable recording and editing function but is great for playing audio tracks and samples. simple to use straight out the box with a lot of scope for more in depth use.
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29 Jul 2010, 2:00 AM
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#4
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 Rocket Surgeon  Group: Admin Posts: 2,622 Joined: 31-December 02 From: Vancouver, BC Member No.: 8 |
Jack,
Please click the second link in my signature and read carefully. It will really help you out. Thanks -------------------- Technical Director, Vancouver Roundhouse
The only way to guarantee thoughtful, informative discussion is to write thoughtful, informative posts. The Blue Room is not a real-time chat forum. You have time to compose messages and edit them before and after posting. "You put money in, you see, and opera comes out." |
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29 Jul 2010, 8:58 PM
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#5
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  Group: Members Posts: 752 Joined: 4-January 04 From: Near Cardiff, South Wales Member No.: 667 |
Qlab will do theatre playback.
And if all you need is basic recording/editing...macs come with Garageband. This post has been edited by benweblight: 29 Jul 2010, 8:58 PM -------------------- Cheers,
Ben Gummery |
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29 Jul 2010, 9:26 PM
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#6
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 Regular Member Group: Members Posts: 104 Joined: 13-April 09 Member No.: 13,164 |
Audacity for editing (it's free!!!)
Megaseg for playback. I haven't used QLab but I have heard it is fantastic. But for us, (school) megaseg does the job perfectly. It is actually DJ software (our main use, playlists and the like) but can be set to play manually, which is what we do in a theatre production. One thing to remember is to turn the fades off :-) -------------------- Joe Munro
StageTech @HCHS Mess with me and you dance in the dark. |
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29 Jul 2010, 9:38 PM
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#7
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Longstanding Member Group: Members Posts: 543 Joined: 6-June 05 From: Near New York City, USA Member No.: 2,525 |
QUOTE (jack hale @ 28 Jul 2010, 6:41 PM)  What's the best piece of software for playing audio tracks, sound FX and cues for theatre work? I need one that is mainly for that purpose but can do recording and editing as-well. It needs to be available for Mac. There are several good recording/editing programs for Mac OS, from the high end like ProTools and Logic, down to the free, like Audacity or the almost free like Amadeus Pro. I have been using Audacity and Amadeus Pro for at least 10 years with no real issues. They are both very capable recording/editing environments with useful, if not spectacular, effects included. For playback of theater sound cues, where you may have several playing at once, needing individual go cues, and possibly multitrack output, QLab is the way to go. You can start with the free version which is only 2 track out and cannot be controlled by midi, and as you need more features you can buy licenses for higher levels of capability. Fully configured you can have 48 track I/O, video tracks, and control by midi and midi control of other devices. It is very powerful yet fairly easy to get started with. As with most software fully utilizing all the features will take some skill and some study. It is hard to beat for SFX playback. Mac |
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29 Jul 2010, 11:10 PM
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#8
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 Regular Member Group: Members Posts: 121 Joined: 27-May 07 From: Ilkeston, Derbyshire Member No.: 7,231 |
Another vote for Audacity. As mentioned it is free. Its a great programe, its also very easy to use. Its got plenty of tricks up its sleave so should beable to do anything you would need to do.
-------------------- 'Jazz that isn't a draw it's a trash compacter! And when Uncle Phill sees this it'll be a Jazz compacter!!'
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30 Jul 2010, 7:01 PM
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#9
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New member Group: Members Posts: 4 Joined: 8-March 10 Member No.: 15,680 |
QUOTE (heinz57 @ 29 Jul 2010, 11:10 PM) Another vote for Audacity. As mentioned it is free. Its a great programe, its also very easy to use. Its got plenty of tricks up its sleave so should beable to do anything you would need to do. I use audacity quite a bit and have no real problems with it for basic editing. However of you want to do serious editing then seriously consider some priced software. As for playback the main MAC based software I have seen come through the doors of our theatre has been Qlab. |
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31 Jul 2010, 10:22 PM
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#10
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New member Group: Members Posts: 3 Joined: 26-June 10 Member No.: 16,545 |
I would also say Qlab and apparently its free! well for the audio version.
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1 Aug 2010, 10:12 AM
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#11
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 Regular Member Group: Members Posts: 179 Joined: 24-August 09 From: Hampshire Member No.: 14,251 |
QUOTE (martin martin @ 31 Jul 2010, 11:22 PM) I would also say Qlab and apparently its free! well for the audio version. Yes, I just downloaded it, and there is a free version. You can't do any video, or anything to do with MIDI, but for triggering audio samples and effects it is perfect! 
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2 Aug 2010, 10:50 AM
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#12
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Group: Members Posts: 752 Joined: 4-January 04 From: Near Cardiff, South Wales Member No.: 667 |
QUOTE (CharlieH @ 1 Aug 2010, 11:12 AM) QUOTE (martin martin @ 31 Jul 2010, 11:22 PM) I would also say Qlab and apparently its free! well for the audio version. Yes, I just downloaded it, and there is a free version. You can't do any video, or anything to do with MIDI, but for triggering audio samples and effects it is perfect! However you can rent licenses for different pro features if you wanted to use it just for a show rather than buying a full license. http://figure53.com/qlab/buy/rental.php -------------------- Cheers,
Ben Gummery |
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