I am new to this board, forgive the following questions.

[jsd540]

I have a g4 733 with 1.5 gigs of ram and a 10000 rpm drive for audio.

I currently use cubase and I am thinking of switching to DP 4.5. The questions I have before I make the switch are 1. Do I need to buy a seperate virtual drum machine and sampler or are basic instruments included in the package. I can't seem to find this info anywhere.

Also will it run with a gina 24 soundcard or do I have to buy one of the motu units for maximum compatibility ?

any help is greatly appreciated.

[taggart]

Hey, what's up? No, instruments are not included with DP. I'm almost glad they're not because it allows you to go and pick the instruments that are best suited to you. But MOTU does make a couple of virtual instruments and I hear they're pretty good. I don't have any experience with them.
Also, I THINK DP will run on a Gina. Don't quote me, though. I use an M-Audio Delta 66 and it's been an awesome sound card. Only four ins, four outs plus digital in/out, but that's all I need right now.
The only other thing I might do (if you decide to go with DP) is upgrade your processor (like I did...Sonnet). I'm running 1.5GHz with 1.5Gigs of RAM, and my system is running great (no jinxes!).
So, that's my two cents!

[Timeline]

As Taggert pointed out the instrument setup being separate is better, I agree.

I just wanted to add that I have done many albums with DP on that machine and it works great.

Using early DP versions is likely better than Steinberg as MOTU has a reasonable grouping of software versions that wok efficiently.

[jsd540]

My vst plug ins and instruments wont transfer over either ...

Oh well if the sound quality is better maybe it's worth it...


Gotta start researching virtual samplers and drum machines, any reccomendations...

[chrispick]

My vst plug ins and instruments wont transfer over either ...

Oh well if the sound quality is better maybe it's worth it...


Gotta start researching virtual samplers and drum machines, any reccomendations...

re: VST plugs and VIs -- Most VST apps are also available in AU format which works fine with DP. Maybe all you have to do is get them re-licensed to your new system (which is usually cost-free).

If what you have is only available in VST, another option is to purchase VST Wrapper or other VST-to-AU converter app.

Of course, if your'e talking about VST tools you're certain are exclusive to Cubase, then forget what I said.

re: VIs, samplers and drum machines -- What kind of music do you make? This will help guide recommendations. As stated above, you may be able to transfer your existing toolset over.

That said, some favorites:

Samplers: NI Kontakt, MOTU Mach Five

Drum modules: Spectrasonic Stylus RMX, NI Battery, fxpansion BFD, Drums From Hell, Scarbee Imperial Drums XL

Good all-in-one VI toolset: Propellerhead Reason

That should get you started.

[wvandyck]

I currently use cubase and I am thinking of switching to DP 4.5.

Switching from one program to another involves retooling the neuro eye-hand-brain connections (keystrokes, menus, methods to accomplish tasks based on the programs design, etc.) There will be some bumps in the road as you get up to speed with a new program.

Having said that, I am a former, long-time user of cubase who made the switch and have never looked back. DP is an awesome program. It has excellent audio editting tools, and a "real" mixer. Alot of the supplied plugs are really very useful if you explore beyond the presets. The Consolidation Window has allowed me to customize my work flow in very useful ways.

I would encourage you to e-mail or call Motu to discuss your concerns. That way you'll obtain the informaion you need to make your decision. I called Motu during my period of decision making and was fortunate enough to talk to Magic Dave. He not only answered my questions but gave off...a very "postive vibe" that solidfied my decision. The rest is history.

[art bain]

As per your question regarding the Gina . . . I use a Layla 24/96 and it works great. The Echo stuff is very compatible and trouble-free.

Once you plug it in and do the initial setup, you can virtually forget it's there and just record!

Art

[chrisblytheuk]

hi
In my opinion people settle on a DAW that suits the music they make and the way their brain works! I started out on Notator in the 80s and did an evening class on Cubase, as well as giving Logic 3 a go in the mid 90s. However, i've been using DP since version 2.3 I think, and have found it to be the best for me. 4.6 is fantastic, with pitch correction and beat detection making me go 'ooh aah' a lot right now!
However, I have found that I got caught in an upgrade spiral with 4.5! I wanted to upgrade but found I had to get loads more RAM and Tiger- which cost a fair bit. But, if you stick with older versions you can run it on a modest system (such as a G3).
I write mostly guitar based music running Reason as a 'backing'. If you're into mostly MIDI or soft synths, DP might have too much for you. Reason and Live might be a better route?
hope this is helpful

[fokof]

I too, think that it's better to choose with what softsynths you want to work with.
I have both Mach5 and MX4 with DP and they are great.
Mx4 is a really good softsynth, don't judge it by it's poularity , you can download it's demo and try it out.

One thing you'll love about DP is it's manual , VERY complete.

[jsd540]

Sorry I missed all the replys. Thanks guys... It really helped alot.

I got the system on sunday and wanted to see how cubase would run on it and so far everytime I install cubase my scsi drive disappears, when I remove cubase and reboot my scsi drive is back. very strange, but it is my first mac.


DP will be loaded once I figure out if the problem is cubase or a bad scsi drive.

I will be trying out a vst Wrapper to see if it is good enough for now. This way I can still use some stuff that I am familiar with while looking for replacements.

One thing I will say is that for whatever reason my Gina 24 sounds much better in this machine than it did on a PC. Greater dynamics and wider soundstage.

Any Idea why ?

[tdblanchard]

One thing I will say is that for whatever reason my Gina 24 sounds much better in this machine than it did on a PC. Greater dynamics and wider soundstage.

Any Idea why ?

GO MAC!

[markwayne]

I don't know if you tried this on your PC, but make sure you disable all system sounds with Echo cards otherwise Windows will muck up your settings as soon as it plays a sound.

Having said that, as a long-time user of both platforms, I have noticed this difference on occasion as well with a number of different cards. I have put it down to differences in how CoreAudio and Windows handle audio. Drivers matter the most as those sonic differences disappear when I switch over to GigaStudio (GSIF) drivers on a PC.

go Mac indeed,
Wayne

[billf]

One thing I will say is that for whatever reason my Gina 24 sounds much better in this machine than it did on a PC. Greater dynamics and wider soundstage.

Any Idea why ?

I've experienced the same thing. I don't know why it would be the case, and the only thing I can think of is that OSX is designed with audio production as one of its core functions, whereas Windows is more general purpose.

[jonotron]

One thing I will say is that for whatever reason my Gina 24 sounds much better in this machine than it did on a PC. Greater dynamics and wider soundstage.

Any Idea why ?

Better power supply most likely. Although Macs are more expensive, the parts quality is much better than a run of the mill PC. Any audio circuitry is only as good as its power supply. Software may help a bit though..
PS how do i do the box with SO and SO wrote??

[coolcolin]

PS how do i do the box with SO and SO wrote??

click the quote button, then delete the text you don‘t want to quote leaving
the bracketed "quote" intact at beginning and end.
Then add your own text.