Want to start recording ???

[FFOGG]

I bought a Mac Book Pro and am thinking perhaps I should get some speakers and a program to jam on my computer and record ..... Where do I start ?? There are so many programs ..Acid Wash ..Pro Tools ..Amplitutde ....this is really confusing and want kind of momitors ??

[pipedwho]

I bought a Mac Book Pro and am thinking perhaps I should get some speakers and a program to jam on my computer and record ..... Where do I start ?? There are so many programs ..Acid Wash ..Pro Tools ..Amplitutde ....this is really confusing and want kind of momitors ??
Garage Band?

[markus]

Yup, Garage Band is the way to go.

[dannopelli]

I went through this a half year ago and the folks here were VERY helpful. Learn on Garage Band. Then graduate to Logic express. Ultimately you may transition to the complete Logic, but at this point you'll pay a fortune for stuff you won't learn to use until the next version comes out. Express is upgrade ready to the full version anyway.

GB is actually quite powerful. You'll be amazed at what you can do. In fact you'll find you'll write in that and import to Logic. Plus it it free with the Mac. Once you are comfortable with it go to Logic. Logic reads GB files seamlessly.

Also look up MacProVideo. Buy a course on GB. it will give you a HUGE headstart.

[FFOGG]

Buy a course in Garageband ?? How do I plug my guitar into the Mac do I need adaptor or a Steatlh plug ?? Should I get speakers ?? sorry for all the questions ..but this is the only place I trust to go ...



btw you know I really did like the commercial and cute kid but i really killed that thread

[dannopelli]

At this point, if you have a POD or something similar, just use that. GB will recognize it instantly. You can use headphones and choose to monitor either from the POD or the Mac Book's out. There is a TON of stuff out there. If you are new to this take your time with this, or you're money will get way ahead of your ability.

There is lots of stuff out there better and worse than POD. POD is kind of a good average. Nearly all of them sync seamlessly with GB and Logic. Note that the Pocket POD does not support USB recording, so do not go that route.

And yes, while GB is simple, if you have never used a recording software, it is worth the small investment to get the video tutorial from Mac Pro Video. It will take a few hours to watch it, but it will jump you WAY ahead in terms of being up and running completely. And it is like $9.50. WAY worth it.

https://www.macprovideo.com/tutorial/Garageband08101

[FFOGG]

thanks off to buy a POD or something similiar Stealth plug any good ??

[dannopelli]

For a guitarist you really want something that makes good guitar sound. Fractal Axe FX or the Digitech 11 come to mind. POD is a cheap alternative. Plus Line 6 now gives you Amp Farm free, and most DAWS recognize it.

If you are only really going to use this for self recording consider the Pod that has the MIDI keyboard built in. It will allow you to contol all the built in GB sounds. It is not real state of the art, but it makes it easy to shape bass lines or string parts.

[FFOGG]

How about that ampiltude (sic) ??

[dannopelli]

That is a plug in. There are lots of them out there. I use the stuff from POD Farm. But only for rhythm and stuff. It gets layered in the mix, so its fine. For things I want noticed it is Maz 18, SM57 and E609. Maybe something in the room for ambiance.

Really, consider some kind of keyboard that has a USB or FW interface to control the built in MIDI sounds. You'll get bored with loops quickly.

[Stys]

Garage Band is great but, go with Logic 9 or Logic Express 9. You will have room for growth. Also, look into the Apogee Duet or Apogee One for your interface. Apogee designed these products to work with Apple. Easy to use. Although GB and Logic have great drum loops, EZ Drummer from Toontrack will give you more drum options. With this software, you just drag and drop your desired loops right in to your workzone.

[dannopelli]

Mark gave me a REALLY good head start. I'd listen to him too. He REALLY knows what he is doing. Mark see my earlier post about advancing to Logic after playing with GB for a while.

But Mark, I am not sure he wants that level of equipment yet...

Your first post stated you just want to jam around and learn to use things. If you really are just using this to toy around now, you are better off with an inexpensive interface at this point. That is why I suggested the Line 6 all in one.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/PODStuKB37/

It is not the best thing in the world. But it is VERY far from the worst. Like I said, it is very middle of the road. But you get some pretty decent amp sounds, Amp Farm plug in, a midi controller, and interface with a handful of inputs, all for under $350.

The Apogee is all that and a bag of donuts. It really is that good.Wish I could afford it. But pretty expensive. And one input.Then you still need some kind of guitar amp plug in. Add in Logic Express and you are looking at $800 or more just to jam?

There is a lot of stuff out there. Take your time.

[FFOGG]

wow i think this is why i drop the ball on this last year ...... let me ask basi question how do i plug my guitar into the computer :o :o :o

[dannopelli]

You need an interface either Fire Wire or USB.
And then you need something that makes it sound like a guitar. Sometimes that is built into the interface. Sometimes it is called a "plug in".
A plug in is a software attachment to a DAW. A DAW is a digital audio workstation, which is fancy language for recording software.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_audio_workstation

Sweetwater lists 122 USB and 80 Fire Wire interfaces. http://www.sweetwater.com/shop/computer-audio/audio_interfaces/

There are also things called control surfaces, that act as both a mixer and interface. They are included in the number above.

