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Forums - Computer music & technology
Subject: recovering mac user
Original Message Date: 10-Dec-01 @ 10:02 PM - recovering mac user
just kidding--I'm still a mac user. I'm thinking about getting one of those 1+ GHz athalon machines, though. For my lifestyle--stuffed into a studio apartment with my girlfriend, her graphic-design computer, and maybe a dog joining the mix, full-time non-music job--time and space are big factors. With My G4 4OO, I'm finding that I can barely even use my new Renaissance Verb, and I have to mix down the Pro-52 contstantly. I really want to get something like Halion or EXSP24, but read a message from a Wizoo developer that said Halion is "useable on a G4 400", but runs better on the PC (and, I guess, on faster Macs). As I'll be a student again soon, there's no way I'm gonna be able to afford a faster Mac for a long time, and I'm considering moving over to the dark PC side before I'm living on some meager stipend. I'm not religious about my OS. Before e.g. I give up $1,000 for a TC Powercore, I need to know more about the PC option.
Anyway, I'm wondering what a 1.something GHZ Athalon machine actually costs. I've heard that the $1,000 machines that I see in the PC Mall catalog are not really set up for audio, but that's from Mac-loyalists. Is that true? I have no beef with my PC at work, and heard nothing but raves about the Win2k. Without starting "that debate", will you tech savvy-PC music makers give me an estimate/advice on an audio PC?
Anyway, I'm wondering what a 1.something GHZ Athalon machine actually costs. I've heard that the $1,000 machines that I see in the PC Mall catalog are not really set up for audio, but that's from Mac-loyalists. Is that true? I have no beef with my PC at work, and heard nothing but raves about the Win2k. Without starting "that debate", will you tech savvy-PC music makers give me an estimate/advice on an audio PC?
Message 11/28 12-Dec-01 @ 09:44 PM - RE: recovering mac user
wait..lemme rephrase that "way better machine" part. a 1.8g processor is massive 
but $1400 is high.
but $1400 is high.
Message 12/28 13-Dec-01 @ 03:34 PM - RE: recovering mac user
Yeah, $1400 is kind of high.
I haven't built a box in a while, but I really do recommend that you try to stick to those Roll Your Own guidelines. The board specified there will work with the new T-bird XP cpu's and it takes standard RAM which'll save you money. And it's been tested by a lot of people running lots of different software and sound cards.
Off the top of my head, you should be able to build the machine minus audio interface and monitor for about $800.
If I get time later on today I will see if I can get you some harder figures.
-Craig
I haven't built a box in a while, but I really do recommend that you try to stick to those Roll Your Own guidelines. The board specified there will work with the new T-bird XP cpu's and it takes standard RAM which'll save you money. And it's been tested by a lot of people running lots of different software and sound cards.
Off the top of my head, you should be able to build the machine minus audio interface and monitor for about $800.
If I get time later on today I will see if I can get you some harder figures.
-Craig
Message 13/28 13-Dec-01 @ 03:37 PM - RE: recovering mac user
http://www.advanceddesignky.com/system2.cfm?type=workstation
Systems from $700.
-Craig
Systems from $700.
-Craig
Message 14/28 13-Dec-01 @ 07:42 PM - RE: recovering mac user
whoa! $700! that's REAL REAL REAL cheap compared to a Mac. I was thinking about withdrawing and killing my 401K when the next round of Mac's come out, but I think I could actually save enough for a PC without terrorizing my girlfriend. I haven't decided to do it yet, but many thanks for the info. I'm hesitant about getting a PC because it's only in the last few months that I feel I really know my Mac. I've only owned a computer for less than two years. I spent a while looking for the exact Mobo recommended in the "RYO" article (thanks) but a lot of places didn't offer it. I'll keep snooping and follow the link above.
Message 15/28 13-Dec-01 @ 07:47 PM - RE: recovering mac user
oh yeah, reagrding soundcard, I have a MOTU 2408 that needs a PCI slot. Is this a soundcard as well as an interface?
