Hi Tim,
Yeah if I'm going to switch, and that's a big if at this point, I guess some
new hardware is in order. FOr one thing I'll have to get a flat screen to
replace my aging CRT anyway.
I'd like to learn more about the audio side of things, though. My
understanding is that Apple offers new and good APIs for both plug-in
effects and software synthesizers as well as a low latency driver standard.
AS MIcrosoft was quite late in Windows, the VST synth standard and ASIO
drivers, which are 3rd party tech by Steinberg, are quite common.
Are there any practical audio advantages in switching to a Mac though? How
good is soft synth latency with the default sound card? Howabout the noise
levels and frequency response if you record a Mic or Line signal? In brief,
is the built-in audio any good in semi Pro stuff.
One thing I've been surprised to discover is that Macs cannot record audio
playback digitally without 3rd party software. Where as most WIndows
soundcard drivers let you do that, provided that you know how.
I had another funny thing with an old G3 power book, too. When trying to
speak into the built-in Mic, it would auto-lower the volume when-ever the
input signal clipped digitally. Quite nice for newbies but I had to manually
fight with the volume slider back in iChat. I would have preferred to go
with the occasional clipping and decent audio levels in stead but saw no way
of turning off the automation. I hope any new Mac's don't have stuff like
this or at least make it optional.
PS: Pro TOols is definitely cool but way too expensive, and currently
inaccessible, if I've understood correctly.
--
With kind regards Veli-Pekka Tätilä ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
Accessibility, game music, synthesizers and programming:
http://www.student.oulu.fi/~vtatila/
Tim Kilburn wrote:
Hi,
I understand that it seems wasteful and painful to discard older yet
perfectly fine technology. I, as well, am not an audio-engineer but
agree with Greg whole-heartedly, using Pro Tools with a MacPro and
even a MacBook Pro is quite common. The built-in sound management on
a Mac is quite amazing. Placing old technology inside new
architecture often causes its own list of problems. I suggest that
you keep the old card in your older machine and work with the more
compatible technology with the new Intel machines. Just my opinion
of course.
