Migrating to iMac, and want to use my 96 interface

[Oli P]

So now my trusted MacPro is just getting to slow, and a new loaded iMac27 is ordered.

I regard it as a temporary setup while I wait for the new MacPro's to come around, and for HDX dsp to gain enough support from ampsim manufacturers, to make me feel the investment is justified.

Since I already have a HD license, I plan on just running my iMac as a non avid hardware PT10 machine.

The alternative would be to get some Thunderbolt to pcie chassis, and just use my HD3 system with that. But I don't think any of those have arrived yet.

My question is how I can use my 96 interface with the iMac...without having to invest in the HD native thunderbolt solution.

[Darryl Ramm]

Originally Posted by Oli P

So now my trusted MacPro is just getting to slow, and a new loaded iMac27 is ordered.

I regard it as a temporary setup while I wait for the new MacPro's to come around, and for HDX dsp to gain enough support from ampsim manufacturers, to make me feel the investment is justified.

Since I already have a HD license, I plan on just running my iMac as a non avid hardware PT10 machine.

The alternative would be to get some Thunderbolt to pcie chassis, and just use my HD3 system with that. But I don't think any of those have arrived yet.

My question is how I can use my 96 interface with the iMac...without having to invest in the HD native thunderbolt solution.

If you don't want a new Thunderbolt adapter then a Thunderbolt/PCIe chassis with your HD cards installed are the only options, You can do a HD3 today with magma. http://www.magma.com/thunderbolt. I am pretty sure others have this working. For the ~$1k chassis cost/hassle I'd personally prefer to go to Thunderbolt.. or would if there was a stand-alone option when buying a new interface card (without interface box), although you may be able to trade in the 96i on a HD Native+interface bundle. Not sure what deals Avid has on that now.

Darryl

[Oli P]

I had the impression that those Magma chassis only work with HDX cards?
(and only HDX and Native are listed on Magma's own compatibility list)

They only do trade ins for HDX systems from HD3 ...not for HD native.

I plan to keep my HD3 system and MacPro for a while...so I can open old sessions.
So I would prefer not to invest in a full blown HD native system as of now...since this just might be a temporary solution while HDX and MacPro develop further.

I can always just get some USB audio interface...but would prefer to find a solution where I could use my current converter.

[Darryl Ramm]

You may be right, I thought somebody had a TDM setup running but maybe it was the HDX talk I was thinking of. e.g. http://expansionsystem.com/forum/top...-eb3t-and-macb.

There is no USB way to get to your digilink interfaces. You need a Magma card cage like solution or use the Thunderbold native interface.

Darryl

[Oli P]

Gotcha....thanks Darryl.

Maybe I'll just go hunting for a decent Firewire or USB interface...or even Thunderbolt if any appears soon.

[Darryl Ramm]

Originally Posted by Oli P

Gotcha....thanks Darryl.

Maybe I'll just go hunting for a decent Firewire or USB interface...or even Thunderbolt if any appears soon.

Be sure to look at the UAD Apollo...

Darryl

[sunburst79]

Originally Posted by Oli P

So now my trusted MacPro is just getting to slow, and a new loaded iMac27 is ordered.

I regard it as a temporary setup while I wait for the new MacPro's to come around, and for HDX dsp to gain enough support from ampsim manufacturers, to make me feel the investment is justified.

Since I already have a HD license, I plan on just running my iMac as a non avid hardware PT10 machine.

The alternative would be to get some Thunderbolt to pcie chassis, and just use my HD3 system with that. But I don't think any of those have arrived yet.

My question is how I can use my 96 interface with the iMac...without having to invest in the HD native thunderbolt solution.

I'm not sure it's the answer but IIRC the 96 and 003 used the same A/D conversion. I'm fairly sure the 11Rack used the same or better better conversion. If you don't need anything more than stereo outs it might be a good solution while your waiting. Plus you can wire it into whatever you decide on later.

[Oli P]

Originally Posted by sunburst79

I'm not sure it's the answer but IIRC the 96 and 003 used the same A/D conversion. I'm fairly sure the 11Rack used the same or better better conversion. If you don't need anything more than stereo outs it might be a good solution while your waiting. Plus you can wire it into whatever you decide on later.

That's a good idea!
It seems hard to find any info on the 11Rack converters...all reviews only talk about the guitar features.
But will the low latency mode also affect the mic and line inputs?

Any first hand experience with the converters?

[sunburst79]

Originally Posted by Oli P

That's a good idea!
It seems hard to find any info on the 11Rack converters...all reviews only talk about the guitar features.
But will the low latency mode also affect the mic and line inputs?

Any first hand experience with the converters?

Hi Oli, I have one but have it connected to my 003 via SPDIF so I'm not using the converters at all. The low latency mode is a good question I thought that was a FW only feature and the 11R is USB. . Going strictly from memory I'm fairly sure that the 11R shared converters with the newer 3rd generation MBox series which were supposed to be an improvement over the 003 and 96 series. If I stumble across any hard info I will post it.

It just seemed like a possible solution in light of you waiting for Ampsims and the 96 defineatly not working with native.

If possible I would just demo one to see how it sounds to you.

[nst7]

Having heard the new Mbox, the 003, and the 11R, I can tell you that the 11R conversion is noticeably not as good as the 003, and the 003 is not even close to the new Mboxes.