Message 16/28 13-Dec-01 @ 07:55 PM - RE: recovering mac user
ok, one last question: I see some systems (THANKS CRAIG!) with 2 AMD processors. I know that on the Mac, multiprocessing is not giving audio people to much of a boost (I think it's more effective in graphics programs), and all NI stuff is not compatible with it. Is multiproecessing faring better on the PC?
Message 17/28 13-Dec-01 @ 08:56 PM - RE: recovering mac user
its not really necessary
look: www.pricewatch.com
Tbird 1.4 gig $99
Iwill KK266 $93
512megs PC133 (from star components.com) $55
20 gig IDE drive (IBM I think? or maxtor) $67
Case (DOPE black one from PC Case.com) $59
Maxtor G450 dual head 32 meg (You can TOTALLY skimp here..if its just for music you dont need insane graphics, and dont need dual head if youre not usin two monitors) $80
thats $453. boom. HUGE machine. add another drive if need be, or get a smaller one, or whatever
and yes..this will work with your MOTU. SIX PCI slots on that Iwill. 2408 is a soundcard. just has an 8 in 8 out breakout.
you have the MKI or MKII?
Dave
look: www.pricewatch.com
Tbird 1.4 gig $99
Iwill KK266 $93
512megs PC133 (from star components.com) $55
20 gig IDE drive (IBM I think? or maxtor) $67
Case (DOPE black one from PC Case.com) $59
Maxtor G450 dual head 32 meg (You can TOTALLY skimp here..if its just for music you dont need insane graphics, and dont need dual head if youre not usin two monitors) $80
thats $453. boom. HUGE machine. add another drive if need be, or get a smaller one, or whatever
and yes..this will work with your MOTU. SIX PCI slots on that Iwill. 2408 is a soundcard. just has an 8 in 8 out breakout.
you have the MKI or MKII?
Dave
Message 18/28 14-Dec-01 @ 02:46 PM - RE: recovering mac user
Yeah, Influx is spot on with the MOTU.
Multiprocessing isn't necessary, and if you're a Cubase or Logic user it's probably preferable not to have it. You have to run Windows 2000 or XP to support it, and I don't think Cubase or Logic are very happy running on those operating systems.
Now, if you're going to use Sonar.. Sonar is coded fully multithreaded so it will properly use dual processors. Another advantage is that DX effects and synths will run on seperate processors as well.
Personally, I'd avoid the dual CPU stuff until it's been a bit more tested for our uses - let someone else suffer through a broken system
-Craig
Multiprocessing isn't necessary, and if you're a Cubase or Logic user it's probably preferable not to have it. You have to run Windows 2000 or XP to support it, and I don't think Cubase or Logic are very happy running on those operating systems.
Now, if you're going to use Sonar.. Sonar is coded fully multithreaded so it will properly use dual processors. Another advantage is that DX effects and synths will run on seperate processors as well.
Personally, I'd avoid the dual CPU stuff until it's been a bit more tested for our uses - let someone else suffer through a broken system
-Craig
Message 19/28 14-Dec-01 @ 03:36 PM - RE: recovering mac user
cool. this has given me a clear picture of why die-hard PC users are so offended by precious Macs. Not completely sure I'm gonna take the plunge, but at $500-800, it's not so much of a plunge, eh? I still might opt for a pre-assembled box as I don't know how to do it, and am one of those "all brains, no common sense" types who has trouble e,g, spackling. If I do, I'll just get that burning 1.8Ghz T-bird,1025 MB RAM (the whole point is to run Halion) and definitely two big HD's.
pretty sure I've got the MKII--Cubase lets me select 24 bit recording so I think that means I have the MKII. rock on helpful DT'ers.
pretty sure I've got the MKII--Cubase lets me select 24 bit recording so I think that means I have the MKII. rock on helpful DT'ers.
Message 20/28 14-Dec-01 @ 03:55 PM - RE: recovering mac user
don't buy a pre-assembled!!! get a little computer store to put it together for you, from your spec. with their discount it won't be much more expensive than building it youself.
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