This is a free application that is available for computers running Mac OS X 10.6. Musescore is a free music writing software that allows you to create, print and play great-looking sheet music. Though the software is easy to use, it comes with a detailed and practical tutorial, and this makes the users be able to make the most out of this tool.You can also see Video Slideshow Maker.
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“Man is a tool-using animal. Without tools he is nothing, with tools he is all.” – Thomas Carlyle (Scottish writer and philosopher)
In a previous article, we looked at why you should always be ready to record your songwriting ideas.
This article goes through the best songwriting tools you can use to record those ideas.
Just to be clear, these audio tools are for recording your rough songwriting ideas, not your final recordings.
You’re the only one who will hear these recordings, so audio quality isn’t important at this stage. The goal is to get your ideas down quickly.
OK, on to the tools!
1. Voice recorders (my songwriting tool of choice)
A voice recorder is a small handheld audio recorder with a built-in microphone and speaker.
Voice recorders cost around $20 to $150 depending on the features.
Why I love voice recorders
My voice recorder is my favorite songwriting tool. It’s fast, easy, inexpensive, portable, and always ready to go.
I use an Olympus VN-5200PC digital voice recorder. It’s a few years old and nothing fancy. You can get something like it for less than $40.
To record I just turn it on and hit the record button. I don’t have to sort through menus or wait for it to load. It just works.
It also has a USB port and lets me drag and drop audio files on to my computer or MP3 player. It doesn’t need any special software.
It’s so easy!
If you’re shopping for a voice recorder, check out this list of popular brands.
Popular brands of voice recorders
- Olympus
- RCA
- Sony
- Yamaha
2. Smartphones
Smartphones are a good recording option. They have decent sound quality, and they are almost always with you.
Recording apps
Most smartphones come with a free recording app.
However, if you don’t like the recording app on your phone there are tons of free and paid apps to choose from.
“Audio Memos” is popular on the iPhone.
“Smart Voice Recorder” and “Easy Voice Recorder” are popular for Android phones.
Feel free to post your favorite recording apps in the comments below.
Note-taking apps
Many note-taking apps let you make recordings in addition to text notes and photos.
I especially like the free note-taking app Evernote. Evernote is available for iPhone, Android, Windows, and Blackberry phones. It also works on the iPad, Android tablet, Mac desktop, Windows desktop, and other devices. I use it on an Apple iPod Touch and a Dell Windows laptop.
You can get Evernote for free here.
Why I rarely record on a smartphone
The downside of recording on a smartphone is that you have to navigate through icons and options every time you record.
To make a recording you have to turn on your phone, swipe to unlock it, find the recording app, launch the recording app, wait for it to load, then start the recording.
This isn’t a big deal if you’re just making one recording. But when I’m working on a song I might make 30 short recordings in one hour.
Sorting through menus every time I make a quick recording can become a hassle. It’s much easier to just hit the record button on a voice recorder.
Songwriting is hard enough without technology getting in the way.
3. Tablets (like the Apple iPad, Amazon Kindle, or Google Android tablet)
Most tablets have built-in microphones and use the same or similar recording apps as smartphones.
If your tablet has a built-in microphone it probably also comes with a free recording app.
I don’t currently use a tablet, so feel free to add your favorite recording apps in the comments.
4. Computers
To record audio on your computer you’ll need a microphone and audio recording software.
Microphones
Most laptops come with a built-in microphone. I use the built-in microphone on my Dell laptop. The sound quality is terrible, but it’s good enough for recording rough ideas.
Most webcams have built in microphones, so if you have a webcam you probably already have a microphone.
If your computer doesn’t have a microphone you can get a cheap one for less than $20.
Audacity
For quick recordings I use the free open source music recording software “Audacity“. Audacity is available for Windows PCs, Mac, and Linux.
You can download Audacity for free here.
With Audacity I can start recording in 3 mouse clicks and 3 seconds. I launch Audacity, wait 3 seconds for it to load, then hit record. That’s it!
Audacity is fairly easy to use and there are lots of free tutorial videos on YouTube if you get stuck. This “Audacity Educast Series” is a good place to start learning.
GarageBand
If you have a Mac you can use the audio program GarageBand by Apple. I have never used GarageBand, but I’ve heard it’s good.
At the time this article was written GarageBand was included free on all new Macs. If you’re thinking of buying a new Mac be sure to ask if it’s still free.
Why I don’t use Pro Tools to record my rough songwriting ideas
For making quick recordings, free software like Audacity works better than the fancy professional software like Pro Tools.
Pro Tools is a powerful program, but it takes a long time to load and is complicated to set up.
I use Pro Tools for making final recordings, but I never use it for recording quick song ideas.
Computers can be frustrating, skip it if it’s too hard
Getting a recording to work on your computer can be frustrating. You might have problems with the microphone, recording software, operating system, or something else.
Unless you love your computer or have no other options, I recommend skipping the computer and using a voice recorder or another songwriting tool.
Even though my computer is always set up to record, I almost never use it. My voice recorder is easier and it sounds better.
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However, I feel good knowing my computer is always ready in case my voice recorder isn’t around.
5. MP3 players
Many MP3 players have built-in microphones that let you record audio.
I have a SanDisk Sansa Clip MP3 player with a built-in microphone.
Unfortunately, in order to make a recording on the Sansa Clip you have to navigate through a few menus. It’s not as easy as just pressing record on a voice recorder. Because of this I rarely use it to record my ideas.
Recording from the radio
Many MP3 players let you record from the radio.
This is useful when you hear a cool chord progression or some other inspiring idea. You can easily capture that idea and save it for later.
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6. Voice-mail
If you don’t have a Smartphone, you can call your own voice-mail and sing yourself a message.
How to record your ideas – even when you don’t have a recorder with you!
Remember, you can use any phone in the world to call your own voice mail. You don’t have to use your own phone.
How to record your ideas if you don’t have voice-mail
If you don’t have voice-mail, you can leave a message on your friend’s voice-mail.
Julio Sanchez, a songwriter I know, used to leave his song ideas on my voice-mail. It was cool to check my messages and occasionally find a brand new song. He’d say “Huey, this is Julio. Save this song for me.”
7. Digital audio recorders
Digital audio recorders are like hi-end voice recorders. Prices start around $100 and go up to $500 and higher.
Some units have built-in microphones, others require you to plug in external microphones.
Digital audio recorders are called many different names, such as:
- handheld recorders
- handheld digital audio recorders
- portable digital recorders
You don’t need a professional-quality digital audio recorder to make quick recordings of your rough song ideas. However, if you’re interested in finding out more, check out this list of popular brands.
Popular Brands of Digital Audio Recorders
- Alesis
- Line 6
- Marantz
- Olympus
- Roland
- Sony
- Tascam
- Teac
- Yamaha
- Zoom
Final thoughts
There are tons of songwriting tools out there. Use whatever works best for you.
I love voice recorders. However, I also like knowing that I always have other options.
In a future article we’ll go over the best ways to record your songwriting ideas for maximum awesomeness.
Until then, feel free to check out our Facebook page and click the like button. We send out regular updates of songwriting tips and inspiration.
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All the best!
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PS – If you use a tool we didn’t mention or have thoughts or questions be sure to let us know in the comments section below.