Show Of Hand For Entry Level Software And Hardware, Recommendation Options

[lantzn]

Hi All,
I've spent the last week looking into all the possible ways on getting my son's band's music into my computer to edit and burn. I'm talking entry-level here. It seems that most of the high-end products from all the software companies are just now showing up for OS X. I'm sure the entry-level software will follow.

Here is the software I've looked into.
Steinberg Cubase SX released, no mention of a VST version yet.
Emagic Logic Platinum released, no mention of MicroLogic AV yet.
Digidesign Pro Tools announced, no mention of LE yet.
MOTU Digital Performer announced, no mention of entry-level software yet.

I've looked into the following hardware.
Griffin iMic
MBox
EMI 6/2
Midiman/M-Audio USB Quattro and Duo

I want to stay away from the PCI stuff because we have a G4 tower and iMac and want to be able to swap the hardware between the machines. Ultimately I want a piece of entry level hardware that will work with all the entry level software that will make it to OS X. The Midiman stuff looks to be vary promising and already has Jaguar drivers! I'm going to a demo they are having next Friday in Seattle.

I'd appreciate any thoughts on the entry-level software that currently exists for OS 9 from the four software companies above. This will help me decide when they release their OS X versions. I'm interested in a modern GUI and a fairly easy learning curve. I did notice that some of the software was geared more for the midi stuff while others for the band music stuff. I'd rather be able to buy a VARIETY of less expensive software to go with my hardware then a single expensive high-end product.

thanks

[Synthetic]

from what I have read in other posts... stay away from imic if you want good quality and reliability. I think I would stay away from m-audio for audio interfaces too... they had lots of probs with them working with certain apps thanks to ASIO dirver problems... they might be fixed now but for awhile they were a hot topic because of the probs. I just ordered the Emagic EMI 2/6 for use with my laptop.

my opinion on anything entry level... yeah its nice to start out small but eventually you will want more control, features and more tracks to work with and will probably end up buying better software so I would say just go for one of the available full titles. And if it has to run on OSX.... you are gonna be working in new territory that is still being developed and thus you are gonna lose some features until they get it all worked out.

I don't want to seem pompous but I think you are making this more difficult than it needs to be... you really should contact a sales rep at sweetwater.com or another music retailer and tell them exactly what you want to do and how much you are willing to spend... they will guide you. Also, check the other threads as there are many others who seek the same advice and you can see what everyone is using and such.