Mac user - Help please

At the most basic level, you can use GarageBand as your DAW, which comes free with OSX (or at least it did with my 2015 MacBook Pro), though you'll need some kind of USB/Thinderbolt audio interface. They can be had for not much money, if all you need is a 2 in 2 out unit. If your Mac has a line in, you could actually get away with not having an interface and just connect the headphone out of the profiler to the line in with an appropriate cable.

It seems like you can actually use the Zoom R24 as an interface - in that case, I think all you need is a USB cable.

What level would you say you are at? What will you be using the recordings for?

How old / which model is your mac? If its sufficiently new, garageband should be available for free. There are of course other options, with very different prices, complexities and content

I always advise people to keep it simple, so I would say: get one of the focusrite scarlett interfaces how many inputs do you realistically need? And do you have studio monitors?

OK, cool

I think I'd recommend the Focusrite Scarlett 6i6 interface. That should definitely cover what you need, and also any further needs that might crop up in the immediate future at least that's what I think. I don'thave it myself (I have one of focusrite's firewire interfaces, and am very satisfied), but many people here seem to use it and be satisfied with it. It has midi, spdif, and "proper" line inputs.

There are simpler/more basic interfaces in the scarlett range which are cheaper, but I'm not sure about the features - ie. are all the line inputs balanced etc. Maybe @JackFocusrite can chime in?

Apart from focusrite, there are of course other manufacturers. Other people can chime in about those

Will you record vocals, synths or anything else like that as well?

Quote from Bilbosmeggins

Thanks for the heads-up, Michael. I shall look into the Focusrite range. I won't be recording anything other than guitar tracks, and, possibly, vocals over backing tracks. I have a Shure SM57 for vocals.

Is there a DAW I should be looking out for? I'll be perfectly honest, and say that I've used GarageBand in the past and found it annoying and gimmicky. I'm sure people can get great results out of it, but I'd prefer something a bit more straight forward and "mixer-like".

OK, one more point about vocals and that mic - I don't have experience with this particular one, but I think it needs a healthy amount of gain, and the stock interface might not give you all that much. You can turn up the gain in the daw etc if you are not too worried about noise - but that all depends on what you're going to do with the recordings of course. You can always get a different mic down the line.

Regarding DAWs, there are a lot of different options. Myself, I use mainly Logic Pro X, which I love (also has the amazing Drummer feature, which is GREAT for songwriting).

There are other cheaper alternatives, many with different tiers which have different price points and features/limitations. By the same token, there are many different more expensive alternatives too

Some allow you to demo them. I'd do a bit of research on prices and see what speaks to you (their own websites, and maybe some "overview videos" on youtube) - and then STICK with whatever you choose. I'd be happy to tell you more about any particular DAWs you may find that pique your interest.

Some suggestions:

- Logic Pro X
- Reaper (very cheap, very deep, may be a bit steep learning curve; not any included virtual instruments, I think)
- Studio One (I dig this, but don't use it really - if you're gonna go this route, wait for when you can get it at a discount - often you can save up to 40%. Comes at several different price points with different features/limitations))
- Cubase (comes at several different price points with different features/limitations - I don't know this personally)

I'd spend some time with Garageband if I were you. It comes with some good plugins and what you learn from it will carry over if you upgrade to Logic in the future. Its a lot more capable than people give it credit for.

You could also check out Reaper which a lot of people like. It costs around $60us IIRC. I think Logic is way better value though because of all the great plugins and instruments you get with it.

Definitely invest in Logic Pro X if you plan to get into recording seriously.
It' s my main DAW nowadays and its feature set is amazing as @Michael_dk has pointed out.
Also +1 for a Focusrite interface, Scarlett (USB) or Saffire (FireWire/Thunderbolt) range.

BTW, also remember that many DAWs can be demoed - studio one and reaper can, maybe others too

Digital Performer - 30-day demo.

I mention it for balance as it gets left out of practically all discussion of DAW contenders.

I use Reaper (you can download and use for free but its only like $60 for the license) with a Scarlet Fire 2i2 via USB to my Mac. I can record both vocals and guitar (via the Kemper) through Scarlet 2i2.

I use iDrum for the drum tracks - I'm not well versed in drum machine software so I assume there is are probably as good or better options.

I found Reaper easier to use than Garage Band and there is a whole online forum and user community you can reach out to you if you get stuck. Check it out:

Reaper

Reaper is free to try. Technically you have 30 days, but I think it works past that (as said, honor system)
Free tutorials with Kenny Gioia.

If you like GarageBand then Logic will definitely be your thing ,but maybe GarageBand is good enough?

Reaper is $60 to buy, LogicPro X is $200 and you can't try-before-you-buy.

Of course the Apple stuff is technically meant to work on Apple hardware but I've not seen it work any faster or less flawlessly than Reaper.

Presonus Studio One 3 is also available free to try it out. You can only record 2 Tracks at once at the free Version but to try I think that'd be enough. I quite like it for my home recordings. Though at the studio we use Sonar..