Do I need to buy a firewire mixer? Please help!

[RichieB]

I am a total novice at this and need some purchasing advice. Here is the plan:

I plan on using Garageband to record audio from multiple sources: a Shure SM58 mic for vocal recording, an old style midi controller keyboard with the old midi plug and lastly a line in to feed music in from an external source like a CD.

I was thinking I will have to buy a firewire mixer to incorporate all the sources to feed into the iMac. Am I correct in assuming this? If not, please guide me in the proper direction.

Thanks for all your help! :)

[Dave]

No, you need an interface. A mixer just gets a bunch of sources mixed down to a stereo channel. You need a way to get multiple channels into your computer. Do you need to record simultaneously, or can you import the music, then go back and play your keyboard, and then sing over all of it?

[RichieB]

Do you need to record simultaneously, or can you import the music, then go back and play your keyboard, and then sing over all of it?

I would need to record all sources simultaneously.

Thanks!

[Yontsey]

I run condensor mics and guitars and whatnot into my PBG4 by using this: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/MobilePreUSBPortableAudioInterface?sku=701368

I love it and wouldnt trade it for the world. It makes recording so much easier. Hopefully this helps or atleast gives you an idea.

[Dave]

The thing is, most interface are 2-channel or 8-or-more-channel, and there's not a whole lot in between. I've got a MOTU 828mkII, and I love it. I'd probably recommend a MOTU UltraLite (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/UltraLiteFireWireAudioInterface?sku=241880). That site doesn't mention it, but it'll do MIDI I/O as well, so you should be set.

I seem to recall someone making a 4-channel USB interface, but I don't think it had MIDI, and I'm fairly certain you could only record from 2 of the channels at a time. You also might want to stroll down to your local Guitar Center and see what they've got. Just be sure it either works with Garageband or comes with software that'll do what you want it to do.

[Dave]

I run condensor mics and guitars and whatnot into my PBG4 by using this: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/MobilePreUSBPortableAudioInterface?sku=701368

I love it and wouldnt trade it for the world. It makes recording so much easier. Hopefully this helps or atleast gives you an idea.
I used to have one of those. It worked great until the lightning storm, but it's a channel short and doesn't do MIDI.

[RichieB]

Cool! Thanks for all the info. I will look into both the interfaces and other similar ones. At least I do not have to spend oodles on a mixer I don't need :)

Edit: Thanks for the midi hint on the MOTU UltraLite. That really does take care of everything!

[Dave]

Edit: Thanks for the midi hint on the MOTU UltraLite. That really does take care of everything!
And it gives you a bit of room to grow too :)

Hehe, Musician's Friend does mention the MIDI after all. It's buried in the list of features rather than the description.

[RichieB]

Update:

I just bought a TASCAM US-122. I got it at an "open-box" discount at the local Guitar Center. I'll play with it and see how it works. The one thing I like about it more than anything else is the Direct Monitoring option to help against latency.

http://www.dgmplaza.co.kr/SR/TASCAM/us122.jpg