The Logic Off Topic list

"rbender2002" <rodney.bender@...>  wrote:
>I am a songwriter expecting my new G5 to arrive shortly (hope hope).
>
>Looking into Logic to do home-recording of acoustic instruments.
>
>What do I need additionally? I already have a mixer and analog tape 
>recorder. Will I still need these or will I record and mix on 
>Logic? Other hardware/software interface? PCI card?

If you want audio quality above that offered by the built in audio in your
Mac you will need to find an audio interface that will be compatible with
the as yet unreleased G5 -- this could be PCI (PCI-X even) , Firewire or USB. 

I would definitely hold off on purchasing an interface until it is clear
what is and is not compatible with the new G5 which, going by recent
reports, will not support quite a number PCI based cards (eg Digidesign's
Digi 001, M-Audio Delta series) due to incompatible PCI specs (the gist is
simply that G5 Mac PCI slots are  3.3 Volt only and all 5 Volt PCI cards
are not compatible) . 

Some audio interface makers of good repute are RME, MOTU and Digidesign.
. 
http://www.motu.com/

http://www.rme-audio.de/english/index.htm

http://www.digidesign.com/


RME's recent Hammerfall DSP series are 3.3 Volt and if your budget will
cover them might be worth looking into. MOTU interfaces compatible with the
G5s will no doubt be available  soon enough. 

The signal chain for decent quality recording acoustic instruments into
Logic is usually something like this:

Microphone --> Mixer --> Audio interface inputs 

OR 

Microphone --> mic preamp --> [external mixer  -->] audio interface inputs.

If you have been plugging a microphone directly into your mixer it may have
adequate microphone preamps but more expensive outboard pre's will easily
beat most chip based mic pre's you will find in mixers like the Behringer
and Mackie products. 

If you are buying Logic Platinum you should get a pretty comprehensive set
of audio processing tools (reverb, delay, dynamics plugins etc) -- not the
very best available but they should get you started. 

Regards,
Murray