Got a G4/400, Where can I go from this? Options

[jce44]

That's it

Max the RAM to 2 GB, and you're flying
Note it'll be noisy by today's standards

The only point I strongly advise you is to use it either in OS 9 or in OS X only, not both and switching. That's the thing that makes them behave crazily.

You'll be able to upgrade the processor later if need be, but by this time, you'll be on macintels. On the drives, it can be made better, but you'll be up and running with this.

There's not very many posts nor much info in MM about processor upgrades (G4) and making music.

One post (replied to by "Newbies", such as myself) says to stay away from a processor upgrade and save up for a new or used G5.... Another, recent post explains that certain Audio Interfaces aren't supported with processor upgrades.

I've got a G4 AGP Graphics Sawtooth, 400 MHz, 1 GB RAM (can add more), original 10GB HD + added 110GB HD. Use (but not often) 9.2.2 OS on the first HD & OS 10.3.9 on the second HD. Added a PCI card w/ 3 USB 2.0 & 1 FW port

My budget is limited. My recording needs are small and mostly personal/ non-professional. But I've got music that needs to be done. 3 piece band w/ guitar, lead & bass, digital piano, vocals. I've been reading these posts for a few months now and trying to figure out-

1. what Audio Interface to buy? < $500.00 (seems that Cubase software is preferred?)
2. and which processor upgrade to go for? (limited 100MHz bus speed)

I changed my mind from the processor upgrade to the Mac Mini last year. That way I'd get the external HD (firewire to my G4) AND a CD burner AND a faster processor, but now they're onto Intel processors... ??

I understand that I also need to add external HD? and I need to get a decent CD (DVD too) burner.

Please, some help here? Can I upgrade my (beloved) G4 and make music?

Thank you.

[lepetitmartien]

I've splited the thread to give you a better space…

On the question of CPU upgrades, A place like XLR8yourmac is a good zone to see the main advantages of the different upgrades available (check first which on you can find…) a few manufacturer are trusted enough around (by musicians) and a few rules are to be observed:

- Will it have to work in OS 9 and X or only X?
- don't go "too far"
- avoid dual processors upgrades
- trusted: Gigadesign, Sonnet
(now you have a bit of homework to do)

Note that no editors nor manufacturers will claim support of CPU upgrades, never. But you should know that Gigadesign upgrades are trusted among Pro Tools pro users…

I'd be cautious with your dual boot (OS 9 and OS X) as it's a common source of problems along the way… They don't share the hard drives in a pacific way unfortunately and sometimes one drive forget to mount, which can go up to loosing data because of a directory destroyed.

On the interface, something from M-audio should get you on just fine. You may even find something more higher end second hand. Look closely on compatibilities as some like the Digidesign 001 are not supported further than 10.3

On the sequencer/DAW, it's partly a religious question, partly depends of the job to do… As you seem to be into a live act with acoustic instruments, going the Pro Tools LE way would be a good idea as it's certainly the fastest/easiest to chop/cut/paste audio around in an elegant manner. If you want to try virtual instruments (after a processor upgrade you may a little, though a CPU > 1GHz would be a good idea then) products like Cubase, Logic in their lighter forms could du the trick, but Metro for example has some evangelists squadrons around

Note that with M-audio interfaces you have access now to a version of Pro Tools M powered for cheap

You don't need necessarily an external HD, you can have more than 2 HD in your G4 (3 or 4 from memory), now you'll have to have a dedicated HD for audio, and max out the RAM as OS X LOVES RAM… DVD burners are cheap now, you can install one internally or if you buy a firewire enclosure, integrate your own. Prefer Pioneer and Nec models these are good workhorses, and usually have firmwares which can be modded (another long story).

Think closely upon the investment needed, as at one point, to grab a second hand G5 or a dual G4 will be a better choice (cheaper as time goes by). There are threads already about the macintel question, I won't cover it here.

I think you have already quite something to think about…