15-inch is about 38 cm, for metric minds... Do you think this could hold a dedicated scope system, with 2, maybe 3 cards? If so, it could even fit the rolling SKB I got from scope4live... It doesn't look expensive, and the military tag is reassuring (only in a case like this, really)
The idea is to build a scope-only DAW, leaving audio and MIDI sequencing to another computer, and using ADAT to communicate between them. Wouldn't be needing too much CPU, RAM or HDD, maybe just for VDAT. I was thinking I could do with a single hard-disk and no CD drive: this might save some space, heat and power. And even if 350 is not enough, a better PSU should be easy to get.
What would be the most energy and heat-efficient, scope compatible CPUs today?
Thanks for the answer! Yes, this would sure be sweet... You can get the "military" one in aluminum, too, should be lighter and better for cooling. The SKB will add protection on bumpy roads. I mean, airports.
I just need to decide what to rack! I can either rack my own DAW, or build a new machine customized for Scope. I also have a Macbook Pro laptop, I haven't tested it thoroughly with audio, but maybe it's enough for my needs, right now. I' can use the RME on it, and it'll talk to the rack via 24 channels of ADAT. I can even do without the extra keyboard and monitor, using LAN, maybe even MIDI can work this way!
But another thing comes to my mind now: maybe a good solution for a dedicated Scope machine (no vsts, or fancy audio sequencers, etc), at least in my case, would be an old mac G4 running OS9, in that: it is very silent, apparently works well with scope, and should also be easy to get working with the macbook. Anybody know if you can rack a mac? I mean, actually taking the insides and putting them into one of these 3U, PC style?
I really want to have some portability with Scope. I originally wanted the box to put a 2-slot magma and a drawer for the laptop, expecting miracles from the new EC interface cards and new magma chips. Unfortunately, the performance seems to be roughly the same (double bandwidth = same performance? UAD and PoCO users seem to be getting a lot more performance with the PCIe and EC interfaces, but not Scope... Is the hardware realy pushed to its limit, or could some updated drivers still improve it?)
I don't want to keep switching the cards back and forth, and so: the scope rack.
I decided to hold on to the 2-slot chassis, as it is 12v powered, and maybe in the future, I'll get some more scope cards just for that - It's small and light and can do some decent synths, so better than a klang box (not cheaper, tho)
The fact you are faced w/ so many options is a blessing.
Many guys I know w/ Pro Tools Rigs have their Mac's in 2U's on PCI riser cards, or 4U's. These guys have many also, like 3 or 4 x 4U's w/ accel cards.
Strictly automated shows and live mobile recordings, but they can afford redundancy. I built 2 for the same reason, but found I could make much more money doing 2 gigs at once, and only playing at one !!
Scope / Giga DAW's were just so damn stable, especially w/ Intel combos that I got risky and haven't looked back yet.
Good luck w/ whatever choice you choose, it sounds nice, and your Prowave Modular tutoring was deeply appreciated.
For some reason DSP based apps just don't crash. The closest I ever had to a nightmare was when Bidule frooze up on me one night, but Scope just kept going. If Scope were to crash I have an analog synth which can at least make enough noise while I shamefully re boot. That nightmare has been prepared for, but hasn't happened yet. Thank God.
BTW - What's the brand name of your case? Is it Chenbro? I think the link I posted is to a shop, not a manufacturer, but I can't find a brand name anywhere...
that case looks great, jimmy. if you make this a storage only box, I think it's ok, but with 12 (or better 16 ) raptors you don't want to sit beside it:
1) too much noise from the disks itself
2) even more noise from the cooling solution you would have to implement for that amount of raptors.
I'm not even sure whether it's a good idea to put that much 10krpm drive that close together in a case that is not especially made for it (like the external sas storage boxes from hp, for instance).
remember, there are hdd coolers that are labelled for use with all ide and sata disks but the raptors... and there are reasons for it.
but if using the new wd green drives it could make a huge NAS box.
-greetings, markus-
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I'm sorry, but my karma just ran over your dogma.
