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Mac Recording Software

T

timidbassist

Jan 18, 2005
300
0
38
Minnesota USA
#1
So i have a Mac G4 just sitting around that i dont use because im not a huge mac fan so i figure it would be perfect to take to my jam lair and use to do some recording. However i dont know what a good recording program would be for Mac, and nor do i know what kind of sound card i should go with. Anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks in adavance!
 
#6
Kael said:
Digital Performer 4, used motu A/D. Evidently I'm a MOTU fan.
Click to expand...

I was a huge MOTU fan at one point, but DP 4 was a major let down. They rushed so much to get it released before anyone else had released anything, and because of it it is missing a lot and crashes more than it should. I'm sure DP 4.5 is much better, but at additional charge, I went out and found more powerful software. Opinion of course.

Also, to answer the original question, if you are just looking for something easy and cheap, I like the idea of going with the Garageband setup, that and maybe a MOTU 828 for 8 inputs. Garageband files can now be imported into Logic which will allow you if you get more serious about recording to do much more with those recordings.
 
#7
I like Tracktion myself. You can find it on the Mackie site, www.mackie.com. They're coming out with a v2 soon, but meanwhile you can still get v1. There is a free demo.

Caveat: I've only used this on a PC, so I have no direct knowledge of how well the Mac version keeps pace. But assuming it's comparable, it's an easy-to-use but pretty powerful program.

I'd recommend that you get some kind of "real" music soundcard, not just a SoundBlaster or whatever. I've lost track of what the various makers are doing, but if you go to Harmony Central's Recording page and poke around the manufacturers, you'll probably find something.

If you find you're interested in Tracktion, Mackie sells it in a package with a hardware interface called Spike:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Again, I admit to not having used Spike. Just thought I'd pass it on. Apparently you need OSX.
 
#8
MrFortuneCookie said:
I was a huge MOTU fan at one point, but DP 4 was a major let down. They rushed so much to get it released before anyone else had released anything, and because of it it is missing a lot and crashes more than it should. I'm sure DP 4.5 is much better, but at additional charge, I went out and found more powerful software. Opinion of course.
Click to expand...

???
I haven't experienced any problems with DP 4 crashing on me, yet (obligatory knock on wood). I have however had problems with my 896 upon occasion. Also noticed that the 896 is more finicky about good quality firewire cables than other A/D's I've used in the past (well, either that or I've suddenly gotten "harder" on my cables).
 
#9
easy, inexpensive = Garageband 2
easy, flexible, not to expensive = Cubase SX
used the world over = Digital Performer

Without knowledge of system and all that that is what I have to offer. My band get pretty kickass recordings with Garageband and my laptop with Imic and an external mixer for submixing.

We have actually pressed some CD's with that setup. Spend the time to setup properly and you can do anything with decent mics.
 

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