Barebones Recording Options

[Vard]

Here's my problem...

My brother has been bugging me to get my Mac ready for recording...I could really care less due to everything else I do on it not really leaving me time to record anything right now. So, for him, I will turn to you for assistance.

I have a DP 1Ghz QS (spring 02) with the lastest in both OS's. I would prefer to stay in OS X if possible. I need advice on software and any hardware that one might need for this endeavor.

Let me say, while my brother is a dreamer, he is definately NOT a financer...so I am, seriously, looking for the barebones of what I would need to get audio into this thing. For arguments sake, and I realize this may go against the whole 'barebones' thing, it would be cool to have multitrack capability, even 4-track would be fine. He is looking to record guitar and vocals.

Anyway, that's my problem. Any help with this would be great. Thanks for the help.

Eddie

[manexmachina]

your situation just seems to be screaming "Mbox" from www.digidesign.com to me... or even protools FREE - but i dont know then how'd you'd get audio in, so back to Mbox.

[xingu]

You could use Griffin's imic with PT Free (8 tracks)- only in OS9, and certainly not the best quality audio, but probably the cheapest solution around at $35.

[rickenbacker]

Another idea for beginners might be something like MicroLogic or Cubasis - the entry-level multitrack recording software from two of the big hitters in the field.

Alternatively, spring for Logic Big Box or Cubase SL (both of them are under $200). You'll have more than enough music power to last for months to come, maybe even years.

Interfaces? Dozens available. MBox is around $500, so hardly cheap and you can only (realistically) use Pro Tools LE with it. The iMic is far and away the cheapest interface available, but again spending a little more can get you something of superior audio quality from Edirol or M-Audio.

Pick up just one music technology mag and you'll find yourself bombarded with options!