Why yes, this is the successful Hackintosh build thread!

[WombatStudio.Org]

Originally Posted by Willosy

I'm looking to build a PT10 rig with a CustoMac system based on TonyMacx86. I see most of the specs yoou have are from the new 2012 buyers guide. The motherboard you have seems to have on-board firewire, what was the need to get an add-on syba card?

Because:

Originally Posted by Dism

Because a lot of on-board FW controllers are not up to spec for audio, or do not have the proper chipset.

... and to be specific, the onboard is VIA chipset and recommended is TI ...

Originally Posted by Tweakhead

Wombat, would you mind sharing the info of what it cost to put this together?

$1350-ish delivered to my door. It's probably cheaper now as prices change daily.

Originally Posted by TOM@METRO

Same here, I've mixed them in most every possible way with no problems.

iLok driver and client installed on the machine and no problems. Coexisting with eLicenser.

10.8.1 update went on without a snag. It just works.

I also couldn't be happier with Pro Tools. While I've read horror stories on these forums, I've never had any problems on my MacBook Pro save running out of CPU and now doesn't seem that anything is stopping Pro Tools. I reiterate, it's incredible.

Overclocked to 4.6 and Geekbenching 64bit @ 16642
However I can only get around 450 DVerbs

Regardless : anyone on the fence? This can't be any easier and economical.

... as far as ethical, as I see it, take the sticker that came with your MacBook, MacBook Pro, iPhone or iPod and stick it on the hackintosh's case. Now you're in EULA compliance as you've Apple branded your computer.

Thanks folks, be here all week ... try the veal!

[aaquilato]

Willo[/QUOTE
My Playback Engine H/W Buffer size has been on 1024 samples since forever and when I would try 512, or 256 the CPU usage would bump greatly and the playback would start to crackle and pop eventually leading to a Pro Tools error that the disk couldn't keep up or that I had too many plugins/etc.

I tried playing the Audrye Sessions - Turn Me Off session at 32 Samples and CPU was 21% - No pops or clicks. In fact, I'm typing this entry while it is playing using Firefox ... Disk goes from 1-3% ...]



Willosy, how are you getting your buffer setting down to 32? I can't get mine lower than 128.

[Dism]

Originally Posted by aaquilato

Willo[/QUOTE
My Playback Engine H/W Buffer size has been on 1024 samples since forever and when I would try 512, or 256 the CPU usage would bump greatly and the playback would start to crackle and pop eventually leading to a Pro Tools error that the disk couldn't keep up or that I had too many plugins/etc.

I tried playing the Audrye Sessions - Turn Me Off session at 32 Samples and CPU was 21% - No pops or clicks. In fact, I'm typing this entry while it is playing using Firefox ... Disk goes from 1-3% ...]



Willosy, how are you getting your buffer setting down to 32? I can't get mine lower than 128.

It's probably interface dependent. My LS56 goes down to 32 no problem.

[aaquilato]

I'm using a Digi 192 (FM192).
Maybe the TDM system parameters don't go that low.
The funny thing is when I open the Core Audio Manager with my RME card it will go down to H/W buffer of 32.
But when I open up the Playback Engine H/W buffer dialog they don't match.
That still says 128 or 256. I never know what size buffer I'm using.

This happens all the time with Nuendo as well.
The Core Audio Manager crashes Nuendo because the twain never meet...

[Dism]

Originally Posted by aaquilato

I'm using a Digi 192 (FM192).
Maybe the TDM system parameters don't go that low.
The funny thing is when I open the Core Audio Manager with my RME card it will go down to H/W buffer of 32.
But when I open up the Playback Engine H/W buffer dialog they don't match.
That still says 128 or 256. I never know what size buffer I'm using.

This happens all the time with Nuendo as well.
The Core Audio Manager crashes Nuendo because the twain never meet...

Ah I see. Well, I don't think it's something you should really have to worry about with TDM. 128 buffer on TDM is still lower latency than a FW device at 32.

[Kris75]

Originally Posted by Kasper

Legal or not, it's just not worth the hassle/time for the professional.

Not a single studio I know does it (or runs windows for that matter)

And with the recent price drop, it's simply a no-brainier.
Just buy a Mac Pro.


kasper

hahaha. That is MAJOR misinformation.

Mac is King, but trust me, many MAJOR post houses are doing it. You might just not know because they saved the old mac case

[Willosy]

HI Mate,

That wasn't me it was Wombat. :)

Cheers

Willo

Originally Posted by aaquilato

Willo[/QUOTE
My Playback Engine H/W Buffer size has been on 1024 samples since forever and when I would try 512, or 256 the CPU usage would bump greatly and the playback would start to crackle and pop eventually leading to a Pro Tools error that the disk couldn't keep up or that I had too many plugins/etc.

I tried playing the Audrye Sessions - Turn Me Off session at 32 Samples and CPU was 21% - No pops or clicks. In fact, I'm typing this entry while it is playing using Firefox ... Disk goes from 1-3% ...]



Willosy, how are you getting your buffer setting down to 32? I can't get mine lower than 128.

[WombatStudio.Org]

Originally Posted by aaquilato

Willosy, how are you getting your buffer setting down to 32? I can't get mine lower than 128.

Originally Posted by Willosy

That wasn't me it was Wombat. :)

Unfortunately being Firewire, even these low buffer settings, Elvis has NOT left the building.

Eventually I'm going to try my old MOTU 24io interface with the old PCI card.

Loving all the available options with this blazing fast Mac Pro.

[CME]

Fwiw I do believe the buffer settings are determined by what the interface reports it can support. My metric halo boxes have 32 samples available. However with the built-in DSP it's a moot point.

[remis]

Ok chaps, got some dramas with my current attempt at getting my hack up and running. System is as in my signature, except I've now got a Corsair Force GT as my boot drive. Have Mountain Lion 10.8.2 and PT 10.3 (ML compatible) installed and also the latest version of Mix Control from Focusrite (which is supposed to be ML compatible). The drama I have is that when I go to boot PT the splash screen hangs at "Setting up midi". I've found that this issue goes away if I force quit PT and re-open it (or if I delete the midi driver)... NOW for the clincher, even once I get past this hurdle PT splash screen then hangs on "Setting up I/O paths Mon 1-2"...this is my current road block...anyone have any ideas of how to remedy this?