Digital Performer/OSX on a PC?

djoniba · Post by **djoniba** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 1:02 am

Just wondering. Since Macs now are all Intel based, I have heard that many run OSX without problems on a PC http://www.osx86project.org/
(it is mostly a matter of opening up the limitations to use only certain serial numbers on such things as video cards etc.)

If this is the case, maybe I could build a monster PC running OSX and Digital Performer? My old and trusted Dual 1gig G4 has been giving me some problems lately (hard drives not being able to record audio, instruments crashing DP, Audio system being turned off due to overload etc etc.). The large Macs are just too expensive, and I know and love DP.

Any thoughs? Anyone tried this?

I know this is turning my back to Apple, my old friend, but they have forgot how it was to be small and enthusiastic. Me dont like!!

Shooshie · Post by **Shooshie** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 3:29 am

It's possible. People have done it. One company actually sells PCs configured for OSX. Apple challenged them in court, and if I'm not mistaken the company beat Apple's challenge and retains the right to sell their Frankintoshes. (Or would it be Macinsteins?) But one should read up on the subject, because there are significant drawbacks to it, one of which is that future versions of OSX may not play along.

Shooshie

daniel.sneed · Post by **daniel.sneed** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 5:17 am

I can say my small 3 years old MacBook is still handling DP6 and 10.4.11 very well.
I've just set a 7200rpm internal drive and 2Go ram inside.

BTW a second monitor, any size, is really helpful.

Some investment, but not that much, referring to my actual living standards.

twistedtom · Post by **twistedtom** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 8:26 am

I read the frankintosh computers are not working as well as the real thing and if you look at their specs they are not the same as an Apple. Love your name for them Shoo.

djoniba · Post by **djoniba** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 2:10 pm

It might be that my studio mac is on its way to the grave. It is a dual 1 gig G4with 1 gig RAM. For an upgrade, used is the only way to go (economics) Not sure if it is wise to upgrade to a used G5, or if I should go for an Intel Mac. The point is that if OSX runs fine on a PC (and I have heard it does after 10.5 since a Mac is all PC components), I could get a monsterous PC (16 gig RAM etc etc) for the same price as a Mac.

I read a n interesting post here about using Plogue Bidule to hold a bunch of virtual instruments ad run it in rewire mood. This seems like something I would like to get into, but I guess it requires a fast computer with tons of RAM

bralston · Post by **bralston** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 4:18 pm

Shooshie wrote:It's possible. People have done it. One company actually sells PCs configured for OSX. Apple challenged them in court, and if I'm not mistaken the company beat Apple's challenge and retains the right to sell their Frankintoshes.

Not true Shooshie. Psystar was sued by Apple last year and the lawsuit is in the discovery stage and not nearly done. They just continue to sell their "Open Mac" system in defiance of Apple's lawsuit. Psystar then countersued Apple with an Anti-Trust lawsuit. Psystar's antitrust claim was dismissed by the judge saying it did not have merit. So...they are setting themselves up for a world of legal hurt, but are still trying to hang on for whatever reason.

I find it amusing how at least twice a year the question of whether we will see DP on a "PC" or not comes around again. And every time the answer is the same. NO. It is not coded for windows...only for MAC OSX. And as far as the hardware...the thing that makes MAC a lot more stable in general than PCs is the fact that the hardware options are relatively closed for MAC users. This allows Apple to sell systems that are well tested and everything on them just works...as opposed to the PC world where one could not possibly beta test every hardware configuration from every third party OEM company out there producing "PC" compatible hardware. Solid hardware drivers are the key next to the OS. Hence...to the original poster....NO...DP will not run on a generic cheaper to buy "PC" any time soon.

Shooshie · Post by **Shooshie** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 6:28 pm

djoniba wrote:It might be that my studio mac is on its way to the grave. It is a dual 1 gig G4with 1 gig RAM. For an upgrade, used is the only way to go (economics) Not sure if it is wise to upgrade to a used G5, or if I should go for an Intel Mac. The point is that if OSX runs fine on a PC (and I have heard it does after 10.5 since a Mac is all PC components), I could get a monsterous PC (16 gig RAM etc etc) for the same price as a Mac.

I read a n interesting post here about using Plogue Bidule to hold a bunch of virtual instruments ad run it in rewire mood. This seems like something I would like to get into, but I guess it requires a fast computer with tons of RAM

I know it's more expensive, but the Intel Mac-Pro is the way to go. The difference in performance isn't incremental; it's amazing. The G5 computers are left standing still by the Intels. I'd sooner get a used Intel than a G5. You can get 2-year old Intels for pretty cheap, and even they make the G5 look slow. It's not a good idea to go with the past at this time for DP. Stay with Intel Macs. Get a good one. You will not be sorry.

