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.

[tunetwister]

Most keyboards and some other things like my gutiar amp. are in stereo, so 2 tracks min. is what you want. but most every audio interface dose at least this. If I were you I would go to a few stores ( don't buy till you truly know what you want) and get on the web, you must decide how much you are willing to spend. A good audio interface, midi interface, possably a preamp or mixer, some microphones, software and a keyboard.

[Derek77]

Well, I would like to do mostly midi with some audio. I really liked using the softsynths in reason, but the version of cubase on the PC was a little buggy. I glanced at the mbox w/protools, does it have a midi interface? I was looking more towards using logic or dp since i get a nice educator discount...

[don says mac]

i'm using the echo mia soundcard: http://www.echoaudio.com/Products/PCI/MiaM...aMIDI/index.php
and it's perfect. it has 1/4 inch plug ins so you can plug your guitar directly into it. it's about the same price as the m-audio.

i have a m-audio radium 61 keyboard... cheap, simple, lots of nobs. works well with reason.

[MrDee]

the mbox doesn't have a midi interface

gtg!