What Hardware Do I Need? Options

[Derek77]

I just spent my summer taking a class working with cubase vst/32 with reason and midi on a PC, and enjoyed myself immensely, in spite of the bugs. I would like to set up my own home DAW, but I'm not sure what I need. I'm a mac guy, so I would get a G5. I know I need a midi keyboard controller, but I'm confused on this sound card business. I would only record one audio track at a time, with either a microphone or instrument input - I play guitar and violin. Do I need a preamp? Do I need a soundcard? Am I forgetting anything? I am not necessarily going to buy cubase, if that makes a difference. Thanks for any input.

[MrDee]

hey dude, welcome to the joys of music on the mac!

What is it that you wish to do with your recordings? Just recordings, or midi as well?

I think a good package for you would be the MBox bundle - it comes with ProTools LE, an MBox (which would be perfect for what you are after with fairly decent focusrite pres), and comes with cutdown versions of Reason and Live. (Note: CUTDOWN versions - you will want to eventually upgrade to the proper versions).

Cubase SX/SL is available for OS X, however it doesn't come as a bundle option, and there are reports that it doesn't run very smoothly.

Your other options for soundcards are the M-Audio Firewire 410, or Mackie's Spike - but neither come bundled with software like digi's.

Check it out at www.digidesign.com

Oh, and depending on what u want it for, a G4 may be all that you need.