please help the old school guy !

[MrResyak]

Hello,

it would be really nice if you guys could help me out a bit here (please excuse my bad english, I'm doing my best here ):

I used to work in engineering, but that was a long time ago, in the analog days. I still own quite a decent/nice collection of classic/vintage mics and a bit of outboard gear and I would like to think that I kind of know what I'm doing with that part.
I would like to get back into it, just mobile recordings of my band and a couple of friends' bands- the thing I really don't know much about is computer hardware- I could get my hands on a Focusrite Saffire Pro40 plus additional 8 track Adat interface for a very reasonable price, so that would get me up to 16 tracks of Input - more than enough for me. But what computer would I need, that could handle multitrack recording of that many tracks simultaneously ? I own an imac 2.4 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo with 3GB of ram - would that work ? Or if I would buy a laptop for ease of use in mobile recordings ( wouldn't like to spend a whole lot on it, as I would use it just for that), what should I get (obviously needs firewire input) ?

Sorry for the long question, I'm just trying to give as much information as I can...

 

[blund69]

Digital recording is much like analog with respect to simultaneous channel tracking. With tape - were were constrained by the size of our head stacks 4, 8, 16, 24. Computers running Microsoft Windows and USB/Firewire audio interfaces are constrained to a maximum of 16 simultaneous inputs; MAC using Core Audio are 32 tracks. If you purchase a workstation PC i.e. MAC Pro - and purchase something like Pro Tools HD or now HDX or Apogee Symphony with PCIe cards - you can get almost unlimited number of tracks at zero latency- BUT this requires a MASSIVE amount of $$$$$$.

Going back to your original question I would get more memory for your iMAC - if you are running 10.6.8 or greater then get 16 GB - get an interface with the maximum number of inputs or multiple interfaces and create an aggregate sum - remember most audio interfaces do not have preamps so you will need enough pres to do the job - I am not sure how you plan to mix ADAT into this/

 

[mjbphotos]

I'm not sure where the previous poster got his info on maximum number of simultaneous inputs.

3GB RAM is about the minimum for recording multiple channels at one time, definitely expand your RAM.

 

[ecc83]

I know nothing of macs so please do not shoot but.. I always thought ~3.5G was the maximum usable memory for a 32 bit system? Is the i-mac 64 bits or does it get arouind that limitation in some way?

But then, upgrading the mac seems virtually the only option since FW ports are like hen's teeth on desktops on laptops, gorn, unless you go for a very expensive, specialist audio machine. Even express slots are all but gone so you can't even go that route.

Just a thought. How about the mac and a FW SSD?

Dave.

 

[blund69]

First I stand corrected in my last reply about Track counts; clearly I was wrong. But as for the memory question - Dave is correct that ~3.5 GB is typically the maximum usable for a 32Bit OS. The theoretically addressable maximum size is 4GB. Calculated as such

2^32 = 4,294,967,296 bytes
4,294,967,296 / (1,024 x 1,024) = 4,096 MB = 4GB

It’s different for 64-bit:

2^64 = 18,446,744,073,709,551,616
18,446,744,073,709,551,616 / (1,024 x 1,024) = 16EB (exabytes)

Whether or not a system is 64Bit depends on 1) if the processor is capable of 64bit and 2) is the OS 64bit. Most Intel iSeries processors (i3,i5, i7) are 64bit capable.

As for the MAC question: I guess it really depends on what you are trying to do. PCIe not dead yet - but if going the MAC route - you would need to get MacPro Tower system which is very expensive - but sweet when it comes to Pro Audio / Studio needs; I keep hearing rumors that Apple might discontinue the MAC Pro Tower - hmmm hope not. FW SSD? - still to expensive IMHO specifically the Cost/GB - Albeit a great option since you eliminate any disk rotation limitations.

Personally, I am using an iMAC i7 running OSX 10.6.8 and have (2) UAD Quad Satellites + 2 TB / 7200 RPM Glyph Drive daisy chained on FW800 port and (knock on Wood) have no problems tracking or mixing a sizable band. Another thing you could consider is upgrading to an iMAC with Thunderbolt and go that route - its a super fast data pipe with 10 Gbps of throughput in both directions. That makes Thunderbolt ultrafast and ultraflexible. You can move data to and from peripherals up to 20 times faster than with USB 2.0 and up to 12 times faster than with FireWire 800. Also, several of Audio Interface manufactures are now supporting Thunderbolt AVID, Apogee, UAD, MOTU, etc.

Cheers
B

 

[JimmyS1969]

remember most audio interfaces do not have preamps so you will need enough pres to do the job - I am not sure how you plan to mix ADAT into this/

Not to harsh on you man, but just making things clear. Most audio interfaces 'do' have preamps. I am currently in a situation, where I would love to find an interface with 8 channels of line inputs (no preamp), via ADAT. There is a huge gap in pricing between the low end, and good stuff. About $1500 actually.

Seems the strategy for manufacturers, is that if you have enough money for good preamps, you must have some cash for high end converters.

 

[blund69]

Not to harsh on you man, but just making things clear. Most audio interfaces 'do' have preamps. I am currently in a situation

Ahh - good point - what I meant to say was most (not all) audio interfaces do not have as MANY preamps as they have inputs. Case in point the MOTU 828 Mk3 Hybrid - great interface but only (2) on-board Preamps. Therefore, you would need external pres for the remaining input channels if you plan to record mics.