I just bought myself a new Apple iBook G4 with Apple's newest Recording Studio Software Garageband. The iBook don't have any mic direct line-in so I probably need some USB devise to record my music. I have myself a pair of Good Sony Vocal Mic and I am not sure if I can make use of them as a start.

I want to do all my mixing/editing with the Apple Garageband software but needed something to get the sound of my guitar from the mic to the Computer.. do I still need some kind of preamp or soundcard etc. or can I start with just a convertor to input the signal from the mic to the USB input in the computer??

Please assist!!!

[This message was edited by Ed on January 14, 2004 at 11:42 PM.]

Ed, Start here

http://www.apple.com/ilife/garageband/accessories.html

and then here,

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore?productLearnMore=T9104LL/A

Congratulations on your enlightened computer choice, i think GarageBand will be a hot application for Apple and musicians of all levels.

Perhaps something like the M-box (digidesign) which is a USB audio/MIDI interface. I'm sure there are other low cost units as well. M-box has basic mic preamp, AD/DA and MIDI.

Congrats on the new Mac! I've been using Macs for audio and MIDI recording for close to 20 years. Well, MIDI first, then audio later. THey are great machines for music production.

I have been a big fan of Mac computers for a long time (you can tell from my email address) This is my second iBook! I like it a lot!!

The M-Box is very attractive but a little over my budget... probably better to look for a used one.. I saw one on ebay, an older model for OS9.. is the hardware the same?? can I upgrade the software and make it work on OSX?

Will my Sony vocal mics work just fine to start with? or do I need some good condenser mics?

It doesn't have to be a USB devise.. anything that can serve my purpose is fine.. please keep your suggestions coming!!

Ed

Ed, with an iBook it's gonna be USB or firewire, and USB interfaces are less expensive.

I don't know if the OSX version of the M-Box hardware is different, but I suspect that it is the same. If they changed the hardware they would add a designation to tha model name. I think the only difference would be the software. As a second-hand owner you might not be able to get upgrades from Digi.

I just orderd a Tascam US-122, mic and line level instrument usb pre w/ insert, 24 bit. Looks to be very cool. I'll let you know how well she works!

Found mine on eBay from a dealer for $169.00

If it said on eBay that the M-Box was for OS9, they would have been referring to the software only - the hardware is the same whether OS9 or OSX. I seem to remember that the price to upgrade ProTools software to OSX is around $75. Maybe a bit expensive altogether, but worth it without a doubt.

BTW, isn't GarageBand fun? It's easy to make quick 16 bar songs that you can set on loop and use to practice guitar. Very useful that way.