using boss micro with iMac

[helen.redwood]

Does anyone know if I can use a Boss Micro with an iMac? I'm thinking of getting one to record home piano playing - any views on how well the BMicro works for this?
Thanks
Helen

[Tony]

I use the Micro BR with a MacBook.  It works perfectly fine.  The usb connection is the same for all computers and the Micro BR gives you a couple of folders to keep on your iMac (mp3 and Roland).  After that it depends what software you run on your computer.  So macs shipped with Sound Studio and that is not a bad two track editor.  You will have Garageband and the files from the Micro BR work perfectly well with that. Or you can download Audacity for free which runs well on a Mac, and it seems to be a favourite of people on this forum.

You should have no problem with an iMac, as long as you go and buy a usb cable.  I don't know why they don't put $10 on the retail price and supply them. They would a bundle out of that alone.

[Bluesberry]

You will have Garageband and the files from the Micro BR work perfectly well with that.

Please tell me more about garageband, I also have a mac and I have never really used garageband to date, I have done everything on the MBR  The only thing I have done with my mac so far is connect up and transfer my finished MP3 over to the computer for storage and playing on my IPod.  (I am not a big computer guy).  How do I use garageband with my MBR files, is it for the final mixing/mastering phase, and if so how?

[Tony]

Garageband can be very useful.  The nice thing about it is the ability to keep layering tracks and its editing functions.  It has drum loops and built in instruments.  I couldn't get near giving you a full account of its capabilities here but I can tell you what I use it for.

One example would be putting horn sections on tracks.  I like the sax sounds that it has but not the trumpet.  I record the drum, rhythm section and leads on the Micro BR.  Then I put the trumpets of the horn section on from a keyboard into the Micro BR.  Export the whole thing to the Mac and open the file in Garageband where it opens as one track.  Then I put the sax parts of the horn section on through Garageband and save it into iTunes.

If you have more questions, ask and I'll give it more thought.  Garageband can be good fun.

[Ted]

If you have more questions, ask and I'll give it more thought.  Garageband can be good fun.

Tony,

Since you offered...

I've got Garageband on my MacBook Pro and haven't even tried to use it yet. 

I have a song in 3/4 time that I'm thinking of recording as my first Garageband experiment (since the MBR has no drum patterns in 3/4).  I'm thinking I will record the guitar and vocals on the MBR, and then add the drums and other treatments in Garageband--perhaps even connect my MIDI piano.  (Bear in mind that I'm a MIDIot--no experience at all using MIDI as input device for recording and editing music, although I do have all the hardware I need.)

So here are two questions:

• Is this too ambitious of a first project getting my head around Garageband?  (i.e. Should I try to record song completely in Garageband before I start trying to leverage the best of both systems, importing files, etc.?)
• Can you recommend a Garageband-specific forum, or other resources to help me get through my noob phase without too many pitfalls?

Much thanks in advance.

[Tony]

Ted, I'll try but I don't think I can help too much with the specific questions.  First, I can't say it's too ambitious because I don't know you.  But it is do-able, that's definite. 

The problem is the 3/4 drum track.  Garageband doesn't have too many of those.  Like the Micro BR, it leans to even subdivisions and seems to say 'That's the world as it is, lump it.'  I get my 3/4 and 6/8 drums from an old Casio keyboard (Casio CTK601 - wonderful - never part with old equipment if you can help it) and my recently bought old Roland PMA-5 (best bit of equipment - as opposed to an actual instrument - ever).

So let's assume that you are happy with a Garageband waltz track, although it does a good gospel backing - revival piano style - in 6/8, you have a vocal and guitar track fron the MBR (I assume you'll be using the 3/4 metronome track and then switching it off), you need to input sounds into Garageband. This you can do in two ways.  You can input directly - I use the audio line in and the aforesaid Casio keyboard  - or use the Garageband sounds.  G/B has a musical keyboard in that it will allow you to use your typing pad/keyboard for inputting pitches.  This tends to work better than the onscreen input device.

Aren't you a bass player?  Put the bass on in the MBR.  Use the MBR for as much as you can.  Even if you bring it off the MBR as a single track mp3 (panned, balanced, mastered, etc. I'm assuming) you open it in G/B as a single track.  You can edit the other tracks that you do in G/B to suit that and then adjust for final export to iTunes (where you will burn it to CD). 

