[Lolo from Paris]

I would like to use my Macintosh (actually a Tibook) as a recording studio/sampler.

I want to record real instruments (guitar (electric and acoustic), voice) and mix them with audio samples.

I don't need a lot of tracks, 8 or 16 should be fine.

What would be the best to begin with ? Do I need a real sampler (Akai) or can I use software ones ? Is Logic Audio a good choice for audio and midi ? Which Firewire or USB interface (Roland...)?


thanks

[Naplander]

Macs are great for music.

Best stick with OS 9 for the moment though.

Logic Audio is great, and you can get a software sampler that integrates beautifully with it. It's called the EXS (I think).

For USB Midi, you could get the MT4 which is a low-cost 2in 4out MIDI interface that has VERY low latency when used with logic. It's quite a looker as well.

For recording Audio you could get a PCMCIA audio card. I think "digigram" - something do one. Do a search on google for "PCMCIA audio card".

Or you could get a USB box to get audio in.....don't use the built in sound ports - they simply aren't good enough.

Check www.emagic.de

Good luck

[Lolo from Paris]

Thanx :-)

I think I'll sell my Tibook for a desktop G4 and an iBook because PCMCIA is too expensive, as RAM or HD for laptops...

Do I need another sound card or the 16 bit sound card of the Powermac G4 is ok ?

Which sound card can I buy for a Powermac G4 ? Is a Sound Blaster Live a good choice or is it not pro ? Will the soundcard make things faster and snappier (for sampling and audio recording) ? Does the number of tracks depend on the sound card / processor ?

Which hardware do I need to buy ? Sound card, MIDI keyboard and USB/Firewire interface or more ?

I'm a newbie so excuse my stupid questions, I used to do a lot of analogic recording a few years ago...digital is too different for me ;-)

The internal 16bit soundchip in the G4 is ok for general use (very acceptable sound !!) If you want pro sound : buy a 24bit soundcard. Good choices : MOTU 828 firewire, Digidesign Digi 001, Emagic USB 2/6.
The max. number of tracks depends on the recording software and power of your Mac.
Tip : buy everything from Emagic : it works perfect together !! No trouble or latency !! (Logic Audio, MT4 midi-interface, 2/6 USB audiobox)

JH