I've done some recording with Audacity and Garage band 1, but now I'm ready to move up a notch. I record only classical guitar. I just purchased a matched pair of Rode NT5s and upped the memory on my G4 iMac (OS 10.2.8) to 768K. My mic pre amp is an M-audio mobile pre. I'd like to record true two track and do mastering. Any way I look at it I have to buy some stuff, but I'm having trouble deciding what.

I could buy an MBox and delve into Pro Tools, but I'm scared of the learning curve.

I could buy Tracktion, but that requires OS 10.3 and I'm not sure it has any mastering functions. I could also buy a Spike. It includes Tracktion, but I don't know if it would be that much better than my mobile pre.

I could buy the new iLife and use Garageband 2. Again, mastering? Requires OS update.

What have I left out? What options do you all think would work best? I like intuitive solutions better than more powerful, but dificult to use options. Ultimately, I just want to be able to put out nice guitar recordings.

Thanks!

Mike

The protools option really isn't that bad of an option. It's not too hard to learn, and when you do learn it you can really fly through it. I can't imagine using anything else when I'm in a hurry. You could also go with M-powered protools, although I don't think your current interface will work with it.

I would recommend that you upgrade to a nice preamp. Classical guitar has so much tone, that you really need to get as hifi as possible. Some suggestions for preamps would be the RNC, the Groove Tubes Brick, etc. What would your price range be?

The digidesign MBox has focusrite preamps. That was part of the reason that I was thinking about that route. I think $500 would about be my budget. The street price on the MBox is $450 and the Mackie Spike is $399.

The M-powered protools won't work with the mobile pre.

Any other thoughts for getting into pro tools without busting the bank. I just figured Mbox was the only reasonably economical way to go.

Thanks!

M

You can get protools with the firewire410 or the usb audiophile interface. In your price range, although it doesn't include ProTools, I think your best option might be the Presonus Firebox. That thing sounds REALLY good. It comes with Cubase which is also a good program. It's got two preamps on it that are better than the mbox - I have an mbox, and although those pre's are that great, the presonus ones are better.

The number one thing that will improve your sound right now is going to be a preamp. You got a good pair of mics, and you'll be amazed at how a good preamp will make it sound. You really should check out something like the FMR RNP, or for some really good tube sound, check out the Groove Tubes Brick. It uses the same technology as their Vipre (which is like $3k!).

Digital Performer is worth a look for audio recording. So is Deck II. Sound Studio is free and records true stereo.

You don't say what kind of audio interface you're using. Don't use the little mic socket in your Mac! Use Firewire or USB.

I currently have an M-audio USB mobile pre.

M

I like GT and the brick looks nice, but it only has one mic input.

M

Don't think Deck can cut it with it's 16bit limitation, it's a show stopper in my book.

I'm leaning towards the Lexican Omega with Cubase LE. I can add a tube pre-amp like a presonus bluetube at a later date. I can get Ozone to master. All in all I'd be out about $500.

Any experience with that combo or any of the parts?

M

I think you'll have better sound quality with the Presonus firebox (w/ Cubase LE) than you will with the Lexicon, even with the Blue Tube added later.