I don't use midi and you don't need to use midi to use G/B.  I assume that your mac has a 3.5mm audio in jack, or you use USB through something like a Griffin iMic, and you use that to input whatever you like.  I have feedback problems playing guitar into G/B so that's why I say do as much as you can on the MBR.  If you don't have those problems, it's a lot like using the MBR.

Basically open you MBR export as a single track and keep layering tracks for whatever new instrument you want to put on.  That's what it does best.

The project is do-able but you didn't say what the 'other treatments' comprised of so I had to remain suitably vague.  It shouldn't provide too many stumbling blocks for a first attempt.

As for forums, well, I've never found anything like this forum.  They all seemed too midi/computer oriented for me.  I, too, am a midiot, and, if that doesn't cover it, I'm really stupid too.

I hope that helped 1) because you asked and 2) because you have a Yip Harburg quotation in your signature line and I've been working on a version of 'Brother, can you spare a dime?' but a bit of the melody keeps eluding me. 

Good luck with Garageband.  It's pretty easy to find your way around.

[Ted]

Tony,

Thanks much for a thoughtful response.  I fired up G/B last night and started fumbling around.  I think I will try to record something simple, like Wild Thing to help me learn my way around the program before tackling my 3/4 project.  Then I will refer to your generous notes.

My backup plan for the 3/4 rhythm is my old Roland TR-505 drum machine.  I haven't used it in years, but I used to be a wizard with the thing, so I hope some of it will come back to me.

And thank you, Yip Harburg, for watching over me.

[64Guitars]

Does anyone know if I can use a Boss Micro with an iMac?

Yes. The Micro BR is compatible with Apple's OS X which, I believe, is the default operating system for iMacs.

I'm thinking of getting one to record home piano playing - any views on how well the BMicro works for this?

The Micro BR will record piano just fine. However, if that's all you want to record, then the Micro BR might not be your best choice. The Micro BR is designed for musicians who want to create their own multitrack recordings where they, for example, record acoustic guitar on one track, bass guitar on another track, electric guitar on another track, piano on another track, vocals on one or more other tracks, etc., then mix all these tracks into a complete "one-man-band" recording. It includes lots of great effects designed primarily for electric guitars, a built-in drum machine, and several other features that you probably wouldn't use if you only want to record piano.

You might be better off with a simpler recorder such as the TASCAM DP-004.

See http://microrecorders.org/community/general-discussion-b6/new-dp-004-4-track-pocketstudio-from-tascam/msg6068/#msg6068

It's a bit less expensive and has dual built-in microphones which would be great for recording acoustic piano in stereo (the Micro BR only has a single built-in microphone). The DP-004 has four tracks (versus the Micro BR's 32) which is enough to add some vocal tracks or simple percussion such as tambourine or maracas, for example. And, although I've used neither the DP-004 or the Micro BR, I would think that the DP-004 would be much easier to operate. So, if you only want to record acoustic piano and perhaps sing or add some simple percussion or one or two other instruments, then the DP-004 might be a better choice for you than the Micro BR. Visit your local music store and see what they have. There are plenty of other recorders that only record in stereo (Zoom H2, for example) which would also be good choices for recording acoustic piano.

On the other hand, if you're interested in adding guitar tracks, drums, vocals, etc. to create a complete "one-man-band" type of recording, then the Micro BR is an excellent choice and it's pretty hard to beat in that price range. And you can connect a stereo microphone to the Micro BR if you want to record an acoustic piano in stereo instead of using the single built-in mic.

[Tony]

Ted,  I'm hoping to hear this when you finish it.  Is it an original or is it the spirit of Yip coming back?

[Tony]

Helen, I concentrated on the mac aspect when I replied but I should say that I have recorded the piano directly into the MBR and directly into Garageband.  Both work really well.  I have only had trouble with feedback recording guitar into Garageband.  But if it is an acoustic piano then you should find the MBR to be fine.  The built in mic is a condenser mic so it will pick up everything but there are no problems putting the MBR tracks into the mac and Garageband.