---------------------------------------------------------- XDP4000X-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Tue 02/01/05: 3 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 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 _____________________________________ Time: 01:08:46 AM PST US From: Randy Visentine Subject: XDP4000X-List: 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 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 _____________________________________ Time: 03:42:31 AM PST US From: Randy Visentine Subject: Re: XDP4000X-List: I-Mac Mini fits in 1-Din Dash Opening. Who's going to try it? --> XDP4000X-List message posted by: Randy Visentine 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 _____________________________________ Time: 03:37:41 PM PST US From: NOTGSXR@aol.com Subject: Re: XDP4000X-List: 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