New User-couple of quick questions

[Johnrg]

Guys,
I have just purchased a 003 Factoryconsole, MPT2 and a new 2.66 Imac.
As you can imangine I am broke but:
(1)What are the cheap options for studio talkback. I don't need to run multiple monitors just need some easy way to talk to the talent via a four channel headphone amp.
(2)I am initially going to record to the built in Imac 360gb harddrive and backup to DVD. What, if any are the other options for back up or recording, perhaps some kind of external drive? agin think cheap if possible.
Thanks
JohnG

[Craig F]

the Massy Talkback plug might work for you
http://www.smassey.com/plugin.html

It is better to record to an external Firewire hard drive with an Oxford 9xx chip set
Worst case scenario that I have seen happen:
Pro Tools records over the System folder wiping the OS out

[Whiteyguitar]

Another way to talkback is if you are not using all the channels, just set up a mic and an audio track and when not recording you arm the track and talk, anyone with headphones will hear you. Another option that I use is, I have a mixer with SPDIF output and I plug into that and setup an audio track with SPIDF set as the input. also there is the mackie big knob.
Most definately record to an external firewire drive, aside from (worst case) wiping out the OS as Craig pointed out but it will bog down your system.

[albee1952]

Even easier is to patch in a mic with a switch and assign it to an aux track. Leave the track up in everyone's headphones and just switch in on/off when you pick it up. When budget allows, some of the monitor/source selectors have talkback built in. I use the Presonus Central Station with a momentary footswitch and its built-in mic.