Mixing and mastering software recommendations

[Car Diff]

One for the studio/home recordists.

I have a fairly simplistic setup at home, centered around a Tascam DP-24 (24 track digital multi-tracker). Whilst I could have gone the 100% Pro Tools route, I prefer some semblance of hardware; knobs to twiddle, sliders to slide, etc.

Whilst the DP-24 does track editing and mastering I would prefer, at least, to do the former using WAV editing tools (as it's a fiddly business and I want to do a bit of tidying up, incorporate cross-fading, etc.). I currently use Audacity (which is fine, in itself) but I was wondering whether you have any recommendations of a combined WAV editing tool that also has basic mastering built in? I guess a 'lite' version of Pro Tools itself would be good.

Any ideas?

[sparks85]

http://www.reaper.fm/

Reaper DAW is free to try (unlimited time and no limitations at all). Sounds like it will be suitable for your needs, very easy to pick up.

When you say mastering, what exactly do you mean? Compression, limiting, eqing etc?

[Car Diff]

sparks85 said:

http://www.reaper.fm/

Reaper DAW is free to try (unlimited time and no limitations at all). Sounds like it will be suitable for your needs, very easy to pick up.

When you say mastering, what exactly do you mean? Compression, limiting, eqing etc?

I believe so, yes. I've been demo-ing songs at home for years but mastering is a bit of a black art/unknown to me. Essentially, it's the stage between recording the initial tracks and putting a 'master' mix onto tape for duplication/distribution. That bit

I've heard of Reaper but never used it; will check it out - thanks!