Opinions Wanted::Hardware and Systems Upgrade Path

denovo · Post by **denovo** » Wed May 23, 2007 11:18 am

I now do a the majority of my recording on my 15 AlBook 1.25 GHz running DP 4.6 It's the most stable config since running 3.11 on a 350 Mhz G4 IMHO.

Most of my recording is audio with a smattering of MIDI off a Firepod with external HDs etc.

When I ran stuff off my G4, it was a MOTU 2408 Mk II that was my A/D box. I miss the converters and have always hoped I would someday get a dual G5 and upgrade the PCI card to revert to a 2408 Mk II setup.

Now with the new MacBook Pros and what is surely an announcement on the next wave of MBPs, I'm wondering if that's the way to go.

This will mean of course, I would maybe sell the Mk II and convert to a better Firewire setup (or not) and just stay with the portable recording config. Lack of firewire ports is a PITA but I do have an Adaptec Firewire Card.

I want to get into more heavy VI and MIDI use, but from all that I have read the new MBPs are more than up to it.

I'm resistant to go up to DP 5.11 since I'm loving 4.6 but you gotta do what you gotta do.

So any thoughts on which would make the most sense here? A used/refurb dual G5 or just completely go portable/non desktop? And what should I sell or invest in for A/Ds and such.

Thanks for reading this far,

Charles

BobGuitar335 · Post by **BobGuitar335** » Wed May 23, 2007 7:35 pm

Hey Denovo
I am using a 2.16 Ghz Intel Core Duo MacBookPro. Previously I was running a 2.5 dual G5 with a 2408 MK3. I was very happy with that setup but needed a mobile solution.

When I moved the MacBookPro I tested a lot of interfaces in the less than $1100.00 range and ended up selecting the Traveler. Decent pre's good converters. All around a solid interface. I'm runnng DP.511 and OS 10.4.9 and I am using G-Tech external FW800 HD. I have been just as satisfied with with new setup as the old which was awesome.

Bob

denovo · Post by **denovo** » Wed May 23, 2007 9:08 pm

BobGuitar335 wrote:Hey Denovo
I am using a 2.16 Ghz Intel Core Duo MacBookPro. Previously I was running a 2.5 dual G5 with a 2408 MK3. I was very happy with that setup but needed a mobile solution.

When I moved the MacBookPro I tested a lot of interfaces in the less than $1100.00 range and ended up selecting the Traveler. Decent pre's good converters. All around a solid interface. I'm runnng DP.511 and OS 10.4.9 and I am using G-Tech external FW800 HD. I have been just as satisfied with with new setup as the old which was awesome.

Bob

Good to know, Bob. Thank you. Any idea how the Traveler compares to the prev 828 Mk II. I know I don't get as much pres. But, it sure seemed like a robust system.

Charles

BobGuitar335 · Post by **BobGuitar335** » Thu May 24, 2007 1:08 pm

I can only compare to the 2408MK3. I tried a lot of Firewire units including the Mackie 400F, a couple of the Presonus, some M-Audio boxes, the Saffire, the M-Box and a few more. I'm on a first name basis with the guys in the pro-audio dept.

I settled on the Traveler for several reasons.
1. It just sounded transparent and right to me.. it could be personal preference after having lived with the 2408 but some definately added personality and that's not what I wanted an interface to do.
2. Zero latency for hardware monitoring - I do a lot of dubs to layer instruments and redoing vocals.
3. The Pre's were good. I record acoustic instruments and some vocals. They have filled my need for a good pre.
4. While I thought I probably wouldn't use it soon, the 192/24 capability was a nice to have.

Hope that helps.