Here we go again.. which computer?

  • Thread starter Thread starter swoon
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swoon

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Hi,

I have a DM24 mixer from Tascam. With it's soon to be released FireWire expansion, I was thinking of trading in the stand alone HD recorders for a DAW. (Which is imo more flexible.)

Through FireWire I will be able to transfer 24 tracks of digital audio.

I need to get a new system for this. I have always used PC's during my life. However I have a 266Mhz G3 MAC which is running Nuendo for the few times I need to record something on a computer. (Mostly stereo...)

I know the 266Mhz isn't gonna run 24 tracks without trouble and it has no FireWire. So, I'm ready for an update.

I was thinking of buying the new eMac. Still I have doubts whether it is still better to buy a MAC. I've been told that PC and MAC's are basically the same for audio nowadays. I could build myself a system for half the price of the eMac. (Which would be even more flexible with more expantion possibilities.)

Bascially I don't care about OS, PC/MAC... as long as I can have stable 24track recording without latency. (Well lowest as possible..)

What do you guys think?

Thx,

Swoon
 
Whatever makes you work comfortable. Either a PC or Mac will be able let you work with 24 tracks with no problems and it doesn't even take the latest and the greatest, best of the best machine. Nowadays the available horsepower is huge for little money.
 
you should be able to cross-update from nuento.mac to nuendo.pc.

from the hardware side there is no big differnce. The eMac is not so easily expandable as most PC's, but the bigger Macs are really great performing and rock stable.
 
The thing that worries me the most for DAW is the latency.
I never had this prob with my 2 VSR recorders of course...

I can imagine that the firewire method will require somekind of ASIO driver (PC) and to be honest I had nothing but crap with that on my audiowerk 8. For windows xp the drivers are absolutely crap imo.

Most of the time the audio just stops playback and a reboot is needed. On the MAC Nuendo locks up the mac from time to time and a full reboot is needed as well.

Expansion is not really necessary as I will only need the FireWire ports. just adding RAM would be convenient :)

Maybe I'm just being a bit paranoid with the idea of leaving hardware for software.. :D
 
i only know the motu units on mac and protools which also uses firewiere (with its own protocol), and they work very well
 
my recommendation

from a trained PRO computer engineer whose been owning recording studios for years. ....
amd 2500+ 2 fast hard drives 512mb ddr.
about 400 bucks or LESS if you shop wisely.
over 40 digital audio tracks very easily.
caveat - where people make MISTAKES on PC is they load it up with lots of games and garbage and downloaded stuff,
keep clean as a recording machine.
TIP - make sure the chipset of the motherboard is compatible with the sound card. best solution for PC i know with quality ADA
is RME and LUNX, or cheaper delta series.
software. check out magix audio studio for 50 bucks.
beats a lot of higher priced software imho for value for money
and sheer stability. never and i mean NEVER crashes on me.
another great GEM - powertracks at 29 bucks. 48 digital audio tracks. 24 bit etc. ive blown away mac heads with this set up.
total cost about 550 bucks CDN !
 
typos

i meant LYNX. and the 550 bucks is exclusive of sound card cost.
 
Thx for the info.

Good part is I won't need a soundcard as that will go through the DM24's firewire interface.

Basically I put the expansion card in the Tascam DM24 mixer, other end plugs into my PC's Firewire port. It turns the DM24 into a BIG audio interface. (Or at least that is what I've been told. The card isn't shipping yet.)

I guess the plan will be:

Wait untill I have the expansion card. Put a diff HD in my Athlon 1900XP. Install basic WinXP and Cubase. Give it a test drive. If I'm not happy, check for a mac. If I'm happy, buy a second PC with twinview video card and 2 monitors :)

Thx,

Swoon
 
the dualhead monitor systems are awesome :p

I use them for programming (1 for the editor, the other for the debuged program) and also for sequencing with logic and the creamware scope environment, and i definitely would miss them.
 
That was one of the things I would miss on an EMac... you can connect 2 monitors. However 2nd screen will just mirror the 1st one...

2 17" TFT would look awesome. :)

My desk will certainly change:

Before: Rack with fx - Tascam M2524 Analogue desk - 20" Mac monitor - 2 HD recorders - Keyb/Mouse

After: Tascam DM24 - 2 Screens- Keyb/Mouse
 
if u'r not into gaming (what i assume) then take a look for the matrox cards.

They are not as fast as others in 3D, but the 2D signal quality of this card is far better then the others!
 
I actually am.. but that machine will never ever be used to even read a Game CD. Might not even connect it to the net.

Will check them out. (First testing on my current system though..)
 
from a trained PRO computer engineer whose been owning recording studios for years. ....
amd 2500+ 2 fast hard drives 512mb ddr.
about 400 bucks or LESS if you shop wisely.
over 40 digital audio tracks very easily.

manning. Can you direct me to where to get one of those AMD computers? Sounds like what I need for for my home studio. Do you know if it is compatible with an Echo Mia soundcard? Thanx.
 
wannaplay

there are thousands of sites that sell amd systems on the internet,. or look in your local yellow pages under computers. lots of clone builders around.
heres one of many for example canadasys.com
some points..
1. MAKE SURE DMA IS ENABLED ON HARD DRIVES.
the high xfer speeds are needed for audio.
2. overspec the power supply. some clone shops put in a min supply. this way you can expand with no worries.
3. make sure you get QUALITY memory.
as to chipsets compatible with mia. i would contact echo directly and get the latest info/blurb.
most people seem happy with sis and nvidia chip sets but i WOULD CHECK FIRST.
 
Echo likes Via chipsets for Athlons, KT133A and higher. I've had them running great on KT133A's, KT333's, KT400's, and now my current set up, KT600.

I generally stick with Asus.

The comment about eMacs......I would stay away from that particular model. A good friend who's a net tech for a college has been have lots of them crap out. I can get the specifics if you want.

I would lean more towards a Powerbook, iBook, or iMac, all G4.
 
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