What DAW app for my 2008 iMac ?

Emp_Fab

So, I bought a used 2008 iMac and currently it's got Pro Tools 8 LE on with an MBox 2 interface running Snow Leopard (I think).

I'm just wondering what my options are for other DAW software?  I'm happy to change the OS if needed.  My only goal really here is ease of use.  I know that if I have to spend too much time fighting with the U.I. and workflow, I'll get bored and leave it in the corner gathering dust.

So, of all of the available options, what DAW software would you say has the easiest learning curve and what OS do I need to run it please ?

Whatever it is, it'll need to have lots of videos on YouTube explaining how to do version things for when I get stuck! 

Thanks. 

 @Danny1969 ;

monquixote

Logic is the obvious answer

I should also add that there is a 4 year newer Mac for bugger all on the site atm.

TTony

monquixote said:

Logic is the obvious answer

I should also add that there is a 4 year newer Mac for bugger all on the site atm.

Ditto.

And a *much* better spec’d Mini.

goldtop

You don't say what ambitions you have from the DAW. 24-track songs with all-modelled amp tones and lots of insert plug-ins? Or a 8-track gtr/vox/bass/etc where you use your amp/etc for amp tones?

For the former, a 2008 iMac is going to be a challenge. 

For the latter, Garageband is always the MacOS answer to "spend too much time fighting with the U.I. and workflow, I'll get bored and leave it in the corner gathering dust".

Danny1969

You are going to struggle to find a version of Logic that will run on Snow Lep ... El Cap will run on a 2008 iMac but again it would mean tracking down an older version of Logic. 

Generally a 2008 iMac will run 32 tracks all with plugs plus a few aux bus effects. I did a whole album in Lockdown with a 2007 iMac with 6Gb ram. I've also supplied 3 similar machines with Mboxes for friends to use as DAW's. 

Emp_Fab

 @Danny1969 - didn't you mention you had an older version of logic if I couldn't get on with PT ?

From my layman's research it looks like I'll need to update the OS to El Cap then put Logic Pro 9 on it.  Does that sound feasible?

Also, what about Reaper ?  I believe that will run with El Cap on my iMac.

Is that better than Logic Pro 9 or does it have a very steep learning curve thus being counterproductive for my needs ?

monquixote

Emp_Fab said:

 @Danny1969 - didn't you mention you had an older version of logic if I couldn't get on with PT ?

From my layman's research it looks like I'll need to update the OS to El Cap then put Logic Pro 9 on it.  Does that sound feasible?

Also, what about Reaper ?  I believe that will run with El Cap on my iMac.

Is that better than Logic Pro 9 or does it have a very steep learning curve thus being counterproductive for my needs ?

I don't think "better" really means anything with DAWs.

They all have a niche where they perform well. 
Reaper is relatively light on resources and is very configurable so it could be a good choice, but a lot of people find it hard to learn and unfriendly. 

goldtop

Emp_Fab said:

 @Danny1969 - didn't you mention you had an older version of logic if I couldn't get on with PT ?

From my layman's research it looks like I'll need to update the OS to El Cap then put Logic Pro 9 on it.  Does that sound feasible?

Also, what about Reaper ?  I believe that will run with El Cap on my iMac.

Is that better than Logic Pro 9 or does it have a very steep learning curve thus being counterproductive for my needs ?

> "what DAW software would you say has the easiest learning curve"

No-one has ever called Reaper easy to learn. The UI when starting from scratch is downright confuddling. I got further on my third attempt, but still found the overly-bare interface unwelcoming.

Emp_Fab

Right - I've got a bargain copy of Logic Studio 9 with all the discs etc so my next step will be working out how to upgrade it from Snow Leopard to El Capitan.

Danny1969

Those older versions of OSX are just dmg's you can download in your browser .... Course you will need a more modern browser so find an old version of FF or Chrome, install that and then go here 

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/102662

Scroll down to about 3/4's of the page 

goldtop

I definitely had El Capitan running fine on a 2008 iMac, but I got a bargain 2012 i7 iMac shortly after and can't recall if I used a DAW on the 2008.

Emp_Fab

I've just spent two days wrestling with the bloody thing to get a clean install of El Capitan on there.....   But now it refuses to see my MBox 2 Mini USB soundcard !!

@Danny1969 ; -  Do you know what OS I need to run to have the MBox 2 Mini working AND Logic 9 Pro ?

Danny1969

The Mbox is too old, basically you had a 2008 machine with some 2004 software and hardware and now you have moved the machine forward to the point it won't work with the Mbox ..... the Mbox isn't a normal bit of core audio / asio hardware ... BUT they did release a core audio driver for Mbox, try searching for that 

Emp_Fab

I've tried.  Apparently I need the 10.3.3 Core Audio drivers but I can't find the buggers anywhere.  Not even Wayback archived them.

The file is Mbox_2_USB_10_3_3_Driver_79050.dmg apparently - in case anyone has it or has better search skills!

Emp_Fab

Fuck that.  ChatGPT is adamant that going back to Snow Leopard is my best option for maximum compatibility with the MBox and Logic 9.

monquixote

You can probably pick up a newer Mac for £100 it's not worth wasting your time.

Kittyfrisk

According to this site, Avid reckons that Mac MBox driver development ceased prior to El Capitan.
https://avidtech.my.salesforce-sites.com/pkb/articles/download/Mbox-Pro-Drivers
As Danny says, you seem to be trying to make discontinued third party hardware with limited software support work with a later OS.
Good try (I'd have done the same, as I hate obsolescence), but I reckon getting a Mac that's a little bit more recent might help you. Or get another interface... or both.

Emp_Fab

Nope.  I'm not changing any hardware.  I've already maxed out the ram and put an SSD in.  There has to be a Mac OS that will play nicely with both the MBox and Logic.  Changing the OS is a lot easier than throwing hardware in the bin.

Emp_Fab

Ok - it looks like going back to 10.6.8 Snow Leopard is the way forward. 

I managed to get an ISO of it once but it was a bastard to install so I'm not convinced it was pukka.  Anyone have a link to a reliable download please?

Kittyfrisk

Snow Leopard might be problematic as it predates the App Store & downloadable OS's   https://www.macworld.com/article/671911/how-to-get-old-macos-download-big-sur-catalina-mojave-and-more.html
You might try downloading Lion or Mountain Lion as the Mbox drivers covered those OS. Not sure about Logic though...might work. Needs research as to what hardware will work with what software.

*I'll have a look through my archive & see if I have a physical copy of Snow Leopard & let you know if I do.
(Even then, Apple used to issue dedicated versions for specific hardware, so it'll have to be an iMac version).

Danny1969

If you have a Snow Lep DVD than that will install on iMac, Macbook or Mac Pro. I have a copy but can't lend it out as it's a essential tool in my line of work.  If the machine was a quad core 2009 then it would need 10:6:3, not an earlier release 

I can always ghost one of my loads to a drive and send you that. Then just connect the drive via USB, boot from it and use disk utility to clone the USB drive to your internal SSD