Mac computer recording question?

sha975 · #1 07-07-2007, 06:15 PM

I'm new to recording and I have a Imac computer with O.S 10.2. I'm looking to do some basic computer recording and I want it to be as simple as possible. I'll probably just be recording myself on bass with maybe some drum tracks and keyboard sometimes but it will be mostly used just to hear myself in practice. I guess I'm looking for the best interface and software for this job that won't cost me a arm and a leg but still sounds good. It can also be used. Any suggestions would help! This doesn't necessarily have to be for the computer it could be a hard recorder also. My budget is $600.00 I have monitors already and a drum machine.

ibanezcollector · #2 07-07-2007, 06:30 PM

Get a Line6 Toneport for $129 has 1/4" and XLR inputs and includes 4 bass sims (2 of the best they offer)..

Get Audacity for OSX free download

get recording..

Oh and upgrade that OS already, why havent you..

Recorded with exact setup explained above.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kFCQVIym54

coolrunner989 · #3 07-07-2007, 06:31 PM

Bass, iMac, and Garage Band

SirFunk · #4 07-07-2007, 06:39 PM

Hi there,

Personally, i have a PC Rig for recording, but I spend my entire day 9-5 maintaining the computer labs on a University campus including the music school's MIDI Lab.

Anyway, i _highly_ recommend the MOTU products. I have the 8pre which is about $550 now, it comes with some software called audio desk which is probably decent, but i can't actually say I've ever used it. I'm a cubase fan and the student version of Cubase SE is something like $300, it's expensive and probably overcomplicated for what you would need.

If you truly want simple software I would say go for apple's garage band. You will probably have to upgrade to OSX 10.4 ($129) iLife is another $80 (that comes with Garage Band as well as lots of other handy software).

Without knowing the specs of your computer I can't say if all of this will be compatible, so make sure about that before you purchase. I realize that getting the above software and the interface would be out of your price range, if you only need to record 1-2 tracks at once you can probably go for a cheaper interface like the M-Audio FireWire 410 ($300) I cant' really comment on these cheaper interfaces because I've never used one.

Good luck though

PB+J · #5 07-07-2007, 08:55 PM

If you have a mac you have GarageBand, which is really excellent--it does most of what you want from professional packages in a really easy way. I have Garageband and LogicPro on my macbook pro and I often prefer GarageBand.

I love the Motu stuff but it's out of my budget. I've been using the Mackie Satellite ($199 at Guitar center) and it's been great.

I did this today--it's all bass with a drum loop. Recorded direct into the Mackie. I used Logic for this, but it would sound the same if i used GarageBand:
http://chnm.gmu.edu/courses/magic/leafs.mp4

I also spent some money for a pair of monitors--M-Audio BXR-5s I got "reconditioned" for $250. And I bought an SM-57 for micing amps

Here's a page of samples, music beds I did for work. They're not great or anything, show what a complete novice can do with the equipment ablisted above:
http://chnm.gmu.edu/courses/magic/samples.html

SirFunk · #6 07-07-2007, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PB+J

If you have a mac you have GarageBand, which is really excellent--

I May be mistaken, but I don't think 10.2 came with Garage Band, I think that started with 10.3. I could be mistaken though. There was iLife '04 which will work with 10.2, however it's pretty dated. The most recent version of garage band comes with iLife '06 which will only work with 10.3.9 or 10.4.4+

Quote:

Originally Posted by PB+J

it does most of what you want from professional packages in a really easy way.

I would have to disagree here. Garage Band does not come close to professional products. However it is EXTREMELY easy to use, and will most likely do what the original poster wants and more.

PB+J · #7 07-07-2007, 09:08 PM

I could be wrong about GarageBand coming with that model--my bad

I should be more precise--GarageBand does 90% of what you want. It records multiple tracks, it has built in sims and effects,. it can change tempos, it can work with loops, etc. The other ten percent is imoprtant, but it takes more expertise and specialization and you might never need it.

How's that?