About To Switch To Mac...general Questions, Multitrack recording & mastering on Mac Options

[EletrikGutar182]

I currently am, and have been, a PC user. I am making the switch to Mac this week. I am ordering a 14" iBook G4 (933 MHz, 40 Gig HDD, etc...)

I currently have a pretty basic setup involving a digital 8-track recorder that I record onto and then connect to my PC for mastering (SoundForge). I am thinking of downloading ProTools free to start off with, after I buy either the iMic or the Mobile Pre.

Will ProTools FREE work with OS X?

Would Garage Band be a good idea?

Will I be able to use the USB interface (probably the Griffin iMic...) easily with ProTools or any other software?

Does anybody have any other reccomendations besides ProTools?

As a fallback option, If I wanted to do mastering on the Mac as I did with soundforge, what is a good freeware or inexpensive mastering program I should use?

P.S., I am not a newbie when it comes to music and recording, so if there are any suggestions of good programs that aren't necessarily meant for beginners, That is fine.

Thanks in advance,
Alex

[jamester]

Hey! I am also a recent Mac convert. My old system was Acid, S.Forge, and Cakewalk Pro Audio 9.

First thing I discovered upon switching is that I needed to drop serious $$$ on all new stuff. aaargh...

I also used to use an 8trk, and mixdown & master into the PC with S.Forge. From what I can tell, Bias' Peak 4 is S.Forge's Mac-equivelant. I have not tried it, but it seems to be about the same. Far from free, though.

Personally, I am ditching my stand-alone 8trk and moving it all into my PowerBook. Cut out the middle-man! The MOTU 828mkII or 896 gives you what you want plus a lot more, and Audio Desk 2 ($150 upgrade) is a VERY full featured software program with lots of built in FX. Not as much as S.Forge, but enough to get you going for a good while! The MOTU website is very good for info.

Hope this helps - Good Luck!
JAMES

Ce message a été modifié par jamester - mar. 27 janv. 2004, 19:58.