5.1 Hardware Requirements & what systems to buy

[nodell]

I'm looking to switch platforms from NT to Mac but I was wondering what everyone knows about PT 5.1 hardware requirements. Should I go with a dual processor system or will I get a decent life-span out of a single processor machine? Will PT 5.1 even take advantage of a dual processor machine? (and if not, is it scheduled for a future release?)

[ProTool1]

At this time the majority of PT Users are using a 9600/300 or 350. These are single processors and are still considered to be the best machine for PT. PT relies more on its hardware than it does on the processor. You would be fine with a single processor, and the more RAM the better. But as far as the future goes I dont know. Will digi support the dual processor? I'm sure they eventually will. At this time there is really no use for the dual processor for anyone using a "pro" system. If you're running 001 I would expect digi to support the dual processor with the 001 system very soon.

[bigtree]

Just heard that OS X won't support older macs, anyone know more about this?

nodell, Protool1 has my vote too! I use a 9600 with a newertech G4/450 upgrade card and it's awesome. "SOLID" Glad I went for it back then.

Good deals out there for them.

Thing is, if I was to buy a new machine I'd go for the biggest mac I could find.

------------------
http://www.recording.org
the online meeting place for musical minds

[Camilo Orozco]

Nodell,
I am in the process (jumping ship) of changing from NT to MAC, I just got a G4 256MB in ram, and it is working OK. No need for dual procesor in the near future.

Have a nice "jump"
Camilo

[daniel_c]

I prefer using the G4 to the 9600. The screen redraws are so much faster plus audiosuite and file conversions are so much faster. It's also very stable , provided you use it only for Pro Tools (no games or internet).

The 9600 is great because it has more PCI slots than the G4 so you can fit more Farm cards in without having to buy an expansion chasis. But since 5.1 lets you use RTAS plugins why do you need more Farm cards when you can use that very powerful G4 processor for much the same task?

As for the dual processors , at this time Pro Tools is not written to take advantage of the second processor (the second sits there idle I believe). But who knows what the future may hold. Maybe Pro Tools 6.0 will take advantage of the second processor? It would be great to have it dedicated to RTAS plugin processing.

[airon]

I'd shure hope, that they take advantage of a second processor. Logic Audio does to support its rock solid MIDI engine and all the gfx with one and the audio engine with the other.

I forgot one important on the wishlist I posted yesterday :
Multiple automation views for one track. Take a look at Hyperedit on Logicaudio where you can have up to 128 views of automation data opened up and ready to be edited.

It's kind of cool to get to see the gain, freuquecy, resonance and steepness of a filter,eq or some whacky sound screwing plugin all at the same time. I HATE having to switch views all the time. That doesn't have to be.

Logic Audio has some convenient features. I don't know that many studios that don't use it and prefer it over PT.

Tony

[nodell]

thanks for the replies, it helps.

one more question for a PC guy trying to move to mac - can I still use my existing monitors or does a G4 have a different monitor connection? (and what if I went with the Appian Geronimo card, will that work with my existing PC monitors?)

[MikeC]

The G4 has a VGA output so you'll be ok with the monitor you used with the PC. I've got a monitor switch that allows me to share monitors between PC and Mac - cheap, and a good way to free up desk space and still be able to use both machines.

Cheers,

Mike

[Camilo Orozco]

Nodell,
You can use your PC (VGA) monitors with MAC, No problem.

[Chris Lambrechts]

Don't know if you want to go surrounding but 5.1 takes up a hell of DSP POWER so think in terms of mix plus plus plus plus plus plus plus...............

------------------
Chris Lambrechts