earlwgreen

Thanks guys for all the input! I want this purchase to work so I'm trying to get all my ducks in a row before I spend. I've not done that in the past and really regret some purchases. I know I need the 13" MacBook Pro, Logic Express, an audio interface and a fw drive to backup to and use as a project drive, so this is all helping my decision making process. Any others care to comment?

Matt, The deal is I don't have a MacBook Pro yet. I'm trying to head off any problems that may occure. How does your setup work and what do you use it for?

Excellent! This is perfect...a bit pricey, but still if it works... Thanks

Thanks guys for the info. I was wondering the same thing. Also I just put up a new topic for FW hub vs. daisy chain. Please comment there and thanks!

Still trying to work out best solution. Is there a difference between running a FW audio interface with FW external HD daisy chained and running both off of a FireWire hub? Also any suggestions on the best FW hub? I've looked on line but there don't seem to be many of them???

I really like my MXL V67G. It's about $100 and sounds much better. I sing everything from opera to country and it works for all of them. Later if you want to add another type of mic you won't have spent a lot either. I was reluctant to buy it but every forum I was on they kept saying to give it a try. I'm glad I did. I have a Studio Project TB1 for a tube sound and then the V67G for a bit of a different sound. Both take eq fine.

Just got info back from tech support @ TC Electronics concerning daisy chaining and wanted to post it as an update: "In most cases daisy chaining works fine. However, some harddrives send multiple bus reset to the firewire port when idle. Such behavior can cause an audio interface (or other units) to loose connection. So it is important that you test the setup first if you wish to connect it like that. Otherwise, use a USB2 harddrive, or get an ExpressCard>firewire solution in order to add a second firewire bus to the system." So...it looks like you could use it if the HD is compatable. Any thoughts?

I just looked at the manual for the Impact and here is what is say's: "* We recommend running each Impact Twin on a dedicated FireWire bus and not chaining them with other FireWire devices. If your computer has one or more FireWire connector on its chassis, they will typically run on the same FireWire bus. You may connect the Impact Twin to one of these connectors. If you intend to use additional FireWire devices (e.g. external hard drives) simultaneously, we recommend running these other devices on a separate bus. This separate bus would typically be on an installed FireWire PCI or PCI Express card. Note that such a FireWire PCI card typically has three ports, but these also operate on a single bus." What does this mean??? Can I still go with option #2 and run both from the same FireWire port? THANKS!

I kind of felt this would be the best. The TC Konnekt 8 seems to be discontinued. But the new TC Impact Twin looks fantastic and I think is the same price. I really like their Harmony-M. I realy sounds good. I may have to wait to upgrade from Garageband to Logic Express for a month or so but I think I would rather do that and get the better interface and a good firewire external HD for multi-tracking. I do want my vocals to really sound good and the new Impact Twin gives you a good pre and also reverb & compression built in for monitoring. Any other advise would be greatly appreciated! Has anyone thought about making a sticky with the basic info like this? Seems like it would be pretty easy. Thanks again triplets...

Ok, it looks like I'll be able to purchase my first MacBook Pro at the end of Feb. I will be getting the newest version 13", heard there may be upgrades by then, if not, the 13" as it is now with 250GB HD and 2.53GHz processor. The MacBook Pro has 1 Firewire and 2 USB ports. I need to run midi, audio interface and external HD(for backup and project files). After reading for hours on this forum and the Apple forums here are my ideas: 1. Get a Firewire audio interface that controls both audio and midi so I don't need to use the extra usb port for the Keystation Pro 88. Get 2 USB external drives, one for backup and the other for Logic project files and let them each use a USB port. 2. Get a Firewire audio interface that controls both audio and midi so I don't need to use the extra USB port for the Keystation Pro 88 AND make sure I can daisy chain an external drive off of it for project files. Use 1 USB port for backup drive. 3. Get USB audio interace. Use USB port to control Keystation Pro 88. Use Firewire for Backup and project exteral drives. Goal: to be able to one day upgrade from Logic Express to Logic Studio and be able to use my MacBook Pro in a live setting to play virtual instruments and also to be able to record services. (Don't know if it is possible to do both from same MBP at same time?) Other times I will do simple virtual instruments and record only vocals through the audio interface. Currently I use a new Dell Desktop and can record my vocal and record the midi data from my virtual piano. No problem with latency. As you can see, I'm not sure which will give me the best performance. Thanks!

I've been looking at the TC Konnekt 6 because of the reverb but it didn't have midi. So, with the Pro88 working fine through USB, I can get it. I only need 2 in. Thanks for the input.

How do you like your audio interface?

Hey guys, I plan to buy the MacBook Pro 13" in February. I'm trying to figure out what I need for midi and for audio. I would like to connect my M-Audio Keystation Pro 88 to the MacBook Pro via USB. Right now I have it connected to my Dell Desktop through the EMU 1212m soundcard via midi connectors. When I first got the Dell, I tried to run the Pro 88 through the normal USB like it's supposed to work, but found that it kept freezing and stopping every 15 or so minutes and I'd have to reboot. Now that I have it connected to the 1212m and use the power adapter, it works fine. Does anyone have that problem with the USB connection to their Mac? If I use the USB method, will there be a latency issue when I want to play virtual instruments in GarageBand or Logic Express? Thanks

Hey Bcfromfl, I sing opera also. A tenor and big dynamic range. I also wanted a mic to work with so it should be fine. You would never see them record an opera singer without a condenser. The trick it to stay a bit back from the mic. Also placing some accoustic material behind the mic will help you keep the voice from bouncing back of the wall and back into the mic. I've recorded in studios with a 4 voices, soprano, mezzo, tenor and bass and everytime it was with a condenser. You want the sound, just not as close up. I hate my voice on a dynamic when I'm singing full voice. It never captures all the nuances an opera singer has. You could try the dynamic but I'm thinking no. I've owned the TB1 for several years and it was B stock when I got it. I love it. Is it the best mic? No. But I think Studio Project will stand behind what they sell. The have sold a lot of the C1. It was my first choice until they had this tube for less due to being a B-stock. I also think the Duet and the C1 will work well together. There are too many people that like that mic. If you have to go used, try to get it from a dealer you trust. Most of their mics are sturdy. If you get it from ebay and it does not work, send it back. You'll know right away if it is faulty. How much money do you want to spend? Hope this helps!

I did the same type thing before I put together the panels. I worked fine for vocals. Not nice to look at, but it worked!