Mac Titamium PowerBooks g4 -Vs-Digital Multitrack

[Jawboxer]

I was just curious if anybody could tell me some of the advantages/ and
or disadvanteges to recording audio with a mac titanium powerbooks g4
-Vs- and regular digital multitrack. I would just primarily be recording
semi small projects 10-14 tracks and I was wandering if any body who
has recorded with g4 if it is easier and has sufficient memory. I am just
thinking of recording on a computer instead of a multitrack and I was
sorting just wondering if it would be worth it price wise and other to convert. If anyone has any knowledge of these things I would Like to Hear some info,
Thank You,
Jawboxer:confused:

[pooprobot]

Originally posted by Jawboxer
I was just curious if anybody could tell me some of the advantages/ and
or disadvanteges to recording audio with a mac titanium powerbooks g4
-Vs- and regular digital multitrack. I would just primarily be recording
semi small projects 10-14 tracks and I was wandering if any body who
has recorded with g4 if it is easier and has sufficient memory. I am just
thinking of recording on a computer instead of a multitrack and I was
sorting just wondering if it would be worth it price wise and other to convert.

The Mac Powerbook with the right software IS a Digital Multitrack. When you say digital multitrack, are you talking about all-in-one units like the Roland VS2480 and Akai DPS24?

I used to use an Akai DPS16 and I liked it a lot. The advantages of my Akai were: 1) Everything you need to record (except for Mics and cables) is all together in a small unit, 2) Everything is already configured to work together so you will be able to just turn it on and record right away. It was very easy to carry around and record bands anywhere I wanted. I could also use an external effects processor with it if the internal effects were not what I wanted. It also had an adequate screen for a portable unit. I can't think of many disadvantages. But having said that, I sold it for a Mac.

Now I use a Mac. The advantages of the Mac setup are: 1) I could choose which software sequencer to use with it (DP3, Logic, etc), 2) I could choose which audio interface to use with it (RME, M-Audio, etc), 3) I could use better plug-in effects (Bomb Factory, Audioease, etc), 4) Large colorful screen instead of the smaller black-and-white, 5) MIDI sequencing, 6) Soft-synths (Absynth, Mercury1, etc), 7) Soft-samplers (Battery, Halion, etc), 8) You can also run other software for other purposes than music (Final Cut Pro3, Adobe Photoshop 7, etc), 9) More robust sequencing abilities. Some disadvantages of the Mac are: 1) extension conflicts which can cause crashes, 2) configuring your audio system so that everything works together can sometimes be a pain (once it's done though, you're set!), 3) A high quality audio interface to work with Powerbook can be expensive (Metric Halo's Mobile I/O, MOTU 896, Echo Layla/Mona), 4) Possibly a higher learning curve, but not necessarily.

[Dr Zed]

For months I worried about computer vs hardware "all in one" boxes. In April I forked out a bundle for a G4 800 MHz and a MOTU 896. I'm still smiling. The 896 is extremely versatile. It comes with AudioDesk, a highly featured recorder/editor. Mate, with this setup, you can easily record piles of tracks with minimal strain on the hard disk. The available CPU easily handles additional processing. I've had no problems with the 10-14 track count plus dynamics, eq, on all channels and effects plus reverb on selected channels.

The I/O on the 896 is excellent. To date, I have used the box for music tracks using the line level I/O with good results. My main use at the present is recording native Aussie bush sounds, sometimes with mics feeding all 8 mic preamps. The preamps sound very good for this type of gear. I have a portable power supply that drives everything. You can even purchase a (reinforced) soft case that holds the 896 and the G4. All this runs out of the back of my Subaru with plenty of room for an esky.

AudioDesk provides most of what I need for recording/editing. It leaves the hardware boxes for dead. I will only upgrade to DP3 later when music begins to feature more heavily in my work. Very happy with everything.

Cheers,

Dr Zed

p.s. Recently added a 60 gig firewire hard drive for backup for about $500 AUD. Also, I run no other software on the G4...it's for audio only.

[THSteve]

WERD UP DR Z!!

I am just purchasing my G4 and 896 in the next week, you have calmed many of my apprehensions.. though I am buying a G4 500, hope it is powerful enough.. I plan to upgrade to 1gig RAM immediately. How much Ram are you using currently??

Also, you say you like the Mic preamps on the 896? they sound good? do you notice any paticular characteristics thye give the sound or is it pretty clean??

thank you

Stee-z Stee

[THSteve]

if you don't mind, could you tell me a little about your power supply?

make, charging requirements, life, price??

etc etc..
THANK YOU THANK YOU