Artist/animator Seeks Help!, what equip do i need to setup? Options

[rustik]

hey all you masters of music....i am an collage artist/flash animator seeking to come up with her own sound tracks for my animations. although i have had over 15 years on the mac working in graphic/web programs, i have no experience whatsoever in the music arena. I have read a few posts but i get dizzy because i know so little!:( i assume the basics of input are similar to art however.

i would like to find out what hardware i need to be able to compose..add to...and change my own songs...here are some questions:
1) is this mode of thinking correct?
you use a digi keyboard to input a basic "tune". this tune is then brought into the mac via a) the input audio on the back of the mac or b) "some hardware" maybe that MBOX box?
shall i assume the mac audio is lamo or inappropriate for most needs...and i would want some other part to bring in the sound? is it necessary? me thinkin costs here...you know.
2) then a software interface is needed to bring in the tune...as in photoshop being your interface to twain up a scanner....? is this protools? logic? reason? i have seen an mbox on ebay that came with protools...makes me think this is the interface...? really lost here.
3) finally, is protools ( or whatever software...) also able to warp out these inputted tunes¿ i would like to add sounds from my house, like beer cans smacking together, and add them to my tune. what will i need to make the basic tune sound like a guitar? or a sax? or a clarinet?
(please don't tell me, a sax, a clarinet and a guitar!!!!)

i know know i am lost with questions. i have looked all over for a decent "you need THIS" article, but the sheer volume of choices and equipments prevents me from finding it!

HELP!!! i am eager to melt visual and audio into one experience!

J>

[rickenbacker]

Hi Rustik - welcome to MacMusic

When you say "digi" keyboard, was this short for digital or digidesign? I only ask as you mention digidesign's Mbox in the same sentence. Any keyboard would do, whether it's a Midi keyboard with onboard sounds or a simple Midi controller keyboard for playing virtual synths on your Mac.

A lot of people say the built-in audio that comes with every Mac is not good enough for pro recording, but it's still 16-bit, 44.1KHz - the same spec as CDs. IF you want to release commercial CDs, maybe you need a separate USB or FireWire interface (the MOTU 828 is very popular). If not, the internal soundcard would do while you find your feet. Check the other posts here in the Getting Started forum for more info on specific products.

Same again for software. Like graphic design, there are many programs, all of which have their strengths and weaknesses and all of which have their friends and enemies.

As for changing one sound into another, er, it's easier to play the guitar, surely? You can do what midimantra suggests and map your sample across the Midi keyboard, but it'll still sound like a tin can. What you can do is EQ, add FX, reverse, trim and generally monkey around with the original sound. Can't guarantee it'll sound like a clarinet, though.

Come back with more questions as you hone in on the specifics.