Today's Message Index:
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1. 01:08 AM - I-Mac Mini fits in 1-Din Dash Opening! Who's going to try it? (Randy Visentine)
2. 03:42 AM - Re: I-Mac Mini fits in 1-Din Dash Opening. Who's going to try it? (Randy Visentine)
3. 03:37 PM - Re: C90's Digital output really analog at heart? (NOTGSXR@aol.com)
Message 1
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| Subject: | I-Mac Mini fits in 1-Din Dash Opening! Who's going to try |
it?
0.51 PLING_QUERY Subject has exclamation mark and question mark
--> XDP4000X-List message posted by: Randy Visentine <randyman@gmail.com>
OK. I love my C90 and XDP-4K. About the only thing that could
replace it is a computer with a large HD and a killer soundcard.
Well, the new IMac Mini is 6.5" wide, and is rumored to fit in a 1-Din
space! This is Mac's latest offering, and I believe it has a 1.6GHz
G5 processor, and 256MB of RAM, and a "slot load" CD/DVD Superdrive.
Starts at $500, too!!!! A 160GB hard drive is optional, as is
wireless "Airport" networking card. I could see the possibilities
opening up as soon as I found this out! You can use a 7" - 9"
touch-screen LCD as your primary Video/mouse, and have a compact
wireless keyboard stashed under the seat.
So, my question is - is it possible to run something like "Garage
Band" (Mac's multi-track audio software), and a multi output FireWire
soundcard, and end up with 8 discreet channels, and have simular
processing like the XDP-4000k has?
I am VERY familiar with the PC side, and Nuendo (a $1200 Audio
Program) that is likely far superior to "Garage Band" (I'm also an
Audio Engineer/Producer/Musician). I am not sure how I could
configure the Mac's software to do what I need. Since I have no clue
about "Garage Band's" functionallity I'm not too sure if this would
work. I'm thinking I could open "Garage Band", and open 4 stereo
audio tracks. I would assign all 4 stereo tracks to the I-Mac's "Wave
out" bus (I don't even know how the soundcard assignments work in a
Mac - but if it is simular to a PC, this should work). I'm hoping
this will send a duplicate of the digital MP3 or CD audio (from
I-Tunes jukebox program, etc) to all 4 stereo tracks of Garage Band
(no audio has actually left the Mac yet, and all 4 stereo tracks in
Garage Band are receiving an identical stereo input from the I-Tunes
Jukebox software).
Then, I will add "plug-ins" to each stereo track within "Garage Band".
Stereo Track 1 would get a fully-variable HP filter (HP crossover),
and a parametric EQ. Stereo Track 2 would get a BP filter, and a
parametric EQ. Same for Stereo Tracks 3 and 4 (Low-Pass filter on
channel 4 for subs). This would allow any crossover configuration,
and as much EQ as you could ever need.
These 4 pairs of "Processed" channels would then be assigned to the
8-output Firewire soundcard (just like the XDP-4000x's configuration).
The Firewire Soundcard would then feed the amps directly with it's
analog outputs - 1 analog channel from the Soundcard for each channel
of amplification. Are you seeing what I'm saying?
So, any Mac guys out there? Is this feasible? I'd say just take the
Toslink SPDIF out of the Imac into the XDP-4000x, BUT I would still
need a Sony Unilink Head Unit for Volume and on/off/preset control of
the XDP (also, a Mac can not run the Sony DSC program for XDP-4k
parameter editing). If I go with the IMac Mini, it would be my entire
front-end. I would not want the IMac combined with a standard Sony
Head Unit.
Am I totally insane? I know there is a way this could work on PC -
but I have NEVER worked with a MAC. (And a PC won't fit in a 1-Din
opening with a slot-load CD-Burner !). I have built 2-3 PC's, and I
am fairly knowledgeable on advanced PC audio production, and I
obviously "DIY" my own Car Stereo Installs, too. I think I am a good
candidate to try this - but I need more info first.
If only someone could make an application to control the XDP-4K's
Volume/Power/Presets from a computer (like a USB-to-Unilink
converter), that would essentially extend the XDP-4K's lifespan
indefinitely IMO (the C90 WILL eventually die, the XDP is much more
robust, and no moving parts, etc). Oh well, I think we KNOW this will
never happen from Sony. So unless a 3rd party develops something like
this, we will never see it.
Any ideas or links?
--
Randy V.
Houston, TX
Audio-Dude/Musician/Crazy Guy
Message 2
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| Subject: | Re: I-Mac Mini fits in 1-Din Dash Opening. Who's going |
to try it?
--> XDP4000X-List message posted by: Randy Visentine <randyman@gmail.com>
A few of my Mac Mini specs were wrong. See here for info:
http://www.apple.com/macmini/
I was also told this idea *should* work, and there are more
appropriate programs for this (opposed to Garage Band). There is also
another program to allow I-Tunes to send its digital audio to another
application within OSX (for all of the audio processing and routing,
etc). The M-Audio Firewire 410 soundcard should do the trick, too!
It has 10 analog outs, and 2 analog ins, and descent converters.
I'm still researching, and I appreciate any input you guys may have...
ESPECIALLY on touch-screen LCD displays for auto Computer use. I'm
looking to eliminate a Mouse if possible (or at least have a
touch-screen AND an electro-static finger-pad in the console). I'm so
lost on Mobile Video equipment, Touch-Screen technology, and
everything that is "Mac". I'll talk PC's, Pro-Audio gear, and
Broadcast Video Equipment all day long!
But, It is looking promising :-)
Later,
Randy V.
Houston, TX
Audiophile/Musician/Crazy Guy
Message 3
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| Subject: | Re: C90's Digital output really analog at heart? |
--> XDP4000X-List message posted by: NOTGSXR@aol.com
In a message dated 1/31/2005 11:30:09 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
mark_laird@hotmail.com writes:
All I know for
sure is that my system sounds better with the 4000x than it did with the
210, or without any processor.
Mark
X 10 :D
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