Need a new computer and new audio interface. Please advise..
Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2012 2:34 pm
Hello, everyone.
My G5 can't keep up with my projects anymore, even with the help of 3 slaves.
SO, I need a new computer, and I can't wait for the next generation of MacPros.
Buying used is not an option either (due to trust and tax deduction issues).
The new iMac wouldn't work for me because I have 2 beautiful 23' monitors that I'd use with the computer.
So it looks like my options are pretty much reduced to the new MacMini, which is starting to look more and more like the answer for me... Great price for great performance.
BUT I do have a few concerns about it (I'd go with the Server model 2.6GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7 with 2 HDs and 16 GB RAM (with the 2.6 GHz upgrade).
1.- When I have everything set up, will the performance comparison between the G5 and MM be, in your estimation:
a) Meh! Just fine
b) Quite good
c) it will blow me away
2.- I need to find a way to connect my 2 23' monitors to the MM. The ones I have are the old Apple ones. Their video connector is ADC.
Both monitors already have a DVI to ADC Adapter (so I could use them with the G5). They are those big chunky expensive ones.
I see the MM needs a Mini Display connector, and Apple sells a Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter...
But my question is, will the monitors still work fine if they go through 2 stages of adaptors (ADC to DVI to MiniDisplay)????
3.- There's also an issue with the HDs... Apple's purchase site does not give me an option to order it with 2 internal 7200 RPM HDs. I'm surprised, because that's what I got for my current MM. The fact that the option does not come up there, does it mean it's "on purpose", e.g. I can't put them there myself because of heat issues or something?
I'd DEFINITELY need 2 fast internal disks, but I do not want to spend on a Solid State one yet (no money for that, and I'd be doing lots of read/write because it would be my main Audio HD).

4.- I'm perfectly happy with my current audio interface (MOTU's PCI 424 with 2408 MkIII), but because of the MM's connections, I'll have to get a new one. It must have either, Thunderbolt, FW800 or USB 3.
Can you recommend one, please? My requirements are:
- It must have 8 digital Ins and 8 digital outs in TDIF or ADAT form, so I can connect it to my Tascam DM-24 mixer.
- Unless the mic preamps are MUCH better than my Tascam's I don't care about analog inputs or analog outputs at all. My microphones are connected to the Tascam, so I want to send this digitally to this interface.
- SPDIF and one MIDI port would be nice too
That's basically it.
Now, so far, it looks like MOTU's Track 16 fits the bill quite nicely. But I'm concerned it has a FW400 connector and this MM uses a FW800 one. Are there converters for this?
Also, will MOTU release an interface with thunderbolt connections soon? Or should I get a FW to TB convertor. Is there even such a thing?
Thanks for any comments in advance.
My G5 can't keep up with my projects anymore, even with the help of 3 slaves.
SO, I need a new computer, and I can't wait for the next generation of MacPros.
Buying used is not an option either (due to trust and tax deduction issues).
The new iMac wouldn't work for me because I have 2 beautiful 23' monitors that I'd use with the computer.
So it looks like my options are pretty much reduced to the new MacMini, which is starting to look more and more like the answer for me... Great price for great performance.
BUT I do have a few concerns about it (I'd go with the Server model 2.6GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7 with 2 HDs and 16 GB RAM (with the 2.6 GHz upgrade).
1.- When I have everything set up, will the performance comparison between the G5 and MM be, in your estimation:
a) Meh! Just fine
b) Quite good
c) it will blow me away
2.- I need to find a way to connect my 2 23' monitors to the MM. The ones I have are the old Apple ones. Their video connector is ADC.
Both monitors already have a DVI to ADC Adapter (so I could use them with the G5). They are those big chunky expensive ones.
I see the MM needs a Mini Display connector, and Apple sells a Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter...
But my question is, will the monitors still work fine if they go through 2 stages of adaptors (ADC to DVI to MiniDisplay)????
3.- There's also an issue with the HDs... Apple's purchase site does not give me an option to order it with 2 internal 7200 RPM HDs. I'm surprised, because that's what I got for my current MM. The fact that the option does not come up there, does it mean it's "on purpose", e.g. I can't put them there myself because of heat issues or something?
I'd DEFINITELY need 2 fast internal disks, but I do not want to spend on a Solid State one yet (no money for that, and I'd be doing lots of read/write because it would be my main Audio HD).

4.- I'm perfectly happy with my current audio interface (MOTU's PCI 424 with 2408 MkIII), but because of the MM's connections, I'll have to get a new one. It must have either, Thunderbolt, FW800 or USB 3.
Can you recommend one, please? My requirements are:
- It must have 8 digital Ins and 8 digital outs in TDIF or ADAT form, so I can connect it to my Tascam DM-24 mixer.
- Unless the mic preamps are MUCH better than my Tascam's I don't care about analog inputs or analog outputs at all. My microphones are connected to the Tascam, so I want to send this digitally to this interface.
- SPDIF and one MIDI port would be nice too
That's basically it.
Now, so far, it looks like MOTU's Track 16 fits the bill quite nicely. But I'm concerned it has a FW400 connector and this MM uses a FW800 one. Are there converters for this?
Also, will MOTU release an interface with thunderbolt connections soon? Or should I get a FW to TB convertor. Is there even such a thing?
Thanks for any comments in advance.