ProTools Free on ibook SE Options

I have an iBook SE (ie 466 mhz model) with 192 MB RAM and I'm trying to run ProTools free. I want to use it as an entry point into hard disk recording and to replace my aging 4 track. However as many of you may know, the iBook has no sound in port. Instead I've opted for the cheap solution, which is the Griffin iMic USB audio in port. The problem is that ProTools doesn't seem to know how to interface with this device, and it crashes upon startup.

Griffin's web page has a description for this problem, which is quoted below:
'Some programs such as Logic Audio can not support USB audio devices like the iMic with the OS version on most Macs. You can use the ASIO Sound Manager driver below to allow these programs to work with the iMic. A few programs that do not currently work with USB audio such as Soundedit II, Pro Tools free, Deck II, or Mic Note Pad do not support ASIO.

For these programs the only current solution is to have the Apple Audio Extension, v 1.3.3 or later installed on your computer. The extension ships with current Macs (CD v 1.2). There is currently no way to upgrade this component so you must have the CD from a recent machine in order to obtain it. Logic Audio is also directly compatible without using the ASIO driver with the newer Apple Audio Extension. '

I have MacOS 9.04 and the CD that came with the computer doesn't have this version of the audio extension. I've check apples web site and they don't have this version either. Does anyone know where I can get this audio extension or know of a different solution to this problem? I'm also interested in people's opinions of this particular setup.

THanks
Tony Nelson

[symota]

Forget trying to use the USB audio input. The best way to record on an ibook would be to get an 8-channel digital input. They just came out with both USB and Firewire ones. You can find them at www.musiciansfriend.com

you'll spend $200 to $300 dollars for one....but, you'll be able to do so much more with them, and get way better quality recordings.

[Torrent]

Your iMic/Pro Tools issue is a common one from what I have heard. If you want to use what you have and try to not spend more money, there have been some successes with getting iMic to work with Pro Tools. I suggest that you go to the Digidesign Web site, digidesign.com. Look in their Support section for the User Conference. There you will find discussions and answers to your Pro Tools Mac questions. Hope this helps.

[Mello]

I don't know the musicians friend products mentioned here, I've yet to see a USB or firewire audio I/O for less than $500 from them. The imic's $35 pricetag does seem a lot more tempting. The Roland UA-30 doesn't look like it gives you any more than the imic and costs about $200. The eight input devices mentioned by sonic the hedgehog sound wonderful, but what are they? I'm just about to add an audio setup to my ibook and I have been planning on going imic. If there really is something better for less than $300 I'd sure like to know. As it stands, running a Behringer eurorack mixer into the imic is going to cost less than $200. I might pick up Cubasis VST 2.0 the new version looks like it actually has some muscle - 48 audio tracks and 64 midi. So if anyone has advise (especially sonic the hedgehog) I'd love it before I throw down my cash. To help the person who originally posted this. There's an ASIO available from a german company whose name currently escapes me. It says it will bring your latency down to 7 ms (from 11.6 ms) and is compatible with the imic. They want $50 for it. I don't know if that helps or not. Once you throw $50 at the ASIO you're awfully close to the $75 for cubasis. Since I don't own that, I can't say that will work either. The name is currently escaping me of the company, but if you decide you want it, e-mail me and I'll send it to you. rtpeyton@ukans.edu

[symota]

My mistake...I accedentally got two products mixed up
Here is what i was talking about...

Motu 828 Firewire - $699.99
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/ex/shop/hom...5529?pid=240111

It's Specs:
    Audio interface
    Eight channels of ADAT optical digital input and output
    DAT SYNC input
    Eight channels of balanced 24-bit analog input and output with mic pre-amps
    CueMix® Plus zero-latency monitoring of live input
    One rack space
    Works with any Firewire-equipped Mac or Windows PC
    12' FireWire cable
    Software drivers
    Audiodesk recording/mixing software

If you're wanting to do multi-track recording with more than two tracks at a time...like drums, live band, etc....then this is currently the only product out there that i know of that will work with our iBooks. It's an awesome piece of equipment. Obviously the price is much higher than the $200 units like *M-Audio's Audiosport Duo, let alone the price of the Griffin iMic (which i currently use). The Audiosport will give you much better quality than using the iMic. But if you're going to invest that much, you might as well save your pennys and get the Motu 8-track. It really just depends on what you're wanting to record, and how good you want it to sound. Just wait, within a year...you'll see a whole lot more firewire recording products coming out. Sorry again for the confusion with my earlier post.

*Here's the link for that M-Audio - Audiosport Duo i also mentioned.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/ex/shop/hom...5529?pid=701373

Good Luck,
Perry Azevedo

[the dur]

the Maudio quattro has (4) 1/4' inputs and a midi in and out through USB for around $250-300. I first saw it on 8thstreet.com

[kishori]

is the Roland UA3 or the UA30 any better than the Griffin imic?

Best to forget USB for Audio! FireWire COOKS!

[Mello]

m-audio quattro looks perfect for my needs. 24 bit 4 ins, 4 outs, comes with their version of micrologic (actually the logic platinum engine - so you can multitrack record, but only configured to 16 tracks), plus midi in and out. Musician's friend price ...... $229 Thank you the dur. Looks like affordable USB audio is a reality

[kishori]

does anyone have experience using the ivoice versus the imic?
ivoice has an external mic, but also a line in and out.
imic only has a line in and out.