I use a PowerBook G4/400 MHz and would like to create a home studio. I have a good mic with a jack and intend to buy keyboards with a Midi connection. How do I configure things so that I can use the FireWire port instead of the USB? Does anybody know? I know Yamaha makes an interface but I read that it's not compatible with the G4. Can anyone confirm that?

I don't know about the Yamaha device, but I would use USB for MIDI (Roland, MIDIman & others make the interfaces) and Firewire for audio. Alternatively, there is a PC card from Digigram called the VXPocket with very high quality audio inputs. I don't know how much you're planning to spend, but if you don't mind being limited to 2 audio channels, I believe both Roland & Tascam make combination MIDI/audio boxes on USB in the $500 - $600 range. OTOH, a MOTU828 ( firewire audio w/18 channels) and a good basic MIDI interface will run you about $900. If you're not buying right now, things are changing rapidly in this area - many new USB and Firewire devices are scheduled to appear by year's end. As the market fills with choices the cost should come down.

Scott

From a Scot to a Scott, thanks for taking the time! I hope I wasn't too hasty because I just placed my first order via Internet - before reading you, I must add. I kept searching sites and read about the iMic adapter from the company Griffin. It lookks pretty cool : USB connection with audio and line in and stereo out so I use both the mic and the mini disk to input sound to a sequencer. Maybe the hiccup will be signal amplification but that will be dealt with later, once I've got the hang of using Cubase. The iMic only costs $35 (the shipping to Europe is $30!!). I'll keep you posted about how efficient it is once I've given it a try.
Thanks again.

I would recommend the MOTU 828 firewire interface. It is loaded with inputs and outputs that are only matched by the Digi 001. Its a bit pricey at $700 but when you compare the flexibility to other options... its really not that bad of a deal.

If you don't have enough to think about with the other posts, here's another. I have been thinking about the same issue for a TiBook and another concern when choosing what hardware you need is what sequencing software you will use. I talked with a guy at Sam Ash music store and he is an EMagic Logic Audio user, which is known to be very good with Mac laptops. He recommended hardware in the e-magic audio line, such as the 2|6 ($350) for analog inputs and the MT4 ($150) for Midi. The benefits of these are that you know that they will work with the software, the latency is adjusted to be as minimal as possible, and it has some really interesting functions that others do not have (the 2|6 has 5:1 surround output for movie soundtracks). Plus they are extremely light and portable - key for laptop users on the go. Mind you I have never tried these but it is another thing to think about.

I 'm glad that this thing works so well but I didn't think I was going to run into such megabucks land as you guys obviously live in... I'm just a beginner so I 'm not gonna spend millions on softs or hardware - I just want to have fun (I'm blond and a girl, so that makes sense, right?). I've got free softs from magazines and Internet and I just need time to work out how best to input and work on REAL percussion (Algerian, Morrocan, Egyptian..) and vocals so we can all make music and put it out on the Net for you to enjoy. But no way am I gonna invest at this stage. I don't take myself that seriously and I hope I never will... What about FireWire? Isn't there any way to get vocals and keyboards onto the TiBook using this port? That was and still is my question.

well if you are not going to spend money... then you are not going to be using firewire.... as I mentioned the MOTU 828 is FIREWIRE INTERFACE (must be a blonde thing). If you are not willing to invest any money.... I suggest you think about recording through a plain talk microphone.... quality won't be the greatest but if you want quality.... YOU GOT TO PAY FOR IT.

This is my last post to this topic because it has now become irritating. And no I don't live in MEGABUCKS LAND.... its called working hard for a living and priorities which for some of us is music unlike yourself. If I were as rich as you imply... I would have a full blown ProTools TDM system instead of the smaller limited system I have now.

Hi Synthetic,
It's a shame you can't laugh at yourself as much as I apparently can. You don't have to be defensive to a stranger you'll never meet. It's a pity you don't have the system you would really like but I'm sure if you really put your mind to it you'll find a way to obtain it.
Like i said, I just want to have fun. I'm surrounded by talented, creative musicians (and i happen to be one of them) but we are less dedicated to transmitting as to MAKING music. None of us is a technician. My plan is to share what we create with the whole world, via Internet, for free. I'd like you to be able to dance to our rythmes, be moved by our words and feel life within you while you still can. I did not intend to offend. Please don't take a stranger's words to heart, but we simply don't have the money. My computer is not mine, the company I work for bought it - so I'd like to use it. Simple.
Enjoy your life. And try laughing instead of being so serious. It makes all the difference. All the best for your musical future.
Tiloop.
ps if you do happen to come across less expensive FireWire interfaces, I'd still appreciate it...

At this point in time, I think that the iMic is your best bet because it's cheap. Firewire input systems are few and expensive currently (when compared to the iMic, but prices should come down somewhat as more firwire hardware reaches the market, as well as more systems working with OSX. My suggestion: Go with the iMic and keep an eye out on the Web and in magazines for new hardware.

I am also a relative beginner and have gone with a recording setup inspired by poverty. Yeah, the sound quality may sound less than spectacular, but you learn the systems and workarounds, which will be better in the long haul when you do get the setup of your choice. My free setup: Beige G3 266 with Mac A/V card with RCA inputs, a basic four-track recorder that I already had that I use as my mixer, Pro Tools Free and some free/trial synths.

Best of luck to you and your recordings!

here are a few items I have run across looking to do similar things.

I have an imic on the way. I will report on it when I get it.

http://quicksitebuilder.cnet.com/faeringen...acnote/id4.html

and I am looking at this roland box. ( it is around $200 /US)

http://www.edirol.com/gatewayFrame_prod.dd...itemcode=362166

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