How 2 Make music on IMAC?, HARDWARE SOFTWARE NEEDED? Options

Hi..i recently purchased an IMAC 600 G3 and i basically would like 2 know how i go about in settin up a mini studio? i wanna make music usin a keyboard i dont plan in usin any other instruments eg guitar

so if sumone could suggest what equipment?? keyboard?? i will need
also  what software is the best?? i heard reasons is pretty good ??


thanks 4 ur time

[kaboombahchuck]

Well now, you've gone and asked a question that if anyone gave a difinitive answer to, it would start a debate that would only confuse you. So here's what I'll tell you. As far as keyboards go, you'll need one with audio outs and midi in out ports. It don't really matter witch one. Only you can answer that question. Go down to the music store and try out ones you feel are in your price range. Get the one you like best.
As far as programs go, it's best to try out demos first before blowing bucks. Something like protools free, downloadable at www.protools.com .
You'll soon find it's a never ending battle. You'll always want more. First it will be a better keyboard, then a better midi interface, better programing. Soon you'll find yourself with more than one keyboard so you'll need a mixer........on and on. Good hunting!!!!!!!!

[everamzah]

My mom got me an iMac a couple of years ago.  It's a Rev. B orange fruity flamer.  And I love it.  Actually, it pisses me off a lot.*

I have been using the Reason demo and I love it.  I thought I wouldn't use something like that in the beginning, because it 'looked kinda corny.'  But I realized... it's whatever works.  You know?  And it works pretty good on my 300 MHz and 160 MBs of RAM.

I plan on forking over the $400 dollars (US).

I also want to get a keyboard.  Would be nice.  But I really need to shop around in that dept. because I want something that'll control all sorts of different things.  I need to research that subject.

James

*Does anyone know why my screen freezes every once in a while for about 2 - 5 seconds? I SUSPECT IT'S MY HDD. But... I can still move my mouse and any actions I perform are changed when the system comes to. It's really annoying. I got my iMac on display.

[kaboombahchuck]

Hi everamzah. My iMac 350 indigo freezes up sometimes also. Sometimes so bad that I have no choice but to shut her down. I'm assuming the CPU is getting to hot, causing a 'brain fart'!

okk..thanks...i am thinking about gettin one of those USB keyboards...gotta shop around...a friend of mine has reasons , he says its better than cubase so i think i will get that..is that all i would need?? no additional hardware or software???

thanks again

[kaboombahchuck]

Hi trouble.  Yes, basically all you need is something that makes noise, a way to get the noise into the mac and a program to record it with.  I'm not real shure about the USB keyboards. I have not had much time to check them out.  I'm trying to stay away from the music stores, before I get myself into trouble.  I'll have to agree on the  cubase thing.  Very diffucult!  I personally use metro 5 from cakewalk, and am having very good luck with it.  I quess the important thing is that you know someone that already has a working knowlege of reason, so that would probably be a good choise for you. You misgt take a look at the posts in 'how to setup a basic studio om iMac'.