Logic Pro 7 & earlier Best Tracking-Only Version for DP-1GHz G4

[fu22ba55]

Howdy.

I've got a Dual 1GHz G4 I want to dedicate as a tape deck: Tracking only... down at "the space"

I'll Mix, Edit and Master w Logic Pro 8 on a 2.33 GHz PPC Mac, but I want to track on the old Dualie G4.

I'm looking to eBay myself a "vintage" copy of Logic for this purpose.

What version should I grab?

Here's my PRIMARY need:

RELIABILITY. LOTS OF TRACKS. I want to treat this thing like a tape deck.

What's the oldest version I can run on a G4 that will let me track like crazy and still import into Logic 8 without major brain surgery?

I've got to two internal 250GBs to play with, from whatever speed/era that came with those macs. (5400RPM maybe? I can't remember. 1999? 2000? This was the last kickbutt G4 before the G5s came out.)

 

[Markdvc]

What's the oldest version I can run on a G4 that will let me track like crazy and still import into Logic 8 without major brain surgery?

As mentioned in the FAQ, Logic 8 can open Logic Projects from Logic 5, 6 or 7. Older projects cannot be opened in logic 8, they must first of all be opened and saved in 5, 6 or 7.

kind regards

Mark

 

[KentKingery]

If you don't need to import a whole project, then you could use any version (in fact, any software) and just export the audio. I use an old version of Pro Tools and also Logic 4.8 on an old G4 and just dump the audio to Logic 9. After all, you're just tracking.

 

[fu22ba55]

Thanks for the replies thus far.

I could use ProTools or Audacity... and just import AIFFs...

I guess my question is this: is there a sweet spot? Somewhere where Logic was efficient (but not bloated) on the G4 architecture? Any old timers keeping a G4 around because you have it dialed in "just right" for Logic?

Interface I'm currently using is a Digi002 rack...

What's the bottleneck? CPU or HD speed?

My PPC Mac starts giving me "system overload" messages one I get up around 6 or 7 tracks and try to record more.

If the HD latency is the issue, should I just get a fibre channel card for my Laptop? Is that faster than Firewire or USB2 for an external HD?

 

[georgelegeriii]

If your PPC is giving you a core audio overload with just audio, increase your I/O buffer size. Anything less that 256 is not really going to get you much...

Used a G4 for years doing record, and was able to get 32 or more tracks without too much effort. the drives are 7200 rpm for the factory, and adding more ram will help allot.

 

[fu22ba55]

If your PPC is giving you a core audio overload with just audio, increase your I/O buffer size. Anything less that 256 is not really going to get you much...

Used a G4 for years doing record, and was able to get 32 or more tracks without too much effort. the drives are 7200 rpm for the factory, and adding more ram will help allot.

Thanks George. I'm maxed out on available RAM.

What's the tradeoff / penalty for increasing I/O Buffer? Latency?

If so, latency is only an issue when monitoring inputs, correct? Not overdubbing?