New macs - new system upgrade questions
Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2016 8:53 am
By now, I assume most mac users have seen the 2016 MBP release. Without getting into the state of Apple and its latest offerings (or lack thereof), I need to bite this year and replace an early ’08 MBP still running OS 10.6.8 and DP 7.??. Some brief questions regarding upgrading the studio ecosystem, as it’s been a really long time since my last major upgrade. I consider myself a low to moderate CPU and audio/MIDI track count user for what it’s worth.
Am I right in still assuming the core practice that I should be recording to an external drive in 2016? If so, am I good with a disc-based USB external drive – or should I consider SSD despite cost and size restrictions for a drive that doesn’t spin. Performance differences between SSD & disc? Have always used a separate drive for recording, going back to my first system in 1993 with Mac II CI and 80 MB external drive. Always thought it was a practice mostly used to keep the load off the internal bus of the computer. Not sure if that’s accurate or applicable to today’s computers.
Also wondering about the state of my 828mkII (still running fine) and if this is the point in time to upgrade to something like an Ultralite MK-4. My big concern with the 828 is reliability in connecting/adapting Firewire 400 to USB-C. I’m sure the I/Os have improved on MOTUs interfaces over the course of a decade or more. Could still use the 828 with the 2008 MBP as a secondary system.
With DP9, I’ll be using Mach 5 III, all Spectrasonics instruments (excluding Keyscape), Kontakt, and a few other VIs.
It’s been so long since I’ve had to replace various components at once - trying to be smart about this. Grateful for any thoughts & thanks!
Doug
Am I right in still assuming the core practice that I should be recording to an external drive in 2016? If so, am I good with a disc-based USB external drive – or should I consider SSD despite cost and size restrictions for a drive that doesn’t spin. Performance differences between SSD & disc? Have always used a separate drive for recording, going back to my first system in 1993 with Mac II CI and 80 MB external drive. Always thought it was a practice mostly used to keep the load off the internal bus of the computer. Not sure if that’s accurate or applicable to today’s computers.
Also wondering about the state of my 828mkII (still running fine) and if this is the point in time to upgrade to something like an Ultralite MK-4. My big concern with the 828 is reliability in connecting/adapting Firewire 400 to USB-C. I’m sure the I/Os have improved on MOTUs interfaces over the course of a decade or more. Could still use the 828 with the 2008 MBP as a secondary system.
With DP9, I’ll be using Mach 5 III, all Spectrasonics instruments (excluding Keyscape), Kontakt, and a few other VIs.
It’s been so long since I’ve had to replace various components at once - trying to be smart about this. Grateful for any thoughts & thanks!
Doug