Best Set-up For A Composer?, I'm running a new G4--need adivce PLEASE Options

[Tripper]

Hey Everyone,

I'm the proud new owner of a PowerBook G4 1.5Ghz and 1.25gigs of RAM. I really need advice on the best setup to acheive my music recording goals. I'm looking for the best hardware reccomendations to connect my Alesis Qs8 Keyboard to my laptop. I will also be recording my vocals--and would sometimes like to record both at the same time. I've looked into getting an M-box--but I know because of latency issues and software compatablility issues that some don't like it.

Any Advice?
I am also looking for software that helps facilitate composing and not just multi-track recording. The composing would entail synth string/piano/orchestral instruments etc.
My best friend has tons of current OSX audio software--so I'm not too concerned about the price of the software....

What is the best hardware that combines audio/midi inputs and outputs? (I'm looking to spend between about $500 for the hardware.)

Thank you so much in Advance!!!

Jon

[MrDee]

hey mate

DON'T get the MBox for composing. Do not. At all! There are plenty of reasons

1) Latency
2) It uses digi's own audio engine, not apple's
3) for composing ProTools SUX. It's what i use (as i was sucked into buying it) and composing with a matrix editor is not the funnest thing to do.
4) If you want to compose to a video (ie you want to see the SMPTE time) DP and Logic shows this out of the box (not sure with express though). PT requires you to purchase another addon (which of course is not cheap).

Digital Performer is what a lot of pro composers use

Logic is just as good as DP with respects to composing

Also

If you are using orchestral synths, chances are the G4 won't be able to cope with a lot of them (especially with the MBox and RTAS format plugins) - the 'freeze' option in logic and DP is a godsend for that. ProTools doesn't (and most likely never will) include this feature.

As for the best hardware... (note that the MBox doesn't have midi inputs or outputs as well) there is a reason why one would recommend firewire over anything usb. Firstly, seeing u are on a powerbook, chances are u will want to use more usb ports for other things. Secondly, the firewire IS much faster than USB2.0 (specs may say it isn't, but USB2 barely ever runs at it's top speed).

The M-Audio Firewire 410 is pretty decent.

Ce message a été modifié par MrDee - mer. 9 juin 2004, 06:02.