Audio Interface for a Powermac G5?

  • Thread starter Thread starter jinsho
  • Start date Start date
J

jinsho

New member
My first post! Anyways, right now I'm currently running an old mic mixer through the line-in jack of my computer (I primarly use my computer for video/graphic work so some of my audio equipment isn't that great). I'm looking at replacing it, but I'm not sure what to look for. I record a lot of my guitaring and use synths for drums/bass but my band will be wanting to record some tracks pretty soon so I'm thinking about upgrading. Since I'll be doing all the drumming some nicer microphones would be nice too.

I'm wondering if I should get another but much better mixer and use the same method as before. Multi-track recording would be nice but I've never tried anything like it before. I've been seeing a lot of USB / Firewire based interfaces and been curious as to how good those are. Either way, what would be the ideal method of connecting an audio interface to my computer? Downmixing 5 inputs into my line-in doesn't seem too flexible right now but I don't want to spend too much money on an elaborate multitrack recording system. I'm looking at spending around $200-300 for a new audio interface.

Also, I'm not sure if it's true, but I've heard that an optical interface can carry multiple tracks. Is this true? And if so, will most recording software seperate these tracks pretty easily?

Please feel free to post any recommendations on methods and equipment to try. Thanks!

Here's a quick list of my equipment so far:

Apple Powermac G5 (DP) 1.8ghz (80 + 160gb hdd, 1.25gb ram)
M-Audio Keyboard Interface
Ibanez GAX 30 (time to upgrade)
Peavy International 8-peice drum kit (same ^^)
Epiphone Acoustic
Unknown 12-string acoustic
 
Info

You should try the M-AUDIO line of interfaces therre are many that works good with mac computers. Or try M.O.T.U. line of interfaces theirs are especially good for mac computers. Any good codensor mic is good www.musiciansfriend.com has a website full of different types of gear from guitars to keyboards to groove machines to mixers to mics and diiferent things of that nature. :D
 
Do not, i repeat, DO NOT buy the M Audio Delta 1010!! I have the Dual 1.8ghz and i found out the hard way that the 1010 are not compatible with these machines. The 1010 and 1010LT are only compatble with the Single 1.8, Dual 2.0, Dual 2.5 and Dual 1.8 (If you purchased this before June 2004). Just thought i would let you know as i dont want anyone to have as much problems as ive been having!!

I have just sent my second 1010 back and am currently looking for a new soundcard, preferbaly a Firewire of some sort.

Good luck!!
 
Thanks for the heads up. I was actually looking at the delta 1010.. but I'll be more cautious now. Thanks again!
 
I would second the suggestion of MOTU interfaces. The 828 mkII is at $750 currently, and an even better deal is the 828 mkI. 18 ins/20outs(i think), 8 analog, 8 adat lightpipe, s/pdif, all on one little firewire cable. I just picked up an 828 mkI off of ebay for 450 shipped, brand new, sealed, in box. I probably could have done a little better than that, but I figured it was worth it to be able to register it and have a warranty. I have seen some of them go for around $350, with the average price around $380-$400. Granted they are used, but hey, 18 channels at this price is a pretty good deal. At least I think so. :)
 
Tifstorey said:
Do not, i repeat, DO NOT buy the M Audio Delta 1010!! I have the Dual 1.8ghz and i found out the hard way that the 1010 are not compatible with these machines. The 1010 and 1010LT are only compatble with the Single 1.8, Dual 2.0, Dual 2.5 and Dual 1.8 (If you purchased this before June 2004). Just thought i would let you know as i dont want anyone to have as much problems as ive been having!!

I have just sent my second 1010 back and am currently looking for a new soundcard, preferbaly a Firewire of some sort.

Good luck!!
Click to expand...

wish i saw this post a few years back before i did the same mistake LOL
what a nightmare that was.. it seemed to work but always made static + noise on the ins + outs..
it was a real mess... i actually ended up trading my dp 1.8ghz powermac g5 for a single 1.8ghz g5
just to get compatibility with the sound card.. lol

for anyone else muckin about with older macs + audio hardware:
basically the rule is.. if the mac has only 4 memory slots. its incompatible with the delta cards
if it has 8 slots.. u are good to go.
 
The demise of Firewire means that you should be able to pickup some real bargains in FW interfaces and certainly look for something with ADAT for future expansion. The new Behringer AD8200 is said to be quite good. Certainly good enough for drums! (heh!)

Dave.
 
I have a Delta1010 and was using it happily for many years. Unfortunately they are not compatible with Intel Macs so when I upgraded my computer I also bought into MOTU - fantastic gear. Get yourself an interface with the PCI-e board and you can expand your Ins/Outs as you need to in the future.
Dags
 
Ridiculously old thread but, yeah, firewire would be the way forward for anyone rocking an old G5.
I run a motu 828mkII with MBP+MP flawlessy.

Motu still have a driver for 10.5 onwards so it should be plain sailing. :)
 
i think a better choice for a powermac g5 would be a motu pci-x 424 card & 2408 mk2

of course any usb + firewire options are pretty much going to work as long as u run tiger 10.4.11+
i have a mackie 1620i firewire mixer connected to mine aswell as the 2408mk2
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top