i7 iMac vs 2007 Mac Pro

[Dirt_]

I've had my i7 imac running less than a week, but I just did some quick mastering for someone and it was awesome. 10 stereo tracks with 25 plugs in total at 64 sample buffer, aggregate audio and running the session from the boot drive I was only getting 13% CPU usage and 2-4% disk usage.

Through my 2626 and a buffer of 128 it was sitting at 3-4% CPU usage. Not much of a load but lightning quick and stable.

[prickstein]

So guys, I should elaborate more. I had a PC built a few years back which was a based on adual athlon which I was able to get 48 tracks of audio and a few VI tracks running with several plug ins per track no problem.
My current imac buckles after about 20 tracks and a few VI's. I start getting messages suggesting the disk speed is too slow. Logic doesn't suffer the same problem, I haven't maxed it out yet.
I want to be able to run about 50 tracks and several VI's with a few plug ins on every track.
My own music is more electronic based but I mix for other people where I need to be able to mix as many tracks as they throw at me (within reason).
I have heard that the Mac Pro handles data in much bigger chunks which makes for a bigger track count/better performance.
Maybe I should consider a new base model Mac Pro. I am able to get one at a discounted price.

[nst7]

As we have already mentioned, there's nothing wrong with your computer. You should be getting much better performance with it. There's obviously something else that's wrong with your setup. If you don't figure out what it is, you may have the same problems even with a Mac Pro.

As mentioned, perhaps you can tell us what brand and model of external hard drive you have. As well as what version of Protools, what Mac operating system, etc.

[prickstein]

Originally Posted by nst7

As mentioned, perhaps you can tell us what brand and model of external hard drive you have. As well as what version of Protools, what Mac operating system, etc.

late 2009 iMac quadcore i5 2.66 with 8gb Ram on 10.6.6
was running PT8.03 M-Powered, now PT9.0 with an M-Audio Profire 2626 interface.
Hard drive is a 160GB LaCie Porsche.

[chipss36]

Just a note here, I am running the bottom of the line new imac, the I 3 ,did not finish optimizing yet, still no audio drive ,blue tooth still on, WiFi running...lol. legion ran fine and about 5 guitar bass tracks as well as MIDI drums a few plugs, and no problems , my first MAC, I am happy,
digging my new imac here.

[prickstein]

When I said I wasn't getting the performance I was after, I failed to mention that Kontakt was my sampler of choice. I just noticed in another forum that PT and Komplete is causing headaches for some.
I wonder if this is the problem.... I shall investigate further.

[nst7]

I can almost guarantee that your problem is that Lacie Porsche Drive. They're known to have problems for things like audio, and have slow buffer.

Many of us have had success with these:

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other.../MEAQ7S1TB32M/

You could also look at some Glyphs, but they're more expensive.

I'm willing to bet that getting a better drive will solve your problem. And it's a lot cheaper to try that than getting a new computer.

[prickstein]

Thanks for the tip, I'll give it a try

[appledude]

Just to give you an idea of what the computer is capable of (I have the same computer), I have session thats:
14 stereo tracks
5 mono tracks
3 Instrument tracks
2 stereo busses
8 Aux tracks

Plugs-
3 VI's (strike, DB-33, and Vacuum)
2 TL space
1 Amplitube 3
1 Tracks 3 (master)
1 Magentic
20 SSL channel
1 SSL comp
1 British EQ
1 SC226

CPU RTAS = 58%
Disk = 80%
buffer = 2048
Session is 96 kHz at 24 bit

[getz76]

Yeah, you should be able to do some heavy lifting.

My experience with a Core 2 Duo MacBook Pro and the demo session HERE.