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Mac Mini Connectivity questions
I may be building a new PT rig around a new Mac Mini. I have questions regarding connectivity:
1) My current audio drives are firewire 400 & 800. Will they still work (smoothly) with adapters or should I consider new audio drives? 2) I have an older monitor that has the 9-pin style connector. Is there an adapter available or do will I need to consider a new monitor? 3) I have the original translucent-blue iLok. It’s my understanding it may not work with a new system running PT12. Are they making a new style that fits Thunderbolt ports or would I need some kind of adapter for this as well? 4) From what I can see, the new Minis ship with wireless keyboard and mouse. Do these effect PT performance in any way? 5) I’m going to need a new Interface as I doubt my old firewire Mbox Pro will work w/the new Mini. I’m considering the Zoom TAC-8 (hear me out) and was wondering if anyone has any experience with this unit. What’s appealing is that it has SPDF which will allow me to use my own mic pre via spdf, thereby circumventing the Zoom’s (likely) not-so-good preamps/converters. The Zoom also has MIDI, Thunderbolt, and it a good price…hence my interest. Thanks to anyone who can weigh in here. |
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Re: Mac Mini Connectivity questions
It seems you mistyped the title here, as your quetion's about the mac mini and not the imac. (Unfortunately, I don't think you're allowed to change the title.)
I read both your posts, (the other: How much Mac Mini do i need for PT12? ) and I really think you'd be better off with one thread. Anyway, I think if your only problem is your Macbook Pro died, and you were happy with what you had, and you really don't have a lot of money to spend, I'd be thinking like this: Stay on PT10 (keep your ilok, plugins etc), get a used 27" I7 imac w/16gm RAM for a few hundred bucks (keep ext drives, keep the MboxPro interface wich has S/Pdif for your mic pre). Wireless keyboard and mouse is not a problem w/PT. Just my two cents. |
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Re: Mac Mini Connectivity questions
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You're also going to need an iLok 2 or 3 to use current PT versions. A new monitor is also in your future. Essentially nothing from your old system will be usable. Better to recycle it and buy all new. And don't forget your old plugins may not work in the current PT. RTAS has gone away and it's all aax64 now. |
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Re: Mac Mini Connectivity questions
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Re: Mac Mini Connectivity questions
I understand your hesitation, Steven. However, the suggestion about SSD's is spot on. They are so fast compared to Winchester drive devices.
I got bit by Apple's release of Catalina. As readers here know that borks your PT app. This was after I spent money to upgrade an iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2013) with a 1 TB SSD. That system went from *not usable* with any software let alone PT, to way better than respectable. At the moment, I am running PT from a 2 TB G-Drive (USB 3.0, about $100 USD) with MacOS High Sierra installed. The iMac boots from the G-Drive when I use PT. Real audio experts will make me admit it is not optimal but it works well enough for me to continue my projects. And I notice that Avid is pushing updates to support MacOS Catalina 64bit architecture. 64 bit from mic to drive will make the DAW experience very sweet! Good luck. Last edited by mophilly; 12-18-2019 at 11:05 PM. |
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Re: Mac Mini Connectivity questions
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Re: Mac Mini Connectivity questions
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I'd stay away from a 2011 iMac due to issues with video card failures that are endemic to that model. I know because I had one as detailed in my profile that crapped out due to the video card failing. And forget about getting it repaired as even Apple couldn't guarantee that you'd get an unused card/heatsink assembly. The reason the video cards fail is due to overheating from the system drive that's a 7200 rpm spinner. |
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Re: Mac Mini Connectivity questions
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And to OP Steven, I'm just suggesting a simple, cost-effective alternative route to getting your system up and running again. |
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Re: Mac Mini Connectivity questions
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thanks. any reputable sources you could recommend? i'm aware of owc and mac of all trades, but not many others. |
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