cool edit is mostly an editing prog and doesn't sound good for recording to start with. if you want a good free to very cheap multitracker try reaper.com. this is a very good prog for very cheap or free if you find the crack but as it is one guy writing it and not a company i would say give the dude $50.
when you say techniques what do you mean, mic techniques, the use of the software, what hardware etc. everything you use will effect the quality of your sound.
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