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  • Mac Mini Audio Out Question

    D
    D
    Thinking about getting a mac mini (and perhaps additional ones at some point.) If I use the spdif out into my (clocked) MOTU 2408 or 308 will it be properly clocked? If not what is the solution for good clocking? I want to use the FW port for a streaming drive. Are people using that port for both audio interface and sample drive? It would be nice to avoid the cost of an interface but if it's the only way to get good clocking then so be it.

    Yes I read the big mac mni thread but got lost on that point.

    Thanks,

    DC
  • J
    J
    Hi DC,

    you can't plug the Mac Mini directly to a 2408. The Mac Minis are S/PDIF, while the 2408's optical connectors are ADAT. You can however plug them to the 308.

    Jerome
  • J
    J
    Hey Dave--

    Don't know if your schedule has lightened up a bit, but we should get together to explore this issue of adding a Mini as a farm.

    You have a 308? I've always wanted one of those. I'm keeping my eye on the M-Audio Profire.

    Anyway, we could set up a sit-down at West LA Music to discuss all the how-to's for VI farming. They've been excellent with ongoing VSL support for me, and they are an authorized Mac dealer besides. My rep there will call me out of the blue to ask how things are going-- and just called me this week. We chatted a little about all of this, and I'm anxious to pick his brain for more info. He also mentioned some of the pros and cons of a PC farm... We should gang up on him! [:D]

    Anyway, you've got my contact info. I think if we did a little footwork and put our questions together for some hands-on investigating we could sort this out pretty nicely, I think. Just keep me posted on how your days are going-- I'll do the same.

    Cheers-
    JWL
  • S
    S
    Mac Minis only support 2GB of RAM, is that enough for a farm computer? Wouldn't you be better off building a PC for that price that could handle more RAM, PCI slots, etc?
  • N
    N
    Yes.

    [6]
  • J
    J
    Lol [:D]
  • J
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    @synthetic said:

    Mac Minis only support 2GB of RAM, is that enough for a farm computer? Wouldn't you be better off building a PC for that price that could handle more RAM, PCI slots, etc?


    That was the underlying question in another thread where something like the Rain Element 64T DAW PC came up.

    You can only load 2.5 GB anyway with VI, so the Mini becomes a viable consideration at least for the short term. For those Mac users who don't work as much or at all with XP, the trade-offs for a Mac Mini in terms of geek-tweaking make it a bit more attractive.

    Problem is, there's a trade-off with everything, and the solution seems to hinge more on the users' determination of which is the lesser of two evils.
  • D
    D
    Thanks to all for chiming in.

    Jerome, appreciate the clarity on connections. Is that adequate clocking to just make that conncection to 308?

    JWL, good idea and good excuse to get together. I will be in the clear in about a week, so we can hang and discuss apple(s) and Prokiofievs three oranges.

    synthetic/Nick, yes another PC w 3 gb switch is an option I'm considering. High sample load and very good levels of polyphony is what I need for my orchestral work. If another PC (I have 2) is the ticket I have no problem. When I read that minis were performaing as well as Mac Dual 2.5's I think I began considering that option. Also like Mac's alot and the idea of having a single collection per cpu. But I'm open to best solution.
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    @dpcon said:

    Thanks to all for chiming in.

    Jerome, appreciate the clarity on connections. Is that adequate clocking to just make that conncection to 308?

    JWL, good idea and good excuse to get together. I will be in the clear in about a week, so we can hang and discuss apple(s) and Prokiofievs three oranges.


    Hey, maybe we can talk Jerome into joining us. I've never known anyone to turn town a free meal... yet...
  • D
    D
    I'm in. Of course we could ask Nick too and then go have a beer while they brawl (but I'll record so we get both sides of the story.)
  • S
    S
    The thought of a 4u rack case with 8 Mac Minis stacked vertically is a cool concept. I might have to do that in Photoshop to see what it looks like.
  • J
    J
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    @dpcon said:

    Thanks to all for chiming in.

    Jerome, appreciate the clarity on connections. Is that adequate clocking to just make that conncection to 308?

    JWL, good idea and good excuse to get together. I will be in the clear in about a week, so we can hang and discuss apple(s) and Prokiofievs three oranges.


    Hey, maybe we can talk Jerome into joining us. I've never known anyone to turn town a free meal... yet...

    Let me think ...

    Hmmm...

    Well, allright, count me in.

    [:P] [H]

    J.
  • J
    J
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    @synthetic said:

    The thought of a 4u rack case with 8 Mac Minis stacked vertically is a cool concept. I might have to do that in Photoshop to see what it looks like.


    I can send you pictures of our setup, if it makes things easier for you... [;)]

    Jerome
  • J
    J
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    @dpcon said:

    Thanks to all for chiming in.

    Jerome, appreciate the clarity on connections. Is that adequate clocking to just make that conncection to 308?

    JWL, good idea and good excuse to get together. I will be in the clear in about a week, so we can hang and discuss apple(s) and Prokiofievs three oranges.


    Hey, maybe we can talk Jerome into joining us. I've never known anyone to turn down a free meal... yet...

    Let me think ...

    Hmmm...

    Well, allright, count me in.

    [:P] [H]

    J.

    LOL!!

    J, dpcon-- PMs sent...
  • N
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    @Another User said:

    Of course we could ask Nick too and then go have a beer while they brawl (but I'll record so we get both sides of the story.)


    I would never do that. How undignified!

    I'd *hire* someone to brawl for me while I drink the beer.
  • F
    F
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    @Another User said:

    Of course we could ask Nick too and then go have a beer while they brawl (but I'll record so we get both sides of the story.)


    I would never do that. How undignified!

    I'd *hire* someone to brawl for me while I drink the beer.

    We would just hire him beforehand to ignore you [:)]

    Personally I really like the idea of Mac Minis - but until Apple deals with the audio latency via a LANS network, your best bet to build a suitable farm for your VSL Cube will probably entail going with multiple PCs via FXTeleport - there are simply more options sans the space issue.

    -Frederick Russ
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    @Nick Batzdorf said:

    I'd *hire* someone to brawl for me while I drink the beer.


    Okay deal (we're talking U.S. dollars here - cash?)

    I'm in for sure now.
  • N
    N
    I have it taken care of, Dave. My daughter is going to take care of this matter.

    And I know you ignore me, Freddie. I even bore myself to sleep a lot of the time.
  • F
    F
    That's the definition of power napping.