well SOL, I found my answer. ver 6.4.1 is as far as I can go with Pro Tools|24 MIX Systems and installing it into a new CP isn't an option from my understanding here:

http://www.digidesign.com/index.cfm?langid=100&navid=3&itemid=4956

HI, Chris!
Mix Systems need PCI computers.
PT HD Accel uses PCI-e machines.

If you do upgrade, I advise picking the Accel bundles and the 192 I/O if you go analog. 192 I/O Digital is fine if you use digital mixers.

There are also the Aurora 8/ 16 and the Apogee Cards.

Yes, 6.4.1cs4 ( I guess) is the latest version you will get.

If you buy used, get rid of version 7.3 and 7.3.1. Headaches.
Go directly to 7.3.1cs7 or 7.4 and if the used system permits, 8.0, which will probably be Leopard compatible only. (OS 10.5.5).

I don´t know much about the PC side .

Alecio, my friend from the south! Thanks for helping with my questions.

I'm learning my mix 24 system is still pretty good if I replace the 888 24 to a Rosetta 800, yes?

So, I'm thinking Rosetta 800 and using the digimix card ?

What Mac can I upgrade to from my Mac 9600 so the mix24 plus system will still work then?

What version of PT can I upgrade to after I get a newer Mac?

right now I'm using PT 5.

In other words, I'm going to keep my PT mix 24 plus core and farms but want to upgrade my computer and PT software.
(y)

HI,
Before going PT 6.4.1, please check if older DSP farms cards will do fine. I can not remember now, but there was an issue concerning the D24 or the the older dsp farms wtih 6.4.1.

You would be fine with any G4 800 ( I still have one), G4 867, G4 933 or a few of the dual processors ( 1.0, ...).

PT 5.1.1 or 5.1.3 are the most stable versions I had the opportunity to use.
I am at 7.3.1cs6 and it is fine, much better than the buggy 7.3. But still not as stable as 5.1.1/5.1.3.

How much improvement will the Rosetta 800 make?

How do I plug external preamps into the Rosetta 800? Is there cable that comes with it?

Do you want to upgrade your master clock and a/d?
I use a Hedd 192 here for master clock and 2-track ad da.

I do not have experience with the model you mentioned. Maybe it is time for a visit to DUC guys?

Yes, I want to get rid of the 888 24.

I want whatever will be the best to improve the mix 24 system. Is the Hedd 192 a better choice than the Rosetta you think?

I have been looking around the DUC ( like the old day) for info. Its taking me a while to update my knowledge. I'm pretty dated with some things.

I have great outboard pre's, eq's, comps etc. Just need to improve the PT and software now.

Take a look at the Apogee Ad8000. You guys have acess to pretty cheap stuff at ebay in Canada and USA.

My Hedd 192 is connected to the 192 I/O digital via Word clock. Also, the AES connections for audio transfer. :)

I just called the salesman I bought my mix plus from. Looking for prices. He said the Rosetta 800 / Apogee converters wouldn't make any improvement to the sound quality of a PT mix 24 rig. Figured I would be much better off going to an LE setup than sticking with a Mix 24.
From my understanding the 888 is pretty much crap compared to Apogee so any upgrade to the converter chain would be an improvement, yes?

My mix system has always had a slight digital overtone that increased the closer you pushed it to 0. Even though I had a few 1000 invested in plugins... using any plugins was a last resort for me.

He also totally steered me away from using a PC for PT. Said nothing window based compares to Apple unless I bought the HP that digi approves, runs around $7000.00 CDN.

To confirm http://archive.digidesign.com/compato/osx/mix/

Pro Tools 6.4.1 for Mac OS X 10.3 is the last version that supports MIX systems. Pro Tools 6.4.1.

I believe I have the newer farm cards. Thanks for reminding us all on that Alecio!

I'm going to look into prices for a refurbished G4 Dual Processor.

Just don´t wanna start a mac x pc war, but mix systems are better kept on the mac side.

If you are not worried about using the latest version of plug-ins ( Sonnox, URS, Waves API, Digi Revibe), your mix system will continue serving you for several years.

IS track count an issue to you?

Hi Alecio,

I'm not really interested in plugins. I have good hardware.

Track count isn't an issue either. I can run 40 tracks no problem.

What I'm mostly concerned about is sound.

Searching for a used apple Mac G4 Duo Processors right now and it looks like I can get a 1000 duo with 1.5 gig ram.
How does that sound for Mix?

Seems pretty good!
They run pretty cheap nowadays, right?

If you run OS 9.2, you might have some maximum storage limitations, I guess, no formating over 130GB. There are some workarounds.

