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I'm currently running Logic Audio 4.8 and OS9 on a G4 Digital Audio (dual 533Mhz, maximum RAM).
I have OS X Tiger as well and would really like to use it instead, so that I can have access to all of the new
software and VI's released for OS X. After some reading about DP, I'm thinking about switching, but wondering
if my current system will handle OS X and DP5.

My Scenario:

- Currently, 90% of what I do is sequencing with both hardware and soft-synths.

- Audio is recorded through a Tascam M2524 mixer into a Mackie MDR 24/96 hard disk recorder. Occasionally,
I will FTP a track or two into Logic for tweaking. HOWEVER, I would like to be able to pull more tracks (possibly all 24 tracks)
from the MDR into the computer for final mixing/editing.

- I would also like to eventually add Mach5 and Unisyn.


Anyone using a similar setup, or have an opinion as to whether my G4 might handle the job?

Also, after reading some reviews, I get a sense that DP is better for MIDI/sequencing than Logic. Is there any truth to this?

Thanks.

My single 800 mHz G4 used to choke a bit on audio in DP until I upgraded to a 1.4 gHz processor (Sonnet). Then it was fine, so a dual 533 mHz machine might be OK, but I think 24 active tracks would be pushing it.

I haven't used Logic, but have done a ton a MIDI editing in DP. At first it seemed cryptic (and still does at times) but it allows me to do whatever I ask it to.

Personally, I think you are better off with any stable version of OS X than with OS 9. It will require you update a bunch of stuff, but OS 9 is to OS X as OS 7.5 is to OS 9. IOW, 9 is truly obsolete if you plan on doing serious competitive work in the digital realm. As yo know from your system, OS 9 and your current setup do work, and that is enough for some folks. But for intensive multi-tracking and in the box FX, VIs and the like, you cannot beat the current OS and DP combination. (IMO...)

One note: new Intel Macs are not compatible with all VIs, including MOTU's MachFive sampler. There are awesome alternatives, however, but they are costly - as is the transition you are considering. If $$$ is not an issue, I would consider a $5k Mac Pro, 8 core dual 3.0 gHz with 16GB (extra $$$) and 3TB of storage. (Nobody wake me up yet...) In all that would be about a $15K system after the RAM and HDs are installed. (OK, you can wake me now...)

Thanks for your input. If your 800 mHz G4 was only choking a 'bit', I'm guessing I could handle the sequencing
with minimal problems at the very least.

I'm curious as to what you think is 'cryptic' about DP's MIDI editing. Can you give an example?

...and yes, I also go to the Apple's site occasionally and build my dream system. By the time I'm able to afford a
system like that, the G5 will have been replaced by something else I can't afford, and Apple will have made Logic Pro
compatible only with the iPhone.

rbot10000 wrote:Thanks for your input. If your 800 mHz G4 was only choking a 'bit', I'm guessing I could handle the sequencing
with minimal problems at the very least.

Yes, sequencing is easily handled. Digital audio was an issue at times.

rbot10000 wrote:I'm curious as to what you think is 'cryptic' about DP's MIDI editing. Can you give an example?

Tool section is a bit hard for me to get at times, and drawing lines can (again, at times) require me to futz with it a bit - not always placing the points where i want them. But that may also be due to the fact that I don't open the manual as much as I ought to...

I would clone your system as is before you make the move to OSX. That way you can revert with nominal hassel should OSX fail to perform as needed on your G4. Or you could run OSX from a different drive or partiton and start up into either system depending on your needs at any given moment.

In my experience, system overhead is far higher in OSX, so you may be best sticking with what you've got for now. If you really want to go to OSX, consider an iMac, MacBook or Mini... they will simply blow the G4 out of the water, and they are not too pricey. Just load up on memory whatever you get. Good luck!

HCMarkus wrote:I would clone your system as is before you make the move to OSX. That way you can revert with nominal hassel should OSX fail to perform as needed on your G4. Or you could run OSX from a different drive or partiton and start up into either system depending on your needs at any given moment.

In my experience, system overhead is far higher in OSX, so you may be best sticking with what you've got for now. If you really want to go to OSX, consider an iMac, MacBook or Mini... they will simply blow the G4 out of the water, and they are not too pricey. Just load up on memory whatever you get. Good luck!

Agreed! In fact, I would install OS X on a completely separate drive. Preferably a new, clean, big drive!

rbot10000 wrote: I'm curious as to what you think is 'cryptic' about DP's MIDI editing. Can you give an example?

One thing that seems to throw new people off is that DP does not handle MIDI regions in the way that most other DAWs do. It took me a long time to get the hang of the DP way. I guess that I should have read the manual more closely, but I assumed that since some of the tools look the same as in other apps that they would work the same way. I assumed that there were a lot of things that DP couldn't do, when it really just has a different way of dealing with them.

Thanks for all of the reply's.

I'd been thinking about purchasing a new SATA drive, just for OS X. I hadn't really considered one of low-end macs,
assuming they wouldn't be able to handle too much audio. I'll read some more here in the groups for some insight.

Thanks again.

rbot10000 wrote:Thanks for all of the reply's.

I'd been thinking about purchasing a new SATA drive, just for OS X. I hadn't really considered one of low-end macs,
assuming they wouldn't be able to handle too much audio. I'll read some more here in the groups for some insight.

Thanks again.

If you go with a slower Mac and HD (and are recording stereo & multi-track audio) you might also consider splitting the audio over two or more drives. Forcing one drive to access lots of data can press it beyond the limit. Spreading a stereo or multi file(s) over several drives allows the audio to playback more smoothly as the heads are not forced to try and be at two places at the same time.

What ever you do, get as much RAM as you can afford. After 4GB, DP is less savvy about RAM.