I recently bought a G5 powermac and I am looking for an audio recording program in the range of $300 that can offer surround sound mixing, unlimited or a large amount of tracks, at least 24 bit and preferably something higher than 44100 sampling rates, a good amount of effects, and general useablity. I would also like to be able to do video synchronization. I have looked at a program called Deck 3.5 by a company named BIAS but I do not completely like the layout of the program, so I was wondering if anyone else knew of anything they could refer me to. Basically I am looking for a high quality low cost recording program, original I know.

Logic Express is you best bet.
i you don't like that spen a hundred more and get DP.

DP probably has better video support than logic express.
Logic Pro would be the way to go if you could.

I think that you're asking for the moon and need to make a realistic
assesment of your wants vs. your needs.
No program available is going to do all or most of that well.

Logic or DP come close but ost much more.
ProTools LE comes the closest and can be had for about $400.
The converters stink and if you're doing surround to picture, you'll need
a synch box or house clock unless you use QT mpegs which will hog up
the computers resources.

good luck and prioritize.
forget about higher sampling rates and stay with 24 bits.
There are very few discernable benefits and there are many disadvantages to higher sampling rates.
chap

I used Deck for quite some time. It's a good program, and really simple. But, I don't think it supports multiple bit rates or sampling rates. Check the Bias website for this.

If you're really sticking to a $300 price tag, the only other thing you'll find is Tracktion at the Mackie website. I don't think it supports surround, though. I'd go an extra $150 and get a Digidesign MBox with Pro Tools LE. I know there are a lot of naysayers about it in this forum, but is is definitely the de facto industry standard; all the bigs use Pro Tools. If you want to do music/MIDI, I'd go the distance with MOTU DP. It's much easier amd cheaper than Logic, and given the recent faux pas by Apple, a program to stay away from.

You bought a G5. Don't buy a program on the cheap. It's like putting a Chevy hubcap on a Rolls Royce.

From what I recall of Emagic's press ads from last year, some pretty big studios use Logic, too. Abbey Road, Air and Real World were some of the places featured, I think.

I don't know as I'd call Logic a "program to stay away from", etiher. Apple may have released a pretty buggy update in Logic Pro 7.0, but the core app is still awesome. Give it a few incremental patches and it'll be fine.

As for Pro Tools, there are a lot of naysayers for good reason!

It's Midi support is widely regarded as suspect. Better than it used to be, granted, but still not the whole enchilada.

I agree about the G5 hubcap thing, though. Deck isn't a bad buy, but personally I'd favour Logic (no surprise there, I know). Pro or Express, your choice.

I have made music for a living for my rntire life.
I started doing sessions and playing in bands.
When I first began, it was an all tape world.
I can remember paying $7000 for ProTools 1.0
including the computer.
I have several PT systems now. I use an LE system
on a Powerbook when I travel and use PTHD3 in my studio.

I also have Nuendo, Logic Pro, Reason, Live and tons of plug ins as well as lots of outboard analog gear.
I'm only telling you this so that you'll consider this.
Digidesign is not the nicest or the most innovative company.
I have had several beefs with them (especially about using other brands of converters). That said, if you plan on working on projects that involve a large community of musicians, you will be better served by getting Pro Tools. You will be able to share files, sessions etc. with a larger pool of people.
If you are a keyboard player and plan on primarily doing your own music, then you could make a choice for Logic or DP or Cubase.
All of them are great creative tools. I use Logic and the other programs mentioned when I score for TV or film but it always ends up
in Pro Tools for the final mix. I also think that Pro Tools is the easiest to learn.
I hope I haven't put you off with all of this blather but I can remember wishing for forums like this when I had to make tough choices.
Best of luck,
chap

Hey Chap;

My god, a fellow who in the new digital world remembers good ol' tape!
Well dig this, I am a FNG to this forum. I have tried several others but what a drag.
My experiance has been this:
The first time I had an studio chief say, e-mail me the compsitions, and when I showd up at the room all was set up and ready to fly, I was sold.
I do find that the heated sound of tape, and the eye to eye contact between musician and enginere + all others in the room a factor.
Having been in this forum only 4 days please give me a break as I am just getting use to the rapid feed back.
We here at our entertainment company have just upgraded to a G4 and a G5. Still running an old MOTU FreeStyle program for composition.
I have an associate that has quite a cool digital studio with DP4 as the hub that I have not had any drags transfering to.
I am just open to thoughts that you and all in this arena have.

Standing by...

Hey Kiowa,
Sounds like you have it covered. Remeber, wants vs. needs.
If you're meeting your needs then you're good.
It's the wants that always get me.
best,
chap

Yeah Chappy, and man with all the new goodies that seem to pop up every micro second one can spend all one's time not to mention $ with a stack of stuff that looks great but you doin't know how to turn the power on!
Thanks for the exchange of thoughts!

Standing by...