Wanting to go mac, help me Options

I would like to use mac for recording. I need advice on all kinds of stuff like the machine itself... what would be the best least expensive machine for what i want to do...i have to many questions to list so, i would really apperciate if one of youse who has vast knowledge could shoot me an IM on aim....


thanks.....

Post a list of what you want to do.

ok lets see here.. i already have a tape four track so i would like to be able to encode or take the media from the 4-track to the mac... i would like to be able to record vocals and guitar i have a midi keyboard too... i already know that i need a large HD... i would like to find an inexpensive imac on ebay hopefully a DV but my dad has a old i think it is a 266 that i could possibly get real cheap or free... it only has the usbs i would really like to get a fire wire HD.. it seems like the way to go to me but i guess if possible i could replace the internal HD... i am only concerned with recording one track at a time for now... i need to know about interfaces and soundcards and usb hook ups how that works with the imac... and i have been looking for a lot of info on this with no avail... so even if you can point me direction of good web sites that touch on less powerful imacs that would be great.....is it possible to add fire wire to non fire wire machines?? how upgradable is a imac 266 or 333??? ok if that helps see what you can give me from there i greatly apperciate any help......

[kaboombahchuck]

You can not add firewire to iMacs that don't have firewire.

i found this site that has been helping me a lot it is pretty good........http://www.everymac.com/

[lepetitmartien]

If I don't make mistakes :

-record a track at a time
-playback only a few tracks
-use a decent audio interface
-run plug ins…

Any firewire Imac would do as powermac (from g3 BW on).

But :

beware as extension of Imac is limited (that their function by the way)
Time wise, I won't recommend G3 BW now (they're getting old), but they're inexpensive, reliable and can run want you say you need without trouble.

Don't go too low in the frequencies, 266 is getting really old even if it will do

As an interface for audio, I'm not up to date to the USB market. But reliable companies (digidesign, Emagic…) are marketing usb interfaces so (need some advice here) as you want to record only one track at a time USB is ok.
On a desktop model you can use a good small PCI card.

If you want to work only in audio, consider protools free (can't beat the price) but plugs ins won't be… quality is top notch and work straightforward.

Have a look at the digidesign site for the minimum recommended system and go a bit higher than it.

questions ?

[bflanik]

For what's worth, you CAN upgrade a non-Firewire iMac to get Firewire, for about $260-$280:

http://www.sonnettech.com/product/harmoni_g3.html

A nice 500 Mhz upgrade -- works in old iMacs from 233-333 MHz. (I just did it with my old Rev. A iMac and it works like a charm.) May not be the most cost efficient thing for you, but if the iMac is FREE, then maybe getting this ain't a bad idea.

Also, upgrading an iMac's hard drive is not hard at all. Just check out

http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/

for a great databse on upgrading any Mac. True, the iMac is nowhere near as upgradable as the tower models, but you DO have options.

[lepetitmartien]

oops forgot these
(what it is to work only on top boxes

Yes it's not the ultimate upgrades, but sure it can help a lot.

And Firewire kicks a…