Shooshie

djoniba · Post by **djoniba** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 4:11 am

OK. I might considering selling my super rare Korg Wavedrum to afford this, but once that one is gone, there is no going back.
Know anyone who is looking for one? (Wavedrum)

djoniba · Post by **djoniba** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 4:17 am

bralston wrote: This allows Apple to sell systems that are well tested and everything on them just works...as opposed to the PC world where one could not possibly beta test every hardware configuration from every third party OEM company out there producing "PC" compatible hardware. Solid hardware drivers are the key next to the OS. Hence...to the original poster....NO...DP will not run on a generic cheaper to buy "PC" any time soon.

I get that one. The thing though, is that nowadays, a Mac is basically a PC. Most parts are the same as on a PC. Take the graphic cards. Earlier, there was a special Mac version made. Nowadays, the graphic cards are exactly the same on Macs and Pcs (but OSX only allows for a certain range of card serial numbers).

zaratero · Post by **zaratero** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 5:15 am

You might find this interesting. It allows for a retail copy of OSX to be installed as long as you stick to their tested hardware and software update will run online as regular. It´s an EFI to be installed in a USB1 port for multiple booting. No personal experience on it, but I´m checking on it for almost a year and there have been no major issues ,technical or legal, that I know about.

http://www.efi-x.com/

billf · Post by **billf** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 12:09 pm

djoniba wrote:Just wondering. Since Macs now are all Intel based, I have heard that many run OSX without problems on a PC http://www.osx86project.org/
(it is mostly a matter of opening up the limitations to use only certain serial numbers on such things as video cards etc.)

If this is the case, maybe I could build a monster PC running OSX and Digital Performer? My old and trusted Dual 1gig G4 has been giving me some problems lately (hard drives not being able to record audio, instruments crashing DP, Audio system being turned off due to overload etc etc.). The large Macs are just too expensive, and I know and love DP.

Any thoughs? Anyone tried this?

I know this is turning my back to Apple, my old friend, but they have forgot how it was to be small and enthusiastic. Me dont like!!

Running the hackintosh is risky. Any software update could, and probably will, break it, and no one will give you support should that happen. I wouldn't risk my studio on it. It would be better to buy a Mac Mini (which is quite capable) than mess with unsupported architectures IMHO.

billf · Post by **billf** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 12:30 pm

Shooshie wrote:It's possible. People have done it. One company actually sells PCs configured for OSX. Apple challenged them in court, and if I'm not mistaken the company beat Apple's challenge and retains the right to sell their Frankintoshes. (Or would it be Macinsteins?) But one should read up on the subject, because there are significant drawbacks to it, one of which is that future versions of OSX may not play along.

Shooshie

Hi Shooshie,

Actually this case is still pending. As of this moment running the hackintosh is technically a violation of the OSX EULA, so for a third party to sell this hack is something that the courts may find unacceptable. Additionally, this may run afoul of DMCA and copyright law. I would be very careful about buying these machines until the case is resolved.

Shooshie · Post by **Shooshie** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 12:37 pm

I was going to suggest a MINI, though it's certainly not as expandable as a larger chassis machine.

But there's no way I'd put my money into a PC running OSX, when there are possible incompatibilities that make its future shaky. Call me chicken if you want, but if you go the PC/OSX route, you're on your own. Also, beware that if DP seems to have a lot of problems, it may be difficult to diagnose them.

Shooshie

jgest · Post by **jgest** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 2:11 pm

I replaced a dual 1 gig, with a mac mini (intel, 4 gigs of ram). The mac mini is SO much more powerful than the g4 ever was (even much faster than a g5 I-mac (ppc), I used for a few months while in transition). I find that I almost use it just as much as my MBP (which is "theoretically" my main rig). Downside was I had to give up the PCI expansion slots.....

djoniba · Post by **djoniba** » Thu Apr 02, 2009 3:39 am

Thanks for all the input on this theme. It was triggered by a friend that says he has used OSX on a PC for a year now with no problems.

So now I will shop around for a new Mac. Think I´ll go for a used MacPro. I have decided to start using Bidule as my VI-rack. tried it yesterday and it was great. I have a PC running GigaStudio 3.0 Orchestra, so I´ll run piano and strings from there.

My other option would be to have a MacBookPro and have Bidule (with kontakt and VST instruments) running on a MacMini without a screen (and run Remote Desktop from my MBP). This would be a nice portable system, and quite powerful. The only problem would be the routing. Can someone please invent a way of having Rewire run across a network?

This could turn out to be a fun project

MOTUnation.com

Digital Performer/OSX on a PC?

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