Update possibilities?

[armytanker]

I'm running 7.4LE 003+ Rack on a 2005 G5 PowerPC Mac....Not much I can do for memory, but if I use alot of plugins and/or have alot of tracks it, crashes the Mac or it runs so slow it's almost impossible to work with. Without having to buy a new version opf PT or a brand new PC, what are my possibilites to make the Mac run more efficient and making it stop crashing PT or running slow?

[Park Seward]

Originally Posted by armytanker

I'm running 7.4LE 003+ Rack on a 2005 G5 PowerPC Mac....Not much I can do for memory, but if I use alot of plugins and/or have alot of tracks it, crashes the Mac or it runs so slow it's almost impossible to work with. Without having to buy a new version opf PT or a brand new PC, what are my possibilites to make the Mac run more efficient and making it stop crashing PT or running slow?

If you have a lot of plug-ins and a lot of tracks, your 1 GB of RAM is your limiting factor.

You didn't list your OS version. Is it 10.5.3 or 10.5.4 with PT7.4.2?

Pro Tools LE 7.4.2 or Pro Tools LE 8 is required for Leopard.

Pro Tools 7.4.2 requires Mac OS X 10.5.3 or 10.5.4, and is not compatible with earlier versions of Leopard (not tested with 10.5.5 or higher)
Pro Tools 8.0 requires Mac OS X 10.5.5, 10.5.6, 10.5.7, or 10.5.8, and is not compatible with earlier versions of Leopard

[Phil Ogden]

You're gonna have to work around the limitations of what you have. Assuming you have run through the various system optimizations there's few things to try at session level:

1. Bus tracks (that use the same plug-in) to an aux and save CPU overhead by running fewer instances.
2. 'Print' effects i.e record the effected audio to a new track and make the original track with the plug-in inactive (and hide as appropriate).Having this in the background enables you to go back should you need to.
3. Use less processor heavy plug-ins or 'optimize' efficiency of those you do e.g reduce polyphony on VI's.
4. Bounce down related tracks to a sub mix e.g Multi mic'd drum kit can be mixed down to a stereo track. Again make the originals inactive.

[armytanker]

I'm running 10.4.11. I'll try setting up aux channels for plug ins and such. Probably create a mix down track and monitor track as well to see if that helps.
Thanks guys! you rock! \m/

[Craig F]

you should be able to get RAM for the G5, won't be super cheap new but not outrageously expensive ether
taking it to 2GB or 4GB would help

[Southsidemusic]

Originally Posted by Craig F

you should be able to get RAM for the G5, won't be super cheap new but not outrageously expensive ether
taking it to 2GB or 4GB would help

Yep and if you need memory cheap we have 3 GB 667 Mhz if you want me to send them to you for the cost of S&H. We will never use those and instead of throwing them away I can send them to you if needed.

[armytanker]

Originally Posted by Southsidemusic

Yep and if you need memory cheap we have 3 GB 667 Mhz if you want me to send them to you for the cost of S&H. We will never use those and instead of throwing them away I can send them to you if needed.

I added an extra Gb (now at 2Gb)of RAM because my model PC falls in the range where I only have room for two extra slots and my model only takes the half Gb sticks...It was confusing when I researched it...but it seemed to be the consensus.

[armytanker]

Ok...looks like I'm having to get a new Mac, due to the limits and then I would have to buy a new version of PT....most likely PT8...this is going to get expensive......

[armytanker]

So, since I want to take the online courses at Berklee, they required OS 10.5 and I have 10.4.11. Debating if I should get a newer Mac or upgrade my OS? and then it'll force me to upgrade or buy a newer version of PT. Trying to determine the least expensive method...any ideas?

[Southsidemusic]

I would look for a refurbished/used Mac w/Intel duo or preferably quad core with 8-16 GB RAM and 2 x 7200 rpm WDC Black drives and your'e set for a while if you don't plan on going Mavericks 10.9 anytime soon

I see these Macs here in sweden under 1K USD all the time and a Vanilla Pro Tools 11 with 10 bundle but of course it is gonna cost something. Having music as a hobby is expensive but if you don't splurge on the important stuff you might as well not do it at all. I'm sorry if that sounds harsh but if you are gonna take classes aswell you will have to get a setup that works otherwise you won't get much out of that course.

I would try and find a used intel mac and maybe a second hand PT11 license on ebay or here if money is tight but you really should get a better computer. It is the "heart" of your setup so ..

Best of Luck and hope you dind something you can afford that works for you

Christopher