Bass, iMac, and Garage Band

phillm47 · #1 07-02-2007, 01:40 PM

I recently crossed over to the "other side" (no, not that side) and purchased a new iMac computer. The iMac comes bundled with Garage Band software. I would like to try recording my bass into Garage Band, nothing serious or fancy, just fool around some, practice loops, possible demo and some classes at www.musicdojo.com.

What's a good, budget way to get my bass plugged into the iMac for recording? Is a 1/8" x 1/4" adapter all I need to get going, with decent results? I do have a newer model SansAmp Bass Driver DI, should this be used with a 1/4" x 1/8" adapter and go into the iMac via "line out"? Is there a better budget ($$$) solution? I'm not looking for pro quality here, just decent enough for some experimentation and fun.

Thanks folks !

JamesM · #2 07-02-2007, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phillm47

I recently crossed over to the "other side" (no, not that side) and purchased a new iMac computer. The iMac comes bundled with Garage Band software. I would like to try recording my bass into Garage Band, nothing serious or fancy, just fool around some, practice loops, possible demo and some classes at www.musicdojo.com.

What's a good, budget way to get my bass plugged into the iMac for recording? Is a 1/8" x 1/4" adapter all I need to get going, with decent results? I do have a newer model SansAmp Bass Driver DI, should this be used with a 1/4" x 1/8" adapter and go into the iMac via "line out"? Is there a better budget ($$$) solution? I'm not looking for pro quality here, just decent enough for some experimentation and fun.

Thanks folks !

i'l be interested in the responses to this, as i would also like to record onto my imac, at a very low cost!

coolrunner989 · #3 07-02-2007, 06:46 PM

ditto - three people need to know this! I actually am in the process of getting a sansamp too, btw. did you get the three button version?

Smallmouth_Bass · #4 07-02-2007, 06:47 PM

I don't know how budget you are looking for, but I have one of these and it works well:
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_u...Solo-main.html

There is also this one which is cheaper that should work fine:
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_u...kUSB-main.html

I do not know how those "straight into the mic input adaptors" work or if they work.

ed khalimba · #5 07-02-2007, 07:01 PM

guys-i dont think you can go into the line out, although my mac doesn't even have one so i dont know for sure. but get the m-audio fast track usb, i think the guy above me posted a link to it. it was a hundred bucks a few years ago, and it works great. it is really simple to use and really hard to figure out, i cursed the d*mned thing at first, but once i figured it out it's been smooth sailing. i cant beleive how good this thing sounds for as cheap as it is. it also feels like a toy. if anyone has any questions or gets one and needs help getting started with it you can ask me or probably find info on it at macjams.com.

bassbrock · #6 07-02-2007, 07:13 PM

I wouldn't do the line in thing, the quality just isn't there and impedence isn't right from your bass, even out of your Sansamp.

Smallmouth bass was right - the Firewire Solo is a great option... (I own it and it sounds fantastic) but could be a bit expensive for just jamming.

BUT... there is an even cheaper one - The Lightsnake USB cable:

http://www.soundtech.com/lightsnake/index.asp

Shows up for between $30 and $40 on the web, looks like it would work great for jamming out on your Mac.

phillm47 · #7 07-02-2007, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassbrock

I wouldn't do the line in thing, the quality just isn't there and impedence isn't right from your bass, even out of your Sansamp.

Smallmouth bass was right - the Firewire Solo is a great option... (I own it and it sounds fantastic) but could be a bit expensive for just jamming.

BUT... there is an even cheaper one - The Lightsnake USB cable:

http://www.soundtech.com/lightsnake/index.asp

Shows up for between $30 and $40 on the web, looks like it would work great for jamming out on your Mac.

The Lightsnake looks pretty cool actually. You think it's a better way to go than this?

http://www.griffintechnology.com/pro...agebandcables/

phillm47 · #8 07-02-2007, 08:24 PM

Attn: Mods,

Sorry I started this thread in the wrong forum.

