[Kate]

Anybody knows a really decent app for recording under Mac OS X 10.3.2?

So far I tested 8 apps and I can put them into two main categories:

The overburdened and underfeatured.

What I need is an app that:

1. Records audio in AIFF standard quality

2. allows good control of stereo input levels, with independent controls for right and left channel.

3. Usable level indicators for fine gain adjustments.

4. Long recording ability with only empty disk space as limit

5. Basic editing functions

6. In-program selector for input and output

7. clean and lean interface

Everything more is welcome, but should not interfere with the basic functions.

So far I tested BIAS Peak, Amadeus, Audio In, Audio Recorder, Audiocorder OSX, DSP, Sound Studio. The big apps fail usually with respect to 4-6 out of those 7 points, which causes problematic price/performance ratios for my intended use.

The more basic apps usually are too basic and lack most of my wanted features too.

So I am stuck.

Or not?

Anybody uses a good app for audio recording aside from the above?
Will be glad to hear from that one!

TIA!

[Spheric Harlot]

I'm a little surprised that GarageBand is missing from your list.

But then, you didn't mention what you actually want to be recording.

-s*

[Kate]

Originally posted by Spheric Harlot:
I'm a little surprised that GarageBand is missing from your list.

But then, you didn't mention what you actually want to be recording.

-s*

There is no demo of GarageBand available it seems, so I could not try this one. I found no mention of GBs ability to record music from a line-in source with much control of gain or level or with proper meters. It deals with Midi data, effects, track assembly, synthesized riffs, mixing and such, doesn't it?
So I guess it is falling into the "overfeatured" category for me. Especially as it comes with the entire iLife suite in a package. Much features but the ones I want, no? The cost is about right, however, if it only had some good meters and independent level controls.

Can someone owning GB possibly comment on the simple recording features?

I want to record music from microphone, from line-in and convert the AIFF to MP3.

[Powaqqatsi]

Sound Studio does all those thing AFAIK.

[Kate]

Originally posted by Powaqqatsi:
Sound Studio does all those thing AFAIK.

Not quite. It has a data limit of 2GB. And the volume sliders have issues operating properly. While this may be due to the actual beta state the size limit is not so good for me.

[Mr. Blur]

i haven't done a complete cross-reference of your needs against the specs, but maybe have a look at SparkLE from TC Electronic .

[Kate]

Originally posted by Mr. Blur:
.....SparkLE from TC Electronic .

Thanks for the hint. I downloaded a demo version today.

Spark is funny. While it offers a lot of features, to my utter amazement it lacks gain controls for recording completely! You have to preset the gain in the prefs and deal with this setting.

This it quite unusable for my pupose and I wonder who might record without gain control during a session at all. Anyway, thanks for bringing the app to my attention. I'll probably look deeper into this.


Any further apps worth mentioning that slipped my radar?

[Moonray]

Maybe SoundEdit 16 has been what you're looking for. Unfortunately there is no OS X version; it runs fine in Classic though.

-

[Kate]

Thanks, at least another alternative. A bit less convenient for me since my last Classic folder went with 10.1.5, but I'll check this one out too.

[Chuckit]

Originally posted by Kate:
Not quite. It has a data limit of 2GB. And the volume sliders have issues operating properly. While this may be due to the actual beta state the size limit is not so good for me.

Really? I used to use it, and I don't remember having any issues with the volume sliders. I wonder if it's gotten worse over the years. That would be unfortunate.

[Kate]

Originally posted by Chuckit:
Really? I used to use it, and I don't remember having any issues with the volume sliders. I wonder if it's gotten worse over the years. That would be unfortunate.

Unfortunately, yes. It's in beta currently, so this may be temporary, but since it is not updated quickly it may need much time to get solved.

The gain controls seem to work within a few percent of their range, but above this small region and all the lower range they fail to do anything. They can be set independently, but one control will influence the opposite channel while the other control does nothing.

I wrote to the developer about this, but so far received no response. This is a bit sad since the program is otherwise quite stable and usefull.

[Spheric Harlot]

Actually, to my knowledge, gain in digital recording is *always* set in hardware.

I use Logic Platinum, and the sliders there affect only playback/monitoring.

Recording levels are adjusted directly on the hardware's op-amps (before the A/D stage).

or in the Audio/MIDI config program.

-s*

[jokell82]

If you're doing any serious recording, your levels should be set independent of your computer anyway. What kind of input are you using for the audio? That is probably the limiting factor...

But Spark LE and XL are the best way to go for stereo recording/editing. Digital Performer and Logic are pretty sweet for multitrack recording/editing.

[spiky_dog]

Originally posted by Spheric Harlot:
Actually, to my knowledge, gain in digital recording is *always* set in hardware.

I use Logic Platinum, and the sliders there affect only playback/monitoring.

Recording levels are adjusted directly on the hardware's op-amps (before the A/D stage).

or in the Audio/MIDI config program.

-s*

ditto. thinking about electronic gain makes me shudder. <clipping> <shudders again>

anyway, garage band would meet your needs just fine. no, it's not only for midi. being able to do multiple tracks with midi available is a plus over the other apps mentioned. if you scrap the gain request any number of small apps (think AudioIn) will be able to meet your needs.