Sound Card for Power Mac G4 Quicksilver

I installed a M-Audio 7.1 into my Sawtooth because the screamer sound jack on my motherboard broke. I pipe the sound through my amplifier, and I have noticed the fidelity is richer....the M-audio card has a larger band width than the stock jack on your G4 motherboard. However, I would not have installed an alternative to the screamer if the stock sound jack had not broken.

Good luck.

That's the built in "sound card" in a G4. It is the reason why there are so few sound cards made for Mac's. Don't really need them.
To see the specs on the sound specs of a QS 2002, see page 49 of this document.

Message was edited by: japamac

Most Mac users just rely on the excellent built-in sound capabilities of the Mac, and do not add a sound card.

So you may not get an answer unless you can tell more about what exactly you need an add-on card for.

A number of mid-line G4s did not have audio in capabilities, including the Quicksilvers, so I'm guessing it is for that purpose rather than audio out, though an audio specialist might prefer the RCA jack output capabilities and expanded audio connectivity of the M-audio cards for that.

"The sound output through the headphone jack has the following electrical characteristics:

• output level 2.0 V peak-to-peak (0.7 V RMS).
• impedance suitable for driving standard 32-ohm headphones.
• signal-to-noise (SNR) 90 dB unweighted (typical).
• total harmonic distortion (THD) 0.03% or less."

Message was edited by: Grant Bennet-Alder

If Mac's dont need sound cards how would you make basic recordings. The quicksilver has no mic or line input. You only have a headphone out and a speaker output?

Not everyone wants to buy a firewire interface for thier G4?

Whats a basic card that can be used for this?

Cheers

Hi jynx_3-

Welcome to Discussions!

If Mac's dont need sound cards how would you make basic recordings. The quicksilver has no mic or line input. You only have a headphone out and a speaker output?

This (input) is a whole different subject. OS X is ready for line input, and there are several devices that work on a Mac for sound recording, and capture. For music recording, again, a whole different topic, and a range of solutions.
Would be better if you would post a new thread.

I've started using the iMic by Griffin. It's an USB stereo input/output audio adapter with both mic and line level input/ouput. They provide a free download of their audio editing software called Finyl Vinyl (I think), which lets you record and edit audio mainly (though you can input video with the adapter - need different software though). Though it's intended mainly for recording from turntables, you can input and edit most any audio with a mini plug to RCA jacks cable. I've used a cassette deck and a mini disc recorder so far. I haven't played much with the mic input so far, but the line in audio is very good (I've worked in community radio for a while now, so I have a pretty good ear). The adapter also works with other audio editing software like Audacity and Logic Express (possibly Garageband too, I haven't tried). And it's available for under $30 on places like eBay.

http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/imic

Airport express.

Configure it for ethernet, plug it into the router and plug your stereo into it. The DAC is way better than what's in the G4 and the sound output superb. Far better than the headphone jack, any iPod and any sound card, Win or Apple, I've heard. We're a serious audio family with serious audio friends and all agree its worthy of driving a good sound installation.

Can't say why this is not discussed more. Within my group of friends, three use the airport express approach.

Do any of the G4 machines have the capability to reproduce -- play, record, convert -- dvd quality sound (24-bit) on the stock/internal "sound card?" I have a G4/933 that obviously is limited to 16-bit, however I'm researching a new replacement computer to connect to my home theater system (iTunes jukebox - movies and music). The G5s and Mac Pros are the obvious choice with the optical connections, but I'm looking to keep cost to a minimum.

I've thought of using the M-Audio Revolution 7.1. Any limitations with this add-on board?

Hi-

If you are looking for surround sound, and want the broadest OS compatibility, check out the Firewave.

I used the iMac for years also. Griffin is very innovative and responsive.