Apple Asteroid?

[Palad1]

That's not what I need for GarageBand usage!

Still no Guitar input with a simple preamp...

That's all I need in order to fully enjoy GarageBand... Something that will raise the signal from line to mic, without the induced buzz.

 

[Windowlicker]

You could always get the Griffin iMic. It's runs audio through USB. However, it seems that this Asteroid will give better sound quality.

I'm sure it will. I had one of those Griffin iMics and it it was terrible. It gave more volume for the left channel, so every time I recorded something I had to spend a lot of time trying to get the channels to the same level. I'm not sure if they have made the product better later, but the one I had wasn't really what I wanted it to be so I sold it.

 

[chameeeleon]

Thought that apple wasn't allowed to produce audio production hardware, due to the apple corp agreement.

I guess they've basically said "screw it" since the lawsuit, and are using the "if we're going to get sued, at least we can get some more benefit from breaking the contract" approach.

 

[margotspop]

I will be disappointed if Apple release a product like this without support for Midi I/O since Garageband is very much geared towards Midi. As currently spec'd, apart from Firewire capability (which may not be a big deal for most hobbyist musicians) I don't see this product really competing with something like the Tascam US122 which gives you Audio I/O, XLR Inputs and Midi.

 

[sonictruth]

Korg Pandora PX4

Still no Guitar input with a simple preamp...

That's all I need in order to fully enjoy GarageBand... Something that will raise the signal from line to mic, without the induced buzz.

Other message boards offer many ways to add a preamp for guitars, but the no-brainer solution I would recommend is the Korg Pandora PX4; link is http://www.korg.com/gear/info.asp?A_PROD_NO=PX4. It does the preamp work, but really was designed for a million other things including amp modeling, effects processor, digital tuner, drum/bass/rhythm patterns to play over, play over recorded loops, and on and on. All in a little box the size of a fat deck of cards, attaches to your guitar strap if you want, backlit display...

I bought mine used (3-months used) for $150 last winter, new on everyday-type discount is about $200, and list is $225 or $250. Check eBay too. A brilliant little box.

 

[Palad1]

Guitar Amp

I bought mine used (3-months used) for $150 last winter, new on everyday-type discount is about $200, and list is $225 or $250. Check eBay too. A brilliant little box.

That's what I ended up doing, I've been toying around with an X V-amp for the last couple of weeks until I sold my guitar, and this happened...

 

[sonictruth]

That's what I ended up doing, I've been toying around with an X V-amp for the last couple of weeks until I sold my guitar, and this happened...

Ouch!! I feel your pain (and fortunately not your guitar's). That's one serious intonation problem... So what's happened since you called? Also, if you have a moment, what's the X V-amp?

 

[Palad1]

Ouch!! I feel your pain (and fortunately not your guitar's). That's one serious intonation problem... So what's happened since you called? Also, if you have a moment, what's the X V-amp?

It's a nice little pedal that includes:

• Noise Gate
• Equalizer
• Standard Effects (chorus/flanger)
• Amp simulation (not so bad, only the acoustic mode sounds 'midi-ish')
• AND an expression pedal, very nice for the wah

Here are the specs

It has one guitar level input, one guitar level output and one mic level output (which I can plug into my powerbook's mic in and at least, get rid of that annoying BUZZZZZzzzzzzzz )

As for the guitar, thanks, here sister's on the way
I called, they are exchanging it, no questions asked (the person who packed it forgot to loose the strings before sending it to UPS).

 

[Daveway]

I don't want to sound stupid are anything but what exactly is phantom power?

 

[Windowlicker]

Does anyone know...

...I'm trying to hide all my wires from my iMac. So far, I've only got one wire (apart fom power) coming out of it - it's an apple thin firewire cable that leads to a firewire hub behind my bed.

the firewire hub is plugged into my ipod, lacie drive. so, could i think plug this device (asteroid) into my hub, and then plug my speakers into the asteroid?

I know it's abit of a high price point just to get rid of one speaker cable tho.. :S

Hey I'm all for you on that one! I'm trying to have as little cables as possible too. I guess I should get a BT mouse and keyboard. nahh that's where goes my line. I'm not putting that money there. or well, maybe some day.

 

[Palad1]

I don't want to sound stupid are anything but what exactly is phantom power?

You've never heard of WSP (Wireless Power Supply) drawing energy away from the souls floating around the base station?

 

[2A Batterie]

For those who asked... oversimplified, phantom power is a 48v signal that is required for certain microphones such as condesor types. Condensor mic's are designed differently than dynamic mics (such as an SM58, the mic most bands use for live vox) and pick up sound differently based on their diaphram design.
For those who are bummed out about no MIDI on the Asteroid, just purchase a simple 1x1 MIDI USB interface... they cost under $50.

