Pro Tools is the granddaddy of Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs). You ask a layperson to name a computer recording program and they'll probably say Pro Tools. It's one of the oldest computer recorders and still one of the best.
Instructions
1. First, you must get a high-quality soundcard for plugging in a microphone and guitar cable. You will also need a versatile Midi controller for triggering software instruments. Depending on the soundcard and Midi controller, you're going to need a software driver that is linked up with your version of Pro Tools. Be sure to download the most recent driver.
2. In Pro Tools, go to File and select New Track. If you want stereo sound via a mic, you'll need to use a stereo microphone. Otherwise, record the same part on two separate tracks in order to mimic stereo recording.
3. In the Windows menus, select "Show Edit" and "Show Mix"-you're two main windows. The track from step one should show up. You can alter the size of the mix and edit windows so that you can see them both side by side, without having to click back and forth.
4. To record, press the "r" above the volume sliders and pan control in the mix window. The "r" needs to be red for recording to be enabled. Next, hit the round record button in the Control Bar. The controls in the Control Bar work like a standard CD player.
5. To edit a track, go to the edit menu. Use the Select tool at the top of the menu-looks like a miniature wave form icon. The Hand tool can move a specific region within a track. Use the delete button or cut/copy/and paste within the Edit menu.
6. Select the AudioSuite plug-ins from the AudioSuite menu. For example, pull down the AudioSuite menu and select Gate-this will reduce noise during quiet parts. Another plug-in, called Normalize, can also make a more uniform sound. Experiment with plug-ins on a track-by-track basis, as well as the overall master track.
7. For mixdown, experiment both with panning, fading (Edit menu-Fades), and track levels. Next, go to the Edit menu and select Consolidate Regions, and select the regions that you want to be exported. Select Audio in the Edit Menu and click on "Export Selected as Files." You'll see a prompt to save the selection as .wav file, mp3, or another format. You can then open up the file in Itunes, QuickTime, or other application.
