Moog Music Forum

Sorry if this is a bit off topic but I want to buy a PowerBook and use it to record songs and soundscapes from my Korg Triton Le and my Voyager. I know the computer comes with Garage Band and that it is capable of recieving sounds from external devices. I know that I can hook up my keyboards with a 1/4 - 1/8 converter cable from Monster so I know that this set up will work but my main questions are:

1) is Garage Band a good programme to start out with. I don't have any experience recording and would like to learn.

2) what kind of recording does GB do? Can I do everything live if I'd like?

3) does GB come with any onboard effects and if so do they sound any good?

4) after GB, what is the next programme I should look into?

Thanks in advance.

The Fenix

you should go to the yahoo logic forums for this. garage band is not a serious contender in the audio/midi sequencing world. its more like a scratch pad for ideas not a fully fledged package like logic or pro tools. just buy logic and be done with it.once u get to grips with garageband u will see how limited it is and not a good longterm investment in my opinion.

My 2 cents for Cubase. I have the SE ($99 low-end version) and the midi capabilites are nice. The SX version apparently has a different sound engine, as well as a few other features. But as far as SE's sound, I prefer it to Acid, which I've tried as well.

I've heard others swear by Logic as well - never tried it myself, so I can't say. I'm sure there's someone here how has tried them all.

I agree with tunedLow. Cubase SE is a great cost-effective sequencer and will give you more than enough capability to get started. Cubase SE also aupports VST plugins (effects and instruments), which are free and plentiful on the Web. GarageBand is a fine product, but its major drawback is that is doesn't have MIDI out, so you won't be able to have the program play the sounds on your Triton and MMV. GarageBand also doesn't support VST's; rather it supports Apple's own AU plugins, which is a relatively new plugin format. Development of free AU's is ongoing, but the avaiable selection is not nearly as plentiful as VSTs. Since you get GarageBand for free with the purchase of a new PowerBook, however, you'll have the chance to check it out at no cost.

Logic is a great program, but is expensive ($799), and may have more capability than you'll ever need. Even Logic Express (the lite version) is $299. I'd suggest you spring for Cubase SE.

Gerge

Shortly after my last post, I learned about another product that appears to be worth looking into. From today's (10/29/04) Macintouch.com:

<< Sagan Technology's Metro 6.2.2 is a multi-track recording, sequencing, and MIDI application. This release adds expanded undo functions and a customizable buffer size for multiple undo, faster drawing of audio overviews, the ability to read iTunes information written into AIFF files (such as title and artist), optional context-sensitive help, support for dragging files to the tracks window, and other changes. Available for Mac OS X 10.2 and up, Metro is $329.99 (LX $134.99, SE $69.99).

http://sagantech.biz/products.htm
>>

$69 for the lite (SE) version is my kind of price. If you purchase it, please let us know what you think.

Greg

Thanks for all info guys. I'll be making my decision on the PowerBook soon and will post an update in the following weeks. If anyone else has any other interesting information please post it! Thanks again.

F

student discounts on Logic

does anyone know of a device that will allow me to connect multiple instruments to these powerbooks? t.i.a.

Fenix this question has already been answered, next topic please.

goldphinga wrote:Fenix this question has already been answered, next topic please.

sorry, must have missed it. can you point it out to me again?

no worries fenix.

your best bet if you are on a budget is the motu 828 mk1 or 2. great quality for the price. it gives you 8 jack inputs and 8 jack outputs. you connect it to your powerbook via the firewire port. it works on os9 or 10 and with all the major sequencer packages. ive used one for three years and its never let me down.the mk2 also has a midi interface built in for controlling instruments over midi.

other firewire alternatives are
motu 896 (like the 828 but with xlr connectors)
rme fireface (just come out, very high quality)
digidesign 002 (comes in rack or desk version but only works with pro tools)

hope this answers your question. you are looking at £500 max for a new 828 mk1.if thats too much then check out m-audio firewire stuff which seems to be ok for the price.

no worries fenix.

your best bet if you are on a budget is the motu 828 mk1 or 2. great quality for the price. it gives you 8 jack inputs and 8 jack outputs. you connect it to your powerbook via the firewire port. it works on os9 or 10 and with all the major sequencer packages. ive used one for three years and its never let me down.the mk2 also has a midi interface built in for controlling instruments over midi.

other firewire alternatives are
motu 896 (like the 828 but with xlr connectors)
rme fireface (just come out, very high quality)
digidesign 002 (comes in rack or desk version but only works with pro tools)

hope this answers your question. you are looking at £500 max for a new 828 mk1.if thats too much then check out m-audio firewire stuff which seems to be ok for the price.