Cost effective 32 channel system?

[c-tone]

Originally Posted by tomv-k

Thanks!

To change the subject slightly, what would be the minimum Mac power/age to run say a 32 in and out setup with a modest amount of plug ins? The older G5's would cope? how old/slow could you go do you think? do all G5's have PCIe bays or the older ones have PCI?

Stick with the minimum that Digidesign approves, if possible, which can be found in the Digidesign compatibility documents on the Digi web site support section (it's not working now, so can't provide a link). I think that the minimum is a dual 1.8 gHz G5.

Most G5's are not PCIe - only the very last few models were PCIe.
You can get details here at everymac.com.

If you want the least expensive system, then you should look for a used PCI HD core card and a used older dual processor G5 with PCI slots.

[tomv-k]

Originally Posted by c-tone

If you want the least expensive system, then you should look for a used PCI HD core card and a used older dual processor G5 with PCI slots.

Many thanks c-tone, if I buy the PCI card used, I assume I need to buy the HD software on its own, I only seem to see "upgrade" packages available on the Digi store, am I missing something or would the software only be around £160? Or does the main software actually come with the used card? Presumably PT software will always support PCI card systems?

[Table Syrup Records]

Your card technically should be accompanied by the software, but in many cases is not.

The 'Upgrade' would be correct as a 'replacement' for your software.

If I am not mistaken, it would be a full install.

I was going to go to Digi's store and verify, but they forgot to pay their hosting bill! LOL

[princeplanet]

cheapest hd system running 32 i/o? Why has no-one suggested a single core card (S/H PCIx) with a s/h 192 along with an adat bridge (even 20 bit!) and 2 x s/h alesis adat Hd24's. That's around $5k.... oh, and the 20 bit adat bridge is better than you'd think, after all, they say the 24 bit bridge is effectively really only 21 bits! and HD24's(xr) are great value...