Im screwed on what program to record with?

[DAS19]

Before buying my MacBook (2.14ghz, duocore processor) I used Cubase LE and my Windows XP Desktop (1.3ghz, Pentium 3). Considering my macbook is way faster I decided to use my laptop as my main recording computer. The problem is when I went to install Cubase LE it didnt work. I realized that it doesnt work on intel based macs. So now im stuck with no recording software except for Garage Band and im not sure what to do cuase I mostly dont buy my software but it seems like mac software is harder to pirate.

I would want to upgrade to Cubase 4 but its to expensive I think I can get some kind of upgrade discount with cubase le but im not sure and it would probably be a pain in the ass.

I want to use a known professional program I kow some people like Reaper but is it up to professional standerds. Id rather use a program that is known.

I do have a question about me getting the mbox mini and using protools. If I did this would I still be able to use my Tascam FW-1082 interface. I didnt think it was possible to use the Tascam interface and the M-Box at the same time but does anyone know if I can hook up both interfaces using the M-Box mainly just so I can use Pro Tools.

Thanks,
Dave

 

[pipelineaudio]

I want to use a known professional program I kow some people like Reaper but is it up to professional standerds.

Well, professional's use it and it is made by people who have been within ten miles of a recording studio, which could be more rare than you might think. The audio routing system has included features professionals have been asking for for years on native DAW's and not been getting. REAPER isnt a midi sequencer with audio thrown in as an afterthought, its been designed from the ground up to replace your patchbay, soldering iron and cabling system as much as is possible in the software realm.

 

[dgatwood]

AFAIK, Reaper is Windows-only (well, a Mac OS X "preview"), so unless you plan to install Windows on the Macbook, I'd wait a bit.

Supposedly Cubase LE 1.07 works on the Intel Macs with a little effort:

http://www.cubase.net/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=78434&sid=ddd03e8e97e05d4aad951b5e30b62ba1

What version do you have?

If you want a recommendation of apps to buy, I'd suggest Digital Performer. It's somewhat pricey, but it's a great DAW. If you want something to get you started for now, download Ardour. There's a Mac OS X port now.

 

[DAS19]

Thanks im going to try and get Cubase LE to install.

Does anyone know if I bought an mbox if I can use my Tascam FW-1082 and the MBOX in protools?

 

[dgatwood]

Thanks im going to try and get Cubase LE to install.

Does anyone know if I bought an mbox if I can use my Tascam FW-1082 and the MBOX in protools?

No, Pro Tools won't touch any interface that isn't built by Digi (except for M Powered, which won't touch any interface not build by M-Audio).

 

[fishkarma]

Well, professional's use it and it is made by people who have been within ten miles of a recording studio, which could be more rare than you might think. The audio routing system has included features professionals have been asking for for years on native DAW's and not been getting. REAPER isnt a midi sequencer with audio thrown in as an afterthought, its been designed from the ground up to replace your patchbay, soldering iron and cabling system as much as is possible in the software realm.

hahaha I knew that was coming as soon as i read his post, and knew you'd be the one to post it!

Btw hes using a mac so reaper is only in preview mode which probably isn't up to pro standards (yet) but I havent tried it so couldn't tell you

 

[cusebassman]

I mostly dont buy my software but it seems like mac software is harder to pirate.

I love when people admit openly to committing crimes! I'm surprised no one has picked up on this yet, and as a result, opted not to help you. Anyway, moving on.

I do have a question about me getting the mbox mini and using protools. If I did this would I still be able to use my Tascam FW-1082 interface. I didnt think it was possible to use the Tascam interface and the M-Box at the same time but does anyone know if I can hook up both interfaces using the M-Box mainly just so I can use Pro Tools.

The two will not work with one another. Non-ProTools software will be needed to use the Tascam, and the Mac version of Reaper is nowhere near finished yet, so you'll have to look elsewhere.

You could try Audacity, but it is very basic, and doesn't have realtime plug-in processing.

I don't think you can buy a separate copy of Cubase LE for the Intel version of Mac, as it comes bundled with hardware, but that's about it.

The cheapest decent solution I can see from a quick search of the online stores, short of committing (apparently more) software piracy is this guy:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Steinberg-Cubase-SE1-Value-Added-Package?sku=707859

A different version of Cubase (SE), for 100 bucks. Looks like it handles more than enough channels, at today's standard bit-depth / samplerate / plugin support / etc...

 

[cusebassman]

You could also set up your Intel Mac to dual-boot to Windows, but then why bother spending the extra on the Mac hardware to begin with (if you made the switch because you wanted to use OS X - if you thought it through first at all)

 

[SonicAlbert]

I've tried the Mac version of Reaper and it's not even close to professional level in OSX. It's barely functional, and clearly a Windows port with little integration of the user interface Mac users are familiar with. Reaper on the Mac has a *long* way to go.

