Mac vs. PC

[Rusty K]

Well here all this time I've been thinking in terms of recording/editing with the new Emachine I got for Christmas. Learning which mastering software to get and finding out that my sound card sucks and that I might have trouble switching out cards.

I suddenly realized that our other computer is a Power Mac 8500/1995 and it will soon be available exclusively for whatever. What should I do? Can someone Point me in the right direction. Right now I have a 4trac digital recorder. I don't plan to expand unless it's to 8trac. What soundcard? What software for the Mac?

One more question I'm not clear on. If your just uploading WAV files say to a web page or transfering WAV to MP3 the quality of the sound card doesn't really come into play, correct?

Thanks Much,

Rusty

 

[Layth]

Hey Rusty, don't know much about Mac's but there is plenty of software avalible like Mark of the Unicorn or Steinberg stuff. Can't tell you if the 8500 has enough giddy-up to do much but I wouldn't give up on the Emachine just yet. You could go to the soundcard site your interested in and check out the physical dimentions of the card to see if it would fit in your Emachine. Also you might be able to disable the Emachine sound chip from the bios which would allow you to use another soundcard of your choice without interference.

Hope this helps a little.

 

[Nivek]

Rusty,
I've been using a PowerMac 8500 running MOTU Digital Performer for a few years. It's got plenty of power to do whatever you want.

I originaly started with the stock 120Mhz 604 cpu and got at least 8-12 digital audio tracks with a few FX going. Then I put in a PowerLogix 250mhz 604e-16 plus tracks with lots of FX. Then a PowerLogix 250mhz G3 (They're cheap $160)-24 plus tracks w/tons of FX. (FX meaning Reverbs, Delays, etc.)

The 8500 has A/V stereo audio inputs and outputs on the back so you can get by with those for awhile if you need to. (I did). They are not bad, they are CD quality. If ya got the extra bucks, get one of the cross platform Dig/Audio cards that are out (I'm buying a Seasound "Solo" $519 from PortlandMusic.com)

I've used MOTU Performer and now Digital Performer since 1985-86 or so.........man, It's been awhile. It comes with great FX (Reverbs, Delays, PreAmp, Modulator, Comp/limit etc.) I've tried pretty much everything out there, incluiding PC (I use both platforms) and I still come back to Performer. I think it's the easiest to learn, most complete and powerful DAW out today for the Mac. I highly recommend it! Plus it looks cool too...