Ti G4 audio cards, Audio Hardware for Titanium Powerbooks Options

[grumo]

I have a Titanium Powerbook G4 /768MB RAM/20GB HD

I want to make a *portable* basic audio studio using this hardware for recording and live perfomance. I used to do experimental/sound art -and some more techo oriented stuff- using and processing samples from field recordings, live performances recording, lo-fi instrumental recording, audio/movies/tv sampling. I use synths and keyboards too.

how can i put all this kind of stuff in my powerbook for make a final CDR production?
what kind of hardware can i use for audio input/output? (is midiman quattro a good choice?)
what is better: usb or PC Card?
can anyone give me some suggestions about using keyboards/synths among the sample processing?
what software is better for this? (logic, cubase, protools?)

thank you very much (and excuse this tons of questions)
best regards from from the caribbean

/david medina
http://grama.port5.com
-i'll appreciate a copy of your answer to my email: davmed@cantv.net-

How many tracks are you going to be recording at once?

[grumo]

Just one track by session. I think if I need more than one track i can use a mixer. My recordings tends to be lo-fi (well, this is not a must) and i think using a mixer could be a good work around.

For the Powerbook, it'd be best to go with a firewire or USB device. If you want to be able to track several things at once AND mix after you record, you'll have to go with something like a MOTU 828 or 896, depending on how many and what kind of mic inputs you need. There are quite USB options with 2 inputs.

They don't have everything, but check out the USB and firewire devices at audiomidi.com for good descriptions.

I have a Mac G4 Titanium with 1 gigRAM, 667Mhz cpu and am using Digital Performer 3.2. I would like to strongly recommend the RME Hammerfall DSP CardBus system. It has 8 analog I/O, SPDIF, Wordclock is 24 bit 96 Khz and ASIO compatible. I am in the position to be able to compare the MOTU 896 (and to be truthful the new Protools 192 interface, the MOTU 2408 with expansion and various other interfaces....it's my job running 7 digital recording studios).The RME SOUNDS absolutely beautiful and even though I have been a long time fan of MOTU stuff, this thing has to be heard to be believed.Try there website... http://www.rme-audio.com/ . It's other advantage is that it is one quarter the size of the 896 (=half rack mount

I've never checked out the RME stuff...it does look good. It's probably overkill for what Grumo wants to do.

The MOTU 896 has phantom power on all 8 channels so a price comparison is kinda hard to do.

[grumo]

I think Iona talks about RME Hammerfal DSP Multiface + CardBus Interface (1025 Euro) besides that the MOTU 828 has a value of 710 US$. A big consideration in my choice is price. The Midiman USB Quattro (4 channels is the most i need) has a price of 250 US$ (see it at http://www.midiman.net/products/m-audio/quattro.php and tell me what do you think). Is USB worth for audio processing?

thanks for the replies..
best regards

[mpud]

I had lots of problems with the Quattro on my G4 Powerbook (broken audio and loss of MIDI). I'm using logic Audio. After a couple of months decided to change to the MOTU 828 which has had no problems.