[sunray]

Here is my problem..oh, by the way, this is my first post....

I have been a windows person for years. I have been producing music with computers since 1980. I LOVE Logic audio, and have to change to Mac because of Apples acquisition of my favorite music software....

Here's the thing. I have done a bit of research the last few days, and I have come to the conclusion that, even tho' I want a MAC Quad, the fact that all macs are supposed to be going intel core at the end of the year (there-abouts), it would be a waste of money to buy one.....

That is my discussion I want to get going. Obviously, I don't want to wait until 2007 to start composing ( my present Logic audio 4.8 is not working in my p.c...lol), so I was also wondering if y'all thought that combining 2 intel dual-core mac powerbooks together (using macs distribution capabilities) would be the answer for now.....

That's it...

Any input would be appreciated..Ray
Miami Beach

[Big Mac]

Unfortunately, you cannot just string two Macs together and put them to work on a distributed load for any given application. Xgrid is a feature of OS X Server, and it only supports distributed computing for select things.

[OreoCookie]

The latest PowerMac will do just fine, it is similarly powerful than its Xeon-equivalent. I wouldn't wait, if you need it, buy it, it's a good machine.

[mountainash]

Get the dual 2.3. It is the best bang for buck and will last you for 2-3 years. Or get a used Dual 2.7.

It will take at least 12months for Mac Intel to stabalise. I would say that it will be 2 years or so (from now). So you will get a lot of use from a stable and proven platform.

Current guestimates are that an Intel based powermac will be released in 4th quarter this year. It will take 3 months or more for the hardware issues to settle out (based on previous experiences with changes of this magnitude). Intel native versions of the important apps will probably be available by years end or early 2007, and at least 6 months of trouble shooting.

If you get a PowerMac now, when it comes time to upgrade again everything will be nice and settled, and you will save yourself some frustration and money.

[chris v]

Originally Posted by Big Mac

Unfortunately, you cannot just string two Macs together and put them to work on a distributed load for any given application. Xgrid is a feature of OS X Server, and it only supports distributed computing for select things.

Read up on it. Logic allows you to distribute some portions of its workload to a gigabit ethernet-attached computer.

http://www.apple.com/logicpro/distributedaudio.html

I think you have to pick whick plugins or synths to off-load to the second (or third) machine, but from what I've read on LUG, it works pretty well.

Edit: I run Logic on a Dual 2.0 G5, and have just about never pushed the CPU load over 30%. I mostly do real audio, & not too many software synths, but even with 20 tracks of 24-bit aiff, with compressors & eqs on everything & 3 or 4 Space Designer instances (usually on their own busses) + 10 or 20 other various plugs, this thing doesn't begin to Break a sweat. You'd be quite set with a refurb. dual 2.3 if you think the quad 2.5 is too pricey. Also, I don't see any reason to wait for the Intel Power Macs. Logic benefitted from the G5 better than most apps, and it's highly optimized at this point for the G5 chip.

[Kyle Dreaden]

I'm a career musician and use Logic Pro 7 and Protools 7 HD on a daily basis. Let me be the first to tell you that a Quad G5 is a HUGE overkill. Trust me on this one, a dual G5 is more than sufficient for Logic/Protools even on a professional level. My advice would be to go the dual G5 route and invest the money you would have put into the quad into more RAM or a UAD-1 DSP system to run your plug-ins. You'll barely hit 30-40% CPU usage. I have a dual G4 1.25GHz with two UAD cards for my logic rig and it spits out 96 tracks no problem.

The Protools rig at our studio is HD|2 running on a dual 2.0GHz G5 and doesn't even it 30% CPU under the toughest sessions.

Also, in regards to the Intel versus PPC issue.. When it comes to audio, until the 64-bit intel chips come out, the G5 still has a lot going for it.. They'll be around studios for a while, trust me! Plus, all the plug-ins, soft-synths, etc. are not yet readily available for Intel and won't be for a bit longer. Good news is that Logic Pro is universal now so whenever you do upgrade to an intel system, you'll be ready to go!

Hope that helps! Just remember, my advice is only worth what it cost you (nothing)!

[ajprice]

First thing I thought when I read your post was "A quad G5 will not stop working the day Intel Powermacs are released!!"

After I got over that I read the rest of the thread, read up a bit on Logic etc.

I'm with Kyle, don't go all out for a Quad now, a used or refurb G5 tower and extra RAM will be fine. Let the Intel's come out and get stabilised, and as Kyle says, it's Universal now, so whenever you upgrade to an Intel, its ready to roll with the Logic application.