Here's my problem...

My brother has been bugging me to get my Mac ready for recording...I could really care less due to everything else I do on it not really leaving me time to record anything right now. So, for him, I will turn to you for assistance.

I have a DP 1Ghz QS (spring 02) with the lastest in both OS's. I would prefer to stay in OS X if possible. I need advice on software and any hardware that one might need for this endeavor.

Let me say, while my brother is a dreamer, he is definately NOT a financer...so I am, seriously, looking for the barebones of what I would need to get audio into this thing. For arguments sake, and I realize this may go against the whole 'barebones' thing, it would be cool to have multitrack capability, even 4-track would be fine. He is looking to record guitar and vocals.

Anyway, that's my problem. Any help with this would be great. Thanks for the help.

Eddie

your situation just seems to be screaming "Mbox" from www.digidesign.com to me... or even protools FREE - but i dont know then how'd you'd get audio in, so back to Mbox.

You could use Griffin's imic with PT Free (8 tracks)- only in OS9, and certainly not the best quality audio, but probably the cheapest solution around at $35.

Another idea for beginners might be something like MicroLogic or Cubasis - the entry-level multitrack recording software from two of the big hitters in the field.

Alternatively, spring for Logic Big Box or Cubase SL (both of them are under $200). You'll have more than enough music power to last for months to come, maybe even years.

Interfaces? Dozens available. MBox is around $500, so hardly cheap and you can only (realistically) use Pro Tools LE with it. The iMic is far and away the cheapest interface available, but again spending a little more can get you something of superior audio quality from Edirol or M-Audio.

Pick up just one music technology mag and you'll find yourself bombarded with options!