Nick is correct (hi,Nick,just about recovered,and have been really enjoying the mag-a subscription in imminent!), RAM would not be affected by the increase in processing power. Logic has got to change to read the RAM,from my understanding.We're all waiting for Logic to catch up in that area.I'm sure they're working on it,though.

However,the increase in raw POWER would be remarkable: anything up to 80% is the quoted figure.That's some improvement. Imagine all the extra plugins and processor-hungry tasks that would be eaten alive by this thing.Plus,for people like myself with no audio mixer anymore,the load of (in my case) multiple MOTU's on the system would disappear,so one could run more stuff with very ,very ,low latency.I believe there is a dual core IBM coming soon: I'm sure Nick would know more about that,but Apple are famously tight-lipped.

@strawinsky said:

RAM would not be affected by the increase in processing power. Logic has got to change to read the RAM,from my understanding.We're all waiting for Logic to catch up in that area.I'm sure they're working on it,though.

That's right and that's why I said 'MAY'. It's very much dependent on a Logic/EXS24 revamp. But forgetting Logic for a second - a duel core Mac would be absolutely lightening quick in the processor department.

It's areal nuisance,this limitation on EXS instances.

@strawinsky said:

It's areal nuisance,this limitation on EXS instances.

I think so - in some ways though, I am more interested in large 'single' samples rather than loads of samples - does that make sense? [*-)]

I mean - multiple legato's etc that use a lot of ram memory.

Still can't quite get my head around Alternation. Kersten just dissed Excerpt bigtime in an email. Machine gun city etc and crappy choirs making it sound like a 'filmscore'. And crappy use of the high strings.

I may have to punish him for that.

[:D] [:D] [:D]

Isn't that an inverted compliment,though? I'll e-mail you later: I thought the music was great.

@strawinsky said:

Isn't that an inverted compliment,though? I'll e-mail you later: I thought the music was great.

You're too kind. Kersten may have some points though about the way I'm too lazy to get to grips with certain aspects of 'the actaul usage' of samples.

Still gonna have to dish some punishment out though when he wakes up.

[:D]

I sort of agree with Paul on this one. At the moment i'm trying to build a set of solid soundfonts based on that principle, large sample 'collections' all operating at the same time. Some work, others don't, but the string sound is slowly improving. Like a blended tea rather than chewing on the one leaf.
Because of the multi use opportunities of EXS in logic, i'm able to cut down the number of instruments, although RAM is always an issue.
It's a real shame Logic won't accept articulation changes triggering samples in score mode, as a staccato or arco instant program change would certainly cut down the workload. And it would be good to be able to use a number of symbols or numbers triggering program changes that would go in a line above the stave, corresponding to the notes you've input, for example as you click the mouse or hit right or left arrow on the keyboard, it jumps to the next note. e.g. L(Leg) - 1a, S(Stac) -2a, etc. And for release samples something like LR(legR)-1b, etc. Record your line, then go to the 'articulation data line' and put in the numbers. Even if this did 95% of the work it would save time. The only task would be setting up a symbol/sample template, but surely custom maps reflective of the particular samplebase would help this along.
I tried this in Sibelius, but bombed out more than once because of that programs non VST/AU hosting, and the nuisance of individually inputting program changes each and every time. The multi track approach for one instrument or group doesn't seem to me a time efficient way of using sample bases, and maybe a built in 'dataline' above each stave, invisible in printed form would be a quicker way. I grant some tweaking would still need to be done, but if the bulk is done automatically, we'd be getting work finished a lot quicker, and making better use of the investment.


One thing is for sure, the next jump in technology that gives us almost unlimited Processor/Ram capability will be the one that brings large sample libraries to life, and enables us to really utilise these instruments to a level they were compiled for.

Regards,

Alex.

I've read the articles about Apple switching over to Intel & have seen the discussion boards about pros and cons of doing this, but it all has this overwhelming feeling of doom to it... sorta like if you get the new Intel machines, you'll have to purchase all-new software and MIDI or Firewire audio interfaces. Is there any danger of that happening? I don't understand the techie part of it.

@Kerry Muzzey said:

I've read the articles about Apple switching over to Intel & have seen the discussion boards about pros and cons of doing this, but it all has this overwhelming feeling of doom to it... sorta like if you get the new Intel machines, you'll have to purchase all-new software and MIDI or Firewire audio interfaces. Is there any danger of that happening? I don't understand the techie part of it.

Don,t know about that, but in the meantime we,ll see the Dual Core G5.s, 50 to 80% improvement over current G5,s.

Unless you know something I don't, that sounds like speculation at this point. I certainly hope it's true, but intuitively it sounds highly optimistic.

you should wait, because you will kill youself once apple releases the intel macs the week after you buy your g5.

This is a very difficult game to win. I was ready to upgrade to a G5 a year ago, and I figured I'd wait for new models that were rumored to be coming in a couple of weeks. The ones that finally arrived five months later were virtually identical to the existing ones.

