PowerMac G5 for Music Production—Worth it?

[nxstudiomc]

So... I have a 2.0 DP G5 and wanted to make it suitable for music production.
What kind of audio interface should I buy?
Is there something I should notice?
Thanks a million!

 

[onre]

Depends. Do you happen to already have ADAT converters? If so, you could get an RME HDSP 9652 to have 24 channels of both ins and outs over ADAT and hook up your converters to that. M-Audio Firewire interfaces are another, cheaper option. Also the TC Electronics Konnekt 48 is an interesting option - it has a rather capable DSP chip builtin, into which you can offload effects processing.

One rabbit hole you could fall in are the TC Powercore units, which are Firewire-connected boxes full of DSP processing power so you can run plugins on them instead of your machine's CPU. They're no longer supported and the licensing infrastructure is gone, but whatever licenses were installed into one will remain usable as long as you don't disable the license yourself. I have a Firewire unit with the Access Virus synth in it, got it for next to nothing. If you do this, be sure to understand that licenses are no longer transferrable so if someone offers to sell you a plugin license for Powercore, it just can't be done anymore. The authentication servers were shut down sometime in mid-'10s.

I have an RME Multiface on my G4 Powerbook and an M-Audio 1814 on the G5. Both work fine. The software I'm using is Logic 8.

I've tried to collect some information about audio stuff that runs on PPC and Leopard here:

The Leopard Thread

Some Audio Units that work with PPC Leopard. Commercial: Valhalla DSP: https://valhalladsp.com/ These have "legacy Logic 8/9 builds" downloadable which include PPC versions, while it's not explicitly stated on the webpage. - Valhalla Room - Valhalla Shimmer - Valhalla VintageVerb Toontrack...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[nxstudiomc]

Depends. Do you happen to already have ADAT converters? If so, you could get an RME HDSP 9652 to have 24 channels of both ins and outs over ADAT and hook up your converters to that. M-Audio Firewire interfaces are another, cheaper option. Also the TC Electronics Konnekt 48 is an interesting option - it has a rather capable DSP chip builtin, into which you can offload effects processing.

One rabbit hole you could fall in are the TC Powercore units, which are Firewire-connected boxes full of DSP processing power so you can run plugins on them instead of your machine's CPU. They're no longer supported and the licensing infrastructure is gone, but whatever licenses were installed into one will remain usable as long as you don't disable the license yourself. I have a Firewire unit with the Access Virus synth in it, got it for next to nothing. If you do this, be sure to understand that licenses are no longer transferrable so if someone offers to sell you a plugin license for Powercore, it just can't be done anymore. The authentication servers were shut down sometime in mid-'10s.

I have an RME Multiface on my G4 Powerbook and an M-Audio 1814 on the G5. Both work fine. The software I'm using is Logic 8.

I've tried to collect some information about audio stuff that runs on PPC and Leopard here:

The Leopard Thread

Some Audio Units that work with PPC Leopard. Commercial: Valhalla DSP: https://valhalladsp.com/ These have "legacy Logic 8/9 builds" downloadable which include PPC versions, while it's not explicitly stated on the webpage. - Valhalla Room - Valhalla Shimmer - Valhalla VintageVerb Toontrack...

forums.macrumors.com

Unfortunately I only have the computer itself, as I'm totally new in this area. But thanks for the info!

 

[onre]

Okay. Are you planning to record instruments or vocals, or do everything in the box?

 

[nxstudiomc]

Okay. Are you planning to record instruments or vocals, or do everything in the box?

Umm. Electronic music. Especially Trance.

 

[onre]

Umm. Electronic music. Especially Trance.

In that case you'll get quite far with the onboard audio. Just get a USB MIDI keyboard to make it easier to input chords. Logic 8 has a bunch of included software instruments that will be usable, and if you install the jam packs, you'll get stuff like 909 samples etc.

 

[nxstudiomc]

In that case you'll get quite far with the onboard audio. Just get a USB MIDI keyboard to make it easier to input chords. Logic 8 has a bunch of included software instruments that will be usable, and if you install the jam packs, you'll get stuff like 909 samples etc.

Got it, Thanks!

 

[Dronecatcher]

As @onre said, a basic USB MIDI keyboard is adequate for your needs, a two octave unit can be had for as low as £10 (UK) and macintoshgarden is a gold mine for period correct production software.

 

[AdamBuker]

I use a Lexicon Lambda as my audio interface. I’ve used it with my PowerMac G5 (before it died) and I use it currently with my PowerBook G4 and Apple Silicon MacMini. It has 2 XLR mic inputs, 2 line-in inputs, MIDI in/out, and a Hi-Z input for guitars. This provides every a one-man operation needs yet is flexible enough should you want to incorporate elements beyond your application’s software instruments. They are pretty cheap on ebay going from $30-70. I bought mine brand new several years ago and paid at least $150 for it.

