From the bottom up....buying a MAC

[Moncada]

Hey all. I'm hoping some of you folks in the Digital recording realm can help a newbie out here. I'm very close to blowing a whole lot of cash on a brand new G4. I'm looking at 1gig processor, 560 RAM and 80 Gigs HD. With both a CD writer and a DVD writer. My questions are these.....

Which software is the best to start out with? (I will want to be able to play guitar and bass into the tracks as well as use pre-recorded material)

I have a Roland TD-7 drum brain and a couple of pads, but what other hardware will I need in order to play onto the tracks?

Sound-Card? Do most programs come with one? Should I buy a diffferent one?

I know.....I'm really starting from scratch here. Any help is appreciated.

Thanks

 

[frozenblues]

Ooooh! Fun times ahead. I bought an Imac last March and would be happy to share a couple of comments, though you with your desktop will have the PCI slot option for sound cards, whereas I can only go USB and Firewire.

I don't think that many programs come with a card, but again since I don't have that option I haven't paid as much attention. Also keep in mind you may need to buy a mixer or preamp depending on whether the card has its own preamps (and / or whether they are crummy). Finally, be aware that many of the major software pieces are not available in OS X, like MOTU's Digital Performer or Emagic's Logic, or Digidesign's ProTools. Compatible with OS X: for multitrack recording there's Bias-Inc.'s Deck 3.5. For mastering, there's Bias's Peak, and TC Works's Spark. For computer-based music creation there's Propellerhead's Reason. Apple bought Emagic and so there's hope that the OS X version of Logic will be on tap soon, but who really knows?

Check this site every now and then: http://www.apple.com/creative/musicaudio/

I'm learning the ropes on a simple, 2-channel setup and while waiting to see what's coming out. I've got a Griffin Imic for the card (less than $40), an AudioBuddy for the preamp ($70 - $80), and am recording using Deck 3.5 LE (demo for now, will likely buy it at $80). I've also used Protools Free, but didn't like having to reboot to a paired-down version of OS 9.x to make that run. I do mastering using Spark ME, which is free. I'm starting to put together a few clips and comments at my site www.frozenblues.com.

Have fun!

Frozen