Best Set-up For A Composer?, I'm running a new G4--need adivce PLEASE Options

[Tripper]

Hey Everyone,

I'm the proud new owner of a PowerBook G4 1.5Ghz and 1.25gigs of RAM. I really need advice on the best setup to acheive my music recording goals. I'm looking for the best hardware reccomendations to connect my Alesis Qs8 Keyboard to my laptop. I will also be recording my vocals--and would sometimes like to record both at the same time. I've looked into getting an M-box--but I know because of latency issues and software compatablility issues that some don't like it.

Any Advice?
I am also looking for software that helps facilitate composing and not just multi-track recording. The composing would entail synth string/piano/orchestral instruments etc.
My best friend has tons of current OSX audio software--so I'm not too concerned about the price of the software....

What is the best hardware that combines audio/midi inputs and outputs? (I'm looking to spend between about $500 for the hardware.)

Thank you so much in Advance!!!

Jon

[JeremyR]

Sounds like Logic might be right up your alley. It does multi-tracking but also has a very powerful sequencer engine. Apple owns e-magic (the makers of Logic), so compatability is generally quite good. For hardware, all you will need is a good audio/MIDI interface. I have the M-Audio Firewire 410, and after some initial glitches, it seems to work fine. Runs $300-$400.

-JR

BTW, you may have problems getting Logic for free from a friend, if that's what you are suggesting in your post. The program itself is freely copyable, but you need a USB flash drive device called the XSkey in order to actually use it.

[Tripper]

Thanks for the Info!
Maybe I will just start off with Logic Express! I can get a student discount on it from the apple store.

Can you explain in brief what the "powerful sequencer engine" is?

I used to have a set-up with Digital Performer but it got too complicated for me to use---

As far as M-Audio firewire....Is there a reason you would reccomend it over all the USB devices?
I would love to hear effects on my voice in Real Time while I record...Is firewire the only way to go?

I know that M-audio has alternatives to firewire. Has anyone else found another Hardware set-up (such as the Mbox) easy with Logic Express.

I really only will use my keyboard for Midi and AT MOST two audio inputs at once

_Jon_

This post has been edited by Tripper: Wed 9 Jun 2004, 01:58

[dten]

I believe one of the nice things about firewire is that it requires much less CPU overhead than USB does. So you will experience less latency.

[MrDee]

hey mate

DON'T get the MBox for composing. Do not. At all! There are plenty of reasons

1) Latency
2) It uses digi's own audio engine, not apple's
3) for composing ProTools SUX. It's what i use (as i was sucked into buying it) and composing with a matrix editor is not the funnest thing to do.
4) If you want to compose to a video (ie you want to see the SMPTE time) DP and Logic shows this out of the box (not sure with express though). PT requires you to purchase another addon (which of course is not cheap).

Digital Performer is what a lot of pro composers use

Logic is just as good as DP with respects to composing

Also

If you are using orchestral synths, chances are the G4 won't be able to cope with a lot of them (especially with the MBox and RTAS format plugins) - the 'freeze' option in logic and DP is a godsend for that. ProTools doesn't (and most likely never will) include this feature.

As for the best hardware... (note that the MBox doesn't have midi inputs or outputs as well) there is a reason why one would recommend firewire over anything usb. Firstly, seeing u are on a powerbook, chances are u will want to use more usb ports for other things. Secondly, the firewire IS much faster than USB2.0 (specs may say it isn't, but USB2 barely ever runs at it's top speed).

The M-Audio Firewire 410 is pretty decent.

This post has been edited by MrDee: Wed 9 Jun 2004, 06:02

[hahaworld]

Dear Tripper,

Your best friend has tons of OSX audio software? I hope he's not planning on letting you use any of it. I think I speak for the majority of users of this forum when I say that piracy in any form is still piracy and still stealing. We need to BUY our own software. We need to SPEND our own money on audio software. Otherwise, we're undercutting the fine folks who design this wonderful stuff, and we're breaking the law. Maybe I misunderstood your post, and if so I apologize. If I am correct in my assessment, however, you may need to examine your heart and think about a paradigm shift.

hahaworld

[Tripper]

I understand your point of view.
I am aware of Piracy and Copyright issues. I am a songwriter (and my songs have shown up on Gnutella networks and the like).

In my initial post, I meant that I could do a test run of these programs without immediately commiting to one or the other.

I prefer to pay for the software I use--and register it---and receive the benefits from it.

_Jon_

[Tripper]

Just an update--
I just ordered the M-Audio 410 Firewire and Logic Express.....I'll let you know how it goes soon!

Jon

[JeremyR]

Cool, hopefully it will work out for you. Make sure to download the latest driver for the 410 from M-Audio's website if you're running OSX Panther. Also, here's a pretty helpful Logic Forum:

http://community.sonikmatter.com/cgi-bin/e.../ultimatebb.cgi

[handle]

Just wanted to add that I've been usinf Finale for arrangements and occasional (large instrumentation) composing in the old fashioned way (you write the notes down instead of playing them in - although both ways will work) and I like it a lot. It depends on what kind of composing you do. For songs, I also use Logic express and the M-Audio 410 and am very satisfied with the combo. But for large orchestrations, you can't beat Finale.

and thanks for the link to the forum :-)