Chosing My First Midi Device, newbie hoping not to regret a purchase Options

[chewdog]

I just bought a Power Book G4 1ghz wih the purpose in mind of setting up a mobile recording studioo that I could bring with me when I go to jam at friends houses. I also want to use it to record songs I have writteb ect. I have garage band loaded up and it seems easy to use. Now the problem.
I need to buy a midi interface so i can plug guitars, drum mics vocals ect into my mac and be able to record my music. Can some one recomend a good less than $400 multi input USB/firewire midi device with line out ? not sure which work and which are more headaches than than they are worth. I don't want to buy something and then find out if doesn't do everything I want it to. Any advice or help is appreciated.

[kaboombahchuck]

You first important lesson concerning midi... Midi is not an audio signal, and has nothing to do with audio. Midi is a comunication protocal that only operates with midi devices, like synths, midi sequencers, midi controllers. Basically midi is a way to controll, or speek to other midi devises.

So what you really want is a USB audio interface. However you should know that a USB audio interface will have some latancy (delay of time from actual playing the sound to recording it). Latancy can leed to a great deal of frustration. If your Power Book has Fire Wire, you should really consider a Fire Wire audio interface.

I don't use either of the before methods of getting sound into my Mac, so I can't give much advice in this field. It might be a good idea to go to some of the on-line stores, check prices, and find some that will meet your needs, and ask around here about issues, ect. One site I like to use is Musicians Friend .