Oxharp
449 posts
Aug 14, 2011
12:08 PM
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Hi Guys,
Looking at buying a mac pc and was wondering what software do you all use for harp and music generally.
I want to be able to do all i do now with the windows os but like the look and feel of a mac.
I upload and use video editing alot.
I can plug my harp mic into my pc and adjust the effects can I do that with a mac?
I want to be able to create dvd's and edit them.
I am sure there are loads of mac users out there so give me a clue what software you are using so I can research them.
cheers
Russ
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Oxharp
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Kingley
1584 posts
Aug 14, 2011
12:23 PM
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All the software you'll ever need is already on the Mac. It's part of the iLife package that's pre-installed on all Macs. The main packages in iLife that will interest you Russ will be iMovie and GarageBand. iMovie is self explanatory really. GarageBand is a recording studio with built-in loops, effects, etc. It's what Christelle and many others use to record with. It's capable of making studio quality recordings and is very, very easy to use.
Yes you can plug your mic into a Mac. You might just need a 1/4" jack to Mini jack connector, but that's it really.
Last Edited by on Aug 14, 2011 12:25 PM
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harpaddict
39 posts
Aug 14, 2011
12:48 PM
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You might also consider the Amazing Slow Downer for practice. and the Peterson Strobe Tuner software for tuning.
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Kingley
1585 posts
Aug 14, 2011
1:21 PM
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The Amazing Slow Downer is a good piece of kit. I wouldn't buy tuning software though. Just use the one online at http://www.seventhstring.com/tuner/tuner.html
It's a great free strobe tuner.
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lumpy wafflesquirt
407 posts
Aug 14, 2011
1:56 PM
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mac PC ?? !! ;^)
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"Come on Brackett let's get changed"
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Cristal Lecter
96 posts
Aug 14, 2011
7:12 PM
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I'm on a Mac since I don't know when (ok since 1996), and at the time being on a Mac was a state of mind and a form of rebellion against IBM, Compaq, and Microsoft.
These days what makes the difference between a Mac and a PC (by the way Macs are PC as Personal Computer, Lumpy) is the Operating System and what this one is capable of...
Mac OS X Lion is SUPER stable and comes with ALL what you need to be creative, the Pack iLife comes with EVERY units (GarageBand to create musical projects, iPhoto, iDvd to create dvds, and iWeb to create website)
If you want to create musical tracks in high quality yes GarageBand would be perfect for you it comes with a lot of effect and accept plug in.
If you want to produce you're own CD, GarageBand would not be the best of choice, since there's no function of Mastering. I would advice Logic Pro for this task...
Now talking about the hardware, let's say if you want to record one track at the time, ANY Mac would be perfect (including the laptops)
BUT,
If you want to record more than 4 tracks at the same time, with pass thru effect, then only the Macbook Pro (some limitations can appear since the RPM on those machine is 5400) 15 inch could e an answer, but my choice would be the iMacs especially the 27 inch, huge and fast hard drive, extremely fast processor....
Don't forget to buy a decent audio interface, Tascam is doing very nice ones with phantom power (to plug the electro static or professional studio microphones) or any other brand....Here you have the choice between USB or firewire, I would recommend the second option....
ALL THIS is ideally, but having said that during the last year all the videos I've made were done on a faulty MacBook 13 inch 2008 and with a very poor Fastrack noisy as hell, and a Yeti Microphone ....
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Never try to be as good as someone else, succeed to be the best player you can be!
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jonlaing
319 posts
Aug 14, 2011
9:44 PM
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I second the iMac suggestion. I don't like laptops for doing serious work for the simple reason that they get beat up and deteriorate faster as a result of constant transport. For my serious design work I use my iMac, which is so fast and stable that I can run the entire Adobe Creative Suite all at once without skipping a beat.
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Stickman
682 posts
Aug 14, 2011
9:52 PM
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About $2,000
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Oxharp
450 posts
Aug 14, 2011
9:52 PM
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Many Thanks Guys
I am definately hooked now and have my eye on the 27 inch IMac. I just need an HD camcorder and I will be in tech heaven.
Cheers
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Oxharp
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bonedog569
369 posts
Aug 14, 2011
9:55 PM
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I'll second all of the above. If it's just you and you'll be recording one or two tracks
at at time (can garage band do 4? ) than garage band is just fine. Logic Studio or Logic express will get you a full blown 'DAW'. The other option is pro-tools, but you have to use thier hardware interface.
A generic mic with a mini plug will go right into the mac's audio line in without any 'interface' . The built in mics are even ok to start with.
You can launch garaged band, choose built in mic as your input and off you go (or Bob's your Uncle - if your'e a brit)
For higher quality though you will want a better mic (or mic.s)
Some come with usb connections and need no other interface. If you want to record multitracks at once, as Christelle said, you will need a usb or firewire interface. There are many options here- more every day. Usual configurations are two , four or eight inputs. You can add an additional eight later if you need to. Some have digital fx built in.
Some can double as a live sound mixer, some will control the software.
As I said - many options. If you want to use prot-tools though you have to go with a digi interface. Do a little more research on your own to see what will suit your needs.
I have had presonus, m-audio, delta and currently use a Focusrite saffire pro 40 with an additional 8 tracks in via a Berringher adat interface. Highest quality ones are reputed to be RME and
Apogee - and are more pricey.
Some keyboards also have mic. inputs in the back - if you are a keyboard player.
Have fun.
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Last Edited by on Aug 14, 2011 9:55 PM
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jim
957 posts
Aug 14, 2011
10:29 PM
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you need MONEY :)
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