[mdntblu]

I am very new to this and would like to ask a question and get a simple answer. Not too complicated and easy to understand and know what to buy.

I want to be able to record at least 4 - 6 tracks at a time into a Mac and then mix them later or be able to play them back and add more tracks and then put them on CD.

What Mac and Software and Hardware would make this simple to do and relitivley cost effective. I used to do audio engineer work but that was way back when computers weren't really used for recording.

Any help would be appreciated.

[nate_02]

There are a few popular software/hardware packages for the mac for audio recording. The only one that I am very familiar with that can record multiple tracks at a time is Pro Tools and their hardware. Their website is http://www.digidesign.com/

This is a little pricey but i don't know exactly off hand.

I know other people in these forums have used other programs that may be more cost effective.

[mdntblu]

Thanks for your response.

Protools is a little much for a beginner. I have a friend who has it on a PC and it looks way too complicated.

Anyone else have any suggestions.

[Graymalkin]

This is my brother's current setup he's using for DTD and MIDI recording:

G3 iBook
PreSonus Firestation (8 analog channels, 8 ADAT channels, and MIDI input)
Alesis LX-20 ADAT (8 analog inputs IIRC)
Casio CTK-651 (MIDI I/O)
Logic 6 Pro

While the iBook is the weak point in the setup it does work surprisingly well for what he does. He got the Firestation specifically because of the 8 channel ADAT I/O on it, the Firewire interface doesn't hurt either. If you don't need ADAT I/O there's quite a few Firewire and USB interfaces available from several companies. As long as the interface has CoreAudio drivers you'll be able to use it in most higher end DAW suites.

Logic Express and Cubase SE are decently priced starter DAWs in my opinion. There is a definite learning curve with them both but once you get past that you'll find it was worth the effort to learn to use them. The things you can do with professional grade audio software makes the packages well worth the price.

[Spheric Harlot]

The simplest portable solution would probably be to just get a G4 iBook and something like the Emagic A62m audio interface. Six audio inputs, two outs, and a MIDI port if you need it (though you need an RCA/MIDI plug adapter).

All new Macs come with GarageBand, which is a pretty good, albeit very basic, introduction to hard-disk recording. (It's a home-consumer version of Logic.)

I'm honestly not sure if GarageBand can record more than two tracks at a time, but I *think* so. Heck, it's free with your machine.

If it doesn't meet your needs, you can upgrade to Logic Express ($299).

-s*

[buddhabelly]

If you think PT is too complicated, then Logic could be really over the top. Sure you can get a basic config working in Logic, but the moment you have to step foot into the environment (mostly used for MIDI) you have to read the manual.

PTLE is pretty easy, only 2 windows to look at. Straight up multitrack audio editing, a little lacking on the MIDI side. The cheapest way to get 4-6 inputs on PT is the Digi002R at $1250. But that's the way with Digi, proprietary gear and all.

Another alternative is a MOTU 828mkII or 896HD, both are firewire interfaces, with plenty of I/O for around $799 and $1199 respectively. They both come with Audiodesk, which is pretty similar to Digital Performer, sans MIDI. It is a multitrack audio recorder/editor. You can even record to picture with it, SMPTE timeline and Quicktime and DV out for streaming a movie to a TV for playback. Really quite alot, especially compared to Digidesign where you'd have to shell out another $1000 for SMPTE.

These products are for mostly mixing/editing multitrack audio, though PTLE can host virtual instruments and do MIDI editing.

Next level would be Logic Pro or Express. Both have very mature MIDI editing, and a lot of features and can host software instruments and such easily. But, Logic has alot of features and a few bugs. After 3 yrs w/ Logic, I still have the damn manual sitting right next to my monitor in easy reach. DP4 would is about the same.

If you want to look into some more progressive ideas of multitracking, I suggest you look at Ableton Live and Mackie's Tracktion. Both these apps have demos that give you a well rounded look at their respective feature sets.

And, no I don't think Grageband can record more than a stereo pair at a time.

Cheers!

[anthonyvthc]

Cheapest possible multitrack recorder: audacity. It's a freeware program that allows multitrack recording and not much else. Still, I'd use it over garageband any day.

[booboo]

When you say 'I want to be able to record at least 4 - 6 tracks at a time' do you mean you want to record 4-6 tracks simultaneously (a 'multi-track' recording) Or that a project will end up with 4-6 separate tracks which you recorded 1 or 2 of at a time (over-dubs)?

The former will require extra hardware as the Mac has a stereo input only, allowing the simultaneous recording of a maximum of 2 independent tracks.

For the latter, the best free solutions are: Mac OS 9: ProTools FREE, Mac OS X: GarageBand.

GarageBand is excellent, btw. anyone who says otherwise is simply wrong!

ProTools FREE might seem OTT but it is possible to use it at a basic level, and it is truly dependable and stable - great for older Mac's. Download the pdf tutorials and you'll be away in no time.

[mdntblu]

I mean I want to record them simultaneously and then mix them later and add more tracks later.

[booboo]

Originally posted by mdntblu:
I mean I want to record them simultaneously and then mix them later and add more tracks later.

OK. This reply is probably a little late now but still.

You need some external hardware which has multiple inputs. If you want to mix externally, you will require multiple outputs too. There are plenty of options, either PCI or FireWire based. These multi i/o sound-cards generally require an external mixer to be used, although some have microphone inputs. Check out MOTU'sproducts.

http://www.motu.com/

My solution, after being repeatedly burned by PCI cards becoming obsolete - Korg 1212 didn't work properly on the B&W G3, Lexicon PCI - no OS X support, and all discontinued cards incompatible with the G5 was to turn to FireWire and a new-generation device made by Yamaha, the 01X.

This is a combined mixer, interface, remote control, MIDI interface and FX units, and provides a maximum of 10 analogue inputs. It really is incredible, and inexpensive compared with other solutions when you consider what you're able to do with one of these, a Mac, and your chosen audio software.

http://www.yamahasynth.com/products/01x/index.html

[york28]

Here's another vote for Tracktion. It's not as advanced as any version of Logic, but it is only $80. It's really easy to use and kicks the crap out of GarageBand.

I suggest a trip to AudioMidi.com to see what kind of interfaces you can buy. You're going to be able to find 4 tracks in the $300 range I think, probably in a USB or PCI solution, but 6 is probably going to push you up to a Firewire or high end PCI setup., more in the $600+ range.

Also check out OSXAudio, there are a lot of threads in their forums asking this same question.

Good luck.

[booboo]

A couple of good FireWire interfaces from a company that was very quick to support Mac OS X and equally quick to support the G5's new PCI bus are the M•Audio 410

http://www.midiman.com/products/en_u...e410-main.html

and the Audiophile FireWire

http://www.midiman.com/products/en_u...hile-main.html

Prices around $199 and $299 respectively.

mLAN is still the future, though ;-)

[theJoKell]

Originally posted by booboo:
A couple of good FireWire interfaces from a company that was very quick to support Mac OS X and equally quick to support the G5's new PCI bus are the M•Audio 410

http://www.midiman.com/products/en_u...e410-main.html

and the Audiophile FireWire

http://www.midiman.com/products/en_u...hile-main.html

Prices around $199 and $299 respectively.

mLAN is still the future, though ;-)

Problem with the Firewire410 is that only two analog inputs are active at once, so you'd have to have an outboard A/D to actually get 4 channels out of it. Also I've had some issues with drivers and kernel panics...

As for software, I'm surprised no one has mentioned Digital Performer yet. DP4 is OS X native and is very nice, supporting unlimited tracks in software. I've been using it since it came out (and DP3 before it) and it's a great piece of software.