Topic: Just got a G4 iBook

[RRobar]

Hey all, I finally got work to get me a new laptop and brought home a new G4iBook. It's the 14 inch 1 ghz model. And I'm totally geeked. I spent all last night loading Adobe CS Suite and getting it all set. This thing rocks! Now it may be a little bit but once I get mics again I'll be looking to run this for 24 bit stuff. I used it about 4 hours today (running Photoshop and Illustrator) on battery and still shows over 40%.
My question for the mac folks here who are using it for taping is, what optimization tips can you send my way. Stuff to maximize battery life while recording. Also what software do you prefer for recording? I think SPark ME has been recomended in the past. Since I no longer have the mme, I'll probably be looking for UA5 or similar usb/firewire device. I can't swing a V3 or another mme right now so I'm looking for input on the ones close in cost to the UA5.

[jpschust]

what about looking at the digidesign mbox- comes with protools to record with, 2 decent mic pres and decent a/d conversion

[John Kelly]

Spark XL is what a lot of Mac tapers are using right now.  As for battery tips, here's what I do:  display sleep at one minute, system sleep never (obviously), automatic processor speed, and never set the hard discs to sleep.  Also, turn off Airport and Bluetooth.  Then set your screen down to the lowest brightness possible.

That would squeeze the most amount of juice while taping

Edit - BTW, +t for joining the light side of the force

[RRobar]

Spark XL is what a lot of Mac tapers are using right now.  As for battery tips, here's what I do:  display sleep at one minute, system sleep never (obviously), automatic processor speed, and never set the hard discs to sleep.  Also, turn off Airport and Bluetooth.  Then set your screen down to the lowest brightness possible.

That would squeeze the most amount of juice while taping

Edit - BTW, +t for joining the light side of the force

I've been on the light side for awhile when at work. Just can't bring myself to run my adobe products on a PC anymore. Now I can enjoy it at home as well now.
Thanks for the tips John. (both of you)

[MattD]

In addition to what's been said, turn off your ethernet port. It's under "network" settings. You can just uncheck the box and it disables the port.

I assume you're using Panther - best OS out there. Spark is the best out there, but I have found Digital Performer to be more stable. You can do a hell of a lot more with Spark for editing/mastering, though.

[scb]

>> what about looking at the digidesign mbox- comes with protools to record with<<

i haven't used pro tools since probably 2000 and i've never missed it.  I don't see what all the fuss is about...

[jpschust]

scott, its the industry standard for recording- thats what the big deal is.  there are a number of other programs out there that are great as well, but its kind of a pain to use anything else since pt is really the cross platform standard

[Chris K]

good score with the powerbook.  i have been using peak 4, and i am used to it and like it. i tried spark me but there is no documention and i couldnt figure out what i was doing.

i will say that i prefer sparks interface, but after 3yrs of using peak on my g3 desktop and g4 466, i am used to all the key commands and shortcuts, so i'm sticking with it.

my work just gave me a laptop also...but its a dell d600. nice computer using win2000, but i am a mac guy.

bummer

[RRobar]

Thanks all. Once I get done with some other work I have to do on the PC I'm dumping this damn windows desktop off my desk. Taking up to much room! Not to mention I have no desire to ever run my adobe products in windows again.

[nic]

scott, its the industry standard for recording- thats what the big deal is.  there are a number of other programs out there that are great as well, but its kind of a pain to use anything else since pt is really the cross platform standard

ProTools WAS the industry standard.
most studios I know have now switched to Digital Performer or Logic.
M-Box sucks...very noisy preamps

[jpschust]

luvean, virtually every major studio i've worked with uses pt as their primary software.  the pre's on the mbox arent terrible, like i said- they are just ok.  i mean come on, its focusrite.  

[scb]

and most i've seen use performer, logic, nuendo or something else...

[cregan]

I've been using PT MBox lately to do some small project recording using a G4 Powerbook, and it's come out fine.  The mic pres aren't superb, but for 500 bucks you get bus powered interface w/preamps and Pro Tools LE.  They also bundle it with special versions of propellerhead's Reason and Ableton Live now. Also, (studio recording people), Pro Tools just released a 99$ update that converts ALL industry DSP plugins into PT format RTAS.  That's a huge step up in my opinion.

whatever works for you !