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(1st post) Can a G4 be upgraded to handle current DAWs? [message #307160] Fri, 01 January 2016 23:14 Go to next message
James Cordano is currently offline  James Cordano
Messages: 3
Registered: January 2016
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Junior Member
I'm trying to find the most cost effective path to a Mac that can run one of the current DAW's (Digital Audio Workstation) for a home recording studio.
I have my old G4, and I just assumed it's too limited in terms of max RAM capacity, motherboard etc., so that no matter what I jam in there, it could never run at the level these applications demand- esp. for editing etc.
Then I came across a couple videos of guys using beefed up G5's, and thought I'd at least ask.
According to 'common wisdom', if I were to put together an '06-'11 Mac Pro, they'd need to have something like this onboard:
Apple Mac Pro 2x2.8GHz Quad-Core Xeon 16GB 240GB SSD 640GB to compete with the newer systems the software is optimized for.
With that in mind, is it an exercise in futility to even attempt to throw $ at my old Mac, or has/is anyone having success in a home studio setting with one?
Thanks

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Re: (1st post) Can a G4 be upgraded to handle current DAWs? [message #307161 is a reply to message #307160] Sat, 02 January 2016 01:05 Go to previous messageGo to next message
W.Adrian D'Alessio is currently offline  W.Adrian D'Alessio
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Give an idea of your budget. And how much work are you willing to do to
keep up an old OS and keep it free of bloat?

How much do you know about work flow? Chopping big projects into smaller
parts?
Also what do you know about audio, and the various bit strategies etc?

Some folks can produce on an iPad. or a phone.

what equipment do you already own that you want to keep. If there were
newer alternatives would you go to them if they were cost effective or is
there emotional baggage that might go with keeping old stuff if
connectivity is a problem ?


If money is a problem but you have lots of time and patience a G4 would be
better than nothing. Just know that if you need specialty items to get the
audio into the machine , even used vintage stuff can add up fast..

Mac OS is fine. But again what software do you intend to use? What are it's
limits ?

Finding the right Android tablet for cheap with a 4 core nVidia and some
cheap apps could be more satisfying. Your mileage may vary.

If you Dream of Ableton, Logic, Pro tools or Audition newer than about 5
years old a Used PC would be easier.

Consider your wallet, time and what you want to accomplish

Who is your audience?


Those are things only you can decide.



Adrian D'Alessio aka; Fluxstringer
fluxstringer@gmail.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fluxstreamcommunication/
http://www.facebook.com/FluxStringer
https://www.youtube.com/user/fluxstringer
http://www.linkedin.com/in/fluxstreamcommunications






On Fri, Jan 1, 2016 at 11:14 PM, James Cordano <riffraffgne@gmail.com>
wrote:

> I'm trying to find the most cost effective path to a Mac that can run one
> of the current DAW's (Digital Audio Workstation) for a home recording
> studio.
> I have my old G4, and I just assumed it's too limited in terms of max RAM
> capacity, motherboard etc., so that no matter what I jam in there, it could
> never run at the level these applications demand- esp. for editing etc.
> Then I came across a couple videos of guys using beefed up G5's, and
> thought I'd at least ask.
> According to 'common wisdom', if I were to put together an '06-'11 Mac
> Pro, they'd need to have something like this onboard:
> Apple Mac Pro 2x2.8GHz Quad-Core Xeon 16GB 240GB SSD 640GB to compete with
> the newer systems the software is optimized for.
> With that in mind, is it an exercise in futility to even attempt to throw
> $ at my old Mac, or has/is anyone having success in a home studio setting
> with one?
> Thanks
>
> --
> --
> You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for
> those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power
> Macs.
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> netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml
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Re: (1st post) Can a G4 be upgraded to handle current DAWs? [message #307182 is a reply to message #307160] Sat, 02 January 2016 10:24 Go to previous messageGo to next message
ROBERT H. BAUCOM is currently offline  ROBERT H. BAUCOM
Messages: 27
Registered: November 2012
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Junior Member
Don’t know about Full Studio requirements, but if you can find the upgrade items at a reasonable cost … you quicksilver can be converted to 1.4GB (I bought one)
A SATA SERIAL ATA PCI CARD (Sonnet) and max the ram (4GB) … I think should able to handle a home system. Of course it would be better if you had a Mirror Door
G4, but I’d think a Quicksilver would work. Some people used DA’s.
RHB

On Jan 1, 2016, at 10:14 PM, James Cordano <riffraffgne@gmail.com> wrote:

I'm trying to find the most cost effective path to a Mac that can run one of the current DAW's (Digital Audio Workstation) for a home recording studio.
I have my old G4, and I just assumed it's too limited in terms of max RAM capacity, motherboard etc., so that no matter what I jam in there, it could never run at the level these applications demand- esp. for editing etc.
Then I came across a couple videos of guys using beefed up G5's, and thought I'd at least ask.
According to 'common wisdom', if I were to put together an '06-'11 Mac Pro, they'd need to have something like this onboard:
Apple Mac Pro 2x2.8GHz Quad-Core Xeon 16GB 240GB SSD 640GB to compete with the newer systems the software is optimized for.
With that in mind, is it an exercise in futility to even attempt to throw $ at my old Mac, or has/is anyone having success in a home studio setting with one?
Thanks

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Re: (1st post) Can a G4 be upgraded to handle current DAWs? [message #307204 is a reply to message #307160] Sat, 02 January 2016 15:31 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Bruce Johnson is currently offline  Bruce Johnson
Messages: 319
Registered: August 2012
Karma: 0
Senior Member

> On Jan 1, 2016, at 9:14 PM, James Cordano <riffraffgne@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> I'm trying to find the most cost effective path to a Mac that can run one of the current DAW's (Digital Audio Workstation) for a home recording studio.

Make sure your 'current DAW' will work with a PowerPC. That’ll likely be the deal breaker.

> I have my old G4, and I just assumed it's too limited in terms of max RAM capacity, motherboard etc., so that no matter what I jam in there, it could never run at the level these applications demand- esp. for editing etc.
> Then I came across a couple videos of guys using beefed up G5's, and thought I'd at least ask.
> According to 'common wisdom', if I were to put together an '06-'11 Mac Pro, they'd need to have something like this onboard:
> Apple Mac Pro 2x2.8GHz Quad-Core Xeon 16GB 240GB SSD 640GB to compete with the newer systems the software is optimized for.

No G4 ever, EVER came close to that, performance-wise. Adrian is correct: you can do it slow, and with great limitations on your G4 using tools it supports, or you can get a cheap PC or a used Mac Pro (or build out a hackintosh equivalent) and do it with modern software.

--
Bruce Johnson
University of Arizona
College of Pharmacy
Information Technology Group

Institutions do not have opinions, merely customs

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Re: (1st post) Can a G4 be upgraded to handle current DAWs? [message #307280 is a reply to message #307204] Sun, 03 January 2016 15:24 Go to previous message
NODEraser is currently offline  NODEraser
Messages: 94
Registered: June 2013
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Member
If you're set on using newer equipment (i.e., already have it) then
you're probably out of luck. But, they've been making music for a very
long time--you could probably find old equipment of a similar vintage
to your G4 for more reasonable prices. Don't know enough about the
equipment to say if it would be cheaper than buying a new workstation,
however.

--
[Greg Bennett]
-Independent Carpenter, Electrician & Lighting Designer
-Purveyor of Classic Apple & Macintosh Gear
http://www.hsiprodsvcs.com/
http://www.macshack.us/

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