The Mac Audio Guy Shop - Show the world that you are a Mac Audio Guy or Gal by sporting the latest in MacAudioGuy swag!
In this episode of Monitor, as part of series of audio basics, I explain decibels and their importance in recording digital audio. Decibels play an important role in measuring sound levels for motion pictures, broadcast and musical recording.
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I recently received an e-mail from Mike Hohmann and he wants to set-up a home studio using his new iMac and GarageBand, but he was confused with what mics, audio interface and reference monitors he should get, in short, he asked “I know this is a lot of info to cover but I am doing as much research as I can before I spend my hard earned money and simply put I need professional advice from anyone who really knows this stuff inside out and can ask the right questions and say okay here is what you need to get and you should be good to go for awhile. I would like to spend around 1000 dollars for this stuff give or take a little…”
This got me to thinking. What gear I would buy, in order to put together a flexible Mac based home audio recording studio?
Okay, here it is; The amazing $1000 Mac Audio Guy home studio gear list. Continue reading »
Okay, I usually don’t blatantly promote software. Nor would I usually steer you to another Mac site. But this is too good of a deal to pass up, if you are at all interested in DJ software.
There are several good DJ mixing applications out there, the big three are Tracktor DJ Studio, Ultramixer and DJay. Of the three, Tracktor is the big-boy Pro app but at $280US list price, it’s definitely beyond the budget of the casual DJ. UltraMixer Pro has most of the features of Tracktor and goes for $230US and while I like UltraMixer’s interface better than Tracktor’s in most aspects, UltraMixer is obviously a cross platform port, There is nothing Mac-like about it’s interface or menus. Finally there is the little engine that could. If you like spinning with two turntables and a microphone DJay is the app for you! It has a cool two deck interface and all the controls are Mac-like and intuitive, and at $50 US its a bargain.
So here’s the deal For today only (February 20, 2008) Djay is available as promo deal on MacUdate.com for $24.99.
Even if don’t catch today’s deal if you have any interest in DJ software you should check out the trial download of DJay at the DJay website.
Here are a bunch of free stocking stuffers from Goldbaby (thanks !) 
Including some HipHop Apple Loops and the 606 Tape sample library.
Alright It’s been over two months since Apple released OS 10.5 Leopard and I’m still waiting on a stupid Driver for my M-Audio Radium 49 keyboard. Two months of being unable to use a product because someones to lazy to write two hours worth of code. I am Fuming!
I HATE Avid/Digidesign and always hated that it takes them on average 6 months to start writing drivers after any major OS change. I was hoping that when M-Audio was aquired by Digi that they would remain the cool little company that they used to be. I remember specifically how quick and often they used to update drivers. But unfortunately it appears that the guy that used to write the drivers for M-Audio has been swallowed into the huge slow gluttonous mass that is Digidesign calls support.
Shame on you Digidesign, you suck. My next keyboard will be an Edirol.
Next Rant: On October 5th I submitted my latest EP to TuneCore to be released on iTunes . TuneCore said that it would be available in the iTunes Music store and on Emusic around November 30th. Okay if that’s the process, I was willing to accept that. So although I recieve no notification from TuneCore, I thought I better check their site to see If my music was available yet. Acording to TuneCore My Album is Live in the ITunes Music store both in the US and UK and at Emusic and at Amazon.
The reality is that it’s only available on Amazon as of now. WTF??? I went ahead and put the link to iTunes on the site in hopes that the Link will go hot before X-mas. In the meantime you can buy the Album at Amazon.
In this episode of Monitor, I explain how to use your Mac to launch your own Shoutcast internet radio station and how to broadcast into Second Life.
You can be an internet DJ and stream your music or voice over the internet using Your Mac, iTunes, a program called Nicecast from Rogue Amoeba and a Shoutcast DNAS or Icecast server. I also talk briefly about the legalities of Internet radio and ask you to check out SaveNetRadio.org
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As cool as Macs are, eventually they become obsolete or give up the the ghost. They also tend to acquire peripherals and accessories that also cease to function and/or become obsolete. This is an environmental concern because a landfill is no place for consumer electronics of any kind. Unless you prefer your drinking water with heavy metals. Continue reading »
I did a lot of upgrades in the last month. I got a new iMac with iLife ‘08 and then I did the Leopard upgrade.
With the “upgrade” to iLife’08. I noticed I lost all of my third party AU instruments and most third party effects. With the GB 4.1 update I was expecting those to be restored. To be fair, I do now have Crystal and Automat back, but Remedy and Turntabelist are listed but don’t work and a whole bunch like Sampletank2, Linnplug don’t even show up. Same with a bunch of AU effects( I Need my Monsta Chorus)
WTF? I surprised that this isn’t a major headline. I’ve got tons of old songs that use specific AU instruments. They won’t play anymore, which is really bad, if I need to go back and do a remix on a song. And I can’t compose new music using instruments that I’ve purchased to work with GB?
Please someone tell me there’s a work around, until Apple and the third parties get on the same Audio Unit page.
Oh and don’t try to load a GB4 project into Logic Express 7. You’ll get an error. And Logic also is having a hard time finding apple loops.
My Radium 49 keyboard ceased to be recognized with the Leopard Upgrade. But M-audio IS owned by Digi now So I expect there to be a six month lag in drivers. I hope I’m wrong ’cause having no Midi keyboard is a serious dent in any music making.
So on many fronts the GB4 and Leopard migration is a mess. I was also hoping to upgrade to Logic studio 8. Hmm I think I’ll wait a little bit
I’ve installed Leopard on my work machine ( a G5 dual core ) and a Mac Mini at home. While I haven’t come across any audio specific features that are greatly improved. I will report as I exploire Apples latest OS. I do want to apologize for the fractured nature of the MacAudioGuy website upgrade. I’m still working on getting the forum to work and to get all the old pages pointing to the new site and content. I beg your patience.
Check out the Belkin Tune Talk Stereo for 5G iPods. I’ve been waiting forever for this device, finally I can record podcasts or do field recording with my iPod. The Tune Talk has two built-in condenser mics as well as a Mic/Line input and it even has an autogain switch and a USB charging cable, all for under $75. Anyone want to buy a used portable DAT machine?
