Getting Started, choosing software and audio interface Options

[JPSpecial]

I've been reading the forum for several days now and, while there is a wealth of information, I'm still uncertain what kind of setup would suit my needs. I have a 17" G4 imac with 768 mb ram running OS 10.2.8.

I'd like to record my acoustic songs: guitar, voice, maybe some bass, perhaps some drum loops. I would have gone with Garageband but the fact that it won't allow me to record a guitar part and voice at the same time, assigning each to different tracks, was the real killer. So, I've read a lot about software: Logic, ProTools, Tracktion, and others. I've also read about audio interfaces but have become thoroughly confused with all the options, usb and firewire. I will be miking my voice and the acoustic guitar (2 mics). I especially want to avoid latency. Sounds like a major frustration. I also have no experience in digital recording and would like to keep the process pretty simple while still achieving results that sound good. I'm sure any option will be a major step up from my Fostex cassette four tracker!

Thanks in advance for your input.

JPSpecial

[dr. schoft]

Well if you want to record not more than two audiotracks, this can already be done with far less than the G4power with such RAM as you are currently owning. So Computerwise you are already in a very comfortable position, on top of that you are pretty futureproof too with your imac. Id say you want to go for tracktion, a pretty snappy program with already lots of features, very cheap and ease of use. As for audiocards it also depends on what your budget is. Well of course ANYTHING you want to buy will depend on your budget of course If you want to stick with just recording vocals and acoustic guitar, a USB interface like the TASCAM U-122 wont cause you any trouble, and i cant imagine this combination would leave you with latency problems, but you still might want to doublecheck other people`s opinions about that though.


svp my two cents

Kevin

[geordiepaddy]

Where did your info come from about Garageband . . . OK so I'm new to this scene, but I've just recorded guitar and voice on the same track into Garageband without a problem, then built around it with looped drum tracks etc, no probs, you can also record voice and guitar on separate tracks if you want, it's staightforward stuff, it must be I use it? It's a cracking system for the price?

Regards

geordiepaddy

[JPSpecial]

Are you saying that it is possible to mic a guitar, assign it to one track, and mic the voice, assigning it to another track, in effect recording both tracks simultaneously?

From what I've read about Garageband and learned from a mac employee who teaches a course in Garageband use, this method of recording is not possible.

I do understand that I could record the guitar part on one track, my voice on another track, but not perform both parts simultaneously. I want to capture a more interactive dynamic between the singing and guitar performances. If I am simply uninformed, then I'll certainly buy Garageband.

The only reason I was opting for the other software, especially leaning toward Logic, is because of its greater flexibility, and the lower incidence of latency. Perhaps that problem is more an issue of the audio interface, though. As you can see, I'm still a bit confused.