Making music with my Mac. What do I need?

[ascender]

Apart from talent obviously....

Sitting here with a Powerbook and lying around I have some guitars, fx board and a pre-amp, so I'd really like to have a play about and record some stuff. But I have literally no idea where to start.

I'm guessing I need:

1. Physical connection of something to my Mac.

2. Recording programme of some sort.

3. Drum loops, samples etc.

Is anyone here in to any of this and could point me in the right direction?

Thanks!


Mike.

[Magnakai]

Just a quickie as I'm posting from my phone.
Firstly, has your Powerbook got a line-in? If so, and you're only looking for basic quality, then just use that. You should be able to plug your pre-amp's output straight in.
If you don't, then there are plenty of affordable USB or Firewire solutions.

Software-wise, Garageband really is very easy and extremely capable.

[Magnakai]

Sorry, ran out of space in that last message.
So yeah, if you don't have Garageband, you could yarr up any number of pro or semi-pro bits of software such as Apple Logic, Steinberg Nuendo or Cubase, Ableton Live, MOTU Digital Performer, etc. All of which are excellent and rather surplus to you needs.
There's probably a decent freeware solution too.
For samples, hit up the Freesound Project. Enjoy!

[yosai]

Audacity is a free multitrack recorder that shouldn't be too dificult to learn.

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

[Binary Defence Crimson]

My brother and I made some instrumental tracks with just GarageBand, with our guitars, basses and drum machine plugged in through the Mac's 'line in' socket. Not the best sound quality possible, but it was quick and we were able to do with without having to buy anything new.