Main G5 as DAW+Sequencer and multi Mac Minis as VI hosts?

[bnr33]

Dear all,

Just a quick question for all experienced MOTUsers here, is it possible to have a Mac to host DP4 as the main sequencer and then using multiple Macs to host different VIs such as Ivory, dfhS, NI, etc etc, if it is possbile, how do u hook it up? Give each Mac a MIDI interface and hook up via MIDI or can they actually communicate via an Ethernet Network?

Second question is, I remembered seeing an article somewhere in Sound on Sound or somewhere on the internet stating that OSX actually comes with a "Free" Audio Host for AUs, it is in the developer tools section of the DVD, or something like that.... can anyone confirm? If this is the case, referring to the question above, does it means that we'll only need 1 instance of DP in the main machine? Can this DP control the various settings of the VIs or must they be controlled / programmed via each individual Mac

Third question, is 4GB RAM the Maximum DP4.6X can ultilize in Tiger? Plus, should I get ECC or non-ECC RAM?

Thanks in advance!!!

Anson

[kwiz]

Dear all,

Just a quick question for all experienced MOTUsers here, is it possible to have a Mac to host DP4 as the main sequencer and then using multiple Macs to host different VIs such as Ivory, dfhS, NI, etc etc, if it is possbile, how do u hook it up? Give each Mac a MIDI interface and hook up via MIDI or can they actually communicate via an Ethernet Network?

Second question is, I remembered seeing an article somewhere in Sound on Sound or somewhere on the internet stating that OSX actually comes with a "Free" Audio Host for AUs, it is in the developer tools section of the DVD, or something like that.... can anyone confirm? If this is the case, referring to the question above, does it means that we'll only need 1 instance of DP in the main machine? Can this DP control the various settings of the VIs or must they be controlled / programmed via each individual Mac

Third question, is 4GB RAM the Maximum DP4.6X can ultilize in Tiger? Plus, should I get ECC or non-ECC RAM?

Thanks in advance!!!

Anson

1. Yes, I use 2 Dual 1.8's, one for DP, the other for softsynths. The second machine has a fastlane MIDI interface, and a Tascam 24 ch. FW I/O that connects to my DM-32 console. You would need an audio interface for your mini's to be bussed to your DP mac's audio interface, or you could probably use the mini's audio outs but I believe that would introduce latency.

2. I haven't tried the ethernet audio route although I do have 3 macs in an ethernet network which works just fine.

3. Yes DP can only address 4 gigs at this time.

4. The ram selection is based on what model computer you're using.
Check here to see what ram works best for you.
http://eshop.macsales.com/

Good luck.

[bnr33]

Dear Douglas,

Thanks for your reply. Please kindly find my further questions below:

(1) Each Mini has it's own Audio + MIDI Interface, right?

(2) Each Mini connects back to DP via MIDI?

(3) Each Mini's audio out via own interface then goes back into the DAW Mac's interface's input?

(4) For each Mini, do I need a separate license of DP or can I use that "Free" Audio Host from OSX?

(5) For configuring each VI in each mini, I'd supposed I can only control them via each mini's GUI instead of via the Main DP, correct?

Thanks again!!

Anson

[kwiz]

Dear Douglas,

Thanks for your reply. Please kindly find my further questions below:

(1) Each Mini has it's own Audio + MIDI Interface, right?

(2) Each Mini connects back to DP via MIDI?

(3) Each Mini's audio out via own interface then goes back into the DAW Mac's interface's input?

(4) For each Mini, do I need a separate license of DP or can I use that "Free" Audio Host from OSX?

(5) For configuring each VI in each mini, I'd supposed I can only control them via each mini's GUI instead of via the Main DP, correct?

Thanks again!!

Anson

Douglas, who's Douglas.....oh I see, the author of my signature quote.
I'm Kwiz btw.

Yes to 1,2, & 3. How many mini's will you be using?
The less, the better because it will save you $$$ in audio interface costs.
If you could sell the mini's and get a used dual G5 your system would be more powerful as well as more consolidated......just an idea.

4. Well here's what I do, on my softsynth computer I run all the synths in standalone mode which enables me to access the synths via MIDI without loading DP on another machine. As far as multiple licenses goes, you'd have to contact Motu on that.

5. You could do both. DP could spit out MIDI controller info to the MIDI's if you need to do that.

[bnr33]

Oops.... sorry Kwiz....

It is just about time for me to upgrade my main DAW from a G4 to a G5 and this VI thing is all new to me, I have bought dfhS and Ivory but have not installed them yet, but since I am investigating on new gear investments, and I do come across a lot of posts with users saying they are running out of CPU / Ram juice, this thought of spreading various VIs on cost effective minis just came to the top of my head and I thought it won't hurt me asking....

My shopping list will also include a Symphony Library (probably Quantum Leap), AltiVerb, and a control surface (probably Mackie Control Universal)

Any thoughts on these stuff too?

Thanks again for your generous thoughts and inputs!!

Cheers!!

Anson

[kwiz]

The only thing out of the 3 you've listed is Altiverb. It's probably the best native reverb program out right now. The Mackie controller is suppose to be cool but I haven't used it. Haven't heard the string library.

[emulatorloo]

Just a quick question for all experienced MOTUsers here, is it possible to have a Mac to host DP4 as the main sequencer and then using multiple Macs to host different VIs

There's a good thread on this here:

http://www.motunation.com/forum/viewtop ... highlight=

[solar]

Check out plasq.com - There you will find Wormhole and Rax. They will allow you to run VI's on a seperate computer and the sound is transfered over ethernet, Latency isn't terrible I can get my G5 down to 128 running reliably. Took me about 1 hr to set it up. If you couple this with using the new Network MIDI in Tiger you can have both sound and MIDI transfered over a network or computer to computer both over an ethernet cable. You can demo it and if you decide to buy will only set you back about $50 for Wormhole, $29 for RAX (this is just a stripped down host application, you can also use DP on both computers or anyother host, but RAX is more Streamlined). If you need any Instructions on how to set up the Network MIDI, I have those and can help with any set up questions. I decided to do this after returning my $1300 Receptor, I like this better and I already had the second computer - I think you can also use a wireless network wich is pretty cool, Haven't tried that yet though.