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-I've just purchased an Intel Duo Core 2.0 gHz imac.

-Initially i will be using Logic Express.

-I'm going to bump the RAM up to 1.5 gig.

Originally i was going to use a Focusrite Saffire Pro or a PreSonus Firepod for my audio interface.

I was also going to buy a USB external hard drive with a 16 mb cache.

However... i've been told that a USB hard drive can be problematic for audio, and that i'm better off getting a firewire hard drive.

I've also been told that the two firewire ports on the imac share the same bus, which i'm told means they will both be competing for power (?).

So if i use a firewire hard drive, where does that leave me with the audio interface? there doesn't seem to be that much option for USB audio interfaces.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

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VonRocK Sun, 09/03/2006 - 19:53

I bought a new Intel iMac and a presonus firepod in the spring. I have the Core Duo 1.83 and pushed the RAM to 1.5. I have been using Garageband and the internal hard drive, and can record 8 tracks at a time just fine. The fire pod has it's own power supply, and does not rely on power through the firewire port.

I am going to buy logic, and an external firewire hard drive. Apple says that the 2 fire wire ports are 8 watts shared. I would assume that is enough power for a hard drive and then some.

My understanding, is that fire wire is more than fast enough to support the amount of data that is involved with the process of capturing it and recording it to a fire wire hard drive.

I would love to hear from some Logic / Presonus Firepod owners about how well the Firepod routes it's outputs... and will further investigate fire wire situation.

Stick to firewire instead of USB for your HD and Recording interfaces.

VonRocK Fri, 09/08/2006 - 20:33

There are a number of external firewire hard drive options available.

My understanding is that you take a regular hard drive and use it in an 'enclosure' and plug it into your computer via Firewire. At least that is the traditional approach. And apparently, having the Oxford 911 chip in said device is important for this type of application.

I have not needed one yet, so have yet to research much further and would not want to give you bad advice. Perhaps one of these?

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/firewire/owc-neptune-drives/

OWC is a good place to see what is out there.

IF you get a presonus, or if anybody else has an Intel Mac and Presonus, using Logic, please let me know how well the routing works.

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