Sound Card On G5 1.8dp, Sound Card Advice Options

[unexpectedaaron]

I just bought a G5 Dual Processor Mac, and am in the market for a sound card.

I've searched and browsed the forums looking for advice, and found many topics on what cards don't work (such as the M-Audio and Delta-44) with the new G5's, but not much on what does work.

I don't need much from my sound card. Mostly I want to have an additional sound output port, so I can use it with Live or DJ software so I can save the built in port for cueing sounds. Maybe later it might be nice to have a midi input, or a surroud sound outport, but that's not essential for now.

I'm looking for something inexpensive, under $200.

With my last system I tried a usb adapter, but man that thing blows and is always cutting out. Hoping that an internal card would work better.

Any advice?

[disciplers]

I bought my G5 a few months ago & the only advice I can give you is, DONT BUY ANYTHING FROM MAUDIO!!!!!!!
Been trying to get my PCI Delta 66 (new model) to work for months, seems like evrybody else that has bought a Pci based soundcard for DP 1.8 has been having lots of grief too.
Have been told there are issues now with Digidesign gear now too!!!
If anyone has a DP 1.8 with a working audio card, please let me know and pass on the good news.
Hope that helps.

[editbrain]

I have a dual 2x2 G5. it has its problems. I use a delta 44 card for the most part. It has trouble woking with iTunes (when using crossfade) and if you a system sound comes on it makes a digital blip reall loud. so the work around i use is for everything os x (final cut included), iMovie, iTunes, iChat, etc. i route everything to the built-in soundcard. and then use an 1/8 to dual 1/4 inch cord into my mixer.
and for logic i use the delta 44. solved my problem completely.

hope this helps.

also. you can get the delta for about 125 to 149 us dollars. has great converters, and no need for a delta 66 because your G5 has digital in and outs.


happy recording,
editbrain

This post has been edited by editbrain: Mon 31 Jan 2005, 05:54

[Fixed1t]

HI,
I was lucky enough not to be able to get a G5 at the time I was waiting to put my RME hammerfall card in it I say lucky because the old RME cards ie PCI cards are PCI-X killers. In the interim I found some pages a dead G5's with RME cards arc welded into the PCI slots.

The great news is RME do a free conversion on the cards, I sent it to Germany and 5 days later it was back. It works in the G5 like a dreamer and with no chirps or squeaks.

The motto is make sure the card is PCI-X compatible if it isn't at best it won't work at worst you could have a fire.

[jesshmusic]

The G5 dual processor does not have PCI-x, so he should not have to worry about that.

[Fixed1t]

you don't have to take my word for it:

http://www.rme-audio.com/english/mac/osxcom.htm

and if you want to see the damage if the card isn't modified:

http://xlr8yourmac.com/G5/G5_hammerfall_DAMAGE.jpg

http://xlr8yourmac.com/G5/powermac_g5_docs...pdates.html#PCI

The spec on my machine said PCI-x but hey what do I know I'm just a punter

[Fixed1t]

It seems the fools at apple think the dual 2gig G5 has pci-x as well.

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=300355

Oh well time to retire

All's I know is that the old RME cards only work in the G5 after being modified and mine works great, including full ADAT in and out.

Cheers and beers from the UK

[_T2k_]

The G5 dual processor does not have PCI-x, so he should not have to worry about that.

? They always had.
Except the last version of DP 1.8GHz - mine is from the first batch...

[editbrain]

guys. you cannot fit a normal old style pci card into the slots of a G5 no matter if it has pci-x or not. the slot is different.

the dual 2 ghz G5 are pci-x compliant.

if you want a good card for not a lot of money get the delta 44. 150 dollars us and works great. get a patchbay, a nice mic/instrument preamp and your set.

[_T2k_]

guys.  you cannot fit a normal old style pci card into the slots of a G5 no matter if it has pci-x or not.  the slot is different.

Good morning - that's what we're talking about.

the dual 2 ghz G5 are pci-x compliant.

No, it's not simply compliant but it's even has few PCI-X slots - just like my DP G5 1.8GHz.
But still none of them will take the oldschool 3V PCI cards.

if you want a good card for not a lot of money get the delta 44.  150 dollars us and works great.  get a patchbay, a nice mic/instrument preamp and your set.

Whereas I believe you, $150 worth device usually lacks couple of important stuf like sync/smpte etc...