computer recording
 

can anyone give me help on how to get started recording with my computer? i'd like to be able to record guitars, mics, keys. just bought a g4 mac this weekend. i've been told that a program called "logic" is my best bet.........

Hmm I've never worked with that kind of software on a Mac but when I first started doing things like that I tried Cakewalk and Acid music (not sure if those are available on Apple or not). Anyway, once you find a program that suits your fancy, just play around with it. Those programs are really easy to learn provided you're enthusiastic (sp?) enough to try.

Also, I have absolutely no idea about your situation but I had to run out and buy a good soundcard because when I plugged my guitars into my old one they sounded like crap when I was recording.

The program I use to do all of my audio editing and recording is Cool Edit Pro. I've never used anything else, so I cant really compare.

Cool Edit and Cakewalk are both PC only programs. Logic is very good for Mac because Emagic (who makes Logic) is owned by Apple. But there is a steep learning curve.

Not sure if they have it for MAC but for the PC I use a program called Magix Audio Studio. Its awesome. Does everything I need it to do and more. I record mainly punk and metal stuff.

All I have a the cheapo SoundBlaster Live 5.1 in my box. The key to getting a good sound when it comes to guitars, is to get yerself a decent mixing board with at least low, low-mid, high-mid, and high eq. Get a good sound straight from the board before you do anything. After that play with the graphic eq a little. Also adding some compression works really well.

Hope this helps!

MAgix is PC only. A program like Logic is like a Mercedes. Stuff like Acid and Magix are more like Honda's. You have to think about what you really want to do. The investment for Logic is considerably more. It will take you a minimum of 6 months to figure it out (if you spend hours a day). It is also a significantly higher cost investment. You need a good audio interface to get any decent sound as well.

Frank

thanks, all. i just bought a small tascam usb/mixer thingy, and am going to download protools free tonight to see how it looks....

That sounds good jimk. Hope it goes well for you. Pro Tools Free sounds like a good starting place. Perhaps after you get the hang of that, you can step up to Pro Tools LE, and then who know??? Pro Tools HD?