Os X Software / Interface, Looking for getting-started advice Options

OK, I'm getting rid of the recording hardware and moving to Mac.

I record mostly live instruments and vocals. What I need is an integrated audio / midi recorder / sequencer, like Logic Audio. The 32 tracks that come with Logic Audio are plenty.

My dilemma is the number of audio inputs I will need. If I can control and record a software synthesizer with excellent drum sounds through my midi trigger pads, then I will only need a couple of simultaneously available inputs (like the mBox). If this is a tall order, then I'll need something that can handle 8 - like the MOTU 828.

I don't need a million plug-ins. Basic stuff is fine: reverb, delay, compression, chorus, and the like.

I'd like to keep the total bill under $1000.

Finally, it's gotta be OS X - I have a G4 with a huge hard drive.

So any recommendations for software, especially for a synth with great drum sounds and a lot of control (like being able to give each drum in the kit a different audio track and midi channel) would be great.

Thanks,
Jeff

[xingu]

AFAIK, you can't buy Logic Audio for OSX yet off the shelf - but as manexmachina said, LA5 sells for about $300 - so you're better off just getting the Big Box, which can be had for about $250, as mentioned earlier in this thread (and then you go back to the emagic site and download the 5.5/OSX update). Take a minute and try a google search - there's tons of places to buy it.

And Jeff: You might want to look into a Tascam US-224 or 428. Rebates are available for both through the end of March (at least in the U.S.). I picked up my 428 last summer for about $500, and the rebate gets you $75 off (with the 224 being considerably cheaper). You'll have audio, MIDI, and a control surface to boot. Tascam just released their beta Jaguar drivers for both devices, which are functional aside from a few minor bugs. Another thing about the Tascam units is the bundled custom Cubasis - which is crap, but affords you a 50% discount off retail for Cubase SX or SL. I would have gone that route if I didn't run across the Logic Big Box, which I couldn't pass up for $199 (as it was going for at a few places in December). And as you said in your initial post, you mostly record live instruments and vocals (like I do) and only require basic plug-ins, which Logic Audio provides (and it's 48 tracks, not 32 - not that I've ever used more than 12 )

And the other thing that might sweeten the Logic deal (I swear I don't work for Tascam or Emagic!) is if you purchase Logic Audio now, you'll get the upgrade to version 6 for free. The significance here is that Logic 6 will provide direct support for the 224/428 as a control surface. After much confusion and difficulty, I actually have fader control of 8 channels using LA5.5 in OSX, but I can't wait for version 6. At the same time, LA is more entry level, while Cubase SL gives you more features at a comparable price (assuming you get a Tascam USB interface and use the discount). Either way, you'll be set and well within your $1,000 budget. A potential negative it the lack of phantom power in the Tascam units.