I've been trying to find the answer to this all day -- but with no luck:

How can I simulataneously hear the "line in" input while it is recording? The OS X system preferences (sound) give no indication that this is even possible! I think this might be called playthrough. I could do this on my SB64 on my old windows computer -- so i must be able to do it here!

Please help me! i don't want to have to run out and buy an external soundcard or controller (at least not right away!)


many thanks,

Ben

Ok, I have just read through many other posts on this site -- so I feel like I have a better idea of how to ask an intelligent question. It seems like no-one would even consider using the built-in sound card on the powerbook for high quality recording.

I did boot up my powerbook in OS 9, and used Protools Free for a bit this afternoon, but was frustrated by significant delay in the "line in" playthrough. I was hoping to find a software fix to this -- so I could start to do multi-track recording on this new machine.

My history is that I have been doing multitracking (on a PC) using just the line in of a Sblaster 64PCI card and Sonic Foundry Vegas. I had no noticeable latency on that setup, when i was simulatenously recording and playing back. i was surprised that the audio card on this brand new machine would have any delay at all.

I don't object to the idea of using a USB / fireware interface for audio in -- if that is the way it must be. Ideally I would like to be able to record two inputs simulataneoulsy -- and also have a midi input (but thats not as important). If i bought something of this sort -- I wouldn't have to buy another "sound card", would I? So, if i bought a "Duo" or something like that, I'd be able to record high quality tracks into logic?

any advice or information would be great,
thanks
Ben

You are correct - USB audio interface = sound card. Most interfaces have an "input monitoring" or "direct monitoring" button to allow you to bypass the computer and thus, the latency. There's a bunch of devices out there that feature both audio and MIDI in/outs - you might want to start with m-audio, Tascam, Edirol, etc. Not sure about the others, but I can vouch for Tascam, in that their OSX drivers work well.

Only exception I can make is that, on my G3 desktop with a USB card rather than built-in as on the G4, the USB network mysteriously shuts down periodically, requiring a re-start. I'm looking forward to connecting my Yamaha AW16 to the TOS connectors of an M-Audio FireWire 410.

Bill

And I can vouch for Edirol's OS X drivers for their USB interfaces (UA5, UA700 etc). M-Audio have had a rough ride round these parts for poor drivers, with the Duo taking a beating on a number of occasions. Doesn't mean it wouldn't work for you, but be warned.

However, they do have a Firewire device coming in April - the 410. Looks great, costs £349. If the drivers aren't complete crap, that'll be a million seller.

As for your PowerBook, the musicians behind the 1 Giant Leap project recorded a good deal of the music for the CD and DVD by plugging directly into the minijack on their G3 PowerBook. When you're in rural India and your PC card won't work, the minijack is an instant solution.

Didn't hurt the recording quality too much, either: their DVD was nominated for a Grammy this year. And the whole project was recorded and mixed on the PowerBook solely within Logic using just Logic plug-ins. An inspiration to us all. Look out for a full-length interview on MacMusic soon!