08-16-2007, 10:24 AM

Well my MacBookPro arrivied yesterday and I was certain that I was going to go and ge Ableton Live 6, but now I have some queries!

I have about €500 to spend.

I want to be able to mix songs together and create my own tunes. Something along th lines of daft punk. Is creating songs through loops and some real instruments(guitar and vocals) possible in ableton?

I have been recomended to buy mbox2, which comes with a sound card, is this what I need?

Lastly has anyone here used http://www.playback-europe.com/digid...ox_2-8647.html ? Its 125 cheaper the in dublin!


Sorry for all the questions I dunno what to choose!

Also any recomendations would be great!

Cheers,

08-16-2007, 10:27 AM

This may sound like a stupid question, but have you given Garageband a try? It comes with new Macs, so it should be in your Applications folder.

Now if you have already tried it, then I'll leave this thread to somebody who knows what he/she is talking about

08-16-2007, 10:29 AM

Oh I have been using garageband for ages! This isn't my first mac!

Thanks anyway!

08-16-2007, 10:31 AM

Ahh, so it was a stupid question.

Carry on then

08-16-2007, 11:48 AM

Originally Posted by AndyMc

I want to be able to mix songs together and create my own tunes. Something along th lines of daft punk. Is creating songs through loops and some real instruments(guitar and vocals) possible in ableton?

Yes, it can. Ableton, is, in my opinion a great song creator. Download the demo from their website and have a go at some of the included lessons. It has two views. Arrangement, like all apps, which is linear, then session view, which allows you to record, then use loops, very quickly and intuitively.
You can muck around in session view and create a basis for a song super quickly. Hard to explain, just go check it out.

08-16-2007, 12:19 PM

You've obviously looked at Logic as well I assume?

08-16-2007, 12:51 PM

Originally Posted by cjay

You've obviously looked at Logic as well I assume?

Logic's sampler also let's you adjust the speed of a song...which is verra nice.

If you're going to be recording external instruments, you may want to eventually look at an analog to digital interface. Something like the mbox. You can usually find something cheaper though.

A dual channel USB one can be picked up for fairly cheap. I usually don't reccomend USB, but if you're only recording one input at a time, it should work just fine. You can find these for about $150. They'll work with pretty much any recording software out there.

I use logic and the express version has some great bits to it. If you're a student you can get it straight from Apple for about $150 with the education discount.

I comes with a Sampler and a sequencer to make beats with. It does take a little bit to learn it, but I believe that it's a very good deal and could do what you want.

I'm not familiar with any other recording software for OS X, but then again, when I got the my MBP, it's main purpose was to run Logic for a studio.

08-16-2007, 01:39 PM

Thanks for the replies!

I was looking at mbox alright but I wasn't sure if it was what I was looking for, but it does come with a sound card!

Asfor logic, I had that in mind but I wasn't sure if it was what I want, perhaps it is?

I will have to research further!

08-16-2007, 01:44 PM

Originally Posted by AndyMc

Thanks for the replies!

I was looking at mbox alright but I wasn't sure if it was what I was looking for, but it does come with a sound card!

Asfor logic, I had that in mind but I wasn't sure if it was what I want, perhaps it is?

I will have to research further!

The mbox is the "sound card". It's pro-tool's analog to digital interface. You can only use it with protools software, which comes with it. Pro tools is like the Mac of the recording software, with garanteed compatibiliyt, and a higher price tag. Their entry level stuff isn't so bad, but once you get past an interface that records 8 tracks at once, The prices sky rocket.

With logic, you would have to use another a/d interface like something from presonus, apogee, or MOTU.

08-16-2007, 02:57 PM

Just to remention Ableton, it does everything mentioned above that logic does, eg change the speed of a track/loop, comes with sampler, sequencer, etc. It is also fantastic as a live instrument, so can create your own loops, then adjust the speed to match a record, then drop the loops in, in real time during a live performance.
I thoroughly recommend you check the demo!

Have fun!

08-16-2007, 03:16 PM

im not a user of sound software by any means - garage band is as far as i go.

but is logic any gd for your needs. ? or that sony program. sorry i dont know the name

08-16-2007, 10:09 PM

Daft Punk use Ableton Live


i use it too
n_n

08-17-2007, 09:10 AM

Notable Logic users:

