Next Step? Options

[eyemgh]

I've done some recording with Audacity and Garage band 1, but now I'm ready to move up a notch. I record only classical guitar. I just purchased a matched pair of Rode NT5s and upped the memory on my G4 iMac (OS 10.2.8) to 768K. My mic pre amp is an M-audio mobile pre. I'd like to record true two track and do mastering. Any way I look at it I have to buy some stuff, but I'm having trouble deciding what.

I could buy an MBox and delve into Pro Tools, but I'm scared of the learning curve.

I could buy Tracktion, but that requires OS 10.3 and I'm not sure it has any mastering functions. I could also buy a Spike. It includes Tracktion, but I don't know if it would be that much better than my mobile pre.

I could buy the new iLife and use Garageband 2. Again, mastering? Requires OS update.

What have I left out? What options do you all think would work best? I like intuitive solutions better than more powerful, but dificult to use options. Ultimately, I just want to be able to put out nice guitar recordings.

Thanks!

Mike

[jbsound-com]

You can get protools with the firewire410 or the usb audiophile interface. In your price range, although it doesn't include ProTools, I think your best option might be the Presonus Firebox. That thing sounds REALLY good. It comes with Cubase which is also a good program. It's got two preamps on it that are better than the mbox - I have an mbox, and although those pre's are that great, the presonus ones are better.

The number one thing that will improve your sound right now is going to be a preamp. You got a good pair of mics, and you'll be amazed at how a good preamp will make it sound. You really should check out something like the FMR RNP, or for some really good tube sound, check out the Groove Tubes Brick. It uses the same technology as their Vipre (which is like $3k!).