Hello everybody!

I've been doing some recording and digging into GarageBand, but have already been looking into sequencer software that can record MIDI data as well as send it back out of the Mac to a MIDI device.

I searched through this forum and also did a Google search (that was a jungle of results!) looking for some entry level program that might be considered a bargain, and haven't found anything yet. Looked at Cakewalk, but it appears that is mostly for Windows PCs.

Found Apple's Logic Pro Express http://www.apple.com/logicexpress and it looks pretty cool, but is $300, which is a bit more than I was hoping to spend.

Can anyone recommend a beginner level sequencer for the Mac that is more sophisticated and friendly than some of the freeware/shareware stuff, yet maybe a little easier on the wallet?

Logic Pro Express might be the best bet, since (according to a video I watched) it is a similar structure as GarageBand.

Thanks.

There are a few good ones out there. Logic Express is probably the best, as it is GarageBand on steroids and Soundtrack Pro combined.

A few others:

Ableton Live
Cakewalk Sonar and/or Cubase
Digidesign Pro Tools LE/M-Powered
Mackie Tracktion
Propellerhead Reason
Sagan Technology Metro

They're all about the same price, but some require specific hardware (Pro Tools LE/M).

Happy to discuss this further,

C

Thanks Cory. I did watch a Quicktime demo of Logic Express, as well as read some of the product information. It looks like a good choice because of it's ability to import GarageBand projects, and because it was apparently built for the Mac. I suppose the only negative for me is the price of $299.

One of my other concerns is that there is a lot to learn and I don't want to start out with one product then learn later that I need to use something else and have another steep learning curve ahead of me

Would you have any recommendations on a freeware, shareware, or less expense sequencer that I might try out just to get started? What I'm wanting to do for starters is send MIDI control and MIDI music data to my drum machine (Boss DR-770) while I play along live on my guitar. It would be nice to have a set list sequenced so the drums go onto each song in the set.

Thanks,
Jake

p.s. Anyone know a good MIDI for Mac forum? I have checked out MacJams and it is OK, any others?

No problem.

I am not too familiar with MIDI...I am more of a regualr audio guy. Logic and Emagic (creators of Logic) were actually purchased by Apple in 2002. Apple definitely took it and rebuilt it for their hardware from the ground up (almost), and discontinued the Windows side of their business.

There is a Logic Express Trial (30-day) available.

What kind of MIDI interface for in/out on your Mac do you have? If you don't have one, you'll need one...of which many come with a MIDI software package.

C

It is an M-Audio Axiom 25 controller:

It has MIDI in & out, as well as USB. It will be used to play software instruments in the Mac as well as play/manipulate the drum machine.[/img]

That comes with software...

"includes Ableton Live Lite 4 music production software so you can make music right away"

Won't that work for what you are trying to do?

C

It might. I ordered the Axiom yesterday and it will arrive next week. Of course I am using the wait time to think of possibilities and implementations .

It is too bad GarageBand doesn't record and output MIDI data, since I already have some time invested in it and some "backing tracks" created. I know there is an upgrade to Ableton, I should probably research that next.

Yeah, GarageBand is great, but it only supports MIDI input. It will record MIDI input using a MIDI controller interfacing with GB's software instruments. You could do tracking like that and then overlay the guitar track. Also, you should be able to get the tracks programmed into your BOSS into GB for recording.

You looking for live playing or recording?

Both, actually. I do have an interface that allows recording guitar, microphones and the drum machine into GB as a "real instrument."

I found out that Ableton Live Lite is very much like the full-blown Live package, but only allows four tracks. That may be enough for my sequencing needs. I'll have to dig into it next week and see (actually, it may take a couple of weeks or longer to figure this all out )

Yeah, getting into more advanced audio stuff can be complicated and take lots of time, but it's worth it in the end.

Hopefully KingFish will see this and chime in...he may have additional info about what you're trying to accomplish.

We'll keep at it,

C

Thanks. Yes, I watched KingFish's demo of recording drums with the MIDI-keys software. He apparently does this stuff for a living so may very well have some guidance for a newbie I'm hoping to get off on the right track so I don't have to do a lot of re-learning, or worse, re-spending

Hello,

I, too have been searching for a midi sequencer that is more affordable than logic express, and more powerful than garageband. (being able to use a laptop for midi will be essential when I purchase a Mac to replace my P166)

I've used two on the PC - one by Voyetra (it can print notation), and one by cakewalk (I prefer it for sequencing (recording)). I haven't checked Voyetra for Mac software, Cakewalk's (Mac) offerings seem slim also.

From what I know - one has to make sure the software is not only for the correct OS, but also platform (Intel or PPC).

That out of the way, here is what I've found:
Easy Beat - about $50, but I believe it won't work on intel.
http://www.ergonis.com/products/easybeat/

Intuem 4 - about $80 - and I think it supports intel.
http://intuem.com/main/index.html

Better on the prices! But, when I purchased cakewalk for the PC - it was no more than $30, and included the midi cables (to game port). (I purchased it at a local Best Buy)

Good luck.
TM

<edited>
PS - on a side note - you could run paralells (or fusion - it's free) - and then run windows software (like voyetra or cakewalk) .... but that's a 'clumsy' way to do it.
And there is the question - will the software communicate with the interfaces - and without lag... (I'm not too concerned about lag - since my p166 laptop can handle my midi recording (Roland XP-30 and Yamaha DX-27) just fine. It can also play back without any problems.

Voyetra has a sequencer for $20...

Thanks TM. Good info.

I think everything has been covered in here, we'll have to see how you like the 4tk version of Ableton.

Other then what's already been suggested, an entry level M-Box Mini - ships with Pro-Tools - so for 300 bucks, you get pro-tools, and an additional Audio interface with a Mic pre, and a headphone amp.

Most decent software alone, is usually around the $300.00 mark - mind you... give Ableton a shot... I use it as a rewire client, for loop based production, and external sequencing, it seems to work well.