I have a 800MHz G3 iBook that I've been attmpeting to use for simple keyboard and vocal recording. I've used both the lowest level Cubase and Metro studio software with an Onkyo USB interface for the microphone. My problem is when I mix down the audio tracks (the MIDI tracks I create are fine), the volume level is incredibly low. Even with suggestions I have gotten, I haven't been able produce a satisfactory-sounding audio mixdown.

So, I want to start fresh and get new software and a new interface. Is Mbox a viable option? I'm wondering if the preamps will help with the audio quality. I'd also like to start playing around with composing and sequencing outside of vocal recording, so I'm interested in more serious software. Quality vocal recording, however, is my main objective.

What are the best suggestions re software, interfaces (in the $200-600 realm) etc. for vocal recording on my iBook? Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks for the help, everybody. No, really. Thanks. No. Really.

I can assure you that Metro is not the problem. For example, did you try normalizing the tracks that were not loud enough? (Edit > audio > normalize {to 100%} Sounds to me like you need to get a better (real) audio interface, That is if you want quality results.

Hi mattlore! I wholeheartedly recommend the MBox. I haven't had any trouble at all using this thing. It was literally a plug-and-play experience from the word go (well, I had to download an update, but that wasn't a big deal). The AudioSuite effects that come bundled with the MBox are great tools as well. Now, I primarily do demos, so I don't know a whole lot about getting a spectacular recording, but I learn something new every day. Last night, I had some tracks that I was having trouble boosting the volume on, so I opened up the GAIN AudioSuite effect and hit FIND PEAK. Well, it found the hottest section of the song, and allowed me to bump up the slider till the db level was just below zero. And voila! The level was bumped up to a listenable level!

One more thing (and this is going to sound really inelegant), but I've always had trouble recording voices because I don't really understand compression (I know, guys, I know. I need to learn about this), so I route a condenser mic through a Sony MiniDisc player (which has a built-in limiter) and then into the MBox. My vocal levels rock when I do that because I'm limiting them before they go to ProTools and I don't have to watch the meters the whole time I'm recording vocals.

This is probably not the best choice, and someone who knows more about sound will tell you a better way, but this works for me right now until I can figure out a better way.

Bottom line, buy the MBox with the software bundle and you'll have a great way to record vocals.

hahaworld