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General discussion

Mac Networking

by ajdevl001 Dec 15, 2005 7:29PM PST

Hi,

I'm looking at purchasing the new iMac G5 and I'm wanting to network my current G4 powermac with it.
I have read many things about file sharing, but my question is in regards to accessing programs (applications) currently on my G4 via the G5 imac.
As I am running Protools on the G4 with the appropriate interface card, I want to know if I can access this program through the G5 (as I cannot put this interface card in the imac).

Any help would be much appreciated.

Discussion is locked

4 Posts
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G5 & G4
by mrmacfixit Forum moderator Dec 15, 2005 8:50PM PST

I'm guessing that you have the OS 9 version of ProTools. You might want to look into upgrading to the OS X version, if it is at all feasible. I did note that there is a mention of OS X on their website but I really had to dig to find any real system requirements for it.
Your idea is feasible but I think that you would be disappointed in the actual results. Remember, you would be running this over a network which would give you a performance hit, right from the get go.
As you are going to keep the G4, I would continue to work from it for ProTools until such time as you are able to get a version that works on the iMac. What does the interface card do? Is there a Firewire version of it?

P

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Connection - Digi001
by ajdevl001 Dec 16, 2005 5:37AM PST

Hi mrmacfixit, thanks for your reply.
I am currently running an OS X version of Protools 6.
Basically, the setup on my G4 is:

I connect instruments (such as mics, guitars etc) to a recording box called digi001. This is then connected to the interface card installed in my G4. The program Protools records the instruments in wav. format that can be edited.

I'm hoping to network the imac G5 so that my family can use that computer, but still allow me to access all the applications on my G4, as the digi001 is connected to a lot of recording equipment.

The protools software will load on the G5, but I can't connect the digi001 directly to the G5, I would have to be able to connect to the G4 to get to this hardware.

I guess in essense, it is like accessing a printer/burner or other external equipment that is connected to my G4 via the G5.

Hope this makes sense.

Thanks again.

P.S. I'm also presuming the G5 is more powerful than my old G4.

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Ahhh
by mrmacfixit Forum moderator Dec 16, 2005 7:05AM PST

My mistake.
You can certainly network the G5 and the G4 together and you can also access your Protools program from the G5. The G5 is much more powerful than the G4 which "may" overcome the fact that you are using a network to access the program. Another thing to bear in mind is that the program will still be running on the G4 and not on the more powerful G5. You will just be connecting to the App, remotely.
I have no idea what the performance hit, if any will be, but it will be slower than running it direct from the G4.
You may want to think about upgrading to Digi002 which will work with the G5 via a Firewire connection. They are claiming that this is better than the Digi001 method. (what would I know) The price seems to be around $2500 which may, or not, be worth the effort.

Hope some of this helps

P

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Thanks
by ajdevl001 Dec 16, 2005 10:36AM PST

Thank you, you have been very helpful. I think the digi002 might be worth a look.

Thanks again

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