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Posted by: MigeZ Jul 30 2009, 07:03 PM

So I have finally had enough of our lovely Windows and it's problems so I have decided to buy an iMac but well I'm pretty new with Mac:s so i was wondering if anyone has any personal experience about recording guitar with Mac and making backing tracks etc. I have a Line 6 Pod XT as my main recording gear. I'm a bit confused right now so can somebody enlighten me
Cheers ppl
Sincerely MigeZ

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Jul 30 2009, 07:17 PM

Congrats, sleek looking machine man!

Posted by: ErikEklund Jul 30 2009, 07:49 PM

I have mac and logic pro, it works great!

Posted by: TreyDeschamp Jul 30 2009, 08:02 PM

I'm in the same boat except I have a MacBook Pro instead, someone help pleaaaaasssseee

Posted by: Bogdan Radovic Jul 30 2009, 08:55 PM

Hmm instructor David got a Mac he will be able to help you guys. There should be a recording software called Garageband (I think). Start there

p.s. its looking great! Hopefully I'll switch to mac platform in the future too

Posted by: Muris Varajic Jul 30 2009, 08:55 PM

Well I guess you need some DAW, just like with Windows,
Garage Band is most simple one, then you have Logic, Cubase, Sonar, ProTools etc.
I didn't quite understand your question to be honest,
do you need help with Mac in general (with OSX) or with recording gear?

Posted by: lcsdds Jul 30 2009, 08:59 PM

I'm definitely no expert but I can tell you that Garageband is a pretty limited program with regards to editing. I think if you want a sophisticated DAW that the way to go is gonna be Logic Pro.

Posted by: ErikEklund Jul 30 2009, 11:12 PM

I can really recommend Logic for you guys, I have it and it is awesome

Posted by: TheKeplerConjecture Jul 31 2009, 03:36 AM

If you get iLife, Garageband will be included. The major downside was always the lack of automation. But that was added in iLife '09. Another issue is that it only uses Audio Units. No VST. But most commercial plug-ins come in both formats these days.

It's inexpensive and comes with tons of other stuff. I'd start there.

Good luck and be patient. Switching operating systems can be nerve-wracking .

EDIT: You might already have iLife '09, so check for GarageBand by searching Spotlight. Then launch it and check out the included tutorials.

Posted by: Koopid Jul 31 2009, 07:04 AM

If the mac is quite new iLife comes preinstalled with Garageband and you should already have an icon at your bottom startbar that looks like a guitar. Just click that

Garageband is perfect for adding a guitartrack to a ready-to-go backtrack or GMC lessons and such, its easy and it takes very little time to get started and understanding how it works.

For more complex stuff, use Logic or similar.

Atleast that is how I use them. I use Garageband for creating solos to our songs because its fast to record and listen. Once I am satisfied I start Logic for recording into the actual project. I only start Logic for "final" recordings and for creating drumtracks (and that can be done in Garageband too)...

Posted by: maharzan Jul 31 2009, 07:25 AM

Hey MigeZ...

Welcome to the Mac World!! Things are just so easy.. (well in many but sometimes you just feel it was easier with PC). I also recently moved from PC to mac (Macbook Pro) since December 2008.

Anyway, so here is what I do, I have a MBox 2 Pro and I use Protools to record my takes (mostly internal hard drive but sometimes external too). But that is going to cost you some money..

You can use Garageband, of course, free with mac. To get the best sound you will need to have some sort of interface (pre amp) that can connect your guitar to your machine. Firewire is the best. This is needed to avoid noises when you directly connect your guitar in the line In port of your computer. I am not sure of the line 6 POD XT but I guess it does have a USB to connect to the computer? If so, try connecting it to the USB of your mac and start Garageband and try some recording...

Backing tracks can be made in garaband itself.

Posted by: MigeZ Jul 31 2009, 09:56 AM

Thanks guys I'm going to check out that Logic software. Well I too think that my question was a bit unclear (ah the evenings). So mostly I was meaning recording with mac (yes line 6 pod XT has got an usb) but also making backing tracks which has caused me most of my porblems in PC world (edit: I see that Maharzan already answered this ty mate ) But thanks already.
And BTW I was shocked to see how many replies I got in so short time thanks guys and as always Cheers

Posted by: maharzan Jul 31 2009, 06:17 PM

Let me know if you need any help .. (if I can).

haven't used Logic but have good things about it.

BTW, what can logic do that garageband can't do?

Posted by: NoSkill Jul 31 2009, 07:21 PM

I use an iMac for recording, regularly. It's hard to explain, but it's really easy to use a Pod with. I can hook up with you in the live chat and walk you through the basics if you like. Let me know.

Cheers!

Posted by: ErikEklund Jul 31 2009, 07:30 PM

QUOTE (maharzan @ Jul 31 2009, 07:17 PM)

Let me know if you need any help .. (if I can).

haven't used Logic but have good things about it.

BTW, what can logic do that garageband can't do?

Posted by: MigeZ Jul 31 2009, 09:07 PM

Ty ppl NoSkill I'll keep that in mind . I will get my iMac in aprox 2 weeks. (becouse of my payday )

Posted by: audiopaal Jul 31 2009, 09:54 PM

I'm getting a Mac as well (Macbook Pro) in a month or so..
Can't wait

Posted by: MigeZ Aug 5 2009, 10:12 PM

13 days and counting

Posted by: sonny_NL Aug 5 2009, 10:15 PM

I will recommend to use Garageband, it is a very good program and not too difficult,
Nice mac!

Posted by: Muris Varajic Aug 5 2009, 10:34 PM

QUOTE (audiopaal @ Jul 31 2009, 10:54 PM)

I'm getting a Mac as well (Macbook Pro) in a month or so..
Can't wait

Posted by: MigeZ Aug 6 2009, 12:44 PM

12 days and counting

Posted by: MigeZ Aug 27 2009, 08:43 PM

QUOTE (MigeZ @ Aug 6 2009, 02:44 PM)

12 days and counting

Posted by: wrk Aug 27 2009, 09:58 PM

QUOTE (MigeZ @ Aug 27 2009, 09:43 PM)

Got it Works great but to use VST i need to fizzle around a bit ;D