help!!!!!!!

[siberia_111]

Hi, I have a very generic question but am new to the world of digital recording and any help would be appreciated.
I have a Powerbook G3 (FireWire) w/ 320MB of memory, and use the built-in sound card w/ Sound Manager.
My current studio setup is just a Tascam 4-Track--which I record vocals, guitar, bass, and Virtual Drummer (freeware download) on. Very simple, but I want to go digital to do everything I can do on the 4-track, but also take advantage of the added effects, convenience, etc.
What I need to know is: what kind of software should I be running to to this? (I've been looking into ProTools Free and Cubase 2.0 for Mac.. even some shareware). Do I need to buy a better sound card? Can I record all instruments directly into the "sound in" on the powerbook? (i.e. guitar amp directly into the computer?)
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks,
-G

[Lama]

If you want it to sound good at all, get a dedicated sound card. You should do a search on this form as well as the Recording forum as there has been a lot of discussion on this already.

... Tacket
MadPeeps Productions
www.rememberfull.com (http://www.rememberfull.com)

[Rimmer]

Laptops are more limited for serious sound inputs unless you are using the Firewire port. In this case, a MOTU 828 is a decent buy indeed although maybe overkill in you situation. USB audio interfaces are cheaper and much lower spec'd for amount of tracks at a time etc etc...

ProTools should let you record through sound manager but you will have to tell sound manager where the signal is coming from which is as easy as going to the control strip.

Cubase 2.0???? that's pretty old now.. Check that it works okay with newer MacOs's.. You could consider something like Logic AV which is a great Mac based Audio/Midi sequencer. I use 4.7.6 and it's a real powerhouse. Should work well on your machine as well.

Basically, use the audio inputs and see what you think of the quality. If you think it's poor, then consider something like the Tascam US-428 which gives you a mixing desk as well. If you have more money, think about the MOTU.

Steve...R

[Boogs]

Here's another vote for Logic. I use Silver v. 4.7.3 and it's just lovely. I used to use my Mac's built in audio with my old Tascam as a mixing board and it sounded ok to me - in fact, I might have music released that was recorded this way. Having said that, I switched to Audiowerk and it's cleaner and a touch warmer as well. With a Mac and Logic you almost can't go wrong! Good Luck.