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Hardcoder · Dec 6, 2006, 09:55 PM

Sorry if this has been asked previously, I'm new to the forum (about to purchase my Mac Pro after this

) and I didn't find any relevant information using the search.

I've managed to do my homework on RAM, and realize apple have a strict spec on high performance components in the system. Since I'm using this for studio work, this is a good thing - it keeps the fan noise down

I was going to get the Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 750GB drive (750GB Barracuda 7200.10 SATA II 7200RPM 1... (ST3750640AS) at OWC) for my MacPro - is this fine? any problems with this? additional noise or heat? ("Best-in-class drive acoustics") I guess for me, quiet and fast are my key factors.

What are the drives that apple ship the Mac Pros with?

I searched the database at xlr8yourmac.com and seems to operate fine, after a few initial problems with some users.

maybe i've answered my own questions, but i'm a bit of a dummy with all this hardware stuff, so any feedback from others helps reduce my qualm

thanks so much!

Scotttheking · Dec 6, 2006, 09:57 PM

Apple's "strict spec" = buying the cheapest components they can find. Or, in other words, just get any brand HD.
Seagates are well regarded in general.

Hardcoder · Dec 6, 2006, 10:33 PM

i since found the following information

Best boot drive for the Mac Pro?

Hardcoder · Dec 6, 2006, 10:34 PM

thanks scott... so the hardcore memory constraints do not apply to the drives. easy then.

Jean-Loup · Dec 7, 2006, 11:03 AM

First of all, I would recommend getting an external HD for audio work...or at least having a second drive internally as long as it is not the same drive as the one running your app. If you go for external, I would recommend either the Glyph drives or LaCie. As far as an internal sollution....most drives work fine these days so I would say to just get the cheapest with the specs you want.

In my studio I have both options and use both alternatevely depending on my projects.

tigas · Dec 8, 2006, 10:33 PM

First thing: you shouldn't be using the computer in the same room you're working with. If you insist on using it next to your ears, you won't be able to choose the best drive for audio, you'll have to settle for the QUIETEST drive.

The best drive for audio is BY FAR the Raptor 150GB. Audio doesn't need a lot of diskspace but needs a very small access time. However, audio is just not taxing anymore. Any drive will do.

thebunny · Dec 9, 2006, 01:28 AM

The WD Raptors are the noisiest drives around (and fastest). Look into Samsung. They are very quiet (but still audible). Don't get the x1900XT. I can hear the fan all the time - even when the machine is idle. Barring the x1900XT and the hard drives, the Mac Pro is very quiet.

Madrag · Dec 12, 2006, 12:22 PM

I agree with tigas, you should have the computer away from you, and especially away from your recording spot/room, for the obvious reasons

Jean-Loup · Dec 14, 2006, 09:32 AM

Originally Posted by Madrag

I agree with tigas, you should have the computer away from you, and especially away from your recording spot/room, for the obvious reasons

I also agree...although depending on your mic placement you can always minimize the noise created by the computer.

pyrite · Dec 20, 2006, 06:38 PM

Originally Posted by Jean-Loup

I also agree...although depending on your mic placement you can always minimize the noise created by the computer.

definitely.. depends on what you're recording, too. if a lot of your music is made up of electronic sounds / direct recording / loops you can get away with a reasonable amount of ambient room noise, given the right mic placement. if you're multi-tracking a lot of real time (esp full drums), you've gotta be a lot more careful. i've recorded 2 albums with a Dual G4 MDD (noisy bugger), using mics for only vocals and guitar, everything else was either direct or sample/loop based, with great results

pyrite · Dec 20, 2006, 06:52 PM

Originally Posted by Jean-Loup

I also agree...although depending on your mic placement you can always minimize the noise created by the computer.

definitely.. depends on what you're recording, too. if a lot of your music is made up of electronic sounds / direct recording / loops you can get away with a reasonable amount of ambient room noise, given the right mic placement. if you're multi-tracking a lot of real time (esp full drums), you've gotta be a lot more careful. i've recorded 2 albums with a Dual G4 MDD (noisy bugger), using mics for only vocals and guitar, everything else was either direct or sample/loop based, with great results

Jean-Loup · Dec 22, 2006, 09:40 AM

Originally Posted by pyrite

definitely.. depends on what you're recording, too. if a lot of your music is made up of electronic sounds / direct recording / loops you can get away with a reasonable amount of ambient room noise, given the right mic placement. if you're multi-tracking a lot of real time (esp full drums), you've gotta be a lot more careful. i've recorded 2 albums with a Dual G4 MDD (noisy bugger), using mics for only vocals and guitar, everything else was either direct or sample/loop based, with great results

Pyrite and others, how are you guys equiped for your studios? What kind of monitors, consoles, rackmount equipement, software...etc.? It would be fun to compare and talk about our daily used tools.

Jean-Loup · Dec 22, 2006, 09:49 AM

I guess I may as well start:

Console: Yammy DM1000
Sound card: Digi 002r
Monitors: 2 Adam-audio P11A
Comput: Mac Pro 2.66GHz - two internal HDs
Ext HD: Glyph rack mount
2XFurman rackmount power supply
Mics: C414EB, MD421, DC96,

Software:
Logic Pro 7
PT LE 7
Reason
Peak Pro 5
DP 5

Midi controler/KB: Korg X5D...for now.

ISOsceles · Dec 22, 2006, 10:57 AM

Console: Mackie Universal Controller
Interface: Digidesign 002R
Preamps/Outboard: Presonus Digimax Fs 8 Channle Preamp, DBX 166xl compressor/limiter, Radial Engineering J48 Active direct box
Monitoring: Presonus Central Station w/ Controller, M-Audio Ex66 Active Bi-amp'd Dual 8" Mid-Woofer and 1" titanium Tweeter with DSP cabinet tuning (awesome!)
COMP: Mac Pro 2.66ghz w/4x1gb ram, 3 INT. Drives - 74gb raptor boot, 2 740gb seagate's, one external maxtor 250gb
Furman PowerConditioner/LineVoltage regulator, ADC Uninterruptable power Supply
Guitar Gear: Line 6 PoDXT PRO, Mesa Boogie Dual Rec (DEAD TUBES CURRENTLY)

and still growing.....im in the process of designing and building my home/studio in the basement with my POPS, renting a house until feasible to build it financially (2 years tops!)