 

[swissmann]

I would like to use this for a little bit different application. I am not a sound guy but rather a video guy that fairly often needs a good voice recording as commentary. I could use this for that and also use it to play around in some sound apps to create background tracks.

 

[pauld]

a lot of new 'midi' keyboards just plug straight into the usb port. the one i'm using didn't even need drivers installed or anything like that.

 

[Mike Teezie]

Still no Guitar input with a simple preamp...

That's all I need in order to fully enjoy GarageBand... Something that will raise the signal from line to mic, without the induced buzz.

I has a XLR (mic) / TRS (guitar/bass) input. It's a pretty ingenious design, one seen on MOTU and DIgidesign's hardware. One input can accept either a mic's XLR cable, or a guitar's TRS cable.

 

[pgwalsh]

One key element to make this device a winner. A VOLUME CONTROL nob. Not a small, I can barely touch the thing, nob, but a large one. Maybe take from the ipod.

Too many devices have no volume control nob. If you've ever had an audio connection go bad, you know that hi pitched squeal... It's enough to make you afraid, very afraid.

As said early.. maybe midi in/out/thru. I'd like to see 1/4" jacks instead of XLR or put the kind that can accept either 1/4" or XLR in the same place. Digitial in/out would be nice. Oh and hopefully it's full duplex.

 

[fpnc]

Although this rumor seems somewhat "solid" I'm still having a problem believing it. This just doesn't seem to match with Apple's current, all-consuming, basic-consumer focus (iPod, iPod, iPod...).

As one example, the Firewire interface, although common in "pro" audio/video gear, just seems out of place. In fact, IMO, it's probably time for everyone at Apple to recognize that Firewire is essentially "dead" in the consumer space. Sure, it will continue for a few more years in DV cameras but that's about it. I suspect that it won't be too long before Firewire is even dropped from the iPod.

Second, it seems like this product would have a very small market potential, being that it would have a limited appeal within an already small group (i.e. the universe of Mac users).

Lastly, it competes directly with third-party products that are already well established, from companies widely known in the prosumer and professional markets.

Therefore I say on this product, not likely (at least not under the Apple logo). It's also possible that this was just an prototype product, something that will never see the light of day, and that it is just a too-long-saved leftover from Emagic.

That said, if Apple did introduce such a product for under $150, and it had very clean pre-amps with robust and versatile analog/digital conversion then even I might be interested. It would be nice, however, if it also offered RCA-style or mini-plug, line-level, analog inputs. But, in this latter case I guess they could just offer seamless integration with the existing analog inputs on most Macs.

 

[jared_kipe]

What about midi in and out?? I can't see apple releasing such a product without being able to harness midi keyboards. Also, I think apple would put the connectors on the sides, not the top of the device.

 

[jared_kipe]

Although this rumor seems somewhat "solid" I'm still having a problem believing it. This just doesn't seem to match with Apple's current, all-consuming, basic-consumer focus (iPod, iPod, iPod...).

As one example, the Firewire interface, although common in "pro" audio/video gear, just seems out of place. In fact, IMO, it's probably time for everyone at Apple to recognize that Firewire is essentially "dead" in the consumer space. Sure, it will continue for a few more years in DV cameras but that's about it. I suspect that it won't be too long before Firewire is even dropped from the iPod.

Who said firewire was "dead" in consumer space. This obviously isn't going to be marketed (maybe not even work) to anybody but mac users. And all macs have a firewire port. Firewire speed is more than enough for this kind of data transfer. What do you want? USB2.0? Most consumer macs don't have it, and usb1.1 is too slow.

 

[Palad1]

I has a XLR (mic) / TRS (guitar/bass) input. It's a pretty ingenious design, one seen on MOTU and DIgidesign's hardware. One input can accept either a mic's XLR cable, or a guitar's TRS cable.

Ohhh goooooood

GarageBand will soon earn its name with this device

 

[cluthz]

It's a nice little pedal that includes:

• Noise Gate
• Equalizer
• Standard Effects (chorus/flanger)
• Amp simulation (not so bad, only the acoustic mode sounds 'midi-ish')
• AND an expression pedal, very nice for the wah

Here are the specs

It has one guitar level input, one guitar level output and one mic level output (which I can plug into my powerbook's mic in and at least, get rid of that annoying BUZZZZZzzzzzzzz )



As for the guitar, thanks, here sister's on the way
I called, they are exchanging it, no questions asked (the person who packed it forgot to loose the strings before sending it to UPS).

