I just ordered my new comp (iBook g4), and I want the low-down on good recording/sampling/sequencing software for the mac. I've got a friend whos hookin' me up wiht Cubase and Reason... but I want some feedback from teh knobtwiddling crowd. What else should I get? What do you use? and can you run MAX/USP on a mac?

Cubase and Reason should do nicely while you get into the 'swing' of things... CUbase SX is pretty damn good actually, so you shouldnt have too many worries... I know ProTools works pretty wicked good on Mac, but HEY, it costs a lot. But if you're buying an ibook G4, maybe you can aford it.... hmmm...

Thanks. I cant afford pro-tools but I might be able to source a copy. Although I dont know how heavy it is on system resources. I've got 640ddr and 60gigs... do you think that should cover it?

they do have a free version of protool.

http://www.digidesign.com/ptfree/

supercollider is also free now, just google it, you should find it easily.

you can run max/msp on mac, but the program and other add-on programs are not cheap.

there are other softwares that got mentioned somewhere else, check them out as well since I don't know what you really want and need.

they are:
PlayerPRO, tractor for Mac I think.
http://www.soundhack.com/

the rest, not sure if they run on mac:
Buzz
Smart Electronix VST's
Bidule
Synth Edit
Audio Mulch

Thanks for the links. I'm gonna start with an assortment and get something that works well for me. But right now, after doing some research, MAX/MSP looks like the craziest and most flexible environment. I can just imagine the possibilities with that.

Cant wait for my comp to arrive.

halcyon days, have you looked into the products from Native Instruments yet? they got some pretty good stuff.

max/msp is powerful, i heard that people use it from creating sounds to video installation.

Just looking at some stuff from Native Instruments. Reaktor looks good, I've heard of it before. So much software... so many options. Well hopefully I wont have to pay tons and tons of money for this stuff.

msp looks cool because you can actually program synthesizers and the gui looks good because you can create internectine strains of data that interacts with each other. I dunno if its too advanced for me, though. We'll have to see.

take you time to do some more research and see which softwares fit you better.

you are right, there are a lot of different softwares for different kind of sound/music genre and they are not cheap.

hope you find the right one.

Well it looks like I'll have access to Cubase and Reason for free, and hopefully (*fingers crossed*) I'll get the same chance with max.msp, protools, and reaktor as well. Its not what you know, its who you know

also, keep in mind that it is not how many softwares you have, it is how you use them good luck and hope you cook up some good tracks!