I'm thinking about upgrading my home recording gear for the first time in four years. My computer is simply not fast enough to keep up with large audio files anymore. I've been using my Line 6 Toneport, Gearbox Software and Garage Band to make my recordings. I don't use mics because there isn't anywhere in my house which has good acoustics, I just use the digital modeling software (Gearbox). Garage Band has guitar amp and effects modeling now, but I still use Gearbox anyway.

I have the capability to record using mics because of the Toneport's mic inputs, but I haven't used it yet because there isn't a place in my house with good enough acoustics for that. I always get terrible hissing and my little brother and dogs making noise in the background. I might mic things in the future though.

So here's what I'm thinking about doing. I'm thinking about buying new Mac Mini specifically to devote to recording and nothing else. And then buying either Apple Logic Express or Protools for it. My guitar teacher recently bought Protools. What he got was around $800 and specifically tailored to guitar. (Anyone know what package that is exactly?) That's a little pricey for my budget, but I might be able to swing it.

Would a Mac Mini be able to handle Logic or Protools? If it can't then that blows a hole in my entire plan (and budget). How do Logic and Protools compare? I know it would be easier for me to learn Apple Logic because I've been working with Garage Band since I was 12 and I've been using Apple computers literally my whole life. I'm a die hard Apple fanatic, which is why I'm learning towards Logic. But Protools seems like it's more commonly used in pro studios and learning Protools now could be a very good asset in the future if I end up doing anything in the music industry.

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I'd also check out MOTU Digital Performer.


http://www.motu.com/products/software/dp/


My nit with PT is that you have to keep upgrading all of the
components frequently.

Logic Pro is also a good choice.

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

I'm very biased because i'm a Protools user. But Protools is very intuitive to me and like you said, is a standard so if you want to bring a session from your home facility to a studio, its seemless. As far as a Mac Mini goes, you should be able to run that with an MBox, Protools LE and an external drive. Protools LE is all you need for your needs.

If you are planning on persuing any sort of job in a studio environment, chances are you'll need to know Protools.

The MBox mini even gives you a mic input so if you were feeling saucy, you could set up a mic and be just fine.

I haven't used DP in a very long time but It is supposed to be superior for midi. I'm just used to working with PT so as i said i'm biased.

Good luck and enjoy your endeavor.

that's my silly two cents.

I've done a little more research and Logic Studio is cheaper than I thought it was, so I'd probably get that instead of Logic Express if I went in that direction. The only thing is that I'm not such a huge fan of the amp and pedal modeling. They have good clean tones and good heavy distortion tones, but it feels lacking as far as light-medium overdrive tones go and that's really the realm I find myself working in the most.

Could I continue using my Toneport UX2 instead of having to buy an M-Box if I went for Protools?

It appears that both Logic and Protools have similar drum machines, although the one on Protools (Strike) seems like it's a little more versatile. I like the virtual instruments of both. I play a little keyboard and I like having that Hammond organ sound in the background of my songs.

Does Protools come with guitar amp and effects modeling or do you have to buy that separate? I've been looking into Eleven and it seems like it's perfect for what I'm after tone wise. It's an extra $350 though. Does Eleven also do effects modeling or is that something else?

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Hey Texas,
I use Logic Express on my mac, I have no complaints. It just works... There is so much you can do with this software, but the bottom line is: You will get professional results right away.
Just my opinion...

Bill

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Hey, Boy Blue is back!

Roller has been using this along with some accompanying software and the recordings are coming out killer for being done at the guitar players house it really does sound studio quality. I've been trying to get the drummer to send me one of the new tunes:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cubase

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you can save the world with your guitar one love song at a time it's just better, more fun, easier with a fender solid body electric guitar or electric bass guitar.

Don't forget to "optimize" for audio.

http://www.xowave.com/doc/recording/performance.shtml

_________________
Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

the MBox2 mini is about $300 and comes with Protools LE v8 and a light version of eleven mixed in with the bundle, so if that ends up treating you right, you don't need to spend the extra beans.

Cool, thanks! My guitar teacher recently bought an eleven rack. He seems to really like it. I might even save up something extra and go for that deal. But this is all at least 6 months to a year away. But I figured I'd go ahead and start learning what my options are.

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