Sound on a PM G5?

[RobHague]

I find that the processor, graphics, operating system and everything else is covered in detail about the Power MAC G5 on apples site - but i couldnt seem to find any info on the sound card/chip it uses. I am assuming there is one built in?

Anyone got any info? Thanks

 

[Nickygoat]

On my system profiler it gives this:
Built In Sound Card:

Devices:
Texas Instruments TAS3004:
Inputs and Outputs:
Line Level Input:
Controls: Left, Right
Playthrough: No
PluginID: TAS
Headphones:
Controls: Mute, Left, Right
PluginID: TAS
Internal Speakers:
Controls: Mute, Master
PluginID: TAS
Line Level Output:
Controls: Mute, Left, Right
PluginID: TAS
Crystal Semiconductor CS84xx:
Inputs and Outputs:
S/PDIF Digital Input:
Controls: Mute
Playthrough: No
PluginID: Topaz
S/PDIF Digital Output:
Controls: Mute
PluginID: Topaz
Formats:
PCM 16:
Bit Depth: 16
Bit Width: 16
Channels: 2
Mixable: Yes
Sample Rates: 32 KHz, 44.1 KHz, 48 KHz
PCM 24:
Bit Depth: 24
Bit Width: 32
Channels: 2
Mixable: Yes
Sample Rates: 32 KHz, 44.1 KHz, 48 KHz
AC3 16:
Bit Depth: 16
Bit Width: 16
Channels: 2
Mixable: No
Sample Rates: 32 KHz, 44.1 KHz, 48 KHz

It's a DP1.8, but I've got no idea what half of it means

 

[RobHague]

Strikes me as odd that the system is plugged for video/photo and music and the most important feature of a machine for use in producing/editing music is surley the sound card.

Can you add a soundcard to the PM?

 

[CanadaRAM]

Strikes me as odd that the system is plugged for video/photo and music and the most important feature of a machine for use in producing/editing music is surley the sound card.

Can you add a soundcard to the PM?

Why is the brand of the "sound card" important to you?

It is integrated on the motherboard and IIRC is a proprietary Apple chip that processes other DSP functions as well. Audio support is integrated in OSX, there is no need for drivers for the onboard audio. Digital audio input and output is available with a optical (Toslink) Connector, and supports DTS and Dolby surround pass-through.

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86438
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86415

You can add a sound card, through a PCI card, USB external or Firewire external interface, depending on what your requirement is.

 

[aussie_geek]

Beware of unwanted noise

If you are using the G5 for audio work, seriously consider getting an audio card.

G5's are notoriously known for having a noisy power supply that bleeds sound into the audio system - you can hear the 'system chirps' through the speakers when set at high volume. It will be OK for general consumer use but as for pro audio, get a card.

There are numerous threads about this on the Apple Discussion boards. Just have a look here.

If the link does not work, just search 'audio noise interference'. In the G5 usage thread.

I own one (see sig) and the noises are present. Since I don't do that much music work any more, it doesn't bother me.


aussie_geek

 

[dmw007]

If you are using the G5 for audio work, seriously consider getting an audio card.

G5's are notoriously known for having a noisy power supply that bleeds sound into the audio system - you can hear the 'system chirps' through the speakers when set at high volume. It will be OK for general consumer use but as for pro audio, get a card.

There are numerous threads about this on the Apple Discussion boards. Just have a look here.

If the link does not work, just search 'audio noise interference'. In the G5 usage thread.

I own one (see sig) and the noises are present. Since I don't do that much music work any more, it doesn't bother me.


aussie_geek

Well, I have not had any audio problems with my Power Mac G5 (yet- *crosses fingers*) and I am playing tunes on here most of the time. But I will probably still go and buy a sound card at some point in the near future (especially now that I know about this problem ).