Mac G4 Audio software???

RedSky · Post by **RedSky** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 6:29 pm

I have a G4 running 512 mb with cubase SE (not yet installed) what kind of audio software do I have to install? The mac is from 1999 and has just been upgraded. Thanks

nightcrier · Post by **nightcrier** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 6:42 pm

Greetings from an all Mac audio studio.
First off - make sure you max out the RAM for that machine. 512 is a bare minimum if you're going to do any audio work.
I assume you'll be running OS 10 of some flavor (OSX 10.3.9 or OSX 10.4.8).
With Cubase you have software to get you up and running. What you're going to need is some kind of hardware interface to get sound in and out in any kind of professional results.
More to come, I'm sure.
Q

RedSky · Post by **RedSky** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 7:08 pm

Hey,
thanks for the reply. Well, sadly, it's got OS 10.2 on it- I don't think I'll be able to afford to buy a better version. I'm going to add another 512 mb (that should be sufficient?) to it and will be buying an M audio fast track usb interface to record synths and guitar (guitar via an electro harmonix micro synth and/or Korg ES1). What do you think?

RedSky · Post by **RedSky** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 7:18 pm

Saying that, I'm sure I'll be able to find a more recent version on ebay fairly cheaply. It IS possible for me to upgrade the machine myself isn't it? I've been trying to find the cardson the net, but haven't been able to.

nightcrier · Post by **nightcrier** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 7:23 pm

Good for you - heck, I'm sure someone can give you a copy of OSX 10.3, it's that old now and 10.5 will be here next spring. If not, here's a new install disc for under $50.00

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Apple/6914909A/

You should also add a second hard drive in your machine (very easy to do) and use that drive for recording your audio to.
Keep all OS and applications on your boot drive, all projects on the second drive.
Drives are just as cheap as RAM now.

1 Gig of Ram will do you fine to get going.
Q

teknosmoker · Post by **teknosmoker** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 7:32 pm

Yup - copies of 10.3 have been going on ebay for around 30 quid.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Apple-Mac-OS-X-10 ... dZViewItem

See my reply to your other post for a few more things to know/recommendations.

-T

RedSky · Post by **RedSky** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 7:55 pm

Sounds like a good idea, but I wouldn't have a clue how to even begin doing that. I'm new to Mac and computer recording generally! I guess a mac technician could do it. Many thanks for the link!

nightcrier · Post by **nightcrier** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 8:01 pm

It's extremely easy and all you need - instruction wise - can be found on Apple's support pages. Very easy to install RAM, no tools needed at all.
For an extra hard drive - a phillips head screwdriver and you're good.
You'll see.
Feel free to email me offline - I do Mac tech work for a living (when I'm not playing in the studio).
Q
www.sweetcrystal.com

caligari · Post by **caligari** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 8:24 am

After you upgrade the OS, it is vital to get an external hard drive with 80 GB being the absolute bare minimum, the larger the better. I don't buy hard drives used so if you find one on eBay make sure it's new. Also check MacMall for cheap deals as they often have online speccials for older, last year models.

Also make sure that the drivers for your interface match you OS. If they don't come with it then they will be on the website. -jlm