Troubles With A 828, Checking Other Interfaces, I Need Help/advice. Options

[deadend228]

In February I bought a g5 iMac. I use reason and ableton live. I also got a MOTU 828mkII from a friend for a VERY good price. However, for the three months that I had it I couldn't get any kind of response from it. I consider myself to be very entry level as far as digital recording goes. Anyway, I got tired of trying to get the mkII to work and refunded it with him. Now I'm looking at getting another interface. I need something to record a guitar direct and also to record vocals and an acoustic guitar through a microphone. I've read the reviews on have major problems with drivers and whatnot. I've even considered just buying a Fostex mr8 or even an analog multitrack cassette recorder, but I've already invested so much into my mac that it would seem like a waste to not utilize it, but I'm becoming very aggravated with trying to get things to work in sync. I need advice on M-Audio or Presonus interfaces. I've been thinking about getting a Firebox. Also, should I consider getting a mixer? At this point my aggravation level has couded my mind and I cannot put forth any constructive thought towards my problem. I just want to record folk/singer songwriter kinds of things and also record my guitar direct to put with things I do in reason to have a post-rock mogwai sort of thing.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[jce44]

Hey Mr. deadend, I empathize (deeply) with you. I'm struggling also to figure out hardware, software, connections, my Mac G4 system, upgrades, digital sound technology, compatibilities,... it can be very "whelming" and frustrating! I have an > average IQ, but struggle to put my music on CD. My home studio has been 2 years in the making, I'm "old" and running out of time. But if I can do it, you can too.

So hang in there! If you've got music to do, it will come. Keep it simple at first, and build step by step.

I “hear” from your post that you’re new to digital recording, you’re frustrated, and you already spent a lot of money on your Mac.
You say that you need to record 3 inputs? (May I assume, at the same time?) Two guitars, (one of which is mic'd), and one mic for vocals? So then! Two microphones and one electric guitar. It IS easier to lay down one stereo track (it may take several tries to get a good "take"), than it is to try to put 3 different tracks together, after recording them separately? It depends on which area of expertise is your STRENGTH or weakness? Software or hardware? If you USE Reason or Ableton, does that mean you're experienced in the software applications?

Firewire interfaces to your computer are the best consideration. Latency or time lag is the reason why. If you research the recording, manufacturer's and music web sites, you'll find many interfaces capable of connecting to your IMac G5 that will allow you to make those 3 instrument/mic connections, and get your sound into your computer. You don't mention your IMac configuration? How much RAM and what OS are you running? If you have 256 MB of RAM, you’ll need to add more.

Some of the software that comes with that firewire interface, (or available separately), will also allow you to tweak the recorded audio signal. Or, if you get a good recording from the start that needs no tweaking, just send it on to a "bounce", or ITunes, and then burn your CD.

There's so many different ways to do this, that most people simply can't reply to your general question. Yes, you can get a firewire mixer to do this. There's many that are compatible with your system. After many months of research, I bought a Mackie 1220 with firewire. I love it, but it’s ex$pensive (to me), and there’s so much to learn along with Tracktion, the software that comes with it,

Or you can get an audio mixer, and a firewire interface, and then to your computer. The opportunities are endless. Do you have moniters? Or a good set of headphones?

My advice? Change your handle. "deadend" is not where you're going. (just kidding!) But please do some more research. Try

http://www.tweakheadz.com/guide.htm

and after reading that guide, (3 or 4 times is what it took me!), you might understand WHY-

1.) Most people won't tell what's the "best" equipment to buy. There's too many choices, depending on what you want to do and what your system is and what your expectations are... It’s kinda like buying a car. If you only need to get back & forth to work and save gas,… you don’t need a Porsche. But if you need to haul lumber, a Volkswagon won’t work either!

2.) You really can make your own choices, based on your level of experience and needs. A friendly salesperson, at a local music store (during off hours), can be a good resource for questions, showing you how to hook up, and if they have computers for sale, they can even show you some of the software apps.

3). If you're considering a PARTICULAR choice, (of hardware or software), ask for opinions from people who have the same setup and expectations or recording needs that you have.

Please don't get frustrated. We don't want to miss out on what you have to offer the musical world.

It's taken me 2 years, upgrades to my ol' PowerMac G4, tons of research and learning... And I only have 5 songs written that I want to record and get copywrited, and a small group of friends and family to record wit & for.

PHHHHT!

What are you complainin' 'bout!

Your Mac will do it. Take some time to find out how.

BTW! What's up with the 440 Forum? Half the time I can't even access it recently>