About To Switch To Mac...general Questions, Multitrack recording & mastering on Mac Options

[EletrikGutar182]

I currently am, and have been, a PC user. I am making the switch to Mac this week. I am ordering a 14" iBook G4 (933 MHz, 40 Gig HDD, etc...)

I currently have a pretty basic setup involving a digital 8-track recorder that I record onto and then connect to my PC for mastering (SoundForge). I am thinking of downloading ProTools free to start off with, after I buy either the iMic or the Mobile Pre.

Will ProTools FREE work with OS X?

Would Garage Band be a good idea?

Will I be able to use the USB interface (probably the Griffin iMic...) easily with ProTools or any other software?

Does anybody have any other reccomendations besides ProTools?

As a fallback option, If I wanted to do mastering on the Mac as I did with soundforge, what is a good freeware or inexpensive mastering program I should use?

P.S., I am not a newbie when it comes to music and recording, so if there are any suggestions of good programs that aren't necessarily meant for beginners, That is fine.

Thanks in advance,
Alex

[jamester]

well, I'm also still in the dreaming stage, but I will wake and join reality hopefully next month.

I am torn down the middle between the MOTU 896 and 828. One thing I don't like about the 896 is it only has XLR analog outs, so I can't patch it into home stereo systems. (well, maybe with a stereo 1/4-to-rca from the headphone out?)

I actually don't have reference monitors (yet), always used my good ol' Bose. I realize an external mixer would solve the problem, but that's one more thing to buy and take up space - and an outlet!

I record bands for demos often at their location, so it's cool to be able to go into their stereo system for listening back without headphones.

BUT, the 896 has 8 XLR's, and that's tha shiz for live band recording. The 828 and a couple stereo preamps would give you 6 XLR's for about the same $$$$.

OH, the CHOICES!!!!