Logic 8 is a great program to use and is probably the easiest to get started using. If you’re still just learning music production, Garageband is still a great program to use.

 

[AdamBuker]

Also, I would max out the ram for music production, especially for trance as that will use lots of software instruments. Your machine will probably handle 8GB of ram.

 

[Dronecatcher]

Also, I would max out the ram for music production, especially for trance as that will use lots of software instruments. Your machine will probably handle 8GB of ram.

Beware mission creep though - on other forums advice would already be you need a Mac Pro instead, then make it a minimum 3,1

My last musical excursion was on a G3 iBook with 640Mb RAM....

Hyperalloy Combat Chassis

 

[Amethyst1]

Beware mission creep though - on other forums advice would already be you need a Mac Pro instead, then make it a minimum 3,1

Unless you have an M1 Ultra, don’t even think about composing anything more sophisticated than the simplest 8-bit chiptunes.

 

[nxstudiomc]

As @onre said, a basic USB MIDI keyboard is adequate for your needs, a two octave unit can be had for as low as £10 (UK) and macintoshgarden is a gold mine for period correct production software.

A dumb question---does any midi keyboard available on the market now will work on the G5?

 

[Dronecatcher]

A dumb question---does any midi keyboard available on the market now will work on the G5?

If it's USB Class Compliant yes - there might be exceptions somewhere but every USB keyboard I've had was plug 'n' play on Tiger and Leopard.

To be 100% you'd buy a keyboard with MIDI sockets then get a MIDI interface that's specifically made for OSX Tiger/Leopard.

 

[alenu]

I use my Dual 2.0 G5 as my main music production machine. It´s totally capable but you have to install period correct software. Leopard is my OS of choice since there are more vst / au plugins (effects and instruments) available, but building a nice system with Tiger is possible, just requires a deeper research for software. I use Cubase 5 as my main DAW, but have Logic 9 installed too. Reason 4 is available. If you plan to work exclusively with virtual instruments and not do audio recording, just get a MIDI keyboard controller, install Logic and Reason and start making music right away. You can perfectly use the built in audio for that. Install as much RAM as possible. If you'd like an audio/midi interface, there are many options too. I have a Tascam US-122 that is compatible with every G3/G4/G5, from OS 9 to Leopard. I also have a Creative EMU 0404 (requires Panther+). Macintosh Garden is a good place to start looking for software. Good luck!

 

[Certificate of Excellence]

I am partial to external boxes but that is because I use alot of analog instrumentation (ie: guitars, horns, electric piano, etc) so .25" jack & midi i/o is important. I am currently using an old Presonus firewire firebox on my a1047 dual CPU 2ghz (4gb ram model) and a Digidesign 002 on a a1117 DC 2Ghz (16gb) and a Presonus USB audiobox on my macpro 1,1 (32gb). I definitely recommend maxing out your ram - it is not necessary but is one of those things you will miss when you hit that ceiling and don't have it. If you see yourself using growing into analog/midi instrumentation,I recommend an external box with at least two .25"/neutrik in, two midi in din connectors, and two midi out din connectors and at least four audio monitor outs (two .25" and two RCA) and a headphone out with master volume knob separate from audio monitor out. If not, a USB keyboard & good pair of reference headphones should suit your needs pretty well I think. My DAW of preference believe it or not is garageband+Propellerhead+Apmplitube+VST plugins for most small projects at home - The combo is fun, easy to use, and easy to maintain (and free at this point). I do fold in logic for larger projects as well.

I have some other interfaces as well but really am partial to the older Firewire Presonus firebox/pod units to be honest - plug n play, portable and the build quality of that gen is stout. As everyone has spoken to already, spaces like Macintosh garden for example have a ton of period correct sequencing software, recording DAWs, amp emulators etc. There's a lot of really cool apps out there for these aging machines.

PRO TIP: Dont listen to any of these people. If you want to make real music, you really need to buy yourself a M1 Ultra Studio set up.

Best of luck on your audio journey.

 

[Dronecatcher]

Links from those making music on old Macs?

 

[Doq]

PRO TIP: Dont listen to any of these people. If you want to make real music, you really need to buy yourself a M1 Ultra Studio set up.

That's it. Turning my Beige MT into a music production rig. You can't tell me what to do!

---

But for real though OP, music production is just like audio hardware. Good software stays good, and with a wide selection, you'll be hard-pressed to not find something to fit your desired genre, workflow, whathaveyou, especially for your G5.

 

[Certificate of Excellence]

Links from those making music on old Macs?

Sure, here's some shoe gazey, face melter postrock stuff from mid to late 2000s .

The Oktober People, by The Oktober People

8 track album

theoktoberpeople.bandcamp.com

All this stuff was recorded & mixed down on a combination of a PMG4 dual 1ghz Quicksilver running 002s & protools ... the board was a soundcraft I think (dont recall what model) & the monitors were NS-10Ms.