If you ever want to record other than guitar, say vocals or mic your amp, you will need more than something with a 1/4" input jack. You will need something that accepts an XLR input. Also better quality studio mics need phantom power, and you will need that too. That is where a better quality interface comes in.

Unless you want to buy a bass, horns strings, etc, you will want to get a midi keyboard controller of some sort. It controls the built in instruments or the plug in instruments.

Yes you can pay $49 and get a simple interface. But its Analog to Digital Conversion ability is poor(ADC), and you won't like your sound. You need something a bit more robust. And it has one input. And you still will have to pay a few Benjamins for a guitar amp plug in.

That is why I suggested the Line 6 product. It kind of handles it all in one. none of its individual components will compete with better stuff from Apogee, Motu, etc. The keyboard is not going to feel like a Roland. The guitar sounds are very good, but not as good as the Axe FX.

But it is $299 new on Amazon. Yep, $50 less than the music sites. If you were to buy an interface with two XLR's and a 1/4 in, a Midi Controller and an Amp plug in it would cost around $600 for an average level product.

Any way, my $.02.

[Pietro]

Gotta disagree a teeny bit about which program to get.

If you can afford it, just get Logic Pro.

Most of the great stuff in the 500 dollar full Logic program (a BARGAIN imho) is stuff that will be real useful right away, like TONS of "midi" sounds and loops. Literally 40 or 50 GIGs of really useful stuff. some GREAT synths also. So, unless you ONLY record guitar and stuff through the mike, it's great.

Also, I hate to say this, but I get a better sound monkeying with Logic Pro's amp emulators than actually miking an amp. I know... sacrilege, but people ask me all the time what amp I use for such-and-such a song. And it's just the emulations in the computer!

make sure you have a midi keyboard and interface (or usb "keyboard") to trigger samples.

[dannopelli]

Hey one thing. The Line 6 all on one thing...

I am not endorsing it. It might not be the right solution. Or it might. It has reviews all over the board. It won't work if you ever want to record a small band to individual tracks.

I think what we are all trying to say is, we all thought when we started we would "just record some riffs, and maybe songwrite."

It does not stop there. You will want all this stuff soon.

Wait till you start researching speakers for mixdown!

[Stys]

As you build up your recording system, it is important to also consider investing in good headphones and monitor speakers. With today's technology, older monitor speakers and headphones may not provide the best transparency.


For much of my recordings, I use a POD XT in to a tube preamp and then in to the Apogee Duet. Although this works for me, you may find that this set up will not work for you. However, I do suggest utilizing a firewire interface over a USB. You will not experience latency issues.

I understand cost may be an issue but, with all good systems, build it up one piece at a time.

If you choose to gowith Logic, please feel free to contact me as I recently got Apple certified in Logic.

[strat56]

Not to hijack the thread, I hope, but has anybody on here tried a product caller Reaper? It's shareware, I dl'd it and installed it but I was immediately confused and have many of the same questions that FFOGG has about how to use it.

Thanks,
Jack

[Suriel Zayas]

you might want to look into this http://www.digidesign.com/index.cfm?navid=48&langid=100&itemid=39631&INTCMP=DD-BN-11R11 digidesign eleven rack.

[FFOGG]

any of you guys want to go the store with me ??

[dannopelli]

you might want to look into this http://www.digidesign.com/index.cfm?navid=48&langid=100&itemid=39631&INTCMP=DD-BN-11R11 digidesign eleven rack.

Yeah, I hear this thing is ALL THAT and a bag of donuts!

[dannopelli]

As you build up your recording system, it is important to also consider investing in good headphones and monitor speakers. With today's technology, older monitor speakers and headphones may not provide the best transparency.


For much of my recordings, I use a POD XT in to a tube preamp and then in to the Apogee Duet. Although this works for me, you may find that this set up will not work for you. However, I do suggest utilizing a firewire interface over a USB. You will not experience latency issues.

I understand cost may be an issue but, with all good systems, build it up one piece at a time.

If you choose to gowith Logic, please feel free to contact me as I recently got Apple certified in Logic.

Mark is the man when it comes to Logic!

[FFOGG]

I would like to keep this under $750.00 .I do want to jam around but want to be able to record several guitars ..bass ...vocals....and guitar snyth

[dannopelli]

I would like to keep this under $750.00 .I do want to jam around but want to be able to record several guitars ..bass ...vocals....and guitar snyth

At once? It is kind of important.

[FFOGG]

$750 immediately and then build up from there but if there was an all in one that went for say a $1000.00 I could do that also ... and then bulid up from there ...

[pipedwho]

I think Danno meant: Do you want to record all those things at once, or just one at a time?

[FFOGG]

sorry I would be recording them separately

[dannopelli]

I think Danno meant: Do you want to record all those things at once, or just one at a time?


Exactly.

You can get a lot done for that.

[dave]

this thread is really helpful..........except that I now need to tell the wife that the guest room was really always meant to be a recording studio........and that I need a new computer..........thanks guys!