chedrob Posted May 13, 2005 Share Posted May 13, 2005 I was lucky enough to pick up a used Power Book G3 (firewire). It is 500MHz with 512Mb RAM and a 40Gb HD. It is not the main part of my system but I do want to edit audio and integrate it with the rest of my system using MIDI Time Code. What would be the best OS to use (is Tiger too much for it) and what would be a good program for editing stereo audio? I have been using Adobe Audition on a PC for this. When i was running Pro Tools Power Mix on an 8500, the G3 sure looked good to me. There must be something out there (older software) that would work really well on this box. Can I get a USB to serial port adapter to connect to the Yamaha To Host port? Thanks in advance -cr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nursers Posted May 13, 2005 Share Posted May 13, 2005 Just to answer one question - Tiger may struggle a little. I'd start with 10.2 (Jaguar) and see how you go The Keyboard Chronicles Podcast Check out your fellow forumites in an Apple Music playlist Check out your fellow forumites in a Spotify playlist My Music: Stainless Fields Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deanmass Posted May 13, 2005 Share Posted May 13, 2005 OS 9.2.2. I think OS X will choke it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soundcrafter Posted May 13, 2005 Share Posted May 13, 2005 I have a 500 MHZ iBook with 128 RAM and 10.2.8. It runs pretty well and only chokes up occasionally. See if you can find MOTU's AudioDesk software(Maybe Ebay since they don't make it anymore). I'm just starting up using it and it seems to be powerful and easily learnable. I have a MOTU 2408 MKII Interface. "If you're flammable and have legs, you are never blocking a fire exit. Unless you are a table." -Mitch Hedberg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
offramp Posted May 13, 2005 Share Posted May 13, 2005 chedrob, good news. I have the same Powerbook, only in the 400 MHz variety, and I run OSX.3.7 on it, with Digital Performer 4.12. I use a MOTU 896 and an external HD--oddly enough the books' original 10G HD put into and external case--and it works very respectably. It's a little slow on the uptake when I go to record in DP; for example, when I track my drums, I take the book downstairs and set it up next to the kit, and when I hit 'record' there's a few seconds' delay but nothing to get hung about. In fact, that delay is rather helpful for me to focus on what I'm about to play, and getting ready for it. I would max out yer RAM. I've got 1G in mine--2 512 chips--and it purrs. There will be a little bit of a 'burn-in' time with the two 512's; it'll run a tad hot for a while, then settle in. My fan has come on, I think, twice, since I've owned it, new in April of 2001. I have very few softwares on mine, and I find that it's a lot happier that way. I use DP, iTunes, iPhoto, Peak; I'm toying with putting Photoshop on there, but the need hasn't escalated to that point, yet. Good score! I think you'll be pleased. If you'd like a copy of AudioDesk, I will send you a burn of mine. (side note: the first generations of the white iBook--like the one Soundcrafter uses--are the same motherboard as our machines.) I've upped my standards; now, up yours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chedrob Posted May 13, 2005 Author Share Posted May 13, 2005 I was thinking of OS9 for speed but, from what I understand, OSX is much better for I/O (audio and MIDI) management. What do you think about that? I also like iPhoto and iTunes but that is not what I got the computer for. offramp - I'll PM you about AudioDesk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phaeton Posted May 13, 2005 Share Posted May 13, 2005 Windows 2000. XP would be too bloated. Dr. Seuss: The Original White Rapper . WWND? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alon Posted May 13, 2005 Share Posted May 13, 2005 10.3 Panther will not choke your system. I haven't tested out Tiger yet. As a matter of fact, it will run better. Don't use some tired old crap. Even less powerful machines than the one you have will run Panther just fine. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
offramp Posted May 13, 2005 Share Posted May 13, 2005 chedrob: I was one of those "I'm using OS9 'til death" whiners. I love OS 9, but damn is it weird now. I've upped my standards; now, up yours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deanmass Posted May 13, 2005 Share Posted May 13, 2005 I have a g3 iMac with 768 megs of Ram in it, and OSX seems like molasses. What is the diff? I would think a g3 PB would be slower... I have to admit I am pretty surprised by the OS X users on this older hardware. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
offramp Posted May 14, 2005 Share Posted May 14, 2005 Depends on the G3. What's the specs on the iMac? I've upped my standards; now, up yours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deanmass Posted May 14, 2005 Share Posted May 14, 2005 450 Sage, DVD, slot loaded model.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.WOW Posted May 14, 2005 Share Posted May 14, 2005 OS9. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philter Posted May 14, 2005 Share Posted May 14, 2005 I would say stick with os9.2.2 Get an external 7200 RPM firewire hard drive with the Oxford 911 chipset for all audio recording. I happen to buy mine from otherworldcomputing.com - check out the Mercury Elite line. Using the built in drive will seriously limit your abilities. Previous advice to max out your RAM is good. Personally for stereo audio I would put ProTools and an MBox on the thing. I've used a G3 latpop configured exactly as described and it worked very well. The MTC part I leave for you to figure out Quick advice: go with a small USB MIDI interface. MOTU makes good stuff there. ---------------------------- Phil Mann http://www.wideblacksky.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
offramp Posted May 14, 2005 Share Posted May 14, 2005 OY! The Fastlane runs about $70. Works great. OSX Panther is a RAM hog. You can run it on a B&W G3 350, for example, but you gotta have good, full RAM. dean, I also may suggest that you do a backup and re-install, this time leaving out all the extraneous shit you'll never use...most notably, all the other languages. You can select this at the time of OS install. makes for a lean, mean install. I've upped my standards; now, up yours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deanmass Posted May 15, 2005 Share Posted May 15, 2005 K....I'll give it a shot. I have Tiger I can install, so I may just go with that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
offramp Posted May 15, 2005 Share Posted May 15, 2005 uh...hmmm...I'd see how it works with Panther.9 first; to my knowledge, Tiger is written to take advantage of the newer 64-bit architecture potential of the G5 PCI buss (someone feel free to correct me if otherwise), and in my book the backwards-compatibilty of something like that is always a recipie for slowdown or hiccups. And what Philter said...I assumed you were running an external drive for audio; if you're not...tsktsktsk. I've upped my standards; now, up yours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
where02190 Posted May 15, 2005 Share Posted May 15, 2005 I'm running OSX Panther 10.9 on a G-3 466 ibook w/ 320mb ram and trackiton with no issues. Hope this is helpful. NP Recording Studios Analog approach to digital recording. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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