Help Me Get Started, Please!!!, a mac G3 user Options

[vervy]

Hi there!
I am new to midi but have the keyboards and a Mac G3. I am interested in getting a copy of Cubase VST but am unsure of how to connect properly. I have seen midi interfaces advertised but the one's i mainly see are all of the USB type. Can I use a usb type to connect my keyboards (Yamaha DJX and Novation Bass station) to my G3? I have 2 usb sockets in my G3 and I'm running Mac OS8.6 . The VST handbook only seems to mention the modem/printer connection port and not the usb. I've seen a cheap usb midi interface for £50 (I'm on a bit of a budget!) but can I use it without any problems? Please help me out as I'm dying to get started up! Many thanks to anyone who will help me out!!!

This post has been edited by vervy: Mon 12 May 2003, 19:06

[bilhep]

I also am a novice at computer recording! I have not used a sound card but suspect they might be the ultimate interface.

I also have an Amiga 500 and refuse to go digging to see if I have Music X! :-) I did perouse my pile to look at the MIDI interface to find that it is an RS-232(DB-25) device. I believe the Mac is unique at using the printer and modem ports as a substitute for RS-232. I believe the G4 dispenses entirely with that technology and uses dedicated USB/ IEEE1394. This is why I write; I have a G3 Beige. It now has a G3 466 processor in it so it's upgraded along with more RAM than anyone dreamed about ten years ago!

I started my foray into the "new" recording in February with a Tascam 224; USB interface. I plugged it into the port I'd acquired by installing a Belkin USB/FireWire Combo Card. No Good!

Problem is; I don't understand it nor has anyone been able to explain it, let alone solve it; the USB network just shuts down periodically. This may be due to certain IRQ activity in the system but it does not matter what the cause is if there's no solution worth finding.

I'm using a Yamaha portable AW16G and so don't need the Mac but found that I want to be able to work on sound waves with the computer and besides, I'm beginning to actually like working with Cubasis! :-) I've ordered an M-Audio FireWire 410 for two reasons:
I want to interface MIDI and
It has Optical links I can use with the Yamaha.

It performs both tasks. It also plugs into that combo card but I've never had any issues with the FireWire network.

All that was to warn you away from using any USB recording device with an add-on USB Card! It's not like anything will blow up but you surely do NOT want your conduit cutting out in the middle of a session! Right? I think M-Audio expresses it best when they say they only support(rely on) native USB. G4+. I'm taking a chance with the 410 because it provides me with most for the dollar. I will certainly let you all know what the outcome is when I receive the 410 and work with it a bit.

By the way, one reason I'm interfacing inspite of having spent the $1100 on the Yamaha is that I'm uploading my songs to MP3.com and I need to make a CD before I can access the modem and The Web. Consequently I've spent considerable time taking songs produced on the Yamaha and loading them into either Cubasis(If I have something I need to do) or iTunes for conversion to MP-3 format. You can hear some of the product at the link below.

Good luck and keep in touch because I'm learning music via the side door; MIDI. Never took a music class in my life but for some reason it fills my life; the one some say I ahould "get!"

Bill Heppe
william.heppe@verizon.net
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/544/will_adam.html