While it supports only 8 tracks of audio, it features an integrated MIDI sequencer and better compatibility with newer ProTools versions. ProTools Free is also a great choice for users with newer Power Macs running Mac OS 8.6 and up. For more information and to download the software, see Adam Rosen’s article Using ProTools Free 3.4 with Older Macs. While feature-poor compared to the competition, ProTools 3.4 is a reliable way to replace that awful 4-track cassette machine with 16 tracks of Macintosh goodness. No realtime or offline effects are available without DigiDesign TDM hardware. MIDI can be incorporated but requires an external sequencer application. ProTools 3.4’s functionality is very basic. ProTools v3.4 supports up to 16 tracks on Power Macs and works great on 680×0 Macs that have DigiDesign NuBus cards. Red is for commercial software you’ll need to purchase a license.

Green titles represent freeware and shareware. I’ll use italics to indicate software that requires a newer, PowerPC based Macintosh. This list is not exhaustive, but it is a good starting point for putting these classic Macs back into use. Here’s some quality free and low-cost software choices to make these Macs useful again. The creation of Farallon MacRecorder Iin 1987 brought recording to mainstream users, and the Macintosh never looked back.Įarly Power Macs have ample speed and quality sound I/O built-in, and 680×0-based Macs can join in with DigiDesign (now Avid) NuBus expansion cards. Macintosh computers have been involved in music and audio since their introduction. 2006: Classic Mac audio software: Free and low-cost ways for vintage and classic Macs to perform in the studio.

Free recording software for mac