I prefer the 1 track "live" method. I record vocal and melody directly from a Yamaha PSR-S910 into a Digital Recorder (BR-864) with multi-track capability but, for the sake of time, one track does all I need for my songwriting recordings. From the digital recorder, I send a WAV file to my computer and use a free audio editor to clean up minor glitches or to cut and paste certain sections if needed. I often change volumes on intros, breaks and endings and finally, normalize the edited WAV file before copying into MP3 format (or other formats as needed).

If I am dis-satisfied with the result, I simply re-cut the entire song until I'm happy with the results. Often, I will wait a day or two, listen again and see if it still sounds as good as I originally thought. Fortunately, the ability to save the style settings makes a second cut much easier.

The older I get, the less pleased I am at my vocal abilities but I get significant practice this way.

I agree with Don Mason about higher quality if several tracks are used but, time is not on my side and I am doing my best to complete 1000 songs for my catalog before the grim reaper comes calling. Only 93 songs to go now to reach this self-imposed target, not including instrumentals or children's musicals in this category. I have been writing songs for nearly ten years after retiring from a job involving industrial automation.

I enjoy several genres including, Easy Listening, Country, Americana, Blues, Jazz and Novelty songs. Fortunately, I don't depend on making a living with my works... unless I can attract top of the line vocalists with significant fan acceptance and "record sales." If and when that happens, the entire ballgame can change overnight.

Let's face it... hope is the spring that drives the songwriting mechanism for thousands of us.

Merry Christmas, everyone.

Dave Rice

http://www.ShowcaseYourMusic.com/DaveRice/