Readable version: http://www.logicprohelp.com/vip_users.php

User Description Credits
Depeche Mode Artist Live
Nine Inch Nails Artist
Herbie Hancock Artist
BT (Brian Transeau) Artist, Composer, Producer 'N Sync
Peter Gabriel Artist, Producer Genesis, Phil Collins, Sinead O'Connor
Gwen Stefani Artist
Chemical Brothers Artist "Surrender"
Christina Aguilera Artist
Guns N Roses Artist "Use Your Illusion"
Blumpy Producer/Engineer/Programmer Madonna, Eric Clapton, Marilyn Manson, Sheryl Crow, Depeche Mode, Kid Rock...
Charlie Clouser Composer, Producer, Programmer Nine Inch Nails, "Saw", "Saw II", "Deepwater"...
Marilyn Manson Artist
Teddy Riley Producer/Artist Whitney Houston, Blackstreet, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson
Chick Corea Producer/Composer Miles Davis, Donald Byrd, Wayne Shorter
Rick Rubin Producer Beastie Boys, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Melanie C
Reggie Griffin Writer Boyz II Men, Babyface, Isley Brothers
Tony Shepard Engineer Barbara Streisand, Stephen Bray, Randy Waldman
David Newman Film Composer 102 Dalmatians, Bedazzled, Nutty Professor I & II
'N SYNC Artist
Stanley Clarke Producer/Composer George Duke, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock
Barenaked Ladies Artist
Kay Gee Producer Next, One In a Million, Queen Latifah
Danny Lux TV Composer Ally McBeal, Boston Public
Mary J. Blige Artist
Mark Isham Film composer Rules of Engagement, Men of Honor, Save the Last Dance
Skinny Puppy Platinum Artist "The Process"
Chris Ting Producer/TV Composer Futurama, The Job
Dave Pensado Mixer Brian McKnight, Black Eyed Peas, Jermaine Dupri
David Frank Platinum Producer 98°, Dream, Christina Aguilera
Hiram Bullock Guitarist David Sanborn, Roberta Flack, Idris Muhammad
Gen Rubin Platinum Producer Baby Face, Mary J. Blige, Toni Braxton
DJ Spinbad DJ Moby
Big bad Voodoo Daddy Platinum Artist The Beautiful Life
Michael Wagner Platinum Producer Janet Jackson, Motley Crue, Ozzy Osborne
Curt Bisquera Drummer Mick Jagger, Seal, Elton John, Nelly Furtado, Tom Petty
Bill Gould Bassist Faith No More
Ndugu ChanclerNdugu Chancler Drummer Weather Report, George Duke, Joe Cocker
Peter McCabe Platinum Producer/Engineer Ricky Martin, Krayzie Bone, Tracie Spencer, Jennifer Lopez
MDFMK Platinum Group "MDFMK"
Randy Waldman Platinum Writer/Composer Kenny G,, Madonna, K-Ci- and Jo-Jo
Mark Bell Platinum Producer/Remixer Bjork, LFO, BBD
Organized Noize Platinum Producers Outkast, Goodie Mob, Kurupt
Dave Weckl Artist, Drummer "Transition", Paul Simon, Madonna, George Benson, Michel Camilo
Del Atkins Bassist Dr. Dre, DJ Quick, Warren G
Justin Meldal Johnson Remixer/Bassist Beck, Tori Amos, Amnesia
Ian Boxill Platinum Producer Jon B., Aaron Neville, 2 Pac
Michael Shrieve Drummer Santana, Mick Jagger, David Torn
Ramone Huggins Programmer Whitney Houston, Eminem, Dr. Dre
Bassy Bob Brockman Mixer Babyface, Faith Evans, Toni Braxton
Mark Rivera Saxophone Player Billy Joel, Foreigner, Peter Gabriel
Jonathan Sola Sound Designer The Simpson’s, Futurama
James 'Mad Ball' Canade Remixer/On Air Personality 103.1 New York
Mark Plati Platinum Producer David Bowie, Deee-lite, Will Downing
Tony Maserati Mixer Black Rob, Puff Daddy, Ruff Ryders
Darren Lighty Platinum Producer Next, LL Cool J, TLC
Jermaine Dupri Platinum Producer/Artist Mariah Carey, Da Brat, Jagged Edge, Destiny’s Child, Dru Hill
Mirwais Platinum Producer Madonna
Jamiroquai Platinum Artist "Return of the Space Cowboy"
Josh Abraham Platinum Producer Limp Bizkit, Orgy, Korn
James Poyser Platinum Producer D’Angelo, Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill
Mutt Lang Platinum Producer Backstreet Boys, Shania Twain, Foreigner
Danny Saber Platinum Producer Marilyn Manson, Seal, Garbage
Keith Thomas Platinum Producer Amy Grant, 98°, Vanessa Williams
Ben Grosse Platinum Producer B52’s, Filter, Rollins Band
Eddie F. Platinum Producer Mary J. Blige, Donell Jones, 98°
Raymond Jones Platinum Producer Whitney Houston, Chic, , Lisa Fischer
Sylvia Bennett Smith Platinum Producer Destiny’s Child, Wild Orchid
Kenny Luck Bassist Boyz II Men
Brian Kierulf Platinum Producer Britney Spears
G. Thomas Furgerson Video Producer Sisqo, Dru Hill, Daz Dillinger
Roger Sanchez Platinum Producer Michael Jackson, Jamiroquai, Kathy Sledge
George Duke Producer/Composer Miles Davis, Stanley Clarke, Billy Cobham
Donell Jones Platinum Artist "Where I Wanna Be"
Big Chucky Thompson Platinum Producer Mary J. Blige, Puff Daddy, Faith Evans
