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!

[Mac Daddy]

Sorry to hear about all the trouble mate. I know how long it can take to get Macs repaired in Oz, right, and expensive! I used the Service in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth. I found Perth best. Great service, but because of its small staff your wait could be long, except if you give the guy $20 bucks. Which I often did in exchange not to have to return the next day. Often the trip was longer than the repair.

I must admit I have not heard of so many problems with a Mac as you described! Only thing I can think of would be either Heat or Dust. You know that "Reddish" dust that is on everything. Especially Queensland and Perth. Forget about Alice Springs! Heat and Dust might have something to do with it.

All Computers get dust inside, but you know what I mean red Aussie Dust. It has grit particles. City dust is smut and grease... Oz has that Mother Earth Thang... Pure. Heavy. You gotta live there to know I'm not talkin' my usual ramblings. Heat and Dust, that is what the Doctors Says. Solution. Cool room, right in Australia, well at least no direct sunlight and keep the room isolated, i.e., close door, make certain there are no snakes, spiders, wombats or Cane Toads nesting inside computer housing. $235.00. You'll be billed by Kangaroo Collections.