Powerbook Cost Justified? Options

[simmac]

Hi Narayan

I used the PC for 10 years and about 2 years ago I changed for mac and that was one of the best decision in my life.
I didn't have any problem with the mac.I use a powerbook and everything is fine.
About the sound card the question is what you use,more midi, audio,soft synths.........................and your money.Now there are a lot of great stuff on the market,just you have to know what you use(midi,audio.....................) and if you want to do just demo quality or pro quality.
Like this I don't know what to suggest.

[Narayan]

Hi Simmac,
Thanks for the encouragement. Still I am not sure whether one needs a specialised sound card to run, say Logic pro/Logic express? Would the on board sound card quality be good enough? Obviously, I need to produce professional quality sounds from soft synths only, as I work from home and lugging heavy synths and other gear to different sound studios is becoming a big hassel. My other concern is that would I be able to use sounds created by me (which I am presently using as sound fonts with Cakepro audio 9 sequencing software)? What sound card (if needed) should one buy for an ideal/optimum stereo sound output? I would be grateful if some one can give a little more specific suggestions. Thanks anyway,

Narayan

[citypigeon]

hi,

Its capturing the incoming analog audio thats most important because once its in, its not likely to go back out until you've put it onto a CD - which means the analog outs will only be used for connecting speakers/headphones rather than recording mixdowns. So if you just use software you can get by with just the mac audio without it making any difference in sound quality

I would say the audio interface on the mac is comparable to a soundcard of about £50 to £100 in quality, but obviously the connectors are limited to minijacks. I'm waiting to upgrade my MOTU PCI324 card to the 424 so i can get my 2408 back up and running. Meanwhile i'm getting by with the standard mac I/O fine

[midnitremedy]

Hi my name is Jeremy (email midniteremedy@gmail.com) and I really need some advice-
I bought a powerbook g4 with 1 gig ram, and 100 gig hard drive, and 128 mb video ram, and a motu 896hd (1000 bucks supposed to have 8 preamps 192 khz audio and im not really sure if its that worth it or if the 896 is better for the money or if i should just scale it down a notch and get the mbox) I tried using it with garageband and i dont know if it was garageband's fault or the rig but the volume was always so low and even after boosting it it was low. I record so far just oen track at a time, but i've had situations in the past where i would want to record 3 or more, like with tarbukas or another guitar or voice and this box should be great for that even a whole drum set (though currently i only have 3 mics a beta 58, sm57 and octava mk-319) and i got a groove tubes DI BOX- is that good? I bought this stuff but have another 2 weeks to return it without a restocking fee- and I really am not sure if i bought correctly i could not afford to buy a program right now even - i was thinking of logic not sure some people say pro tools is easier, etc, i also bought an 02 midi controller and it is too small i think and i have an old casio keyboard which might be enough for me is the truth i just got to get the adapter for midi to usb-....
i need a ton of advice please don't hesitate to email me at inspiredmusic@hotmail.com or midniteremedy@gmail.com (my temporary website is midniteremedy.com)
anyway thanks a lot for your speedy advice- and also do i need more than a gig ram- what if i wanted to record a full 8 tracks simultaneously?
thanks,
jeremy

[simmac]

Hi Narayan

So,if you don't work with audio recording,you don't need real pro soundcard.For the soft synts,you need lot of RAM,1GB or more is better but I suggest to have a soundcard also because my experience is the sound card is helping for the computer.
Wich one?
Presonus firebox,edirol..........,your choice.It's really hard to tell wich one.I think the firebox is a breat product.

Good luck

[Narayan]

Hi Simmac,

Thanks for clearing my doubts. Yes, I also do audio recordings. But being a green horn with the entire Mac business, I just want to have a hands on experience with the computer and software first, as the entire lay out, lingo, and way the software works looks so different from what I have been doing all along; but again, once you have the experience in creating music, no matter what software you use, I suppose one gets used to all new things fast, as the basics are same everywhere! I may go in for a fairly expensive USB sound card for audio recordings (better to put a little cash extra and go for the better ones the first time itself - in the longer run, it makes more sense) a little later.

