Beginner on Powerbook Options

[musoman88]

Hi all. I need some serious help in making some music on my Powerbook. Can I use the input in the back (I have a G3 400, 192Mb ram)? I have a USB Midi converter (Steinberg), but don't have a USB audio unit (ie roland UA-3). I was thinking of downloading Pro-Tools Free, is this a good place to start? I just need to make demos, I'm not recording pro CDs (yet). I am totally confused by all the software choices there is out there. Is there anyone out there who works on a G3 Powerbook who can guide me? I'm near Toronto, Canada, and I'm used to recording with MIDI equipment. Audio on the computer is another question. HEEEEELP! Thanks to all........mark

[abbie]

James, Things are looking up here, sounds like you are almost where you need to be. Here are some random thoughts:

The cables (1/8' to stereo rca) are a standard and cheap item at Radio Shack. You, of course will need two cables.

You will need a mixer to monitor your midi instruments (unless you choose to record them on your hard drive).

The vocalist will have headphones plugged into the mixer which will allow him to hear himself as well as the midi instruments while he is recording.

As far as the mixer is concerned, a simple four track should be enough depending on the number of midi instruments you use and whether they are stereo instruments as well (on second thought you may need an 8 track). As far as the iMic is concerned, my retailer told me that it does not significantly improve the recording quality compared to the audio inputs that you already have though it was mentioned earlier in this stream that it does. As for myself I use the audio inputs on my iMac (also a G3) which I feel gives excellent sound quality but then it is possible that different Macs have varying digital/analogue conversion capabilities.

Bonne chance...