Apple G4/Pro Tools Question

uvc1977 · 23rd March 2005

Hello all

My recording rig is a Cubase SX/PC combo and im all happy with it I have a Pro Tools Mbox which I ocassionally use for session compatability + edit/mix projects. I was thinking about getting a cheap Mac cause some sessions its a bit of hassle with PC/Mac issues. So I was thinking about getting either one of those new Mini Mac's with 1gb of ram or a second hand G4 733/800 upwards. The G4 733/800 are really cheap second hand and with 1gb of ram I was wondering how many plug-ins can one of these handle? cheers

max cooper · 24th March 2005

I didn't have a very good time with PTLE until I got a dual 2g G5 with a decent amount of RAM; I had a dual 500 G4 with a Gig of RAM and it was sloooooow going with PT. Now I don't even think about it. Maybe the little 1.4 G processor thing would be better than what I had happening. PTLE is approved for computers that it won't run very well on...it'll open but it might not run so well.

lamp · 24th March 2005

What ever Mac you get, get at least an 1.2gig cpu. PTLE and OSX is a real dog on anything slower.

uvc1977 · 24th March 2005

cheers everyone

Max - even though it was slow on the G4 what was your plug in count like? Thats what im concerned about. All im ever going to use it for is editing/mixing with. Not concerned about recording etc. Im only ever need is a max amount of 16-20 eq's/comps, and 2-3 reverbs, maybe a delay or two. There are going to be a few projects in the future where its going to be easier to exchange pro tools via a mac. So one of those Mini Mac's are up to handling a decent plug-in count then that would be perfect. Id get a brand spanking new G5, but Asio Direct Monitoring isnt supported on OSX so it kills any thoughts about that.

5down1up · 24th March 2005

running a dual 800 on X using PT TDM . Cant speak about the LE version , but the plugin count using RTAS is ok and should work for what your asking for
( depending on the plugs , buffer settings etc. ) .

your last post looks like your talking OS 9 ? never compared X vs 9 in fact of RTAS plugins ! so better check it out for real so you dont end up buying a comp which isnt able to do what you want to do !

good luck

lamp · 25th March 2005

Didn't realize you were talking OS9. PTLE is much faster on 9 than OSX. I lost 3 tracks "15 plugs" on the DaveC test, when I switched to OSX. If you want to use 2-3 reverbs I would look for a dual boot 1.4 gig single or dual.

I think the mini is OSX only.

More info. http://duc.digidesign.com/postlist.php?Cat=&Board=UBB24

uvc1977 · 26th March 2005

No i was refering to OSX, so the 1.42ghz Mini witha 1gb of ram would just be up to the task. Cheers for the link ill go and have a search thru the posts.

My main grip with all this is that id love to switch over to Mac and use a dual processor G5. Trouble is Asio Direct Sound Monitoring (Cubase) is not supported on OSX, so latency would be a issue, alas to avoid latency i have to keep on using PC's. So its all because of this im looking at a cheap Mac for Pro Tools.

23rd March 2005	#1
uvc1977 Gear maniac Joined: Dec 2004 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 255 Thread Starter	Apple G4/Pro Tools Question Hello all My recording rig is a Cubase SX/PC combo and im all happy with it I have a Pro Tools Mbox which I ocassionally use for session compatability + edit/mix projects. I was thinking about getting a cheap Mac cause some sessions its a bit of hassle with PC/Mac issues. So I was thinking about getting either one of those new Mini Mac's with 1gb of ram or a second hand G4 733/800 upwards. The G4 733/800 are really cheap second hand and with 1gb of ram I was wondering how many plug-ins can one of these handle? cheers

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Pro Tools Question	PRobb	So much gear, so little time!	12	22nd March 2006 03:53 PM
HELP!! Apple Dual 2.7 does not see Pro Tools HD3!!	Andi Rauscher	High end	0	8th January 2006 09:42 PM
Pro Tools Pre Qualified PC's (Terra Digital Audio) = Apple Watch Out!	Rob G	Music computers	96	18th October 2005 06:58 PM
New Apple 30" HD monitor with Pro Tools HD3	paul mckenna	Music computers	4	25th February 2005 02:38 PM

24th March 2005	#2
max cooper Lives for gear Joined: Aug 2004 Location: tx Posts: 8,802	I didn't have a very good time with PTLE until I got a dual 2g G5 with a decent amount of RAM; I had a dual 500 G4 with a Gig of RAM and it was sloooooow going with PT. Now I don't even think about it. Maybe the little 1.4 G processor thing would be better than what I had happening. PTLE is approved for computers that it won't run very well on...it'll open but it might not run so well.

24th March 2005	#3
lamp Gear nut Joined: May 2003 Location: usa Posts: 138	What ever Mac you get, get at least an 1.2gig cpu. PTLE and OSX is a real dog on anything slower.

24th March 2005	#5
5down1up Lives for gear Joined: Jun 2002 Location: Germany Posts: 2,006	running a dual 800 on X using PT TDM . Cant speak about the LE version , but the plugin count using RTAS is ok and should work for what your asking for ( depending on the plugs , buffer settings etc. ) . your last post looks like your talking OS 9 ? never compared X vs 9 in fact of RTAS plugins ! so better check it out for real so you dont end up buying a comp which isnt able to do what you want to do ! good luck

25th March 2005	#6
lamp Gear nut Joined: May 2003 Location: usa Posts: 138	Didn't realize you were talking OS9. PTLE is much faster on 9 than OSX. I lost 3 tracks "15 plugs" on the DaveC test, when I switched to OSX. If you want to use 2-3 reverbs I would look for a dual boot 1.4 gig single or dual. I think the mini is OSX only. More info. http://duc.digidesign.com/postlist.php?Cat=&Board=UBB24

26th March 2005	#7
uvc1977 Gear maniac Joined: Dec 2004 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 255 Thread Starter	No i was refering to OSX, so the 1.42ghz Mini witha 1gb of ram would just be up to the task. Cheers for the link ill go and have a search thru the posts. My main grip with all this is that id love to switch over to Mac and use a dual processor G5. Trouble is Asio Direct Sound Monitoring (Cubase) is not supported on OSX, so latency would be a issue, alas to avoid latency i have to keep on using PC's. So its all because of this im looking at a cheap Mac for Pro Tools.