Explore The Sky Too, by The Oktober People

8 track album

theoktoberpeople.bandcamp.com

All this stuff was recorded and mixed on a combination of a DC 2ghz PMG5 a1117 and a 17" white Intel imac running Protools & 002s and KRK rokits 10s. The board escapes me but I recall it was big.

With both of the above recordings, there were countless mics and DI boxes and some racks with various preamps, comps, FX & patch bays etc. that was all going on as well but I honestly dont recall everything that was in that signal chain, just the main stops.

Here's some short "what can you track & pull together in an hour" improv game subs I did with some friends online around 2013-15ish using garageband+Propellerhead+Apmplitube+VST.

Donut Lord
Chimp Brain

There's more stuff out there (comps, vinyl offerings etc) and other bands/groups but these were easiest to grab.

 

[Dronecatcher]

Sure, here's some shoe gazey, face melter postrock stuff from mid to late 2000s .

The Oktober People, by The Oktober People

8 track album

theoktoberpeople.bandcamp.com

All this stuff was recorded & mixed down on a combination of a PMG4 dual 1ghz Quicksilver running 002s & protools ... the board was a soundcraft I think (dont recall what model) & the monitors were NS-10Ms.

Had a quick listen and the Oktober stuff sounds great - will listen in depth later. I'm partial to a bit of Shoegaze - I was around for the first wave in the 80s and loved MBV, Slowdive, Chapterhouse, Ride, Ecstasy Of Saint Theresa and Curve

 

[AdamBuker]

Beware mission creep though - on other forums advice would already be you need a Mac Pro instead, then make it a minimum 3,1

My last musical excursion was on a G3 iBook with 640Mb RAM....

Hyperalloy Combat Chassis

You can get by with less ram, but you will constantly have to freeze/bounce tracks for acceptable playback in complex projects. Plus the extra ram allows for a greater number of tracks in general.

On my powerbook with 2GB, I can get about 3-5 software instrument tracks before I have to start freezing/bouncing. On the 8GB G5 I had, I could get about 10 or so tracks. Part of that difference is also CPU related.

This may or may not be a big deal depending on his workflow and what kind of instruments he’s working with. The analog synthesizers are way easier on system resources than something like sculpture or sampled orchestral instruments.

That being said, if you have a workstation class keyboard made in the last 25 years you could do just fine on a beige G3 running OS 9 and Performer 6.

 

[Dronecatcher]

You can get by with less ram, but you will constantly have to freeze/bounce tracks for acceptable playback in complex projects. Plus the extra ram allows for a greater number of tracks in general.

It's always going to be dependent on what you use and what you do - the track I linked has 34 software instruments/effects and 10 tracks - no freezing or bouncing but Reason is exceptionally efficient, having said that, the iBook was at it's limit.

 

[AdamBuker]

It's always going to be dependent on what you use and what you do - the track I linked has 34 software instruments/effects and 10 tracks - no freezing or bouncing but Reason is exceptionally efficient, having said that, the iBook was at it's limit.

True. I was using Logic 7/8 for all my projects.

 

[Certificate of Excellence]

Had a quick listen and the Oktober stuff sounds great - will listen in depth later. I'm partial to a bit of Shoegaze - I was around for the first wave in the 80s and loved MBV, Slowdive, Chapterhouse, Ride, Ecstasy Of Saint Theresa and Curve

Glad you like it. This band was by far my favorite I was a part of. The creative relationship I had with these guys spanned over multiple projects and culminated with TOP - was by far the most intuitive musical experience understood between everyone - certainly not easy but absolutely worth it - we'd go from there and work through the song tail to snout at our recording studio/practice space - all PPC or early Intel driven. Re-listening to these tracks makes me kinda sad but also I get to relive the memories of that decade long creative tsunami. I will never forget that experience. That is for sure & I wish everyone gets the opportunity to experience that shared creative intimacy. Really, there is absolutely nothing like it. Please, if you care to, share the music with your friends.

MBV, Slowdive, Mogwai, Jesu etc. are all heavy influences of mine - there are countless others (so much amazing shoe-gaze & postrock music out there) but yeah, I certainly feel those artists. - using an ibook g4 to stream these tunes and respond to this thread btw.

 

[barracuda156]

So... I have a 2.0 DP G5 and wanted to make it suitable for music production.
What kind of audio interface should I buy?
Is there something I should notice?
Thanks a million!

Based on personal experience, I would stay away from M-Audio. I bought their ProFire 610 earlier, obviously manufacturer does not provide suitable drivers for it now, I managed to find several versions here & there which still had PPC support, but neither of them actually worked (they installed, some of them launched, device was recognized, but sound controls remained dead). I wrote to M-Audio support over e-mail and in Twitter, both have been ignored. Sold ProFire due to being unable to make it usable with G5.