Os X Software / Interface, Looking for getting-started advice Options

OK, I'm getting rid of the recording hardware and moving to Mac.

I record mostly live instruments and vocals. What I need is an integrated audio / midi recorder / sequencer, like Logic Audio. The 32 tracks that come with Logic Audio are plenty.

My dilemma is the number of audio inputs I will need. If I can control and record a software synthesizer with excellent drum sounds through my midi trigger pads, then I will only need a couple of simultaneously available inputs (like the mBox). If this is a tall order, then I'll need something that can handle 8 - like the MOTU 828.

I don't need a million plug-ins. Basic stuff is fine: reverb, delay, compression, chorus, and the like.

I'd like to keep the total bill under $1000.

Finally, it's gotta be OS X - I have a G4 with a huge hard drive.

So any recommendations for software, especially for a synth with great drum sounds and a lot of control (like being able to give each drum in the kit a different audio track and midi channel) would be great.

Thanks,
Jeff

[Presto]

If you like Logic, you can't go far wrong.

I use Protools LE on OS9 for the moment. I'm a songwriter, so I work alone and only need 2 audio inputs (Mbox). I don't use midi so PT is alright. People seem to think that PT on OS9 is not up to scratch for MIDI (I don't know). Perhaps the new OSX version of PT will suit them better.

You'll have to wait for other replies to get a good picture of what you need, but tell us more.

Are you just composing for yourself, or recording your group, or mixing for others.

Remember there are other things to buy. Is $1000 your total budget? If you're mixing for others then you need, for example, good monitors (speakers) and your budget will be eaten up. I just ruined mine the first time I tried listening to music from a 33rpm turntable through my Mbox but I don't know why

If you want quality mic recordings then you need good mics (enormous choice and a variety of types depending on use), then 48V phantom power to feed them, and good preamplification and A/D D/A conversion. If your input is good quality you shouldn't need to squeeze all you can out of plugins. I try to avoid using plugins.

Do you want to use only mono or include stereo inputs? Most music you hear on the radio is "multi mono" but I think stereo is much better (2 DPA 4060 series miniature mics would leave you with very little for the rest)

Do you hope to sell your mixes (lucky man), or are they to be for demos, or just for your own pleasure?

Perhaps you already have good mics, speakers, headphones etc.

Anyway, if you're just starting, I'd say get the minimum and if you make lots of great music on Logic or whatever, only then start looking for the money for the quality equipment.

Thanks, Presto.

I have mics, monitors and midi gear that I'm happy with. I really just play and record for my own pleasure and that of my friends. I won't be recording outside of my small garage studio.

I do need midi (for the drum triggers) and would love to expand into midi loops and things of that nature.

$1000 is my budget for the hardware interface (mBox or whatever) and software. Logic Audio's Big Box is around US$250 and I can pick up an mBox for $350. The rest I'll use on software synths and plugins.

Another questions: how to integrate plug-ins (like VST) and synths with Logic on OS X?

[danml69]

One thing I like about Logic Audio is the quality of the included plug-in effects. Logic Big Box, I believe also includes a lite version of the EXS24 software sample player and demos of several softsynths, an excellent B3 organ and electric piano. The EXS24 is really cool. Its a plug-in, so you can run as many tracks with it as you like. The latest version can use sound fonts and giga samples
I just made the switch to Logic Audio Gold for X. I went with the Delta 66/ Omni Studio card and break-out box. and a midisport 4x4 midi interface for my controllers and outboard gear. The m-audio drivers for the card and midisport have been rock solid. 24bit sound in/out freaking rocks on the Delta 66. Having a good sounding preamp on the Omni was one of the reasons I went with that set-up. It also has 4 stereo inputs for sound modules in the back. 2 XLR phantom power switchable inputs in the front. Digital in/out on the card. The audio and midi hardware came to about $500. I think you'll really like Logic. I haven't heard anything about the OSX drivers for the mBox though, and how it works with Logic.

[rickenbacker]

loveme1965: you can't use VST plug-ins at all with Logic on OS X at the moment, perhaps never. Emagic made the decision to drop support for everything bar Audio Units for OS X, a move that may backfire on them. Even though AUs are better for system performance, the VST format is well-established and Steinberg have continued it for OS X and Cubase SX, with plenty of other developers following suit.

