In the process of switching from PC/SonicFoundry (doing compilations) to PowerBook/Motu828/?? (recording live DJ set from CDJ600 mixer) and believe that WaveBurner Pro is the best program for what I want to do, but the OSX version is in a nebulous state of release. Does anyone have connections at eMagic that could shed some light. I don't want to wait 9 months for that baby. Is there another good OSX CD burning tool that allows you to include CD Text data?

On a slightly related topic, does anyone feel like sharing their insight on recording software? I could, of course, drop another huge chunk of change and get Logic Platinum 6, but that might be MAJOR overkill for me. I don't want to do any Midi (at least, not right now), but I do want to record, and edit waveforms... I don't want to settle for lesser quality, but don';t want to buy extra functionality if I don't have to (sometimes you can only get the quality if you also buy the functionality because manufacurers bundle the two insted of just making all their products of the same quality caliber, and just letting folks upgrade to more capability. Am I wrong?)

Many, many thanks, guys... first round's on me if we can solve these issues (Who's in DC?)

subScotty

As a DJ, have you looked at Native Instrument's Traktor DJ Studio 2.0 (not plain vanilla Traktor 2.0). It seems to have a lot of cool track and CD-burning features. You can also send your mix out to Roxio's Toast With Jam, another great CD-burning bundle. All these apps feature mastering FX, professional subcodes, track info etc and all work in OS X.

If you want to record music, it depends on how simply you want to do that. If you bought Toast With Jam, say, you'll get Bias Peak LE bundled with it. That's a 2-track stereo wave editor/recorder, which can also use VST effects. Pretty good. I use that sometimes, but I use Felt Tip software's Sound Studio more often. A new version, 2.5, is out in April I believe. $49 or so - really good.

Both LE and Sound Studio operate at 16-bit, 44.1KHz. If you want 24-bit, you'll need the full version of Peak (couple of hundred dollars) or Spark XL (ditto). Both load up on extra features for the money, though. Talking of Spark, there's also Spark ME which is free. That's like LE or Sound Studio.

For more serious recording needs, check out the Getting Started forum here - LOADS of posts along the lines of "which sequencer?"

Thanks. I do want to stay in the 24-bit arena. I did look in to Tracktor... wasn't sure it was what as robust as what I wanted, but it did catch my eye.

I bought Toast and then added Jam later.. I played around with Peak, and found it to be under-powered. Jam is nice conceptually, but think it's geared more for someone requiring the absolute minimum capability. Toast/Jam is advertised as being fully RedBook compliant, but I don't see the words "CD Text" anywhere in their promotional material... which leads me to believe that you can't do it.

I'm fairly convinced that WaveBurner Pro is the app I want, but there's no anticipated release date of the OSX version, and that's really frustrating when you're trying to make acquisition decisions.

Maybe there are other solutions out there: all I want to do is
- record/edit at 24-bit level (basic editing only; complex editing is a "nice to have")
- burn CD that includes CD-Text
software must:
- be OSX native
- work well with Motu 828 (the interface I bought)
- not cost more than ~$400 (I may be willing to spend more, but I won't be happy about it)

All that said, I'm still kinda new to all this, so .. perhaps someone needs to set me straight.

Thanks again for the reply... I can't tel lyou guys ho wmuch I appreciate your guidance... I was afraid that I had alienated people with my newbieness.

cheers,
Scot

Hi. Asyou are using the 828, Audiodesk comes with that and MOTU are close to bringing out an OSx version of Digital Performer. I'm assuming audiodesk which is ''DP light'' will also be upgraded to OSx.
Cheers
bigheaven

For what it's worth, I'm interested in WaveBurner Pro for OS X as well. I emailed Emagic about two weeks ago asking when they would release an OS X version. Their reply: That's classified info, they wouldn't tell me. I don't know what's up with that answer but I'm sitting around waiting too. I also considered Toast/Jam but it seems like an inferior product compared with WaveBurner. Can anyone compare the two?

I think Waveburner Pro is probably the best solution for you. An OS X version will probably be out this year - Emagic have updated most of their software, so it's only a matter of time.

I have a question about this Waveburner. Is it similar to Wavelab or the Waves bundles for PC? I'm about to acquire my wife's tiBook and I'm looking for something for good recording and mastering tools.

You wouldn't really use Waveburner for recording, if by recording you mean multitracking. You can use it for two-track recording, though.

It comes with some decent mastering effects, such as the multipressor (multi-band compressor) and other useful mastering/editing tools. If you know how to use them, you can get excellent results. Most of the FX included have since turned up in Logic Platinum 6, which leads me to suspect that either (a) Emagic have got some barnstorming new features for Waveburner OS X when they finally release it or (b) there isn't going to be a Waveburner OS X.

Whatever, they're going to have to go some to beat Peak 4 - I got the Pro Edition recently and I love it. Doesn't do CD Text, though, but it does everything else. If all that mastering power still doesn't make your tracks sweet enough for you and if you really do have $1,000 burning a hole in your pocket, you can always spring for the Waves Mastering bundle and plug that into either Peak in OS X or Waveburner in OS 9.