I bought a G4 2x1.25 right when it became available (the top of the line macs always come out last) which was about a couple of months after its announcement from apple. Six or eight months later a new model was announced (2x1.4) and then the G5's the next year.

Never felt bad about my purchase. In fact, I was happy to have jumped on board when the hardware was stable and mature. Super stable. I can run five dual layer perf_leg, seven or eight single layer perf_leg, seven dual layer sus patches, etc. etc. which totals no more than 30 tracks of VSL. I'm not even bumping CPU but my 1.5 gig of ram is taking a beating. All this Without the Redmatica tool. With exs manager I'm sure these numbers would improve.

If you're a VSL freak than the new macs probably won't help without the exs taking the next step.

I wouldn't want to buy the very first dual core unless the reviews and forums indicated that the hardware was trouble/bug free (adding a few more months to the wait)...

Clark

@clarkcontrol said:

I wouldn't want to buy the very first dual core unless the reviews and forums indicated that the hardware was trouble/bug free (adding a few more months to the wait)...

Clark

That has been my way of thinking lately, so I'll go for the dual 2.7 instead, hey! it's still not a bad machine...

THe 2.7 is a good machine and very fast. The main issue with that wil be RAM and hard drives not processing especially if you are prepared to do your final mix with reverb after you have finished playing all your parts in (increase the buffer size in the audio driver).

The second lot of G5's came out because they hit a barrier with the chip's and couldn't get them past 90nm circuits and that meant no speed increase, the dual cores on the other hand, are a totally different ball game, I don't think there will be any significant delays in those coming out. I don't think the intel's will come out for another 6 months, and they won't be really usable for our kind of work for another 3 months after that. At the end of the day, if you need the machine now, get it, if you can wait for the dual cores but only need a 2.7, wait , and pick up a 2.7 cheap or even better someone like me who will sell their 2.0 with 2 years warrantee on it for even cheaper even though it's practically brand new. Or you can pay for the dual cores, and have a very fast computer.

Miklos

I have to agree. The 2x2.5 is the first Mac I've had that really feels like you're not smacking it around by using it for this stuff. It loads about 2-1/2 Gigas (not GB, Gigas) worth of VSL reliably if you have enough RAM, and it's very fast. EXS loads really quickly if you use Redmatica's EXSManager to samplemerge the instruments, and you can run other toys (e.g. NI at the same time without any problems.

You'll still be annoyed when they come out with a faster machine before you unpack the carton, but it's still a sexy piece of kit, as PaulR would say.

[6]

Miklos, why are you complicating my life? [[;)]]


You're giving me something to think about. I don't know how much more thinking my brains could handle. I want to start playing with my toys soon! [8o|]

Yes I know the feeling. Well, the question is, you want to write NOW not later. So buy a G5 now, why don't you buy a second hand 2.0 now, get going, learn the system get comfortable, (it is certainly capable) in a few months you'll easily be at the point of saying "I need something faster" at which point, you can buy a dual core system, sell the 2.0 (or keep it as a node if you want) pay the difference, probably not greater than your depreciation on your otherwise new present system, and be at the top of the game AND get to play with your toys sooner. If you do that, use an old screen for your 2.0, and buy a new one with a warratee for the new system you get later.

Or is all this just me messing with your head [6]

Miklos. [8-)]

Miklos,

The countdown has begun, I must take action before the end of the week. I'll have to go with the dual 2.7 immediately since these are important projects, I fear overload problems. But I need some help with a few things:

Let's recapitulate my needs and then can you tell me if my specifications are ok?

1-I want to use in RAM: 80-100 tracks, plus effects.
2-I will be using performance intruments and many articulations.
3-This will be used for major productions, I must minimize set backs.
4-I will be mixing, but not necessarily the final thing.
5-I will always be working with a film track.
6-I will be using the "Complete Orchestral Package" and possibly add a few other things such as Choirs, Exotic percussions.

Is this going to do?


Specifications

Dual 2.7GHz PowerPC G5
4GB DDR400 SDRAM (PC3200) - 4x1GB
250GB Serial ATA - 7200rpm
ATI Radeon 9650 w/256MB DDR SDRAM
Apple Cinema Display (20" flat panel)
16x SuperDrive double-layer (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
Apple Keyboard & Apple Mouse - U.S. English
Mac OS X - U.S. English
AppleCare Protection Plan for Power Mac (w/ or w/o Display)

AND WHAT ABOUT:

-Do I need this, or is this an option for the SATA RAID? Fibre Channel PCI-X Card (w/SFP-SFP cable) (I'm confused on this one!)

-Could more GB make a big difference for my needs? 400GB Serial ATA - 7200rpm

-Logic Express preinstalled OR Pro Logic7

Thanks a lot.

Guy