Mpc ren and USB 3

Hello everyone
I need to buy a new computer as my imac is dying its over 5 years old so can't complain
I'm looking at getting a mini mac but all new models have USB 3 so I need to know if the ren works with USB 3
Thanks in advance

So no then
Hmmmmm
Maybe ill hold out and get a refurbish one with USB 2

Yes, it works with USB3.

aldred411 wrote:So no then
Hmmmmm
Maybe ill hold out and get a refurbish one with USB 2

From reports, it seems to work with USB3 on Mac OS X.

Also from reports, at the moment, the Renaissance audio interface drivers seem to be having problems with the latest Mac OS X, Mavericks, in not working as a soundcard for the computer OS and some more basic applicaitions, but is said to still work as an interface for dedicated DAW applications such as MPC Software.

This might be a minor issue if the new Mac you are looking at has Mavericks pre-installed.

This is probably expected by users to be fixed in the next update, which is rumored from Akai to possibly be out before Christmas, but there is no information from Akai as to whether this will actually be addressed or not.

Ok thanks guys that's a big help
Do I need to worry about the 5400 rpm hdd that comes as standard or will I need to upgrade it to a 7200rpm straight away
Is an i5 good enough or should I go for the i7
I only really use mpc software and some plugins tho I may get logic x later on

Hard drive speed is a non issue as sample data is stored in and runs directly from computer's RAM....

I have my google cloud drive mapped in my MPC and the only factor of speed is loading and saving, but not the operation once projects are in action

No, the Renaissance is USB2, so no USB3 speeds.

Hard drive speed might be an issue once you move to Logic, if you want to record to/playback from the internal Macintosh HD. Same with i5 vs i7.

Ok thanks everybody for the info
Ill just upgrade the hdd later on
If needed
Many thanks

Ok one last question I've seen a refurbished Mac mini server
July 2011 i7quad core 2.0g , 4 gb ram 2 x 500gb 7200rpm USB 2

Or a new model Mac mini either the basic i5 with 500gb hdd or the new i7 with a 500gb hdd both hdd are 5400
Prices are 650 , 500 , 679

I don't think the servers had DVD drives in them, so you might need an external DVD drive to install the expansion packs, or maybe you can download disk images of the expansion pack installer disks.

MPC Software itself can be installed from the latest downloadable update.

No Mac mini has DVD drive now but I do have a optical drive that I took out my imac when I did the ssd an hdd combo
Cheers tho what do reckon on the server for the price compared to the others as the servers a bit older

aldred411 wrote:Ok thanks guys that's a big help
Do I need to worry about the 5400 rpm hdd that comes as standard or will I need to upgrade it to a 7200rpm straight away
Is an i5 good enough or should I go for the i7
I only really use mpc software and some plugins tho I may get logic x later on

Do not waste your time with a 5400rpm drive. Whilst samples may very well be loaded in to ram dont bank on that saving your ass further down the line.

5400 rpm will be fine for MPC software, even if/when audio tracks are added. I don't think you'll possibly use enough audio tracks in the MPC software to choke a 5400 rpm drive. I do personally use a 7200 rpm drive on my main machine that I do all my real Pro Tools mixes on. However, I use a 5400 rpm drive on my living room computer where I often do a lot of the editing in Pro Tools and I don't have any issues, even with huge sessions. But it is a USB 3.0, although I'm running it off of a USB 3.0 hub. On my main machine (Mac Pro), I have the same exact drive running my Komplete library, although that machine only has USB 2.0. My samples load fine and quickly. The only library that takes forever to load is Rickenbacker Bass, but it's likely because it's a 6GB library. So take from this information what you want. I agree with Simon, unless you're gonna be running a DAW, I wouldn't worry about running a 5400 rpm!