About your guitar, this has also happened to my Gibson!!!
It's a usual problems with the gibson heads.
I paid $400 to get it repaired (I could have fixed it cheaper, but I wanted the best..)
The head is as new, even if you use a microscope you can't see it..

As for recording guitar I use a Digitech RP6 and i also has a little stereo preamp (vivanco mx510). It works great for my guitar recordings.

 

[apple2991]

Second, it seems like this product would have a very small market potential, being that it would have a limited appeal within an already small group (i.e. the universe of Mac users).

Who says it will be Mac-only? I think the idea behind Apple making such huge strides into the music indsutry is to offer a multi-pronged attack. That applies not only to penetrating the PC market (as they did when iPod and AE became PC-compatible), but to the halo effect as well. The more "hub of your digital lifestyle" products Apple can offer to potential switchers who are attracted to Macs because of digital lifestyle products (iPod, iMac G5, etc.), the better. This will just add to the hub.

Lastly, it competes directly with third-party products that are already well established, from companies widely known in the prosumer and professional markets.

Yeah, yeah it does. But who isn't willing to pay for the Apple brand--the style, the ease of use (plug in and go), and the comfort that it will just work with everything else you have? Maybe if you are using ProTools or other professional level stuff, this is a non-issue. But for me, and I'm sure a huge number of other people who record music but not professionally, this is an easy, simple, good to go general product. Especially if it's being targeted at GarageBand users.

That is, if it's real.

 

[iMeowbot]

This is outside my area for sure... what are examples of how a breakout box like this would make GarageBand more useful?

The XLR connectors alone look interesting. Consumer PC audio interfaces usually leave you on your own to deal with adapting your cables to fit a 1/8" phono plug. Also, you typically don't get that many inputs; USB on the older interfaces limited that.

What does this do more easily than other methods? Just OS integration? (Not to sneeze at that. Or maybe a massively lower price would be enough )

Reduced clutter counts for a lot! Fewer connectors also give you fewer places to introduce hideous noises. I like it.

And I know the rumored specs are prelimary... but wouldn't more inputs (like optical) be important? Are those big plugs common for consumers? (But maybe this is "prosumer," not consumer.)

Those big connectors are standard for pro and semipro mics. Optical has its place, and digital interfaces are gradually creeping into everything, but for now most instruments are still firmly planted in mature analog technology.

 

[fpnc]

Who said firewire was "dead" in consumer space. This obviously isn't going to be marketed (maybe not even work) to anybody but mac users. And all macs have a firewire port. Firewire speed is more than enough for this kind of data transfer. What do you want? USB2.0? Most consumer macs don't have it, and usb1.1 is too slow.

All current Macs come with USB 2.0, but it's true that there are more Macs with Firewire than there are with USB 2.0. However, there are probably more Macs with SCSI than Firewire and interfaces do come and go and I'm just saying that Firewire is probably on the way out. Firewire is being squeezed between USB 2.0, Serial ATA, and gigabit (and faster) ethernet. If it weren't for the DV camera market I suspect that Firewire would already be "dead" in the consumer space. I place some of this blame on Apple (they didn't push Firewire products and the Firewire spec hard enough), although with the Mac's small market share it's kind of difficult for Apple to move the industry in the "right" direction (which, IMO, should have been Firewire for high-speed and bus-powered devices and USB for low-speed and absolutely lowest-cost devices). I don't think Apple can turn this trend around (it's really too late), so for all intents and purposes Firewire is soon to be "running on empty."

There is also the issue of product cost. Today, partly as a result of its limited market share Firewire is just more expensive than USB 2.0. Also, if Apple really wants another "hit" consumer product it should work on both Macs and PCs and USB 2.0 is significantly more common on PCs than is Firewire (and if you exclude the iLink or non-bus-power versions of Firewire then the disparity becomes even greater).

Here is my prediction, in another three years you won't be able to find consumer-targeted, Firewire-based products (except, perhaps, for "old," legacy-style DV cameras). I don't know how long it will be before Apple stops putting Firewire in their Mac (computer) products, but that may also happen within the next five years. True, three to five years is a long time in the computer industry, and there is still time to market Firewire products, but I suspect that they will represent a dying breed.

 

[Photorun]

This is EXCELLENT news (if true). My girlfriend is heavily into GarageBand but when I told her what my DigiDesign MBox cost she freaked out ($450, good think I didn't tell her what my Digi001 cost). She "sings" (er, sorta) and wanted a way of getting audio quality, balanced mix in with XLR input, not some rigging of such thing, we just started looking at things from M-Audio but weren't sure where to go. This solution from Apple would totally fit the bill to hook to her new iMac (it'd match it too if that concept is right).

GO APPLE!!!

C