Playthrough On A A New Powerbook G4 (os X) Options

[benjones]

I've been trying to find the answer to this all day -- but with no luck:

How can I simulataneously hear the "line in" input while it is recording? The OS X system preferences (sound) give no indication that this is even possible! I think this might be called playthrough. I could do this on my SB64 on my old windows computer -- so i must be able to do it here!

Please help me! i don't want to have to run out and buy an external soundcard or controller (at least not right away!)


many thanks,

Ben

[benjones]

Ok, I have just read through many other posts on this site -- so I feel like I have a better idea of how to ask an intelligent question. It seems like no-one would even consider using the built-in sound card on the powerbook for high quality recording.

I did boot up my powerbook in OS 9, and used Protools Free for a bit this afternoon, but was frustrated by significant delay in the "line in" playthrough. I was hoping to find a software fix to this -- so I could start to do multi-track recording on this new machine.

My history is that I have been doing multitracking (on a PC) using just the line in of a Sblaster 64PCI card and Sonic Foundry Vegas. I had no noticeable latency on that setup, when i was simulatenously recording and playing back. i was surprised that the audio card on this brand new machine would have any delay at all.

I don't object to the idea of using a USB / fireware interface for audio in -- if that is the way it must be. Ideally I would like to be able to record two inputs simulataneoulsy -- and also have a midi input (but thats not as important). If i bought something of this sort -- I wouldn't have to buy another "sound card", would I? So, if i bought a "Duo" or something like that, I'd be able to record high quality tracks into logic?

any advice or information would be great,
thanks
Ben