hi
man, i hope this is in the right place.... Ok, i want to upgrade my computer, & i was thinking of getting a dual 1.42 ppc only because i'm unsure if my UAD card, and other applications would work if i bought a used dual G5. i can only spend about 1200.00 bucks or so & my current computer has been upgraded from a G4/400 to a 1.25 ghz (it use to scream) but as everyone here knows that won't do anymore, so it's time to make a move and this is the best place to get REAL info reguarding mac music. any insight would be greatly valued. thanks.


G4 1.25ghz (single) OS 10.4.8 2 megs of ram Mbox protools 7.3LE

If you have an old-style full-size PCI card, you'll need to stick with PPC G4s. G5s used the PCI-e cards. Totally different shape. So yes, a dual 1.42 would be as fast a G4 as you can get if you stick with that particular UAD card. UA do offer cross-grades and upgrades and sweeteners from time to time, so maybe send their support guys an e-mail and see if they can do anything for you. Otherwise, consider selling the 1.25 and the UAD card (maybe separately - I sold my UAD PCI card for more than I paid for it last year). Moving to a G5 would be better, at least in terms of keeping it all PPC and getting a significant speed boost. I don't think 1.25 single to 1.42 dual is going to set your world on fire.

I was just reading an article in Tape Op the other day and one of the producer's interviewed is STILL using an 833mhz G4 & it really killed me the other day to read that Jan Hammer still just uses an old G4 and Opcode Studio Vision with OS9.2. You can still make good music with what you have. Be sure to buy what you really want and need when you need it. Oh yeah.... in the same issue one of the guys who scores for a couple of MTV reality shows actually still uses an 400mhz G4....That was funny.

And I believe FatBoy Slim uses something even more prehistoric and a lot of people still use an Atari. Point is, if it's just MIDI data and you're triggering external hardware routed through a hardware mixing desk, no problem. But if you want to record digital audio, use virtual instruments, plug-ins and mix it all in the box, you need a more powerful computer.

thanks for all the insight. i think i'll limp along with a g4 for now but at least a dual 1.25ghz so i can use a few plugins. thanks again

You should really have very little problem with what you got on hand already. However you will probably have some issues when you get above 24 stereo tracks (give or take). That's NOT too bad when you think about it really. MOST of my favorite recordings have been made in the 16 to 24 track world anyway.