Simultaneous tracks with Garage Band?

Just went through a quick tutorial that said with a particular piece of equipment (multi track interface, or something), you can record several tracks at once, whereas, on older versions of GB, only one track could be recorded at a time.
Anybody have experience with this?
What's the gizmotron?
How much $$?

Charlie, the multi track interface is just an interface (firewire would be my recommendation) that has multiple inputs... for example I use the alesis multimex 12. It allows for like 6 instruments at a time.. in garageband I create 6 tracks, set up how I want to record them (vocals, guitar, sims if I need them etc) assign a 'digital track' that is unique, make sure the little red record button is clicked and whammo, record away. It totally works and so long as you have a powerful enough computer and enough ram, it will work.

I have, to date, only recorded 4 tracks simultaneously in real life, but that will soon change as a band I play with is getting ready to record and we'll need 8 (cool, I get to buy an new interface!)

The latest garageband is a HUGE leap forward for that product.

multiport interfaces start as low as 129.00 and go up to the thousands...

Lots of guys like the firepods. I traded for my alesis and have really liked it ... but, I have decided I no longer want the analog mixer part. So, I'm sold on the Alesis IO series (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Alesis-iO26-Portable-26-Input-FireWire-Audio-Interface?sku=246031). my contender was the phonic Helix... both are in the 350 - 400 range which is really, really inexpensive for what you get.

The differentiator for me was the volatility of the driver and the potential damage (physical) that can be caused. The presonus and maudio 1394 stuff can cook the port. for me that is a deal breaker... all of the vendors have struggled with 1394 implementation for political reasons more than technical reasons, so, the initial setup can take an hour or two to get it dimed... but once you are there... they are wonderful devices and work great.

I have become enamored of the toneport software and the amp sims and short of buying amp farm (pricey) they give you tons of flexibility and you can edit the daylights out of the performance by not using a 'real' amp or 'printing' effects. Sorry for all the jargon, but it is the actual terminology they use for this stuff.

Getbent,
Is the new version of Garageband alot better even if you only have the old G4 processor, or does it need the faster processor to work well?

You have to have at least an 867mhz mac to run the new one... if you have a machine that fast, the update is worth it. the newer os' actually runs in a smaller ram footprint than the older... it is just the tightening of the code base that is causing that non typical effect.

Faster computers just go faster, so having the new software on an old computer still won't run as fast as new on new, but the new features are worth the update if you can run it. 512 mb of ram is BARE minimum and 1GB is much, much better esp. in GB.

The differentiator for me was the volatility of the driver and the potential damage (physical) that can be caused. The presonus and maudio 1394 stuff can cook the port. for me that is a deal breaker... all of the vendors have struggled with 1394 implementation for political reasons more than technical reasons, so, the initial setup can take an hour or two to get it dimed... but once you are there... they are wonderful devices and work great.
Sorry for all the jargon, but it is the actual terminology they use for this stuff.


Thanks, GB.
I think the only part I didn't get is the above.
There is some stuff that can physicallt toast the computer?
Are "presonus" and "maudio" brand names or generic?
And...I don't get the part about them being good once you get them dialed in.
If you upgrade, keep me in mind as a potential buyer for your old stuff.

Thanks, GB.
I think the only part I didn't get is the above.
There is some stuff that can physicallt toast the computer?
Are "presonus" and "maudio" brand names or generic?
And...I don't get the part about them being good once you get them dialed in.
If you upgrade, keep me in mind as a potential buyer for your old stuff.

the maudio (yes a brand name) 1394 (firewire) interfaces must be connected only when the computer is OFF. if you 'hot swap them' or plug them in when the computer is on there have been significant (5% +) instances of the firewire port on your computer being 'ruined'. This is a problem because most macs use firewire ports that are part of the motherboard... so to replace the port is to replace the motherboard 400.00 or more. So, imo you have to be too careful with them. I had a 410 I got from a friend as a present and I traded it... I had two other guys I know cook a port.. no good!

by dialed in, I just mean spending two hours to figure out and get everything really working and 'talking' so if you have an interface, software etc...

If you read EdP's thread about his cable last week... it took a couple of posts to get him sorted and then wham, he is populating twanger central. Once you get it working it works great. My experience is when I get new stuff I don't know what I don't know so it takes me a bit to figure out what the directions mean.

Charlie, it has been my habit to give away my old recording gear as I have always gotten my moneys worth out of it! I'll put you on the list... there are a few tdpri-ers I've sent gear to happily... I'll let you know... I'm getting close to ordering!