Titanium Powerbook 4 Recording, Hardware Choices? Options

[ratspg]

I just want to add this topic so people who successfully use a Titanum Powerbook can tell me what kind of performance they get with it. I'm looking into buying the 800mhz one, as I want to use it not for RECORDING, I do that on a desktop, but I want to edit and use some plugs and do most of the editing on the powerbook g4. Add any info you have on the powerbook and your uses and performance of it..

Thanks In Adavance,
r a ts pg ; )

[Synthetic]

hmm your topic title and actual post are quiet different. Title implies you are seeking info on hardware 4 recording on powerbook and then in post you only seek info on mixing on powerbook?

well, my only input for mixing on powerbook is invest in a controller... at least something like the shuttle pro device for $100 because it will be really handy compared to using keyboard and touchpad. everything else really depends on software used... I use Logic on my 500mhz Tibook and it works just as well (actually better considering CPU's) than my desktop G3 when it comes to speed and plugs.

[ratspg]

Well here is the thing.... I have a Tascam DM24 in the studio, and external mouse for use that I'd probably use with the Titanium. I'll just be doing editing, and takes and accessing a firewire HD with the powerbook on the go so i can add effects, save a new set up, and then load it back into the desktop for further editing. Would I be able to just playback and add effects and such and edit with the built in sound? or what kind of CARDBUS audio thing will I need? I don't need inputs, just something for monitoring and editing strictly with the processing power of the 800mhz g4 powerbook. And if more users can reply with the powerbook experiences, and performance with it..
Thanks IN Advance,
ra ts pg

[damann]

the only potential problem i can foresee here, is the fact that working with macav, you can only expect to see the plugins you used, to show up in an asio configuration.
any other audio hardware setup you might use will, unfortunately, ignore the plugins that you used whilst operating with macav.
more info from you would help here...
sequencer?
os?
hardware?
etc.

[ratspg]

Sequencer: Cubase VST 5, soon to be SX i suppose

OS : MAC os 9, soon to be oS X for audio

I'm wondering about hardware, i want hardware that just supports the asio, or whatever standard needed , core audio or something, like a cardbus i guess, i just want to be able to open a multitrack project on the powerbook, and move things around , edit takes, add effects, test effects, save again, and then reload it on the desktop...no more than 20-24 track projects too

Thanks..

[damann]

it should be fine if you stick with asio!
the best reasons to buy a powerbook are portability and comfort!
plenty of hardware options available.
i'm not totally convinced that you need a powerbook, think about what else you could spend 3 grand on.

when i asked you for spec, i was more concerned about the spec of your desktop setup, as this will be what the powerbook has to be compatible with!
the price you pay for the powerbook can, for instance, get youa much better desktop machine, some great compressors, mic's, mic pre's/ eq's, fx units etc.
good luck, later...

[ratspg]

*bump*

any other Tibook users around pleased with their performance? IF they can tell me how well it works and what they use... I'm completely considering one in a matter of weeks now and want to make the right decision. I want to be able to just edit audio I recorded from a desktop running Logic 5, on the go...
Thanks

[eyeMAJIC]

OK, not really that relevant to audio editors, but I just got the following stats, which make interesting reading!!

Bought my first ever Mac 2 months ago (eek!!!)
Was sick of Windows BSOD & audio breaking up with my Dell Inspiron based DAW.


HOW IT WAS:

Dell Inspiron 8000, P3 1.13Ghz, 512Mb RAM
Tascam US-428
Reason 2.0
Windows 98SE

Lowest usable latency: 26ms.


HOW IT IS NOW:

Ti Book 800, 512Mb RAM, IBM 40GNX hard drive (did it meself! )
Tascam US-428
Reason 2.0
OS X 10.1.4

Lowest usable latency: 3.6ms.

Nuff said. "I love my Mac" etc. etc.

[urbanmatador]

i use the following setup:

TiBook 667Mhz
512mb RAM
30GB internal hard drive
Mackie 1402VLZ-Pro
iMic
(when at home) external monitor
ProTools Free
SonicWorks PowerBundle

i'll be replacing that there iMic (which is USB and not reliable at all) with a MOTU 828 as soon as i've got some money.

i love working on my 'book. about four years ago, i got my first laptop, and i'm never going back. using protools free, i've actually mixed tracks while riding in a car. it's glorious.

most of my work is theatre sound, and so for me, being able to bring the tibook into technical rehearsals and make edits right there is crucial. i see no compelling reason to get a desktop machine unless you *have* to have the *fastest* available, or if you do zillions of tracks with zillions of plug-ins. for that, the multiprocessor systems begin to look appealing. but for me, with eight tracks in protools, each one with some eq and compression, the single G4 does the work just fine.

so, i.m.h.o., go for the tiBook. you won't be disappointed. (do be careful, though. the paint scratches easily.)

[ratspg]

Regarding the TIbook 667mhz, with 512-768 mb ram....and an external 120gb firewire hd, do you think it would be enough to edit X-30 tracks of audio with a reasonable amoun of plugs?

Thanks = )