What is the best free music mixing program?

[Benzo]

I am wanting to know what program is the best for being able to mix music with. I would like suggestions on some easily affordable software as well.

I would like to be able to have at least 10 minimum "track" lines.
I would also like to be able to "map" with click and drag.
The program must be able to use on Vista.
I am aslo wanting to know if the program supports "file/wave/adio" convert to format.
A good resource to obtain sound files/waves without copyright issues. (sampleing is one thing, but some of them charge for a simple sound file/wave)

It has been a long time since I have mixed music, and I have no clue as too what is a good solid easy program to use. I am used to dj equipment from the oldschool days- so- some of these "thousands" of programs I have checked out are nice and all, they just do not do exactly waht I need because they are limited or missing options.

So, can anyone suggest a good program/software that has the most to offer for free or is affordable?

 

[Bleak]

Sorry I didn't see this sooner, but I may be able to help.

I don't have extensive use with the program (I'm a huge proponent of Logic), but I do have friends that swear by Reaper. The software is powerful, and there's a free trial. The free trial is 30 days, but they don't believe in immobilizing their software, so you can effectively use it for free as long as you want, however, I strongly encourage you to buy the license from them. It's super cheap, and it's amazing software.

100 minimum tracks? That's insane. I would imagine that Reaper would support it, but I highly doubt that your computer is going to handle that unless you're running some sort of elite supercomputer of computing doom. Out of complete curiosity - how do you manage to use that many tracks at once?

I'm not super familiar with the program, so I don't know the ins and outs. But if you check out their website, I'm sure it'll answer everything else that I didn't.

Good luck, and happy mixing!

 

[Benzo]

Wow- 100? I meant to put 10! Nice catch (time to edit.....)

Thanks, I will check it out.

 

[Lil_Magma]

Ive been mixing for about a year, and Audacity has been great for me throughout, there's a learning curve, but its pretty good for being free

 

[Elite_4_Allen]

Wow, my dad is perfect for this, I can't ask him now, but PM me and I'll give you some advice on it.

 

[Bleak]

Ive been mixing for about a year, and Audacity has been great for me throughout, there's a learning curve, but its pretty good for being free

Audacity is great for super quick and simple stuff, like recording an idea so you don't forget it. I can't say I'd use it for much else, but it's a great, simple tool for free. Give Reaper a shot. No harm in trying it, and you'll find yourself a lot less limited if there are things that Audacity doesn't do that you'd like it to.

Benzo, glad you clarified there. I was really scratching my head as to how you could make 100 simultaneous things even be heard in a single mix, let alone be processed, haha.

 

[Benzo]

Thanks for the suggestions so far. There really is a LOT of proggies out there to choose from.

@bleak- it can be done, but you are correct in needing a pc that can handle such a workload. Try (back in the day) spinning three records, and a tape while using a third reel on continuose loop....... and then later converting to cd's when they first came out with tape splicing and re-recording. yeah...... I am that old!
100 track lines is monsterous indeed- interlink three pc's is the only way I know how it could be done unless you specificly build a pc with mass amount of ram- and can multi-link three progies to sync, record, and condence the tracks onto cd, and up load to boot to integrate. If there is any other way easier, I am open to suggestions!

 

[Black Mamba]

What exactly are you looking to do? Mixing and production are very different things and require entirely different skill sets and programs. Are you looking to dj or are you looking to make your own music? Something like audacity is good if you're looking to record or do other simple things, but it's not going to get you very far in terms of being a DAW. If you're talking about a modern solution to actual "mixing" (judging by a couple of your comments), you can pick up a numark mixtrack pro for around $200 which comes with a digital mixing program (Virtual DJ in the US, Traktor LE in Europe), which is a good entry level live performance solution, good for house parties and things like that.

 

[Benzo]

^ looking to do a little of both- mixing and composing. Sound effects and the sort, and sample sounds- just need a kind of an overall general program that allows for imported and upload/download music files.
I have sampled a few proggies, and they are specific to wave/mp?/ and sound effects, but not really good at converting or uploading anything beyond what the proggie is capable to work with outside what it only wants to support.