I'm looking for a recording tool to be mainly used for songwriting...to record song ideas, melodies, etc...

I want it to be compatible with my MacBook Pro.

I'm hoping for something that's user friendly and not too expensive.

Thanks for your help.

Dave

I have to put in a plug for the Zoom H 4 or event he newer (smaller and cheaper ) H 2 Digi recorders.

For what you mention they are just great. I got an H 4 back in Nov. And I am really in the dark about recording at all. Set it for MP3, stereo using the built in cond. mics, push the record button. Set your input level choice, and hit the button again. you are recording. Once set, you just hit the button twice to start.
Turn it off, plug in the USB to the puter. It gives you two choices. Hit connect to PC and then click on the "external drive" and you can then do anything you want with the recording.

VERY simple and the quality really impressed me.
I ended up burning a CD of all the tunes I recorded, and considering the source it sounds great.

Highly recommended by me, and the cost is not bad at around $300 for the H 4. The smaller H 2 is even less expensive.

Another endorsement of the Zoom H2. They can be purchased for under $175. It is simple to use and offers amazing quality for the price. It plugs into my Mac via USB and, with the push of a button, shows up like an external hard drive on the desktop.

Thanks Warren and Rick, I'm going to check these out.

Dave

Love my Zoom H2 which I got for the reasons you describe .It is so simple and the quality is excellent.

I have a MacBook Pro (5 months old). I was going to get a "field" recorder like the Zoom and others. Since I always have the Mac handy, any quick recording I may need to do is thrown into Garage Band. All I did was get a USB mic. The one I bought was the Snowball made by Blue mics. It is great. I have used it to record acoustic and vocal tracks. A field recorder is still good to have if you're on the road a lot.

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Eiko...I think I'm going to go in the direction you suggested. I'm mostly interested in recording in the home...but either way, the mac can travel...so perhaps I'll sink some money in a decent mic and go from there...

Thanks everybody!

Dave

I have the zoom H4, and I use it as a songwriting tool, so I'm not terribly concerned with the sound quality. I will say that this thing is very simple to use, and it has greatly improved my songwriting. While I used to write a quick riff or song and either forget it, or play it the next day and not like it that much, I can now record it. Recording it allows me to remember what I normally wouldn't have remembered like the exact phrasing and rhythm.

The most important thing is that it's quick to set up, (in that all you really have to do is set it up and press record) so I don't see it as a bother to quickly record something. If you use your lap top and a USB mike, that will mean more set up, which could mean that you'll be less likely to go to the trouble to record a quick song.

The H4 is so easy, that it doesn't matter what state I'm in (drunk, etc) and I'll quickly record something. I have now written so many songs since having this while before, I was at a standstill. If I want to edit, I can do that after the fact by putting all the files on the computer.

I strongly recommend that you get one of the handheld devices instead of opting for using your laptop and a mic. Trust me, you will not record spur of the moment, or on the road, or jamming with friends, nearly as much using the lap top. This thing can fit in my pocket, and I bring it lots of places. You will not bring your laptop around as much.

JEB98...you make a lot of sense regarding ease of use. I have no idea how many good tunes have been lost over the years, due to laziness or simply by me forgetting the melody.

...and like you said, I can dump the tune or idea on my mac after the fact.

Thanks for your thoughts!

Dave