minimum CPU for AudioDesk 2

[calden]

Hey all:

I've been running AudioDesk 1 - OS 9 - on my iBook 500 Mhz dual USB G3. It's barely acceptable. Now that my kids are teenagers and into recording, I'm finding it very tough to use, and pine for the ease of ProTools Free.

So I once again tried the OSX version of AudioDesk, and it's much nicer to use by a factor of 10 - visuals, features, navigation, etc. However it's so slow and pokey on my computer that it's not practical.

So I'm going to either sell the 828 MkII and get a ProTools - or maybe Cubase - interface with better software, or upgrade to a used but better CPU so I can use AudioDesk 2 which seems acceptable.

What are the minimum requirements for a CPU to run AudioDesk 2 smoothly? I figure if I go to something like a Mac Mini G4 1.25 Mhz I ought to be fine - any comments or suggestions? Already have a nice external FW drive.

Please don't suggest upgrading to DP - I don't need it, and even if I did I'd have to get a new CPU anyways.

Thanks in advance, glad to have a resource like this group.

Carlos Alden

[Kaszper]

My 'Mac mini for music?' query addresses similar ground, Carlos. Advice seems to be that a mini with the fast processor and maximum RAM should be fine for mutitracking.

I too have been struggling with Audiodesk (and Pro Tools LE) on an old 400mhz G4 with 512Mb RAM: once I'm up to six or so tracks and some reverb use, the machine begins to stutter.

And I agree ••“ Audiodesk is a far nicer program to use than Pro Tools!

[calden]

The unbelievable happened -

I got through to MOTU tech support - on a Friday at 8:10 am PST, no less. My last experience calling them, a few years ago, was days spent on the phone trying to track someone down. Kudos to them for beefing up support. Thanks.

They confirmed that upgrading to a Mac Mini G4 from my iBook G3- with plenty of ram, certainly more than the standard 256 mb, would be fine to run AudioDesk2 smoothly.

For what it's worth, I specified that I was doing home use and most likely wouldn't be using more than 12 tracks at once - so I didn't ask about pro use, running zillions of tracks with plug-ins going full tilt, etc.

Carlos

[Kaszper]

Presumably you'll be keeping the Motu 828, then?

[calden]

Yep, I'll be keeping it. Unless.....

Unless I ultimately find the AudioDesk2 not very much fun to use. At that point I'll have the newer CPU and will consider moving to a ProTools based system.

My band recorded and mixed our last CD on ProTools (PTLE via a Digi 001) and I like it a lot - it feels intuitive. The AudioDesk2 (OSX) really seems a lot easier to use, like PTLE, and I think I'll like it.

A bigger factor is that my two teen kids are liking this recording stuff as a hobby, and in trying to teach them the AudioDesk1 stuff I keep saying - "Now on ProTools all you have to do is this.... or that.... and it's done a lot more easily." I even opened up ProTools Free to show them something and THAT was a lot easier to use than AudioDesk1 - colored wave forms, zoom/expand right to the cursor, individual tracks can be different sizes, etc. etc. . (If only I could get PT Free to take the Firewire input from the 828.) So it's not only for my use - it's that I want an easily accessible and usable recording system for my kids to create with.

If I DO decide to go to a PT system I'll sell the 828 MkII stuff to help finance the PT system. I hate buying and selling stuff but I just want a stable and easily usable system.

Carlos

[Kaszper]

I'm sure Audiodesk2 won't disappoint you.

Pro Tools is a fine system, but it still has an old-fashioned interface which I find obstructive. And volume automation is basic, too: you have to drag breakpoints with the mouse, which is rather approximate. In Audiodesk/Performer you can enter precise values for breakpoints, giving you total control over automation.

I find the zoom and trim tools clumsy, too.