A free program for recording on the Mac is Audacity. GarageBand is really pretty good too. You might want to look into getting the new version, 08. It's $79 and you get the whole iLife package.

 

[cusebassman]

I've tried the Mac version of Reaper and it's not even close to professional level in OSX. It's barely functional, and clearly a Windows port with little integration of the user interface Mac users are familiar with. Reaper on the Mac has a *long* way to go.

A free program for recording on the Mac is Audacity. GarageBand is really pretty good too. You might want to look into getting the new version, 08. It's $79 and you get the whole iLife package.

Im happy someone else has said this now - I become afraid every time someone asks about REAPER for Mac because everyone here loves it, and assumes that the Mac version works just as well as the PC version, when in reality it looks like it was written by a first-year Computer Science major for a freshman project

The functionality might be hiding under the hood, but there's no lever to get underneath

As for Audacity, it works, but has the limitations I mentioned before. Never used Garageband, but I hear it has lots of over-used loops The Cubase SE version is 20 bucks more and will give you what looks to be a full recording suite, at least for basic multitracking and use of VSTs.

 

[dgatwood]

I've tried the Mac version of Reaper and it's not even close to professional level in OSX. It's barely functional, and clearly a Windows port with little integration of the user interface Mac users are familiar with. Reaper on the Mac has a *long* way to go.

A free program for recording on the Mac is Audacity. GarageBand is really pretty good too. You might want to look into getting the new version, 08. It's $79 and you get the whole iLife package.

GarageBand is a little basic, but if it does everything you need, go for it. BTW, if the original poster just bought a MacBook, it should come with '08. If it didn't but he bought it on or after August 7th, he can probably get the upgrade for ten bucks. Details here. The offer is also time limited, so if you qualify, you should go ahead and get the upgrade....

 

[fishkarma]

Never used Garageband, but I hear it has lots of over-used loops

You can say that again, flicking through the music channels the other day I came across that umbrella song just passing by it and realised ''hey I've used that loop before!'' asked a friend who would know a bit more about ''modern'' music than me and he said it had got to no 1!

For fuck sake thats just lazy production, their getting paid bucketloads to produce a beat for the new flavor of the month and they take the first loop off garage band that they find!

 

[cusebassman]

I prefer to get my beatz from the 1970s Kay R9 Rhythmer a friend loned me... its basically the solid state sounds the original Nintendo was able to produce, organized into particular rhythms. Run into Cubase with some filters applied, it sounds pretty cool, and quite unique.

 

[cusebassman]

Not that I use "beatz" as I play folk music... lol... but that little "drum machine" has already, in a week or so, started pushing me toward playing with electronica.

 

[fishkarma]

We've lost another....

 

[SonicAlbert]

The whole premise of GarageBand is that *anyone* can make music with it. The whole iLife suite is geared to that. iMovie, iPhoto, iDVD, iWeb, GarageBand: it's all designed to make production as easy as possible. Using iMovie I can indeed make simple movies that don't look bad at all.

That doesn't mean these are bad tools, and they certainly will be overused due in large part to their simplicity and therefore popularity. All sorts of people with no music training at all are creating music tracks with Garageband. I know a choreographer that puts together rhythm tracks for her dance company using Garageband.

There's a limit to how far you can go without some sort of musical training or talent, but Garageband seems to be able to take pretty much anyone up to that limit. And make them sound decent while doing it.

I'd use Garageband for more of my stuff except that it has a few basic limitations that get in my way. Other than that, it's a great program.

 

[jonnyc]

So now im stuck with no recording software except for Garage Band and im not sure what to do cuase I mostly dont buy my software but it seems like mac software is harder to pirate.

I can't believe any of you are even talking to this guy. I would've expected a couple of you to at least bring this up(props to cusebassman for doing so), this line of thinking generally doesn't fly very well around here.

 

[TimOBrien]

You switch platforms without looking at your software FIRST???


HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAAAA.........


You want a program that is "professional and known" but you DONT want to pay for it????

HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAAAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHA
HAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAAAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAAAAHAHA
HAHAHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAAAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAAAA........


(Wait till he finds out all his favorite PC plugins won't work, either....)

 

[Robert D]

....or how hard it is to steal? "You are undoubtably the worst pirate I've ever heard of".

 

[fishkarma]

I can't believe any of you are even talking to this guy. I would've expected a couple of you to at least bring this up(props to cusebassman for doing so), this line of thinking generally doesn't fly very well around here.

to be honest bro if we can talk him into using garageband or something free or cheap then all the better so thats why were talking to him. Its when people ignore this kinda question that drives people to the nearest torrent site to download the newest most expensive piece of cracked kit.

sad but true