Anyone Running Two Macs with Logic?

Well, just getting over the complications and what configurations work best in your setup, what failed... what worked.

For example, MIDI or Audio over networks is just not there yet IMO. Timing, configuration, stability, communication issues... I use hardware. Coming from somebody who prefers software solutions, this is a problem.

As far as the hosts go... it really matters what you are using computer #2 or #3 for... If it just for a sampler you are normally OK with MIDI (and in your case the RMEs) but when introducing effects etc, things get more complex so really for automation there are significant issues to overcome.

...which then brings us to: Should the 2nd computer really be running Logic (or similar host with automation) as well? This would be good for the people who want more EXS power.

How do tasks need to be divided in these situations?

If the second station is configured as a MIDI only Sampler and Effects rack and everything requiring higher precision is run by the host it messes with workflow.

If run from another host then workflow is better with many solved complications...

Users Interface with 2 computers? Or access remotely?

How to synch the files and projects?

Use the additional resources for a node - runs well, caused too many headaches?

For ease of use and trying to just divide tasks a 2nd license of Logic would be the easiest for many users

As Kore is still unreleased it's a good idea for this situation but... NI has had issues with stability, compatibility... I own some of their products, they do sound good and perform 10x better standalone than as AUs but I would not trust Kore at this point (just my opinion).

So... basically what choices were made for the setup for what reasons (failures from other apps- poor communication- difficulties synching the data...), as well as your work so people get a real life perspective.

There are many issues people ask about here regularly for these cases - which can become exponentially complicated. If there was a good list of what works and the pitfalls to avoid from a regarded user it would be very valuable information for many - including Tom (oceantracks).

Vielen Dank,

J

Well, the need for power comes down to a balance of time and quality. With Logic you have many capbilities but once you start getting huge sessions you are better off offloading the demands - depends on your production.

I use a (mighty!) G4 maxed out in every bay and slot and I can even do 96k work... though... there is much to be desired for many situations. I do have to stem and freeze quite a bit and since I find many 3rd parties' plugs unstable I try to keep my sessions clear of them. Adjust, print, remove (save backup of preset and original recordings). I really have been good about waiting out the Intel rush and my comp isn't as old as one would think... it's last last gen G4 tower which I opted in for above the then current G5 for backwards compatability. A good choice, because the perform a little better than a comparable G5 at the time - but I haven't had much need for OS 9.

Sooo... it comes down to the work you do. With large sample libs, huge songs, huge mixes and Logic's problems with event memory as welll as memory allocation... things.... get.... slooooowww. Regardless of computer, RAM, Drives. You just need to offload the stuff in order to keep working fast, without interruption. Distributed processing helps some things but really, sessions just get too bloated. As a new user you probably haven't had much experience with this yet. It's like claustrophobia of working on a system which has all of it's hard drives full. Depends on the size of your session. With 58 tracks you'll see soon enough how things go. Not trying to scare you, just explain the reason behind offloading. 7.2 has been a huge improvement. Keeping sessions using current objects, using modern templates... exra steps of DAW maintenace are needed and should be learnd to save troubles in the future/ before they become huge problems... it really depends on how you work.

Noding, Freezing, good user optimization, using other computers, needs, and speed.

There is life beyond TDM but the studio in the box just keeps getting more complex.

Cheers,

J

For me,there hasn't been too much of a complication.Once everything is networked it presents few problems. I think that's chiefly because I really prefer to maintain a hardware approach to this.Like you said, MIDI over LAN is probably not quite there yet, but a combination of it and the hardware is more than adequate.

I no longer use hardware effects: the only related hardware I now user is an Avalon and DBX Quantum. I rarely use effects on the slave machines, with everything coming up in Logic from the slaves I have more than enough effects,both Logic and third party (like Altiverb and Powercore Firewire, etc) to cope with any contingency. Also most of my stuff is orchestral orientated,with the electronics in a supporting role.

I don't like freezing tracks either. I prefer to have immediate recourse to sounds that can be altered. With a multi computer setup one can achieve this easily.

Logic on two machines would be nice for those who wish to run more EXS's, but I'm currnetly happy using it on one,and I have Kontakt 2, which is more than adequate for a similar purpose. My EWQLSO is spread over the three Macs and the Receptor,divided into sections (strings/brass on two machines, woodwinds/percussion on the other two),whilst the PC runs VSL on Giga,along with other stuff like VOTA. I also have other stuff,like Atmosphere,Stylus Korg Legacy, Albino, Absynth,and the East West, Symphonic Choirs,RA, Storm Drum. The usual suspects. hey are spread over the system equally, and I have found that it all seems very smooth.The whole thing is controlled from a single Logic Control. I ditched my 02R96 some time ago, and never looked back.

Regarding Kore. I'm very confident of its power and ultimate reliability. It's basically, performing the same function as V-Stack, and then some,so, the bottom line is it's going to be at least as good as that. I do like V-Satck a lot: its simplicity and value for money.It's just that it's become cranky under Tiger,and Steinberg's support is practically zero. Kore will have a nice hardware controller, too, and will run inside and out of Logic. It's a beast.

Filewise, outside of Logic, the setups are simply saved as the project's name (Cue,timecode reference) and put in an appropriate folder. It's that simple.They have no direct dependance on Logic,so there is no requirement to do anything other than save and back up.

I hope that helps. For me there is currently no better way of working with large-scale arrangements and cues,than with multiple computers,though I still use a few hardware synths. I do not use Pro Tools, and cannot really justify it in my methodology. It would be nice one day,though, if there would be a computer so powerful that all we would need one of it to run everything. But we all know that ain't going to happen.

Wow Moebius, quite a configuration - though it all runs harmoniously from the sounds of it. Thanks alot for sharing. I'll bookmark this for others to refer to... there are many answers to frequent questions here.

(It makes mewant to go out and get an MacIntel/G5 replacement the day they become available: ^)

Thanks Again,

J

Pleasure, Justin. Thanks for the interest. Somedays don't you just want to get on with some music, though? 😉

: ^)

I Multitask. Many things going on all at once including Logic forum : ^)

Besides, I can't even spell "alla breve" - who's to say I am a musician? : ^)

A little more seriously, I do multitask. I do alot of things at once, though that can slow things down. For Music, It does help me for review as I go, otherwise I work too microscopically.

But yes, I enjoy many things about music and music technology, and involove myself in many aspects from there.

Best,

J