[chrisutley]

I'm looking for the best tool available for recording voice overs, books on tape, and other simple audio programs. I'd like to be able to mix multiple tracks, and have some basic special effects like reverb, concert hall, etc..

[Spheric Harlot]

What's your budget?

Easy and fairly cheap decent solution:

Garageband + Something like this audio interface (M-Audio FastTrack), or this Tascam US-122, which includes phantom power for condensor microphones and should be had around $200 (comes recommended) + a decent microphone (such as the Studio Projects B1 - probably ~$100 if you shop around)

-s*

[mattsgotredhair]

what kinda computer and os are you working with?

[chrisutley]

Great information, thx.

So I guess I could apply the special effects in GB?

Originally posted by Spheric Harlot:
What's your budget?

Easy and fairly cheap decent solution:

Garageband + Something like this audio interface (M-Audio FastTrack), or this Tascam US-122, which includes phantom power for condensor microphones and should be had around $200 (comes recommended) + a decent microphone (such as the Studio Projects B1 - probably ~$100 if you shop around)

-s*

[chrisutley]

Originally posted by mattsgotredhair:
what kinda computer and os are you working with?

Well, I'd like to be able to work on either of my Macs:

Al PowerBook 1GHz, 768MB RAM, 10.3.7
iMac G5 1.8GHz, 768MB RAM, 10.3.7

I wouldn't want to make an compromises to support the PowerBook. If I have to record exclusively on the iMac, so be it.

[spiky_dog]

Originally posted by chrisutley:
Well, I'd like to be able to work on either of my Macs:

Al PowerBook 1GHz, 768MB RAM, 10.3.7
iMac G5 1.8GHz, 768MB RAM, 10.3.7

I wouldn't want to make an compromises to support the PowerBook. If I have to record exclusively on the iMac, so be it.

given that it doesn't seem like you'll be working with more than a handful of tracks, and not recording more than two at a time if that, your powerbook should handle the load just fine.

[Spheric Harlot]

Originally posted by chrisutley:
Great information, thx.

So I guess I could apply the special effects in GB?

exactly.

If you're doing voice-overs, I doubt you'll be needing more than five or six tracks + FX.
Pretty much anything G4 and above oughta be able to handle that.

[chrisutley]

Where would be a good place to find a nice arm/mount for the B1? Also, can you recommend some headphones and studio monitors that are quality but won't force me to sell a kidney?

Thanks again folks, I've been reading up on this equipment - looks like a great fit in terms of price/performance.

[Spheric Harlot]

Originally posted by chrisutley:
Where would be a good place to find a nice arm/mount for the B1?

K&M make good stands. They're not the cheapest, but for that, they don't sag.

You will want closed headphones to keep the playback from seeping into the voice recording as much as possible.

I'm not a headphone guy, so I can't really help you much there, unfortunately. Also not too firm with cheap monitors (using an old entry-level high-end amp and cheap but decent hi-fi speakers in my own studio - not ideal).

-s*

[Randman]

Sounds like you might need Asteroid, once it's released.

[Spheric Harlot]

Originally posted by Randman:
Sounds like you might need Asteroid, once it's released.

Good point.

Can't remember from the leaked specs whether Apple's new interface will have mic preamps or phantom power, but if so, it might compare quite well with the Tascam mentioned above.

You might want to wait until January 11th before investing, to see what the Jobs will bestow upon us, and at what price.

(Though general opinion appears to be that the Emagic interfaces - and Asteroid is likely just a continuation of the Emagic hardware branch Apple bought along with the rest of the company - were never really among the great-sounding ones...)

[chrisutley]

I saw this microphone at my local Apple Store. Is it on par with the Studio Projects B1?

http://www.samash.com/catalog/showit...6&TempID=3

[chrisutley]

BTW, here's what Mac Rumors has to say on Asteroid, looks like Phantom Power is included - at the risk of exposing myself as knowing very little on the technical side of recording, could somebody explain phantom power:

AppleInsider claims to have knowledge of a new audio interface for GarageBand users in the coming months. An audio 'breakout box' of sorts, Asteroid will include two XLR/ TRS audio input connectors, two RCA analog output jacks, and a standard headphone jack. The device reportedly will draw power through a single FireWire 400 port and include a phantom on/off power switch. Developed by portions of the crew originally responsible for Emagic and recently spun into Apple's iPod division, the device is expected to be debuted during the MWSF show in January 2005, along with a revision to the iLife suite of applications, including a new version of GarageBand.

Asteroid will require Mac OS X v10.2.8 or later, iLife ?04 or later, and a computer with a built-in FireWire port. A forthcoming revision to the Mac OS X Sound Preference Pane will reportedly allow Asteroid to interface with Apple's Soundtrack, Logic, DVD Player, and other third party applications. Meanwhile, revised FireWire Audio sound drivers have already appeared in early versions of the company's Mac OS X 10.3.7 Update.

The device will retail for approximately $129 - $149 and will aggressively target similar products such as M-Aduio's Mobile Pre and Edirol's UA-5 USB Digital Audio Capture device. But even at $149, Asteroid will represent one of the lowest priced FireWire breakout boxes on the market, selling for $250 less than M-Audio's more sophisticated FireWire 410 audio interface.

[Spheric Harlot]

Originally posted by chrisutley:
BTW, here's what Mac Rumors has to say on Asteroid, looks like Phantom Power is included - at the risk of exposing myself as knowing very little on the technical side of recording, could somebody explain phantom power:

Basically: some microphones (notably nearly all condensor mics, such as the m-audio and the studio projects above) require a power supply, since the membranes are kept on an electrical potential which is pre-pre-amplified right in the microphone - hence the existence of tube condensor mics. The standard power supply voltage for microphones, delivered via the three-prong XLR connector, is 48V.

I don't know the M-Audio mics, but the Studio Projects stuff is excellent value for money.

[spiky_dog]

Originally posted by chrisutley:
can you recommend some headphones [...]?

http://forums.macnn.com/showthread.p...ght=headphones

in that thread i recommended the sony mdr-v6 (NOT the v600, which is more expensive and inferior! sony 7506 is the same as the V6, however). about $70, closed design.

[chrisutley]

Here's a strange follow-up to my original question... I am going to be starting guitar lessons soon, and at some point (well into the future) it might be fun to record some guitar into Garage Band. Would this setup be all I need if I'm playing an acoustic guitar?

[Randman]

Originally posted by chrisutley:
Here's a strange follow-up to my original question... I am going to be starting guitar lessons soon, and at some point (well into the future) it might be fun to record some guitar into Garage Band. Would this setup be all I need if I'm playing an acoustic guitar?

iMic and GB.

[Spheric Harlot]

Originally posted by chrisutley:
Here's a strange follow-up to my original question... I am going to be starting guitar lessons soon, and at some point (well into the future) it might be fun to record some guitar into Garage Band. Would this setup be all I need if I'm playing an acoustic guitar?

A setup that can record voice can handle guitar, too.

Ideally you'd use two mics for recording acoustic guitar (one pointed at the bridge and one just forward of the hole), but for fun, the B1 with whatever phantom-power interface you'll be getting should be great.

-s*