I just spent my summer taking a class working with cubase vst/32 with reason and midi on a PC, and enjoyed myself immensely, in spite of the bugs. I would like to set up my own home DAW, but I'm not sure what I need. I'm a mac guy, so I would get a G5. I know I need a midi keyboard controller, but I'm confused on this sound card business. I would only record one audio track at a time, with either a microphone or instrument input - I play guitar and violin. Do I need a preamp? Do I need a soundcard? Am I forgetting anything? I am not necessarily going to buy cubase, if that makes a difference. Thanks for any input.

hey dude, welcome to the joys of music on the mac!

What is it that you wish to do with your recordings? Just recordings, or midi as well?

I think a good package for you would be the MBox bundle - it comes with ProTools LE, an MBox (which would be perfect for what you are after with fairly decent focusrite pres), and comes with cutdown versions of Reason and Live. (Note: CUTDOWN versions - you will want to eventually upgrade to the proper versions).

Cubase SX/SL is available for OS X, however it doesn't come as a bundle option, and there are reports that it doesn't run very smoothly.

Your other options for soundcards are the M-Audio Firewire 410, or Mackie's Spike - but neither come bundled with software like digi's.

Check it out at www.digidesign.com

Oh, and depending on what u want it for, a G4 may be all that you need.

Most keyboards and some other things like my gutiar amp. are in stereo, so 2 tracks min. is what you want. but most every audio interface dose at least this. If I were you I would go to a few stores ( don't buy till you truly know what you want) and get on the web, you must decide how much you are willing to spend. A good audio interface, midi interface, possably a preamp or mixer, some microphones, software and a keyboard.

Well, I would like to do mostly midi with some audio. I really liked using the softsynths in reason, but the version of cubase on the PC was a little buggy. I glanced at the mbox w/protools, does it have a midi interface? I was looking more towards using logic or dp since i get a nice educator discount...

i'm using the echo mia soundcard: http://www.echoaudio.com/Products/PCI/MiaM...aMIDI/index.php
and it's perfect. it has 1/4 inch plug ins so you can plug your guitar directly into it. it's about the same price as the m-audio.

i have a m-audio radium 61 keyboard... cheap, simple, lots of nobs. works well with reason.

the mbox doesn't have a midi interface

gtg!