Could this thread be moved to the correct one?

bassbrock · #9 07-02-2007, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phillm47

The Lightsnake looks pretty cool actually. You think it's a better way to go than this?

http://www.griffintechnology.com/pro...agebandcables/

Yes, absolutely. The lightsnake cable is basically a USB audio interface built-in to a guitar cable. Those Griffen Technology cables are no different than just hooking directly up to your iMac's line-in port - wrong impedence! It'll work but won't sound good at all and the volume will be low. Not as bad with an active bass as with a passive though.

phillm47 · #10 07-03-2007, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassbrock

Yes, absolutely. The lightsnake cable is basically a USB audio interface built-in to a guitar cable. Those Griffen Technology cables are no different than just hooking directly up to your iMac's line-in port - wrong impedence! It'll work but won't sound good at all and the volume will be low. Not as bad with an active bass as with a passive though.

Thanks

phillm47 · #11 07-03-2007, 07:09 AM

What do you guys make of this, and the video link on this page?

LINKIE

bassbrock · #12 07-03-2007, 07:54 AM

Like I said, a plain cable works but it doesn't sound so great.

phillm47 · #13 07-03-2007, 07:59 AM

You're probably right.....still,I think I will start off with the 1/8" x 1/4" just to fool around, get my feet wet, and see where it leads.

If the iMac-bass connection is more than a passing fancy, then it will be time to break bad on a quality audio interface - Gas happens....

Thanks for your input

bassbrock · #14 07-03-2007, 08:47 AM

Good luck! Let us know how it goes. I've found that it's really easy to overdrive the inputs on my iMac and Powerbook when using a 1/4" to 1/8" cable. Hard to maintain a clean sound.

LzeroKI · #15 07-04-2007, 01:03 AM

Ive got some experience with this, Ive recorded a few tracks with a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter on my computer with the free program called kristal, The only thing between my bass and my computer was a Zoom B2.1 multieffects pedal.

You can listen to these recordings at
www.purevolume.com/trevorbattista

the tracks called "Funk Improv" and "Rock Beat Improv"

Melvin7822 · #16 07-04-2007, 01:08 AM

I'm visiting a dear friend of mine who just bought an iMac. I'm going to be using my Bass PODxt as a USB interface. I'll let you know how it works out.

phillm47 · #17 07-04-2007, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassbrock

Good luck! Let us know how it goes. I've found that it's really easy to overdrive the inputs on my iMac and Powerbook when using a 1/4" to 1/8" cable. Hard to maintain a clean sound.

Well , gave the ol' cable a go last night....and it works better than I expected. But as bassbrock says, it could be better.....much better.

Garage band is a blast. Last night was the first time I tried to work in the program - a couple of hours later I'm modifying loops to fit what I'm hearing in my head...etc. Fun stuff.

NOW....not only do I need an audio interface, but a MIDI interface as well so I can hookup my daughter little Yamaha keyboard and use it to play some of the built-in instruments.

bassbrock · #18 07-04-2007, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phillm47

Well , gave the ol' cable a go last night....and it works better than I expected. But as bassbrock says, it could be better.....much better.

Garage band is a blast. Last night was the first time I tried to work in the program - a couple of hours later I'm modifying loops to fit what I'm hearing in my head...etc. Fun stuff.

NOW....not only do I need an audio interface, but a MIDI interface as well so I can hookup my daughter little Yamaha keyboard and use it to play some of the built-in instruments.

Instead of spending $30 on a MIDI interface, you could spend $49 on the M-Audio Keystation 49e.

whoapower · #19 07-12-2007, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melvin7822

I'm visiting a dear friend of mine who just bought an iMac. I'm going to be using my Bass PODxt as a USB interface. I'll let you know how it works out.

Any update on this? I have a powermac and just aquired an xt live. I haven't played with it yet (just got it out of the box last night).

pil · #20 07-12-2007, 05:33 PM

The griffin imic usb has served me well for over a year now! To just plug in and get going it's great.