Patrick Leonard Platinum Producer Madonna, Enrique Inglesias, Jewel
Bob Power Platinum Producer D’Angelo, The ROOTS, Erykah Badu
Jazzy Jeff Platinum Producer Will smith, Jill Scott, James Poyser
Chris Maxwell Producer/TV Composer Malcom In the Middle
Russ Landau TV Composer Survivor
The Crystal Method Platinum Artist "Comin Back"
Frank Serafine Sound Designer Star Trek III: the Search for Spock
Aimee Mann Platinum Artist "Whatever"
Eric Williams Platinum Artist/Producer Blackstreet
Marcus Miller Bassist/Film Composer "The Ladies Man"
The Roots Platinum Artist "Things Fall Apart"
Steve Kipner Platinum Producer 98°, Christina Aguilera, LFO
Jean Marie Horvat Mixer Destiny’s Child, Dave Hollister, Michael Jackson
Jed Lieber Platinum Producer/Composer Ozzy Osborne, Darryl Hall, Keith Richards
Rhett Lawrence Platinum Producer David Foster, Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones
Omar Hakim Drummer David Bowie, Mariah Carey, Miles Davis
Gary Carolla Platinum Producer 'N SYNC, 98°, Aaron Carter
Paul Foley Programmer/Editor Dr. Dre, Daz Dillinger, Nate Dogg
Bryce Wilson Platinum Producer Groove Theory, Mary J. Blige, Toni Braxton
Freddie Washington Platinum Writer/Bassist Will Smith, George Duke, Aaron Hall
Christian B. Remixer/On Air Personality KIIS FM Los Angeles
Tony Hoffer Programmer Beck
Underworld Platinum Artist
X-ecutioners Producers/DJ’s World Champion DJ’s
Jeff Bernstein Programmer Jennifer Lopez, Brian Mcnight, Cher
Jack Kugell Platinum Writer/Producer Martina Mcbride, Victoria Beckham (Posh Spice), O-Town, All 4 One
Gary Grant Trumpet David Foster, Fourplay, Julio Inglesias
Dave Wilder Bass Player Macy Gray’s band
Simon Franglen Producer/Programmer Titanic, Michael Jackson, En Vogue
Brian Middleton Remixer/On Air Personality B96 Chicago
Joey Waronker Drummer Smashing Pumpkins, Suburbia, Beck
Tom Salta Producer/Programmer Junior Vasquez, Cher, Primer 55
Julian Beeston Remixer Santana, Anita Ward, Die Krupps
Darrel Diaz Producer/Keyboardist Maxwell, Cherokee, Herbie Hancock
Lee Ritenour Producer/Guitarist George Benson, Stanley Clarke, The Brothers Johnson
Mickey Petralia Producer/Engineer Jude, Beck, Luscious Jackson
Guliano Franco Platinum Writer Babyface, Mary J Blige, Toni Braxton
Steve Vai Guitarist Frank Zappa, P.I.L., David Lee Roth, Whitesnake, Al Di Meola
Ashley Ingram Platinum Producer Des’ree, Josie, Jesse Powell
Keith Shocklee Platinum Producer Sinead O’Connor, Public Enemy, Ice Cube
QDIII Platinum Producer 2 Pac, Ice Cube, West Side Connection
Duncan Sheik Platinum Artist "Humming"
Amber Platinum Artist "Amber"
Cameron Frankly Music Supervisor Paramount pictures
Alan Pasqua Producer/Composer Santana, Sammy Hagar, Film: "The Water Boy"
Peter Erskine Drummer Christina Aguilera, John Patitucci, Carlos Santana
David Torn Guitarist GTR OBLQ
DJ Hidao Remixer/DJ KKBT 100.3 Los Angeles
Sasha Producer/Remixer Pet Shop Boys, M-People, BT, Junkie XL
Marley Marl Platinum Producer Capone and Noriega, Rahzel, Funk Master Flex
Chico Freeman Artist/Saxophonist McCoy Tyner, Arthur Blythe, Norman Hedman
Benjamin Wright Platinum Writer/composer Lucy Pearl, DJ Quick, Toni Braxton
Tom Fritze Engineer/Mixer Melanie C., Keith Sweat, Laura Branigan
DJ Revolution Producer/Remixer/DJ Wake Up Show
John Wicks Producer/Label Owner Sylk 130, Ovum Records
q-burns abstract message Artist
Thievery Corporation Artist
Stabbing Westward Platinum Artist "Darkest Days"
Wah Wah Watson Platinum Producer/Guitarist Maxwell, Barry White, Michael Jackson
Will Lee Bassist Vanessa Williams, D’Angelo, Peter Erskine
DC Talk Platinum Artist "Supernatural Experience"
Bruce Willis Actor Sixth Sense, The Siege, Pulp Fiction
The Whispers Platinum Artist And the Beat Goes On
Dexter Simmons Mixer Mary J. Blige, Whitney Houston, Brandy
Franky Beverly Platinum Artist "Inspiration /Joy and Pain"
Michael Sembello Platinum Producer Brian McKnight, New Edition, Don Grusin
Sway and Tech Producer/On Air Personality Wake Up Show, MTV, The Anthem
Danny Sembello Platinum Producer Chaka Khan, Tatyana Ali, Julie Brown
Stephen Bray Platinum Producer Madonna, Brian McKnight, London Beat
Citizen King Platinum Artist "Mobile Estates"
Rick Hahn Platinum Producer Celine Dion, Tom Scott, Spies
Genard Parker Platinum Producer K-Ci &, Jo-Jo, SWV, Intro
Josh Wink Producer/Artist "Don’t Laugh"
Carl Wheeler Platinum Producer Tony Toni Tone, Edwin Hawkins, Tramaine Hawkins
Kip Winger Platinum Artist "Songs from the Ocean Floor"