Personally, I love SX: audio slicing, beautiful interface, True Tape analogue-style recording warmth built in, simple learning curve, VSTi support, MIDI synths and drum machine built in, Nuendo audio engine, Offline Process History for maximum "undo" flexibility, ReWire support. Logic say ReWire is supported in Platinum 6, but they've never been big fans of ReWire (or any other software apart from their own, it would seem) so I don't know how well it will work or be supported.

Re. the Logic Big Box: it's good value, but the EXSP24 included is not exactly a "lite" version of the EXS24 - it is only a sample PLAYER. You can't actually record new samples.

As for interfaces, I like the Edirol range. USB like the MBox, but you're not tied to Pro Tools, and OS X drivers available for all. A UA-5 + Cubase or Logic would be a cool system.

Enjoy!

Thanks, all. The Edirol sounds like a great idea. You guys have given me a lot of food for thought.

I've considered Cubase SX, but the cost has deterred me a bit. But the Edirol is so relatively inexpensive I guess I need to really choose between Logic and Cubase.

I had been holding out for DP for OS X but I gather it's a long time away.

Thanks again, y'all.

[rickenbacker]

Just like Logic has Silver, Gold and Platinum versions, Cubase has either the full SX or a much cheaper SL version, which isn't actually missing that many features. I think the Steinberg site offers a feature comparison chart.

[Vard]

Can someone please tell me how much Logic Audio for OS X is and where I can order it from? I went to the website, where it said it could be downloaded, but only if I had the USB unlock thing. Anyway, just wondering...looking to get into some basic multi-track recording from home.

Thanks,
Eddie

[manexmachina]

you could order it from www.rspe.com, ask for russ and tell them mark sent you.

if you are crossgrading from another app, it's cheaper than if you're not; also depends what version.

the LIST prices are something LIKE:

Logic Audio Platinum $799
Logic Audio Competitive Upgrade or Student Discount
$499
Logic Audio Gold
$499
Logic Audio Silver
$299
Zap
$99
Micro Logic A/V
$99
SoundDiver $199
HearMaster
$99
Audiowerk 8 Home Studio Kit -
$799
Unitor 8 $799
Audiowerk 2 $299
AMT 8 $499

[xingu]

AFAIK, you can't buy Logic Audio for OSX yet off the shelf - but as manexmachina said, LA5 sells for about $300 - so you're better off just getting the Big Box, which can be had for about $250, as mentioned earlier in this thread (and then you go back to the emagic site and download the 5.5/OSX update). Take a minute and try a google search - there's tons of places to buy it.

And Jeff: You might want to look into a Tascam US-224 or 428. Rebates are available for both through the end of March (at least in the U.S.). I picked up my 428 last summer for about $500, and the rebate gets you $75 off (with the 224 being considerably cheaper). You'll have audio, MIDI, and a control surface to boot. Tascam just released their beta Jaguar drivers for both devices, which are functional aside from a few minor bugs. Another thing about the Tascam units is the bundled custom Cubasis - which is crap, but affords you a 50% discount off retail for Cubase SX or SL. I would have gone that route if I didn't run across the Logic Big Box, which I couldn't pass up for $199 (as it was going for at a few places in December). And as you said in your initial post, you mostly record live instruments and vocals (like I do) and only require basic plug-ins, which Logic Audio provides (and it's 48 tracks, not 32 - not that I've ever used more than 12 )

And the other thing that might sweeten the Logic deal (I swear I don't work for Tascam or Emagic!) is if you purchase Logic Audio now, you'll get the upgrade to version 6 for free. The significance here is that Logic 6 will provide direct support for the 224/428 as a control surface. After much confusion and difficulty, I actually have fader control of 8 channels using LA5.5 in OSX, but I can't wait for version 6. At the same time, LA is more entry level, while Cubase SL gives you more features at a comparable price (assuming you get a Tascam USB interface and use the discount). Either way, you'll be set and well within your $1,000 budget. A potential negative it the lack of phantom power in the Tascam units.