Please Help Me Get Started!!!, Help needed with Logic software Options

Hi, I recently brought a Mac g3 and Logic Audio 5.0 to start a home studio.

So far, however, I have had nothing but trouble! I own a KORG TRITON Pro Classic keyboard and really wanted to get started making some professional music. I thought the Blue and White G3 would be the best option on my budget because of the power. This however is not the case.

I got the thing home, took a good look at it and realised that there is no MIDI port! Arrrrr. So, I rang the Logic Importers in Australia, and they advised that I get a good, cheap MIDI sound card. I then rang the place where I bought the computer, and they are happy to refund the money if I want to downgrade to a Beige G3.

I need your advice! Should I

A)Buy a cheap (<$200AU, $110US) MIDI card to put in my B&W G3

-or-

B)Downgrade to the Beige G3, upgrade the processer, get USB put in, and get a new, multi res screen (the 15" I bought is crap)

Also, I need to ask if the Beige G3 will run OS 9.1, will it take an upgraded processer, and will the soundcard that comes standard with the Beige G3 be enough to use for MIDI and LOGIC 5.0?

I have spent a fair bit on the B&W G3 so far, and getting a Beige G3 plus all the extras would get me up tp about the same price as I paid for just the B&W G3 originally.

I know these are a lot of questions, but any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

-l0gix

[dixiechicken]

For professional audio a G3 is on the slow side. The difference between beige G3 and B&W G3 is
not that big a adifference. Both the above can be upgraded
None of the above comes standard with audio/midi-card - interface.

Also, I need to ask if the Beige G3 will run OS 9.1, will it take an upgraded processer, and will the soundcard that comes standard with the Beige G3 be enough to use for MIDI and LOGIC 5.0?
( NO - see above )

I have spent a fair bit on the B&W G3 so far, and getting a Beige G3 plus all the extras would get me up tp about the same price as I paid for just the B&W G3 originally.

Go for the beige then - but remember that beige & B&W G3:s are on slow side side of things
for audio, midi will probably be fine.

Cheers; Dixiechicken

[pandrews]

This is just my humble opinion, so take it for what it's worth. Stick with the more powerful (newer) machine. For about $50(US) you can get an Edirol UM-1. It is a cable which is USB on one end and MIDI IN/OUT on the other. You can use the Triton as the tone generator, or you can use the internal sounds of the Mac. Done, in 16 bit stereo. For general MIDI this should be fine. Rahter than spending the money on a cheap sound card, you could buy a small mixer to monitor the two sound sources. (Oh yeah, the drivers on the Edirol CD should work fine)

The bus speed on the blue & white Mac is probably greater than that of the beige powermac. (I have no handy specifications.) That's important for moving audio as well as for the upgrade path. It is less of a bottleneck in the future.

Thanks for the great replies!

I have however, decided to hold onto the B&W G3, and get an m-audio "Audiophile" sound card which should do everything I want it to. While I know that G3's are on the slow side, I have to stress that I am on a budget here, and the G3 suits my needs well enough.

I will however, need some advice on the types of cables I am going to need for my little project.

I have a Korg Triton Pro, that I want to run through the "audiophile" sound card to use LOGIC 5.0, then I need the sound from the software to come from the computer to an Alesis rack Amp, and through to the Alesis Moniter one speakers that I use. I also need to be able to easily switch from making sound through the computer, to sound from the Triton.

The idea with logic and the Mac, is to use the Korg Triton as a "dummy" keyboard.

I have the cables for Keyboard to the amp, and from the amp to the speakers...

as always, any help is gratly appreciated...

Thanks -Logix

[Synthetic]

For professional audio a G3 is on the slow side.

just wanted to add.... I use a B/W g3 for my audio recording and the only time it runs out of steam is trying to run lots of plugins or really taxing plugs like complex reverbs with other plugs.

For the most part, I do just fine with my g3.

oh and it sounds like you may just need some RCA to 1/4" adpater cables but really this is something you should be able to determine after getting your audiophile card. Just look at the connections from it and the devices and start hunting for proper cables. A rep at sweetwater.com can help you with almost any cable you should need.

This post has been edited by Synthetic: Fri 16 May 2003, 14:27

[Saurabh Sethi]

Keep the Blue & White G3.!!!! You can get a USB midi interface for as little as $50 (US)!!