08-17-2007, 09:11 AM

Tony Mangurian Platinum Producer Luscious Jackson, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson
Waylon Jennings Platinum Artist "The Restless Kid"
Michael Delorenzo Actor Resurrection Blvd, New York Undercover
Joe Satriani Guitarist Blue Oyster Cult, Greg Kihn, Alice Cooper
Bill Esses Platinum Writer Maxwell, Macy Gray. Foxy Brown
Nigel Pulsford Guitarist Bush
Tony Berg Platinum Producer Lisa Loeb, Bette Midler, The Neville Brothers
Michael Lattanzi Platinum Producer Billie Meyer, Wyclef Jean, Bebe Winans
Richard Wolf Platinum Producer Madonna, Bell Biv Devoe Ricky Bell
Bill Plummer TV Engineer BET
Jeff Lorber Platinum Artist/Producer "Midnight"
Mad Jeff Platinum Producer New Edition, Solo, Johnny Gill
Chris Henderson Platinum Producer KASE
Andy Cichon Bassist Shania Twain
Andy Snitzer Artist/Saxophonist Some Quiet Place
Lukasz Gottwald Guitarist Saturday Night Live Band
Morris O’Connor Keyboardist Montell Jordan, LV, Warren G.
Serban Ghenea Mixer Jill Scott, Jay Z, Usher
DJ Skribble Producer/ On Air Personality MTV, Cindy Margolis, Wyclef Jean
Poogie Bell Drummer Erykah Badu, Marcus Miller, Robin S.
Percy Bady Platinum Producer/Arranger Winans, R. Kelly, Youth Edition
Bosko Cante Platinum Producer E-40, Kurupt, Master P
David Rosenthal Keyboard Player Billy Joel
Tim Gorman Keyboardist Jefferson Starship, The Who, Rolling Stones
Carlos Warlick Mixer Jon B., E-40, Cypress Hill
Sammy Peralta Producer/Artist Alicia Keys, Ashanti, Craig David, Destiny's Child, Missy Elliot
Geddy Lee Vocalist, Bassist, Keyboardist Rush
Meat Beat Manifesto Artist
Growling Mad Scientists Artist
Kipper Grammy Award-winning Producer Mary J Blige, James Taylor, Stevie Wonder,Jason Rebello, Sting
John McLaughlin Guitarist Live

09-12-2007, 09:09 AM

Originally Posted by Village Idiot

The mbox is the "sound card". It's pro-tool's analog to digital interface. You can only use it with protools software, which comes with it. Pro tools is like the Mac of the recording software, with garanteed compatibiliyt, and a higher price tag. Their entry level stuff isn't so bad, but once you get past an interface that records 8 tracks at once, The prices sky rocket.

With logic, you would have to use another a/d interface like something from presonus, apogee, or MOTU.

you can use mBox with logic and as a system soundcard too...