Which Powermac G5 To Get?, How much power do I need? Options

[thegrapeguy]

I am new to the board but based on the purchase I'm about to make I will probably be visiting often. I am entering the world of computer-based recording because the Roland 1680 hard disc recorder I had been using is finally crashed due to disc fragmentation beyond repair.

In my research I have zeroed in on a G5, Logic Pro 7.2, Apogee Ensemble, and a Tascam 2400 audio control surface.
My questions are:

Which G5 should I get? - I have as many as 60 or so single song recording progects at any one time ranging from 16 - 24 tracks of audio. In the summer I offer a Music Video camp and will occasionally produce a "simple" music video with simple editing. I've heard for anything to do with video that the quad core is 2.5 the way to go. However I would like to get away with the 2.3 dual core if it can handle simple video. To what effect does the choice of dual core 2.0, 2.3, or quad core 2.5 G5's have to do with day to day music recording?

Are there any other alternatives for an audio control surface that has 24 faders than the Tascam US 2400? I feel I need this type of unit so that when I mix it will be as "old school hands on the faders" as possible.


Thanks in advance!

[lepetitmartien]

Right now Logic still does not use the Quad in full, only 2 cores are used. which is a SHAME.

The Quad still stands as the most powerfull around though, but the next desktop generation will blast, be they with core 2 duo, meroms… we'll see. They will be around between end of july and october depending of the CPU Apple will use.

The other problem to take care of is the legacy software you have and the interfaces.

And we still don't know when Logic will use the 4 cores of a Quad…

Right now, if I was a professional in need of power now and using Logic I'd chase a G5 dual CPU, not a dual core (some issues there) second hand. Quads as far as I know are ok for the others DAWs.