Digi recommends OS X.3.4, I have heard some guys running 10.3.9 with no issues.

Be careful with the quicktime update problem.

This topic Looks like the 15 Greatest hits of PT 5/6. :)

here is what I can get:

Dual 1.0GHz PowerPC G4 Processors
1.5GB PC2700 DDR SDRAM
80GB 7200RPM Boot HD (with space for 3 more drives)
DVD±RW DL SuperDrive (installed August 2008, comes w/Toast)
ATI Radeon 9800 Pro, Mac Edition, 128MB VRAM, DVI/VGA (supports dual 24" 1920x1200)
USB 2.0 Upgrade Card (four 2.0 ports + two 1.1 ports)
Mac OS X 10.5.5 Leopard (restore DVD included)
plus a new 24 inch monitor all for $760 CDN

I should be able to load in 10.3 and be good yes? ATI Radeon 9800 Pro, Mac Edition, 128MB VRAM will be nice to run a few monitors.

Alecio, do you think the rosetta 800 will help the sound quality?

bummer, just lost that Mac... was sold a few days ago. Looking for a similar box now for around $500 CDN.

WOW

10.5.5 on a G4??
Man, that is a Formula 1 car!!!
Buy it as fast as possible!

Pro Tools Mix Route

audiokid, I have just completed a transition to pro tools similar to what you are thinking about by getting into a MIX|24 set up.

I had years of trouble with PC's (with exeption of my latest quad) and I have to say that the G4 dual with PT is as rock solid as they say.

I went for the rosetta 800 because I don't need to record more than 8 channels of analog at once. Also keep in mind that the 800 has analog outs so you can drive your monitor system with the high quality converters too.

A downside to PT 6.4 is if you do a lot of midi which I do. I find it very tiring do do midi work on it. Maybe that is partly down to me being used to cubase.

Another downside I am finding is the price of TDM plugs which I did not count on.

Overall I think the mix|24 is an absolute bargain these days and I can do things that were way out of my range just a few short years ago.

gl3ny,

welcome to RO!

Are you using a mirror door G4? What are the exact specs for your G4?
Are you using SCSI?

Thanks,

I got the fastest that would work with mix24 and yes it is a mirror door, dual 1.4. Not the fastest by todays standards but having it dedicated to PT it is just fine.

Yes I use scsi with an atto Express PCI-DC which is 2ch and digi approved. The card is connected to an Avid Media dock LVD (very noisy fans) which can hold 8 drives. The scsi setup enables full track count of 64 audio tracks. The avid was an absolute bargain ($99) with 2 drives on ebay. I bought a further 10 drives for $5 each. You can buy these drives online today for $850 each, new.

I try not to run RTAS plugins (although I could) and stick with TDM since I have a mix core and 4 farm cards in 13 slot exp. chassis. Plan on maxing it out to 7 total cards just so I don't have to worry about DSP since they are so cheap now.

I have 5 888/24's which I use only for monitoring midi gear at the arranging stage. I'll use the appogee to record them.

Also have 2 adat bridge 24's which are used for a further 32 channels of input from my pc (RME 4xADAT io) which is used for softs synths etc.

Everything is clocked to MTPAV which is connected to the PC.

This all started about 1 year ago now when I knew nothing about Pro Tools and I bought a ProControl with a couple of fader packs and an edit pack. Its been a long and painful journey at times. I'm only in the finishing stages right now but I have to say well worth it.

When planning all this I was mainly thinking about fast work flow. I could have had a tiny slice of HD for the money I spent. Instead I have a very professional looking setup with all the IO and processing power I'll need for the forseeable future.

The best advice I can give you on buying a mac along with buying the fastest possble is to get one already loaded with plugins. Sure it will cost a bit more but it will be cheaper in the long run.

audiokid wrote: gl3ny,

welcome to RO!

Are you using a mirror door G4? What are the exact specs for your G4?
Are you using SCSI?

Actually its known as FW800 1.42ghz. Its still a mirror door but this is the fastest you can go which is digi approved. Check this out for full specs:

http://support.apple.com/kb/SP54

I have heard of some people upgrading the CPU on this machine. But I haven't found the need for this with TDM.

"He said the Rosetta 800 / Apogee converters wouldn't make any improvement to the sound quality of a PT mix 24 rig. Figured I would be much better off going to an LE setup than sticking with a Mix 24. "

This guy is totally out of his mind.
:shock:

Hello there!
I have just read your interesting discussion. I,m also working on MIX+ system (G4 1,25 GHz Mac OS 10.3.9), and right now I wonder how can I improve track count (which is max 64) having expansion chassis, 2 MIX core cards and 4 MIX farms. Is it possible to reach higher than 64 voice number?