Older model Mac setup... Opinions Please

  • Thread starter Thread starter harphunt
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harphunt

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I have an older model, G3 Mac (266 MHz, 4GB hard Drive), all-in-one given to me by the school district I work in. I'm thinking I can still utilize this for home recording and have a plan. I think I can do this for less than the cost of a stand alone unit (my primary motivation).
I am a guitarist looking to multi-track myself and a drum machine for fun and demos. I used to own a tape-based four track.
Here are my thoughts on a basic set-up that would rival a stand alone 8-16 track unit in sound quality. Please tell me what you think and where my flaws in thinking are.

-PCI card for USB 1.0 (the machine doesn't have USB currently)

-Tascam US-225 or US-428 interface for USB (uses USB 1.0). Don't need sound card.

-Bundled Cubasis VST or purchase BIAS Deck LE (which one?)

-Utilize the USB port for an external hard drive? Latency issues?

-Here's where I get most confused. I currently have a SCSI port which I'm told I can use an adapter to use SCSI II or Ultra SCSI for an external hard drive as a plain SCSI hard drive is hard to find. Please advise on external hard drive possibilities.

-CD burner using USB 1.0? Latency issues?

I'm new to this and don't have any resources other than the net. Salespeople tell me to buy a dedicated computer (my children need to eat, me too). Again, should I buy a stand alone unit or is this plan feasible?

Thanks
 
Its gonna be too slow for the audio engine.
You will be very limited to track count playback.
And if you use plug-ins its gonna really drag the CPU down to a point of lockup.
A 266 is a dinosaur my friend.
 
Even if the software complies with my machine's specs? (It's a G3, so I can only give you pre-columbian).

Again, I'm not trying to compete with the latest and greatest, just with a stand alone unit.

Thanks
 
harphunt said:
Even if the software complies with my machine's specs?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Yes, even though it meets the specs this machine is no good for recording purposes. Listen to Stealthtech, it's too slow. You don't need a dedicated computer for your recording purposes but getting one with a dedicated hard drive would be nice and these days not too expensive. Save the money you were going to spend on the Tascam and software, get a good used or new PC and use free software for awhile. Better deal IMHO.
 
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