Mac OS X recording gear and software

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false-aesthetic

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Hey,
I'm primarily a graphic design/art kid, but lately I've been getting more and more into recording stuff.

With the purchase of my new Mac (I have to get a mac due to industry standard)-- 933 mhz G4, 512+mb of Ram, 80 gig HD, dual monitor. I thouhght I might as well shell some cash into making it somewhat studio capable.

What I'm not looking for is some souped up, totally bitchen setuup that will 1) set me back more than $1500 (i'd like to keep it around 1100 if possible) and 2) not intimidate me.

My studio experience is somewhat limited in that I've recorded two albums with a band and I've done a shit load of demos on a Tascam MKII 414 (basic analog 4 track).

----

So, with all this information I went shopping. Guitar Center was first. I wasn't expecting to get all my info in 3 visits (cause no one at those stores really knows too much). What I got was conflicting information (b/n the 3 GC stores near my house) regarding the new mac OS X.

I need non-emulated OS9.1.
I need to use the OS 9.2 Emulator
I can't do anything until software for OS X comes out in 8 months.

I left all three stores confused and headed to another store.

This place was no helpP: "We only do stuff for PCs. Macs are too complicated. But a cheep Dell and you'll be fine."
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So . . .I'm completely confused now. and I'm curious what do I need for the Mac that will give me some room to grow in and give me the option of getting higher-tec? And What's the deal with the new OS?
 
Support for Os X is not fully avaible yet in the audio software department. Running OS 9.2 will enable you to work with all the majors though...Protools, Peak, T-racks, Cubase, Logic, Nuendo etc.

there are no really advantages in OS X for using audio. When working in daily live situations and using email/internet/graphics/text etc OS X is indeed a better way to go, for recording applications I have a G4 running 9.2 and only purchased (LEGAL) audio softs. Never crashes, never lets me down.
 
I could be wrong, but i think all the macs that come with os x pre-installed also have the earlier 9.something version on them, i dont own one, this is just something i read in looking to purchasing one.
 
Yes, but that's the classic mode. It's different then a computer running OS9 as main software
 
Digital Performer seems to run fine on a brand new Mac, we got a new one a few weeks ago and had it recording in under a half hour. It had the dual OS you're talking about. I can't remember the 9.x version, too much info in my brain right now.
For MY $, Digital Performer and a MOTU 828. You're off and running and recording GREAT, Pro quality stuff..all in under a half hour :).

H2H
 
mac recording

Hey everyone,

I have an iMac 0S9 and I am getting ready to set up some home equipment trying out my vocals and lyrics. I am newbie here. I am clueless about equipment so bare with me. I posted some stuff in the beginner section and got some very supportive feedback.

I saw you are Mac users so I thought I would join in and ask you some questions. Remember I know nothing but can't sleep until I set something up.

Keep in mind price is still an issue but I still want quality
I will be buying a Shure SM-58 or AKG C1000S condenser mic (I want something to take to stage later so I am not sure which one to buy if I can only get one)
mic stand and pop filter
Roland MA8WH Monitors (are those decent?)
some affordable Closed-Back Studio Headphones (any suggestions?)
I have a cd burner

Now, this is where I get confused. I don't want something that will take me so long to figure out that I don't get anything done.
I saw one of you mentioned the Digital Performer. Does this mean I will not need a mixer since it says it's built in? I won't need a vocal enhancer since it has chorus, flange etc built in? To make some test samples of vocals, rhythms and beats, do I need anything else with the above mentioned items to get started?
I am a lyricist/singer/stage performer. I am not a musician but a lot of music in my head. I want to make a rough frame of music with my lyrics to allow true musicians to get what's in my head and collaborate bringing their talents when I am ready. Eventually I will make a demo once I lay everything I want down. Right now just to hear myself, (really hear myself) and explore is going to help to satisfy me.
Is the Digital Performer easy to use for someone who feels her way through stuff?
I know the equipment is endless. I just want something basic to work with but will also be able to grow into as I learn more.
Your feedback is much appreciated.
 
I'm not sure, but with ol' Steve's announcement of 10.2, he also announced the death of OS9. So, this may mean that new Macs won't ship with OS9, or maybe they'll ship with it uninstalled, or maybe new Macs will ship with a firmware "update" that makes it impossible to install OS9. The latter seems rather unlikely, but I wouldn't mention it if I didn't think it's a possibility. Apple has been known to cut off its users' upgrade paths.

Anyway, angelas, I've never ever seen a positive review of Roland's monitors. That said, I really don't know what else is available at that price - perhaps a browsing of Ebay is in order.

As to headphones, I'm not sure what your definition of affordable is, but I use a pair of Audio Technica ATH-M40fs, which run around $70. They aren't the greatest things in the world, but they sound pretty good to me.
 
Thanks for the reply Elevate

elevate said:
Anyway, angelas, I've never ever seen a positive review of Roland's monitors. That said, I really don't know what else is available at that price - perhaps a browsing of Ebay is in order.

As to headphones, I'm not sure what your definition of affordable is, but I use a pair of Audio Technica ATH-M40fs, which run around $70. They aren't the greatest things in the world, but they sound pretty good to me. [/B]
Click to expand...

It's unbelievable the amount of equipment that exists out there. My first career was mainly as a showskater and the equipment included only a few choices in the professional field. So if you ever want a career as a skater, come to me
:). Anyway, the Roland's were offered by zzounds.com when I first started inquiring about equipment before I found this site. The price was $79 so your in the same price range. I just don't want to buy and then be bummed out later. I will look up the Audio Technica. BTW, I live in Los Angeles, does anyone here live in this town? I wouldn't mind advice as to where to go to purchase equipment when ready. I went in Guitar Center once and couldn't get one girl off the phone as she was discussing her personal career. Another guy turned his nose up at a Shure stating "Everyone thinks their the best" and then proceeded to push me toward some other brand that I knew wasn't any better. I know there are some good places out there with at least one gem to help me out. I am comparing internet prices against stores in town too.

Thanks again.
 
angelas - I feel your pain. I don't think people that work at music stores are there to assist you in any way. Sweetwater is the only exception, and they only have one store in Indiana, but you can call them and get decent information. Really though, the best place to find information is the internet, and particularly, forums like these where you can get a collection of opinions on gear from people that actually use it every day.

I don't live in LA (I live in the other LA - Louisiana), but I've been to LA a number of times with my former band. We went to several music stores and basically the opinion I formed was that, whereas incompetent was the general word I used to describe music store employees in Louisiana (and Texas), arrogant was the word for their counterparts in LA. You walk into Guitar Center and everybody acts like their in some band on the brink of signing a major label deal. Ok, enough ranting.
 
I have a Mac g4 dual 800 running 9.2.2 and Digital Performer. Its great. I use the MOTU 2408 as my soundcard/interface, but there are other choices there. DP won't be OS X compatable until probably next year. Your computer will run OS 9.

You don't have to have a dedicated mixer. You will need some kind of soundcard that can offer at least stereo outs though. And you will need some kind of preamp to record into the computer. I am biased to DP because I have been using it for so long, but its a great program for both audio recording and MID sequencing. It is great for scoring to film through Quicktime too.

Eventually, the Mac world will move to OSX, but we are at the very fringe of that right now. For me, OSX is a novelty at this point, but something I can't wait to run on in the future. I will still want OS 9 for a long time-- to run the dozens of programs I use that aren't OSX. It will take some time. Go with DP 3.1 as soon as that version is out, and you should get the next upgrade free--which will be an OSX version. My advice.
 
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