I will be in touch, once I get going. Thanks,

Narayan

[simmac]

Hi Narayan

You are right.You know everything is personal.I like this program,I like this or that it really depends on a lot of things.Unfortunatly we need time to find the best setup for us and of course we spend a lot of money,but that's how it is.
I'm in that point,I need real pro hardware but it costs a lot and until that time when your music job doesn't give back this is just a hobby.

Good luck in the future

[GitGeezer]

20-year Win-to-OSX switcher comments:

I switched to a G4 667 Titanium Powerbook about two years ago after years working in the Windows gloom. I actually look forward to using my computer for the first time in many years.

Build quality: the PAINT (I thought it was titanium) is peeling off the hinges on my Powerbook. The newer aluminum pbooks had lines in the displays, and my TiBook has developed a vertical bar down the screen. I'm no longer impressed with build quality.

Stability: I've used PC OS's since before Microsoft had one. OS X is THE reason to go Mac. Follow the minimal advice above (repair permissions) and you should be happy. EVERY version of Windows has acted up on me, even on factory-fresh systems.

I have noticed, however, a disturbing trend to resist OS X upgrades. I always waited on Windows upgrades, often not upgrading for a year. Until Panther (OS X 3) I happily installed every free OS upgrade. No longer. Recent updates have had their problems. It's starting to feel a little like Windows feature-bloat and update-death lately.

Powerbook vs. G5: in 2 years my one-notch-under the state of the art Powerbook (667Mhz,1 Gig memory) is struggling to run crucial apps (Sibelius 3, Live 4.1, Absynth 3) at all and won't even install Garritan Personal Orchestra. Apparently Logic 7 Pro (at $1000) still runs well on G4 systems. I wouldn't risk it. I'll be going to a dual G5 desktop system withing six months. No point waiting for G5 Powerbooks, the software needs dual processor systems. I'm staying with OS X, regardless.

Good luck,
GitGeezer

[cludinsk]

Powerbook vs. G5: in 2 years my one-notch-under the state of the art Powerbook (667Mhz,1 Gig memory) is struggling to run crucial apps (Sibelius 3, Live 4.1, Absynth 3) at all and won't even install Garritan Personal Orchestra. Apparently Logic 7 Pro (at $1000) still runs well on G4 systems.

hmm... i have an pb 800 and have little problem running Live or Absynth, thought i dont doubt that i could run more plugins on a more current faster machine. but you have to remember its now a 3 year old laptop, which are never top of the line even when you buy them compared to desktops. i personally would never give up the portability for a desktop again, i love it. but it depends on your needs...

as for build, if you buy a laptop, make sure you get an extended warranty. my TiBook has been in 3 times for major repairs, and they replaced that damn peeling paint etc at the same time... the newer powerbooks, with the ports off to the side etc, seem to be better built.

[GitGeezer]

Quite correct. When I bought the TiBook I decided to save a little by going down from 800 to 667. Probably a bad habit from the PC world where memory gets the budget instead of processor speed. I would also reccomend the AppleCare extended warranty. Again, I wanted to save $300. The aluminum cases are a much better idea. I have a client that actually draws on his. Add some dents & dings and it begins to take on an indestructible personality.

Problems with Live 4.1 (Live 2 seemed to be a little more robust) include glitching with just a few loops and one or two recorded audio tracks. Reverb as an insert effect stops it cold. The effect bus approach works, however. Absynth 3 may be ok but it sounds like it might be gently glitching also. CPU maxes out on many of the factory presets.

I'm now seeing minimum requirements for almost all Mac software and hardware at 800Mhz G4, G5 or dual G5 preferred. So, to keep the hardware current with software will probably cost $1000 to $1500 per year at $3000 to $4000 for a new computer every three years. Time to add a new budget entry...