What Mac To Buy?, I am wondering if a quad intel is necessary or whether a dual g5 can c Options

[JonRaven]

Hello there,

first time visiter, first time poster here...

I am currently using a powerbook 1.25 and I want to move into the ability to use some robust virtual instruments like toon track's "ezdrummer" and spek's "atmosphere", along with interested in the new east west quantum leap app called "gypsy" and the like.

My powerbook just wont cut it of course so I am thinking about getting a desktop mac.

Can anyone tell me from real world knowledge whether I could do everything I want with a used dual g5 or whether I really need to bite the bullet and get the new quad 2.66 intel?

I know ram is a big thing so I will upgrade either machine wiith atleast 4 gig ram.

I will be looking to do realistic backing tracks for my songs with virtual instruments and then adding say 16 tracks of audio tracks as well to the track.

Any ideas? Of course the music stores and the mac store are just out to sell the newest greatest of everything so you can't really get any honest opinions based on personal experience so I came here.

Can anyone discuss this with me?

Thanks and glad to be part of the group.

[Mac Daddy]

hahaworld,

I have followed your story regarding "The Quad" from the very beginning. You were the first in 440 Forum to purchase one. I remember you saying: "It's smooth"... I asked what you meant by, "Smooth". You never answered, so I did some research, because I wanted one too.

True, 440 Forum has members who "Rock", however, they don't have access to "ALL" the Hardware and
Software that is 'out there'. Sound On Sound Magazine gives the best "Professional" advice about gear, the Pros and Cons.

I posted a review to 440 Forum about "The Quad" by Sound On Sound. The review said: "The Quad showed no advantage or benefits to musicians".

If it's any consolation, you can sell your Quad to a Graphics Company where they, "The Quad" is in very high demand. Please don't sell it to a musician, please....

[JonRaven]

Wait a minute... I am confused. I checked out the article you were speaking of in sound on sound and it actually says the new quad intel is good for music... so why did you say it was a bad system for musicians and that everyone should stay away from it?

I have come to the understanding over the last few days that not only does a lot of our music software not really have the ability to use all 4 processor cores at the same time...but that nodeing 2 older g5 duals together would be much better then 1 quad intel, if you are using logic anyways. even a g5 dual and then a macmini would be a robust system. But by the time you go to all that work to find and buy those systems you would be in the same price range as one new quad intel machine.

I am still very confused on what system to buy in order to handle all my audio and midi sequencing needs at this time... it almost makes more sense in a sad sad way better to go with a pc in some ways.

I don't know.... is the whole apple franchise moving toward a ipod world and not into production level machines anymore?

Grrr

hahaworld,

I have followed your story regarding "The Quad" from the very beginning. You were the first in 440 Forum to purchase one. I remember you saying: "It's smooth"... I asked what you meant by, "Smooth". You never answered, so I did some research, because I wanted one too.

True, 440 Forum has members who "Rock", however, they don't have access to "ALL" the Hardware and
Software that is 'out there'. Sound On Sound Magazine gives the best "Professional" advice about gear, the Pros and Cons.

I posted a review to 440 Forum about "The Quad" by Sound On Sound. The review said: "The Quad showed no advantage or benefits to musicians".

If it's any consolation, you can sell your Quad to a Graphics Company where they, "The Quad" is in very high demand. Please don't sell it to a musician, please....