Jerboa

Thanks Chris...this really is great advice for anyone..."walk, don't run". With so much information it's difficult not to act like a kid in a candy store. Note to self: Sit back and enjoy... Jerb

Hello Again...Jerb here... I currently have a setup of music where the iTunes Library is stored on an external HD in AIFF Format. I have a couple of Macbook Pro's (MBP) that have access to this library (never simultaneously), but I would like to have a copy of this Library on each MBP and not in AIFF format due to space restrictions. A couple of questions: 1) Given the HD space allocation for the MBP Library, what is the "next best" format after AIFF (I was thinking Apple Lossless?? Perhaps AAC??). 2) What is the most efficient way of converting the AIFF files to the new location? 3) When new files are ripped to the external AIFF Library, what is the best method to add the new files to each MBP. Please keep in mind that this is all new to me. CA has been extremely helpful thus far...I am trying to do things properly from the start...with hopes of avoiding serious future agony! Thanks again...Jerb

Thanks Chris! As you can tell I am very new to this CA stuff! I should have stated that I wanted to get the settings to bit perfect (as in 16/44). I was concerned that I couldn't change the setting to 2ch-16bit...and that it would mess with the playback. For the record..I am very very new to this computer/audio stuff, and not super techie with computers or audio at all. I just want to get it "correct" from the start...although I feel that I'm over my head. I really don't understand this bit's/word length/clocking jargon yet. I purchased the Apogee duet because I've also been playing with recording, but I also want to use the duet as a DAC and headphone amp if possible. Soon I'll be on the market for studio monitors...and back here with never ending questions! I'm trying to determine if my ears are hearing any difference with my current steup...vs just pluging the AKG K702's into the audio out on the Macbook Pro. Don't get me worng, the Apogee duet sounds great thus far, but I can't really determine if I have it setup correctly to optimize playback...keep in mind that I literally just plugged it in! Should I hear a dramatic difference?? More reading and work for me! Any experienced advice would be fantastic... Jerb

Hello, I've looked everywhere for an answer for this. I'm using the new Macbook Pro ~ FireWire ~ Apogee Duet ~ AKG K702 Headphones. Like many others, I'm confused as to the settings for the Audio Midi in OS X 10.5 Leopard. I am using iTunes, and listening to a library that was ripped from cd's to AIFF. Unfortunately the Duet doesn't deliver with a great user manual. I have played with the settings in OS X Audio Midi. I am trying to find the best settings for this. The Duet also comes with Maestro software. I am aware that when I make changes in Audio Midi, I should have iTunes closed and then re-open after settings have been changed. I have also turned the EQ off in the iTunes preferences...as well as the sound enhancer in iTunes Preferences. In the Audio Midi, the radio button for the Default Input and Output is set to the Duet. The System Output is set to: Built-in Output. When I select "Properties for Duet", the Audio Output area is activated and I can change the radio button from 44100.0 Hz to 96000.0Hz. However, I cannot change the next radio button...it is fixed at 2ch-24bit. My question: Is this the "best" setting that I should be using? The original source was ripped from cd's at 16/44. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated....

Hello....I hope this question is in the correct area of the forum. I'm looking for advice regarding the setup of the "computer side" of my audio setup. Here's my situation: There are two of us using this setup. We currently have one Macbook Pro (MBP) and second MBP ordered and en route. We need to remain somewhat portable as we will have a couple of long-distance moves in the next 2 years. Both of us also require the daily portability...hence the dual MBP's. I have contemplated the addition of an Apple Mini, but unless necessary I would like to use both of the MBP's. I also have an Airport Extreme for the network and an external 1TB HD (networked via USB into the Extreme). I also have an Ipod and 3G Iphone...I would like to use ITunes to Rip/sync/play the shared collection. For a short while the music will be played from the pathetic MBP speakers, but I am planning for a "sweet" audio setup as well. Starting with a sweet Headphone setup (DAC, headphone Amp, Headphones), then speakers (perhaps DAC/Amp/Speakers etc, or ADM9.1's). Again, I am thinking relative portability and we do live in a small condo. My biggest concern is to be setup from scratch...and be prepared the best I can. I would like to and "add" to the computer and audio system as I go along, but setup the computer side first. This is all new to me, I have so many questions...perhaps one at a time...I digress... I have decided to start from scratch by ripping my collection to the Shared External HD with ITunes, in AIFF format. I would like both of the MBP's to be able to access and play the music on the shared external HD (only one at a time when wireless or "docked" at home). Athough I would like to rip the AIFF files to the external, I would NOT like to eat up the internal HD space on the MBP's with duplicate AIFF's. Also, I will have to Sync with my IPhone and Ipod...and I don't think AIFF makes sense for this. I have ITunes preferences set to import the freshly ripped CD's as AIFF to the Shared External HD and have unchecked (turned off) the "copy files to ITunes Music folder when adding to library". I assume that will give me one single copy of the ripped files...to be located on the external HD? Questions: 1) Will both MBP's (with separate user accounts, therefore separate ITunes accounts) be able to access and playback (wirelessly) the music on the shared external HD? (Only one computer at a time, never both simultaneously) 2) Does this plan seem reasonable? I am open to your suggestions, although I am starting to rip to the external HD as I await the arrival of the second MBP... More questions will follow...thanks so much for your input!

Excellent, thanks for the assistance.

Hi Chris...do you have a reply to this question?? ...and thanks a bunch...