Mac Problem....

[LDQ]

I resently started experiencing a problem with my MAC G4. I use this mac with PROTOOLS and Digital Performer. For some reason, everytime I turn on the mac, it finishes the booting process and when the desktop comes up, it freezes. I need to manually reboot the box and it boots fine after that. Any thoughs on what could be causing this problem and how can I troubleshoot it.

Any help will be appreciated.

LDQ

[knaster]

Try trashing your Apple Menu Options Preferences file in System Folder: Preferences.
It tends to corrupt occasionally, and will rebuild automatically. The symptom is a hang right when the Finder launches. Hope this helps, because I would suspect viral activity next (yuk!).

-knaster

[BlackOctopus]

Hello,
I just set up a new iMac and have a few questions. It come with OS X installed (actually everything is already pre-installed - is that right? What are all the installation CD's i got for?), anyhow, the software programs that i want to run, Pro tools FREE and the TWE voice editing tools for Yamaha Motif, require that i use OS 9.1.
Now, i notice that there is a 'Classic Enviroment 9' also installed on the hardrive, it says this is OS 9.2.2. Will this work for the 2 software items i mention if i boot from this version of the OS? Thanx, i am new to Mac's.

While i'm here:lick:
Does anyone know if i can plug the 'headphone output' of the mac, into Roland DS50A monitor speakers coxial input (1 on each monitor)
The mac instruction booklet (which is unbelievably sparse) mentions that the headphone output can connet to headphones or analog monitor speakers.
I didn't recieve an apple speakers with my model, so i need to monitor the music once it's *inside *the computer.

[knaster]

9.2.2 should work fine for any softwares requiring classic support, HOWEVER, you will get better results booting straight into OS 9, using your System Preferences: Startup Disk panel, rather than running in OS X with Classic Mode.

Sorry, the coaxial inputs on your speakers are digital ins, the headphone jack on your Mac is decidedly analog. You'll need to buy a cable adapter: 1/8 inch TRS (stereo) to a pair of 1/4 inch TS (tip-sleeve) in order to make this match the Analog inputs on your DS-50's. You should be able to find this at Radio Shack, or a Pro-Audio store such as Sweetwater... :-)

--knaster

[BlackOctopus]

Hey Knaster,
The iMac i bought has OS X and OS 9.2.2 installed (i did exactly what you suggested last night and booted from OS 9.2.2), Now , if i leave the computer set to automatically boot up to the OS 9.2.2, will this be ok to run the Pro Tools Free software?
Thanks again. My brain is melting..I hope i can also use this OS 9.2.2 to use the yamaha motif file utitlity software also (the manual for this says it requires 'up to mac 9.1'):confused:

[knaster]

Yes, as a matter of fact, this is the recommended way to run ProTools LE until they make it OS X native. Running in OS X with Classic Mode is like running it in emulation, which always eats processing power, which in turn cuts your audio power potential.

Regarding Motif software, just about anything that calls for 9.1 will still be supported in 9.2. They're essentially the same animal...

Enjoy your iMac! They're versatile machines especially for audio and video.

--knaster

[BlackOctopus]

Knaster, Thanks again for the info.

I will try this. Also, i have no sound card for running PT Free. What would you recommend?
Is there a cheap little USB audio card (like a cheaper version of MBox) that i could run PT Free on? I spent so much on the computer i don't really have the $$ to get the MBox right now..is there a cheaper alternative that PT Free..likes?
I was considering just pluging the audio output of my synth into the 1/8 inch input of the iMac..but as i understand it, PT Free doesn't like this. and it won't work.

Thanks for any advice..AGAIN!

[Justin]

If you're just looking for a freebie app to do some basic audio editing on you could try Audacity. ( http://audacity.sourceforge.net ) It's open source software, so it's free. It's very very basic, (ver 1.0) but is available in mac, pc, and linux and can run vst plugins.
It will help you get by until you can invest in a software tool that will grow with you like Digital Performer or ProToolsLE.

For a basic audio interface both Roland and Aardvark have some USB ones that will
do exactly what you're looking for at a very reasonable price point. If you'd like some help figuring out which one would be the best for your needs, give one of us at Sweetwater a call and we'll be happy to speak with you and help you personally.

[knaster]

It is my understanding that ProTools Free is made explicitly for the onboard sound setup in your Mac (more advanced versions of ProTools require their hardware).

Your scheme of plugging your keyboard into the input of the Mac should work fine. It is a stereo input and can record 2 tracks at a time. =)

--knaster

[BlackOctopus]

Hi again, the only problem i realise i would have with plugging in the synth to the imac would be..i don't have a way of then monitoring once the audio is inside the computer, i need my monitors connected to a USB soundcard so that i can hear what is being played on my synth (connected to the soundcard output?) and what is then in the computer (also connected) sorry if i'm a little slow here..;)

Another thing just occured to me.. if i connect a USB soundcard, will i be able to play CD's and MP3's from my imac using iTunes? meaning, will the sound ouput of my monitors connected tot he USB soundcard? I didn't receive any apple pro speakers with my model, so i have terrible tinny sound coming out of somewhere. So, i need to simply hear what the computer plays in a proper way. So, i reckon i need a Pro Tools Free compatible soundcard...ultimately the Mbox, but i am fishing for a cheaper version..

[Justin]

In the mac sound control panels you can choose your default sound inputs and outputs, you'd want to point these to your USB audio interface. Then if you play a cd or the keyboard, it will output through the interface instead of your built in speaker.
I'm not as familiar w/ PTFree, but I think the comment above is right, you'll only be able to use it with your built in sound card, not 3rd party hardware. But of course if anyone here has experience using PTFree w/ hardware by all means listen to them...I've only used PTfree on a Windows system.