i am really confused, and hope that I can get some help here. Trying to (basically) start-from-scratch on a budget to put together a new recording platform.

- thinking Intel-MAC (MacBookPro? G4 PowerBook? Help!)
- thinking ...software?

Protools LE?
....help!!

There are so many "bundled" boxes out there that come with 'light' editions of sequencing and recording software... MAudio ..Tapco...Mackie ...then there is Tracktion ....Cubase ...Logic...arrrrrgggghh!!!

I am just so confused.

Probably I don't need an I/O box with more than 4 inputs. 8 would be ideal, but not essential.

Then I see this MOTO UltraLite ...
http://www.motu.com/products/motuaudio/ultralite/

What software would be best for that?
The box looks ideal for Mac laptop ... uh?

So I guess I want to know ...

a) where to start?
b) how do I sort out the different platforms
c) is there anyone or anywhere that compares the different recording platforms and what you get?

thank you very much for help (in advance). I am stuck ...

Here's where: what do you expect it to do...and compared to what?

quote:

thinking Intel-MAC

Not now.

You mean, people might hear us talk and we shouldn't be seen like this;

or

don't buy an Apple with Intel chips just yet?

Why not?




Confusion: there are so many, dozens, of boxes out there ... M-Audio, Spike... dozens of others that come with bundled software ...for under $500 bucks. Bad? Good?

Which one?

I guess what I mean is:

If I buy one of the bundled I/O boxes and software (entry level) ... what is the better system to upgrade to?

- I will probably work alone, not collaborate (but you never know)

- two inputs limiting ... four inputs good, 8 is probably just right

- the MOTU Ultralite seems like "a perfect box" for what I need now and in future. What's their Automix software like for recording?

- Is ProTools LE the way to go, possibly upgrading to ProTools later on?

- My budget is limited Anything that can be had for under $500 is my aim. Give or take.

- What's the main difference between all the platforms? Between ProTools and Cubase, between those and Logic ....

I just want to record ...starting off "simple and easy" but possibly upgrading. Without tearing my hair out and changing new computers every 6 months.

Like, for example:

+ Apple iBook.....$800
+ MOTU UltraLite..$600

= gives me a basic computer studio for $1400
and I am done, right?

Garage Band would work, as would the AudioDesk that comes with MOTU.

http://www.motu.com/products/motuaudio/ultralite/


just trying to start somewhere, for cheap like.

quote:

don't buy an Apple with Intel chips just yet?

Why not?

NO software. Logic. That's it. Nothing third party. Sure-it will come. And your 2 year old MacIntel will be too slow to run it well.

Repeat after me: Buy a computer system: hardware and software for what it does well NOW...and never expect to upgrade it. If you can...cool. But, be willing to pay right now, the cost of the whole thing, and drive it til the wheels come off.

The opposite of:

quote:

I just want to record ...starting off "simple and easy" but possibly upgrading. Without tearing my hair out and changing new computers every 6 months.

Why buy a computer?

quote:

Is ProTools LE the way to go, possibly upgrading to ProTools later on?

You mean to lear the GUI before you spend $30k on a TDM system? Or were you thinking the "pros" were using some software? The ones using Logic and DP are mostly using it front PT TDM hardware...

THe difference isn't about a "lite" version of software versus a robust version. It's about software (LE) versus hardware (TDM)...

quote:

What's the main difference between all the platforms? Between ProTools and Cubase, between those and Logic ....

Sound of mixer. Sound of plug ins. Editing ease/workflow style. MIDI capability. Formats of third party plugs/synths available. OS compatibility. Hardware compatibility.

How's that?

You want ease of use/compatibility? Just get an Digi002 w/PTLE and a Mac. DESKTOP. You'll be up and running, yet have no idea what you're doing, in hours.