New - Pls Help. Confused About Hardware, iMac with 10.5 - need USB MIDI interface Options

[pigletto78]

Hi
I've been surfing the net to find a USB MIDI interface which will work with my Intel iMac using 10.5. I'm a bit confused and would welcome any advice.

I would like to connect my Yamaha PSR 550 to the Mac and use Garageband. I also have an acoustic guitar and would like to buy a mic and also be able to connect this and also record vocals. I think I need a 'condensor' mic for this?

So in short, I need a USB Midi device with Mic for vocal (and mic for acoustic guitar without a pickup), and Midi input.

I would rather spend a bit more on something with all these features than a 1 MIDI in/ 1 MIDI out cheapo wire, but I don't want to end up paying for things I will never use as a beginner amateur.

I've seen some bad feedback on some models which don't yet have drivers for 10.5.

Can anyone help recommend some hardware?! Thanks in advance.

Hannah

[DeniseMusic]

Hello,
My computer wouldn't let me start a new topic ? so I'm tagging onto this one.

I have been poking around on this site for some info on interfaces. And I wonder if someone can help me. Can anyone describe the difference between firewire and usb interfaces? I don't undertand much about this. Here's the story.
I have a new iMac on the way and plan to use it for recording. I am a performing songwriter and I want to be able to record my rewrites and have a clean recording. Nothing spectacular. I don't care if I can do two tracks simultaneously or not. I will be recording vocals with a Beta 87A, acoustic guitar, electric bass, and maybe a little electric guitar. I'd like an interface that's #1 easy to use, #2 compatible with Garageband 09 , #3 has an XLR input w/ phantom power, #4 1/4" input, #5 is reliable, #6 would be a bonus if I could hook up a cassette player to transfer old band tapes to CD. I have a MIDI keyboard but I already have a MIDI to USB cable that should work if the unit isn't MIDI capable. I will primarily be using these recordings for critiques and rewrites.
I have no interest in learning any more about recording at home because I have two kids and very little time. I have a wonderful professional studio that I will return to when the time comes to record for real and I'll be glad to pay them to do it!!

I have seen several interfaces on musiciansfriend and other sites. CME Matrix Firewire Audio Matrix, Edirol UA -4FX USB Audio Capture Interface, Lexicon Lambda USB, and I know there are several others out there. Then I came across someone talking about firewire vs USB and here I am, confused. Thanks for the help!
Denise

[fishboisfo]

Hi Denise . . . I would like to reverb what a lot of others have said. A great solution may be 1 of 2 M Audio Products -- if you can still pick them up. The Solo Unit is a 2 in / 2 out firewire interface that is relatively inexpensive -- M Audio makes a newer version with higher quality pre amps called a Pro Fire 610.

The main difference between Firewire and USB 2.0 is not just the "Speed" argument, it is the computer's OS architecture and how it handles data through the transfer interface. Time and time again, through my experience with Firewire as well as being a former ( company rhymes with Snapple ) executive, Firewire has been a more stable and reliable platform with the Mac OS for me. Not only that, but the ability to seemlessly "daisy chain" firewire devices -- has an advantage for other projects -- i.e. plug my digital camcorder into my peripheral firewire hard drive which goes into my other peripheral hard drive which then is plugged into my computer and be able to seemlessly run all of it is an important advantage that I have yet to see USB 2.0 handle as effectively.

Both the M Audio products are far from being the best on the market -- but they do work quite well, and do a fine job at doing exactly what you're looking for without having to open a new Platinum Card Account to buy.

Before you purchase anything, however, my advice would be to seriously consider where you will be with this in 1 - 2 years. In my opinion, one of the most important decisions that anyone can make is to consider the products expandability when it comes to music production equipment -- otherwise you end up with racks of devices that just sit there in your studio that never even get their power switch turned on -- as I have seen in soooo many studios around the country.

Best of Luck !! Having said all that, remember this:

Making the music is more important than the stuff to make it -- Mozart had a harpsichord; Beethoven as well, and was almost totally deaf.