Mac Users: Help Choosing a System

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Chris F

Chris F

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I'm considering moving to a computer based recording setup, and find myself in a bit over my head as far as knowledge of what's out there. I'm leaning in the direction of the MOTU 828, but this would require me to buy a new computer system. After purchasing the recording peripheral stuff I'll need, I'd have about $1500 left in the budget for a system. What (if any) are the Mac options for a system in this price range that could handle the 828 (10 tracks max, mostly live acoustic recording) without flinching too much? I'd like to get to a point where I can record, mix, (pre) master, and burn mp3's and CD's on the same machine. What's out there that does this in my price range, and what are some of the features I'll need to be sure to look for to make sure the system I'm looking at can do what I want?


Thanks in advance,

Chris Fitzgerald


P.S. - I've done a bit of searching on this site on the subject, and keep running into these huge "MY PC IS BETTER AND FASTER THAN YOUR MAC" threads. I am NOT trying to create another of these...so please, if anyone is tempted to do this, resist the temptation. :) I'm looking for answers from the people who use Macs. Thanks
 
quote:

CPU comparison:

G3/G4 systems have a clear advantage over previous CPU models. It also appears that G3/G4 CPU upgrades on older Macs (like the PowerMac 9500) do not reach the same level of performance of a new G3/G4 machine and this is probably due to the lower bus and memory subsystem speed.
At the same clock speed, a G3/G4 system can easily outperform a P-III/Athlon system, but it is by no mean "double as fast". According to the test results and also to my own experience on both systems, a G4 500 MHz is roughly equivalent to a P-III 700.

Performance:

Some of the best cards for the Mac seem to be the MOTU 2408 and the Digidesign Digi001.
I have heard that the RME Digi9652 Hammerfall performs very well under MacOS too, but I haven't had the chance to test this myself.

Latency:

Macs in general seem to work fine at low latency settings. They usually don't start to "stutter" and crackle, they either play something back or they don't.
The MOTU 2408/2408mkII seems also to work fine at low latency settings under MacOS (while it doesn't under Window). I have the impression that the MOTU Mac ASIO drivers are somehow better than the Windows ones.

Maybe this info is helpful for your decision.
 
Stealthtech,

Thanks for the answer - I was beginning to think that everyone here hates Macs. I just searched this forum from the beginning, and most of the threads with questions about mac go unanswered (if they don't get flamed first). Do you know of some other online resources where I might have better luck with this kind of question? Maybe someplace a little more Mac friendly?

Thanks again.
 
I think there are some soft, like Reason, that won't work with a mac previous G3. So beware.
I had a 7300/180 and it worked nice with an AudioMedira III card. Now I have a G4 and it rocks with a Digi 001. The only things that weights a lot are verbs and amp simulation. You can buy a JStation with optical output.
On the reverb, I was planning to connect my old 7300/180 via s/pdif to act as a reverb machine, cause latency is not a big deal on reverb for me.
 
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