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Help me shop: Outdated PowerPC
I've recently been ripped off of some studio gear (Mackie Onyx 1620i, Mackbook Pro.... signs of the times here in Oregon.....) that I've been using now for 5 years, so I'm being forced to rebuild. So I'm hoping to utilize my outdated PowerPC Mac G5 (PCI-X). Here are the things that I know:
PT 8 is the most recent version that will install on OS 10.5.8 (*Leopard is the most up to date OS for my PowerPC). I'm hoping I can score some incredible deal on outdated HD equipment (for PCI-X slots), that I'm hoping to use as a live recording setup for my home venue/studio. Everything I've accumulated for my home studio has been for the benefit of my friends. I do NOT run a commercial operation. I run my life like a Church, where I record myself and my friends and loved ones free of charge, and distribute the music free of charge. I'm also in the process of developing a video podcast dedicated to sharing the ideas we explore here. So then I'm curious as to what my most "punk rock", inexpensive, bottom of the barrel, working with as little as possible modus operandi should get me, while also tracking AT LEAST 96khz, 24bit, and hopefully up to at least 24 simultaneous inputs. The idea is to run a full live mix, while recording. I loved the versatility of the 1620i for that, so I'm hoping there are some higher end options. I'd rather upgrade, if I am forced to rebuild. So far I'm wondering if a 192 i/o is compatible with an HD 1 PCI-X card? I can do that with a Dsub cable, right, and just plug whatever mixer into the female XLR adapter snake, to AES/EBU? I have... lots to learn. Does anyone have any recommendations, and/or donations? (I swear I'm not begging here, I'm just curious what may or may not be available to me). Thank you, in advance! Last edited by masonicweird; 12-09-2015 at 07:08 PM. |
#2
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Re: Help me shop: Outdated PowerPC
I would not install 8 on a PPC, 7.4 is a much more stable than 8 on a PPC (8 never should have been PPC and was killed off quickly)
for 24 tracks you need an HD2 system and 2 192s with 1 extra AD card in one of them (do not get a 192D frame, it will not work with the analog cards) as for wiring, not every mixer uses XLRs for outputs
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... "Fly High Freeee click psst tic tic tic click Bird Yeah!" - dave911 Thank you, Craig |
#3
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Re: Help me shop: Outdated PowerPC
Thanks for your response, Craig! As much as I'm aware that not all mixers have xlr outputs, I'm trying top consider how to gauge my view of what would be available to me.
Craigslist and eBay are going to be my go to shopping options, buying used, so I'm hoping to scope whichever channels are going to provide me with the most practical options for my usage. I'm simply not at all familiar with HD, and the formats for how these systems are configured is part of my learning curve here, so I certainly appreciate the input (NO pun intended....). |
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Re: Help me shop: Outdated PowerPC
I would, and just did, but just because many plugins are more compatible with PT8 and later compared to PT7.x
With only stock plugins, sure, I'd go for Tiger (pre-intel) and 7.2 which was a rock solid combination You will want to buy 2004 model PowerMacs because the first ones had initial troubles and the last ones before PCI-express had liquid cooling problems. Be sure to buy a dual processor model which can take 8GB memory. If you want HD3 you need to take a look at the graphics card as some take two slots and only leave room for HD2. Can be changed of course, but it costs extra, and as the boxes are already dirt cheap it would feel ridiculous to swap an old graphics card just to fit in a third HD card.
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Janne What we do in life, echoes in eternity. |
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Re: Help me shop: Outdated PowerPC
Quote:
96 interface has TRS line-level i/o and 192 interface has DSUB line-level i/o At this point, if you don't already have TRS cabling ready, you would not gain much by opting to the cheaper one as the used prices are already dirt cheap for 192 interfaces. Better pick the high quality one (192) and accept the extra cost of DSUB cabling. You can daisy-chain two interfaces to one HD card, which means 32 i/o for HD1 (but with that said, it is not all analog. take a look at specs.)
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Janne What we do in life, echoes in eternity. |
#6
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Re: Help me shop: Outdated PowerPC
Thanks JFreak, that certainly helps to clear things up for what I would want to choose. There's a 192 here where I live for $250. All I would need is a core card, a mixer and cabling, and I'm in business, correct? I can just configure whatever patchwork to interface that wiring.
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#7
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Re: Help me shop: Outdated PowerPC
Just make sure the 192 has analog ins and outs.
They also made a digital only 192. You will need two or three 192's depending on the cards installed to get 24 inputs. Then you'll need some kind of mixer with direct outs or mic pre's to feed the interfaces You will need more than one core card for 92 and lots of simultaneous channels. The cards are going pretty cheap now. I would get another DAW before a single card TDM system. (Have watched a lot of people heart broken trying to achieve the same) PT 7.2-3 was the most stable system on a PPC, although I have heard people have good results with 7.4. I still keep an HD 4 Accel system running 7.3 on a G4 for monster tracking sessions. (Still more stable than all the new stuff) It's probably worth $478 now. : ) You'll need some XLT/TRS to DB25. Make sure you get the right pinout for PT systems. You'll also need a Digilink cable to attach the cards to the interface. It's not going to be cheap, but probably more useful than a new system. Good luck
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bookerv12 |
#8
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Re: Help me shop: Outdated PowerPC
Uuuugh!
The G4 gave up the ghost this morning.
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bookerv12 |
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Re: Help me shop: Outdated PowerPC
I know money is likely tight, just want to make sure you realize that you can buy a MacPro 1.1 for less than $150 and you can get PCIe cards for around 200 each if you are patient.
I was using a MacPro 1.1 with my HD3 until just recently. It's still a solid recording machine for doing audio plus a handful of VI's. Later you can also replaced the CPU's for around 150 which will double the speed, with Geekbench over 11k.
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HD Native Pcie, PTHD 11, PT12 Vanilla, Omni, Lynx Aurora 16, 192 I/O (16 in/8 out), 24 Fader D-Command, lots of preamps and compressors. MacPro 5.1 (12) Core (2009 MacPro 8 Core Upgraded to a 12 Core MacPro), 56 Gig Ram, SSD System & 3 - 2TB Drives, OSX 10.9.5, Windows 10 Via Bootcamp |
#10
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Re: Help me shop: Outdated PowerPC
Sure. Just that old PCI systems are just as powerful and some what cheaper
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Janne What we do in life, echoes in eternity. |
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