Computer Interface

wmthor · Post by **wmthor** » Fri Dec 16, 2005 5:06 am

Could someone recommend a decent inexpensive interface that I could use with my PowerBook. The notebook is equipped with both USB & Firewire. The only recording program that I have is Apple's GarageBand.

wayang · Post by **wayang** » Fri Dec 16, 2005 6:37 am

Garageband is actually pretty cool...I've just gotten into messing with it since we got our Mac this year (been a PC guy up 'til now). I have a friend out in LA who's a Mac head and 'noise' artist...he's now using a program called Peak (I think they're at version 4 now)...he swears by it.

shinynewtoy · Post by **shinynewtoy** » Fri Dec 16, 2005 6:48 am

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=rec/search/detail/base_pid/703606/

M-audio makes some sweet interfaces... I'm going with a Firewire 410 when I get my Mac to run ProTools M-Powered.

wayang · Post by **wayang** » Fri Dec 16, 2005 6:52 am

ProTools Rules....(or should that be: Rule?)

shinynewtoy · Post by **shinynewtoy** » Fri Dec 16, 2005 7:48 am

My best friend engineers at Applehead in Woodstock, NY and has been using it for years. Every time he hangs out at my little studio, he laughs at me for recording with anything else. After hearing him b!t@h for long enough, and after one too many system disagreements, I decided where my tax return's going. I guess the IRS has to be good for something!

wmthor · Post by **wmthor** » Sun Dec 18, 2005 8:32 am

I came across the website for a Presonus Inspire 1394, which has a Firewire connection. I presume a Firewire connection would be better than a USB connection. Furthermore, does anyone have any good and/or bad experiences using this or other products from Presounus?

My only previous recording experiment was using my J-45RW directly into the PC's mic port.

rumbush · Post by **rumbush** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 5:59 am

Depends on the USB standard. USB 2.0 is slightly faster than Firewire (1394a) - they are very close in terms of throughput, however. You'll just want to avoid an interface that uses a USB 1 or 1.1 spec connection. Naturally, the faster the PC/Mac, more RAM, faster & bigger hard drive(s), the better.

wmthor · Post by **wmthor** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 7:53 am

I did my first recording yesterday, using GarageBand. I used my Ric 1997 & 360/12CW>Vox Pathfinder>PowerBook. I used the Pathfinder's Line Out into the Mac's Ext. Mic, using a 1/4" adapter from Radio Shack.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 8:55 am

And....?

wmthor · Post by **wmthor** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 9:55 am

Paul, so far I haven't had to go and spend some dough on something that a couple of weeks ago, I thought I needed. I'll continue using the Pathfinder while becoming proficient with GarageBand.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 10:00 am

No, I meant, "How did it work?"

wmthor · Post by **wmthor** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 6:25 pm

It recorded exactly what I played and sound like the amp did in the room. I need to work on the amp settings a little. It also showed me that my playing skills have quite a bit of room for improvement.

Tonight, I'm working with my 360 HB with directly into the PowerBook, using GarageBand's amp simulators.

amcrory · Post by **amcrory** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 9:09 am

I've used GB since version 1, and it's a fantastic piece of software. I use a Tascam US-428 with it (USB), and I've been able to create some pretty complex pieces with it. Email me if you you have any questions.

here's some quick samples:
http://andymcrory.com/prelude%2010.mp3 (3 basses)
http://andymcrory.com/relief.mp3 (buncha basses)
http://andymcrory.com/chargersnew.mp3 (24 total tracks - a remake of the SD Chargers theme song)

-a

wayang · Post by **wayang** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 1:08 pm

Garage Band is cool..."the means of production in the hands of the workers"...

leesh · Post by **leesh** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 6:35 pm

This is an old topic...but I use M-Audio's Firewire 410 and am really happy with it. I also got a Mackie Onyx 1220 with a firewire card and it's good (though there are complaints about preamps)....

But I still use GarageBand because it's just too much fun. The great thing with the 410 is you can use it with Pro Tools powered by M-Audio and save some bucks from buying a full independent version.