[sanford]

Fleshing out the GB kit:

I am correct in assuming that Deck LE 3.5 is the only OS X multitrack mixing software available under $150? I see Ableton, and of course Logic Express, all priced at $300 and above. Reason lacks a mulitrack mixer.

I've read some poor comments about Deck/Deck LE, but on the other hand I've heard some mix/sample artists who swear by it.

The other issue, is do I really need an external mixer at all? If you dig into GB, you discover that it's actually a pretty robust mixer, with plenty of track effects, fade control, etc.

So, opinions: should I drop the $80 on Deck LE? Or will GB fill the bill quite nicely as a multitrack mixer as well as soft-synth, record unit and loop creator/player?

I've posted this elsewhere and I can't get a single answer about Deck LE from anyone. It's only $80, but for $30 more I can get a low-end electric six-string plus amp cable plus 1/4 to 1/8 adapter just to fool around with string recordings while I'm saving for my Yamaha Silent Violin.

On the guitar subject: The Yamaha Silent is pre-amped because it has headphone out jack, but most electric guitars are *not* pre-amped. Since my Aluminum 15-inch PowerBook line-in requires an amped/pre-amped signal for microphone -- unamped mics won't work without a pre-amp -- I'm wondering if I'll need a pre-amp for the guitar as well, when I plug it into the line-in with 1/4 to mini 1/8 converter. I have an iMic, which is, essentially, a USB pre-amp, that I use with my un-amped mic with. So, I have the iMic USB pre-amp; I'm just wondering if I will have to use it with the guitar plugged into the iMic or direct to the PowerBook line-in.

So, two questions: Deck LE? Opinions? And, iMic or no iMic for connecting an electric guitar to record in GB via the line-in jack on my Aluminum 15-inch PowerBook?

[buddhabelly]

I hate Deck. Sluggish performance, and crashed the demo a lot, both in 9 and X. Love Peak though for stereo editing.

As far as the guitar signal goes, you should use a pre-amp, but there's other issues as well, most notable impedence matching. Guitar is a low-level high impedence signal, while mic inputs are low-level low impedence signals. What ends up happening is to get a semi usable level with a guitar plugged into a mic pre-amp, you introduce a lot of floor noise.

Hope this helps.

PS I started with Delta Logic, moved up to the Big Box, and recently went Platinum. Depends on how serious you are. I'd run GB though it's paces first since you seem to like it.

If you are a student, I think Logic Express can be had for $150. Check the Apple store.

[sanford]

Originally posted by buddhabelly:
If you are a student, I think Logic Express can be had for $150. Check the Apple store.

My daughter is a student and will be using whatever we buy, too -- so we're fair and square there. But, I can't ever seem to find Logic Express at the Apple Store, only Logic in the pro series. I'll go check again, though.

I take it Logic Express will do everything Deck can do and more? I would much prefer going with an emagic product, if it fills the bill.

[buddhabelly]

Originally posted by sanford:
My daughter is a student and will be using whatever we buy, too -- so we're fair and square there. But, I can't ever seem to find Logic Express at the Apple Store, only Logic in the pro series. I'll go check again, though.

I take it Logic Express will do everything Deck can do and more? I would much prefer going with an emagic product, if it fills the bill.

Much more. Deck LE can only do 8 tracks of 16bit 44.1 khz audio. Logic Express can do at least 24 tracks (maybe more, can't remember) at sampling rates up to 96khz and 24 bit depth. It also has Audio Unit support, midi sequencing, the abilty to add Virtual Instruments, can load Quicktime movies to score to, quite a lot really.

It does have a learning curve though. I suggest the Apple Certified Training book in addition to the tutorials included in the manual. I just finished this book and have a much deeper understanding of what I can do in Logic. Before reading this book, I was about to give up on Logic and move to Digital Performer 4.

[sanford]

Originally posted by buddhabelly:
Much more.

I forgot to mention that in addition to GB I also own Reason 2.5, so in Deck LE I would really be just looking for something to composite tracks, automate effects triggers on tracks, automate pans, etc.

Logic Express sounds to me like something I should consider when I outgrow GB/Deck LE and want to step up? Is that sounding right to you?

Also, do I really need the greater audio resolution? Isn't Deck LE "CD quality", though just barely?

[sanford]

Originally posted by sanford:
I forgot to mention that in addition to GB I also own Reason 2.5

Also forgot to mention that I've pretty much nixed the guitar idea, as I play piano and am going to take up violin (saving a little cash and waiting out the 3-4 week order time for a Yamaha Silent). The guitar was just going to be a cheap-o electric: a toy more than anything else.

[buddhabelly]

You will be getting many more feature with Logic Express than with Deck LE. As far a sampling rates go, their is a lot to talk about. I'd do some searching through the forums at www.osxaudio.com

If you own Reason 2.5 you will be able to enjoy the wonders of Rewire. What happen here is Reason is linked to Logic internally and the sounds from Reason is routed directly to an input in Logic.

I'm not saying any one setup is going to be right for everyone. Read as much as you can, but try not to get bogged down too much. There is a lot of info out there.

[fizzlemynizzle]

Logic Express may not be in the store because it's still a week or two from release. Logic Express + Soundtrack + Garageband + Reason would let you do pretty much anything you want. Or you could get Recycle 2.1 instead of Soundtrack, I believe Recycle supports Rewire. It also includes Reload, which lets you import Akai samples and patches into Reason/Recycle.

As far as keyboards go.. I'm gonna say stay away from M-Audio. I tried their 61 key Radium MIDI controller and I -hated- it. The action sucked and the velocity sensitivity was inconsistent. I returned the Radium and paid $50 more for an Edirol PCR-50. It's only got 49 keys but the feel of the keys is infinitely better than the Radium. Plus Edirol has a lot more to offer for the Mac - stuff like a PCR editor and lots of downloadable templates, including one for Reason.

As far as using a laptop.. I have a 1.25ghz AlBook and Garageband makes it sweat. 3 or 4 software instruments and it's pretty much taxed to the limit.. the fan runs constantly. It looks like my tax return money's going to be spent on a G5 to do the heavy work instead of more software and patches..

BTW - Reason runs great on my book. I'd say Garageband has a way to go in terms of optimization.

And if you have an in for educational pricing on software.. -use it-! don't pay retail. eBay is a good resource too, provided you're careful about who you buy from. I got a good deal on some sounds as well as a new copy of Reason for well under edu pricing.. You just have to hunt for deals.

[buddhabelly]

it's there on their store, has been for about a week.