Best Setup For Recording? Options

[sirvitaminp]

ok, so I just got a G5 and I would like to record music on it. I'd like to be able to plug my electric in as well as mics. I was looking at the mbox package that is powered by protools. it looked pretty nice and convenient, but I dont really know anything about recording yet. Does anyone have any recomendations for a nice setup to record on a mac for under 5 or 6 hundred bucks?
-P

[Synthetic]

the mbox you mnetioned would probably serve you well

[sirvitaminp]

thank you for the reply.
the only thing that bugged me out a little bit about the mbox was that i think there are no midi inputs, and also, i think then u have to use protools. do you know if this is true? and if so, if there are any better options? tascam 122?

[boze]

here's a page with a review of the tascam122 http://www.macmusic.org/agora/forums/?act=...t=8008&lang=EN&

the mbox being a protools card might actually be a feature since then you can run it with pt LE or pt Free or whatever and not have to spend more money on a seq app like Logic, Cubase, or Digital Performer.

sadly, you probably shouldn't buy anything just yet. i'm not the most knowledgeable hw person, but seeing as how the pci-x thing has set many companies back in terms of mac compatibility _and the move to panther (which starts next week) will mean more driver rewrites all around- usb and firewire devices included-- even emagic drivers (the audio company that was bought by apple) are breaking under panther. i think the smartest thing to do might be to get a little $50 behringer mixer from zzounds.com and just use your mic input on the G5 for a few months. by that time it'll be a clearer landscape as far as hw/sw compatibility with the G5 and you'll be able to see what all fits your needs and your budget.

the folks at audiomidi.com are friendly and helpful. you can look at what they offer that's osx compatible and then just call them and talk with a hw specialist for a half hour about pros and cons. i bought a midi controller from them a while back but not before i asked them about a hundred questions about all sorts of stuff.

good luck!

[jasonmaass]

hey man your right, there is no midi inputs on the m box, however that is not your only option, you can connect midi through your computer (usb) connection, and use your midi in pro tools, plus working with midi in pro tools in my opinion is just absolutely awesome....later dude
--jay--

[dixiechicken]

Slight correction Pro Tools Free is Mac OS 8 to 9 ONLY.

It will NOT work on Mac G5 under Mac OS X, and furthermore
I dont think it can work with Digidesigns PCI-cards of ANY kind.

PT Free uses the Mac Sound manager to work its magic.

Cheers: Dixiechicken

[sirvitaminp]

ok, i think I am trading in the G5 for a 17" powerbook G4. I think I'm buying a MOTU 828 from a friend, and then I'll probally end up buying digital performer when i get the funds as well as a midi controller. does that sound like a pretty good setup?

[boze]

just saw this- which looked like a nice all-in-one package at a good price:
http://www.zzounds.com/item--EMAEMI62PROKIT

[algofrag1]

Motu has announced G5 compatible PCI cards for their most popular breakout boxes , check them out at midiman.com. The delta series ought to suit yourpurposes, they also have USB choices good luck and let me know how it works out. Pleas view my post in the hardware section about audio and midi. Im about to purchase a new G5 and have some questions of my own on the midi side of things... thx

[boze]

do you mean m-audio?

m-audio is the company with a 'Delta', not MOTU.