Building standalone systems for music (and video why not) making

[Deleted User]

From the creator of Building your own Midi controllers (without coding a single line)
It comes Build your own standalone systems for AV needs

Ok mates...
I'm mostly done with Apple. Most of you know what is my background and actual setup (but if not remember I just purchased once again a mac mini late 2012) so let's talk and share experiences and workarounds for the years coming since most of us are not going to buy more new apple products.

First of all the objective:

To build on the cheap standalone things which could perform properly without too much hassle and keep things useful and simple. Similar to what iOS has been or near to should be.

Rules:

• Cheap.
• Easy to set or almost stable.
• One machine, one app.
• Modding to embed all the whole engendro is allowed.
• Tested. Post things that could work and links to software or hacks to make them work.

Approaches:

• Old windows/mac computers.
• Old iOS devices (iPhone4 and similar as start point)
• Embedded systems (raspberry pi and china tablets)
• Your suggestion here.

So I will post my findings based on that rules and my own experience.

Examples:

iPhone 4 based engendro. It applies to ipad2/3 mini1/2/3 and iPod touch 5g and above.
iPhone 4 less than 80€ or even free if you have some nice friends. (2018)
Suitable apps: Loopy, NS1, BM2, impaktor...
Suitable hardware: old cck and similar like irig midi or old docks (check compatibility and issues first)
Hacks available: Alesis io dock with usb host.
https://www.untergeek.de/2013/01/tech-hack-alesis-io-dock-with-usb-hub/

...

iPhone 5 and above (recommended 5s as milestone machine)
iPhone 5s less than 150€ (in fact I see yesterday an SE for that price)
Suitable apps: All the above engendro and many more as mobmuplat with the Otem Rellik patches (see links). Also Garageband and many more (maybe BM3?)
Suitable hardware: cck3 with hub and charging plus newer docks such Focusrite or Alesis 2.
Hacks available: not needed.
http://www.otemrellik.com/tag/mobmuplat/

...

Old macs based engendro.
Mac mini A1176 c2d and above. Usually 4gb ram as maximum.
Snow leopard as milestone. Less than 150€.
Suitable apps: Traktor Traktor 2.6.0/2.11 which includes even remix decks. Ableton 8.2.5 (freezed version) Serato Scratch Live... also these days Gb, Logic, Mainstage and whatever you remember like Modul8, etc.
Hacks available: Forum users had been updating software beyond OS compatibility. From Traktor to SSL. Dig a bit or just ask me. Also hacking with resolutions for headless function or hackintosh (netbooks etc)
Headless mac (warning this link put an alert on safari I think is due terminal hardcoding things but as stepbystep https://www.jtbullitt.com/tech/mac/mac-standalone.html
Also devices like that for improve headless mac video issues

...

Old Windows based engendro.
Less than zero due based in garbage on the basement.
C2d almost recommended. Usually up to 4gb ram as maximum.
WinXP ultra optimized or Win7 also optimized as suggestion.
Suitable apps: Traktor Traktor 2.6.0/2.11 which includes even remix decks. Ableton 8.2.5 (freezed version) Serato Scratch Live... under test but they should work if the hardware isn't broke (reballing needs or similar)
Suitable Hardware and hacks: Any old audio interface now discontinued like m-audio (connectiv, Project mix, etc... cheaper as days gone but probably useful as never.
https://www.instructables.com/id/The-Windows-XP-Optimization-Guide/
https://www.sweetwater.com/sweetcare/articles/pc-optimization-guide-for-windows-7/
This path could be maybe even expensive than directly old dedicated hardware depending on the engendro you are wondering so expose your need in the first place and maybe someone will spot you too a wonderful, old and cheap hardware unit like MC909 or similar

...

I'm not going to put Raspi or China tablets examples due in my experience they don't worth the effort vs revenue (performance, lack of apps vs old iPhone, etc) but I'm open to share info about that if anyone is interested.

Let's talk about solutions and stop complaining about Apple. We are in the first place musicians so if you don't have money (or trust) to buy new Apple hardware like me and want to grow your tools... join the diy recycling army and start sharing your journey.

Peace.

Processaurus

Whatever the system, i'm realizing that the less "tested", a system is, by the people making the software for it, the more trouble is waiting. You computer, OS, DAW, and audio interface, that came out at the same time, are a set. That set was tested by the people making the software and drivers, and tested extensively. That extensive testing happened in the couple years around its release, and then trailed off.

Sadly designers are not testing their new audio interfaces with windows xp. They are not writing new drivers for an 8 year old interface, for mac OS Mojave. The people writing new OS's aren't testing it with the cool DAW software from 2012, to ensure compatibility.

There is harmony and productivity when the set is kept together. Use it together. When it stops working take it to the dump together. There is much heartbreak trying to use old stuff with new stuff, because, the people in a position to fix the bugs, aren't testing these scenarios.

[Deleted User]

Who is saying new? I’m pointing old with old and tested. In fact if you want rock solid buy rme digiface/multiface and use it with old toshiba satellite under xp. It worked flawless and probably will keep doing it today. People sell for new features but if you keep low spec these machines do great work and where these were priced today are peanuts...

Let’s keep the positivity and search for solutions, please...