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Experiences with the new Mac Pro in large-scale multichannel installations?


Geoff Martin
Feb 06 2014 | 12:19 am

Hi,

We’re considering getting a new Mac Pro running Max/MSP with approximately 64 channels of I/O via PCIExpress and RME-Audio devices.

Does anyone have any experience with such a large installation with this gear? Any suggestions or pitfalls we should worry about in advance?

Thanks
-geoff


robin.meier
Jun 12 2014 | 4:08 am

hi geoff, i’m in the same situation as you. any experiences you could share? thanks, robin


oli larkin
Jun 12 2014 | 5:12 am

we’ve just opted for a RME Madiface USB + Antelope Orion32 for a studio here at the University of York Music Research Centre, to go with the new Mac Pro. In initial tests it seems to be a great combination. An additional Orion32 could add another 32 analogue I/O. Previously we have used MOTU PCIE424 + 24IO setups for installations with the old Mac Pros, which was a good combination, but MADI seems to be the way to go at the moment. Not sure if MOTU are going to continue their "audiowire" products, since they don’t work with thunderbolt. The Orion32 has a USB interface, but it didn’t work with bootcamp on the new Mac Pro, which was a requirement for us. Also the RME software/drivers seem superior.

oli

  • This reply was modified 2 years by  oli larkin.

robin.meier
Jun 12 2014 | 6:41 am

interesting. thank you oli. what made you opt for madi rather than dante? the dante + focusrite combination is looking pretty good too.


oli larkin
Jun 12 2014 | 7:24 am

yes, we thought about going for RedNet which looks very nice, but that would be a significantly more expensive and less compact option, since for a studio we’d require a PCIE card, a Thunderbolt to PCIE breakout box and 2 * RedNet2 DA boxes (for 32 IO).

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