Software Question.

[Quattroste]

Hi All,

I have a 1Ghz G4Mac with a M Audiophile 24/96(or something!!) sound card and a Gig of Ram. I have a Berhinger Eurorack mixer and a small PA. What I don't have is the software to start recording and mixing.

What I have been doing is using Garage band to create simple backing tracks and then recording Guitar tracks and then voice tracks. The issue I have with Garage band is that even though the guitar is in track 1 and the mic is track 2(of my Behringer mixer) it still records both guitar and mic in one track!!!!

Anyway, I was really wondering if there was a cheapish <$200 program that would help here. I have heard Cubase and Pro Tools but I know nothing about their ease of use and associated costs. All I want to be able to do is have seperate recordable tracks for Guitar, Voice and maybe a drum machine too.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Dr Biscuits]

I'm not specifically familliar with Garageband, but the problem you're describing isn't a software issue, but a hardware one.
The card you're using (24/96) only has 2 analog inputs (left and right) therefore you will never be able to record more than 2 independant mono tracks at one time regardless of software.
If you want to, you'll need to upgrade to an interface that has more inputs (as many as required) and run each channel through a separate preamp (if preamps aren't built in). If you run everything through your mixer and then output a mixed stereo signal, which is what it sounds like you're doing now, it will only go into the computer as a mixed stereo signal, all on one stereo track.
As a work-around for you right now, if you want to record 2 things at once with discrete tracks, make sure your vocals are hard panned right on your mixer and your guitar is hard panned left. Then in Garageband you should get each on it's own channel.

 

[Quattroste]

Thanks Doc. So if I want more than 2 seperate tracks what hardware or sound card do I need? Also what software do you use to record and edit with?

Sorry for all the questions but ya know what newbies are like

 

[lucky13]

With an M-audio interface you can use pro tools m-powered. The program is about $350, but it works great, and is very easy to work with. There are a lot of people who talk trash about pro tools, but if 80% of pro studios across the country use it, it can't be all bad right? The M-powered version is a little different from the HD version that pro studios use, but it is still very capable. I personally have never used Cubase, so I couldn't really contrast them for you, but Pro Tools is a great program.

 

[lucky13]

So, I just got an anonymous neg rep for my above statement. The person put "For trying to pass yourself off as an expert." How is this statement trying to pass myself off as an expert, when I openly admit that I have no experience with other recording softwares?

At least have the cajones to sign your neg rep you little mangina!

 

[fraserhutch]

Actually, it *can* be that bad. Not saying it is, but I'm saying that I would hazard a guess that very few of the "80% of pro studios across the country" (a figure I dispute) actually use Pro Tools m-powered or pro-tools LE.
I would imagine that they're using Pro Tool HD which is a very different animal. pretty much the only thing these two systems share in common is an interface.

With an M-audio interface you can use pro tools m-powered. The program is about $350, but it works great, and is very easy to work with. There are a lot of people who talk trash about pro tools, but if 80% of pro studios across the country use it, it can't be all bad right? The M-powered version is a little different from the HD version that pro studios use, but it is still very capable. I personally have never used Cubase, so I couldn't really contrast them for you, but Pro Tools is a great program.