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  3. MacPro_Audio interface_Your Choice?

  • MacPro_Audio interface_Your Choice?

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    Hi

    I am using G5 with RME9652/Apogee Rosetta800

    Just ordered MacPro 8Core/2.8Mhz with 8800 Video Card, can't wait. 1 thing I really confuse for my future setup is the audio interface.

    So please list your choice here with [if possible] latency, VSL track count, Firewire? PCIe? Brand, price, etc...

    The many info, the better! Please... I think many other users will need to know too.

    Please share your experience.

    Note: please narrow the list down only for MacPro/PCIe/Firewire only [no USB] and a real life experience [Not "I heard"]

    Thank you !

    Sonny
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    Well geez man you've already got the Rosetta 800; get the two Symphony cards (PCIe and the small card for the Rosetta) and be done with it. No metrics for you, but I replaced my last Firewire interface (Ensemble) with the Symphony/Rosetta and haven't looked back. Rock solid (not a single snap, crackle, pop in 6 months) under full template loads, ridiculously low latency. Just do it - unless you enjoy shopping and fussing about. ;)
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    Yes, That's what I am thinking about, But...

    I'll really miss the extra 16 ADAT optical I/O [I use these port to connect with external PC computer with Giga, Vstack etc]

    So that's why I ask to see if there are any other options?

    Of course, performance will be top priority and  Symphony card looks like the best option.

    Johnny, In logic, what's your latency setting? Can the symphony perform well at 128 with about 30-40 mixed instrument tracks?

    Thanks

    Sonny
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    Hey Sonny, I see what you mean, I too would like better digital i/o options from Apogee. Though if you're getting an 8-core, especially one of the new ones, I'd look seriously at the option of converting your Giga stuff to EXS24 and just going with a single machine. And really, with Apogee in bed with Apple on this thing, I'd let the tail wag the dog on your set-up a little bit just for the anticipated stability and performance. To be honest I haven't used 128, by habit I'm at 256 unless tracking something critical where I'll use 64 or 32. I have had 50 or so VI's streaming (mostly Vienna but some others) at 256, so I should think 30 at 128 with a new 8-core quite doable.
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    Thanks for your input,

    I haven't do much research lately since I am still using G5 with PCIx, I work 12 hours a day and can't affort to have an unreliable setup.

    My Protools HD in A room is very happy with Aurora 16, I just wish that Lynx come out with PCIe system to pair up with Aurora 16, sound good, cost effective and reliable. Roumor said that Lynx will have PCIe 16 AES/EBU this NAMM, I guess I'll wait few more days to know... My place is just about 10 Min to NAMM

    RME will come out with PCIe MADI too, anybody using their old MADI system?

    Sonny
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    Johnny, have you actually compared the Symphony card to another PCIe card on the same Mac? I'm curious whether Apogee's software really is so much better than anyone else's. That doesn't mean I'm saying it isn't, just that I'm curious. I do know that their FireWire software isn't ahead of the industry. It's okay, but Metric Halo's and RME's is better - they have a loopback mode and their meters are fast enough to be useful. Apogee's stuff sure sounds good, though...
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    Nick, haven't compared to RME's...isn't that the only PCIe alternative? I did hear last year Lynx were working on a card, maybe that's out. Anyway, no, haven't. Just my data point I guess: Symphony on my 8-core works swell. I guess I'm just so stoked to be back on a PCI-anything. I'm a big fan of engineers working with each other directly as much as possible, rather than relyting primarily on intermediary standards and protocols (like Firewire). Apogee's developing solely for the Mac, They're in SoCal, Apple's a 50 minute flight up here to Cupertino. I like this the same way I like Digi's set-up developing HD (and Apple with the Mac, come to think of it). Doesn't mean it will work better, but its a healthy arrangement that encourages good results.
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    I think this is what I am looking for:

    http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/AES16e/

    Plus the Aurora 16, I can have 16CH with AES/EBU format [more professional and compatible with Protools]

    Plus, My friend is a Lynx dealer, so I can get it at about 30-40% off
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    Cool. I had good experience with Lynx when I had their card a couple years ago.