[G4] How do I record audio on OSX?

[John Albert]

Alex writes:
<< There is no _analogue_ sound input on the  Quicksilver (and several other
Macs). These models expect digital sound  input through the USB port. Whether
this was done so that Apple could  shave a couple of dimes from the price of a
Mac, or because it expected  everybody to go digital in short order, is a
matter for debate. (The  fact that Apple never made any USB recording device
or sound interface  suggests the former.) See Apple KB article ID 31379.
  The solutions are those suggested by Richard -- either a suitable PCI  sound
card, or a USB sound interface device. >>

I've had excellent results with a now-out-of-production gadget by Onkyo, the
SE-U55 "External USB Sound Card".

It looks like Onkyo marketed this as an "external alternative" to adding a
PCI-based sound card. It has a full complement of analog and digital inputs
and outputs: analog in, analog out, digital/optical in and out, coax digital
in and out, monaural mike in, stereo headphone out. It's an upright design,
and draws it's power from the USB bus (but also has an input for self-power).

Again, these are no longer sold new, but it might be possible to hunt one down
used, on ebay, etc.

- John