Mac Mini as Music server - any tips?

ROTF,

The Archives and the Family Trust are putting out some great posthumous releases.

I bought that just a few weeks ago!

it is fantastic.

I adore Frank more than just about any other artist (musician or otherwise).... The most important American artist of the 20th Century (only in my own little book of course)

One of my tattoos.... EXACT replica

quote:

Originally posted by munch:
Frank,
God bless him.
The man was a GENIUS.
Stu

... and he took the effort to personally digitally master his entire output for CD, effectively doubling his number of albums.

I always consider the vinyl and CD releases as separate albums. In the extreme case of say Sleep Dirt, he added vocals to an instrumental album.

Both are great, but hearing the original without vocals show how all of his "songs" are compositions first and foremost, and fully capable of standing on their own.

I listen to something from him every single day.

I wouldn't paint all remasters with the same brush. As in all things audio, but nowhere more than recordings, each one is its own case. I've been gobsmacked recently learning that certain later issue 70s/80s vinyl has its plusses over original issues from the 60s/early 70s--when certain engineers and labels are involved.

On the RVG's, there is a big RVG-hate faction on the net for his use of compression and narrowing of stereo and bright eq. I hear all that, but I don't find it as evil as some (though there a few titles in the series which are absolute dogs, I bet due to lost tapes). I have my long list of preferences before RVG cds, but they are fine, and certainly represent the modernization of the punchy, arresting sound he was going for way back when.

quote:

Originally posted by Eric Barry:
each one is its own case.

Fully agreed.

so back to the mini as server. I have a mini now and will go to the Apple store to get help setting up the iTunes and get an iPod to control it.

My question is I also bought a new iMac, can I get that to talk wirelessly to the mini? Say I want to download from iTunes.

Then I have to buy the Lavry and cords to connect it all. I got home late Friday, not sure the Lavry sellers work on the weekend, hope they do so shipment can be Monday.

Presumably you have a home network that is how the macs will communicate.

If the mini is going to be the main source for the music (i,e, harddrives attached to it) then simply import cds in the mini, you can set it to auto import then eject the CD, if you are running headless)

If you want the imac to be primary then that will also work just set the mini up to share the library of the imacs.

I want the mini as head unit. I don't know how to set up a network but I'm game to have someone set it up or go to the Mac store with loads of questions.....

I've worked in graphics on macs years ago. I don't know anything about iTunes so I'll do some research.

Airport is the wireless way to transfer files isn't it? I looked at it and don't have a clue. I can't get in to the mini's screen but maybe take it to a friend's Mac.

quote:

Originally posted by mudwolf:
I want the mini as head unit. I don't know how to set up a network but I'm game to have someone set it up or go to the Mac store with loads of questions.....

I've worked in graphics on macs years ago. I don't know anything about iTunes so I'll do some research.

Airport is the wireless way to transfer files isn't it? I looked at it and don't have a clue. I can't get in to the mini's screen but maybe take it to a friend's Mac.

If you plan to use a Mac Mini and the Lavry DAC then I would recommend that you run the Mac Mini headless and control it from another PC or a Mac.
Btw, speaking from a person who own both a Lavry DA10 and a Logitech Transporter, I would recommend that you try both. Personally, I think the Transporter is better sonically.

OK Mud you have me proper confused now.

Next to your phone socket will be one or two little boxes. One is a DSL modem and the other a router. Or its a single box combined.

If you do not have wirless conectivity right now you can get it for like 50 bucks. Co to best buy or what ever and purchase a Wireless/DSL/Router

Put your internet details into it and done you now have a wireless home network.

The imac can now 'VNC' the mini, meaning you can log onto the mini from the mac and control its screen.

Your main issue right now is getting that home network set up.

The other option is to stick with your DSL modem and goto the apple store and purchase an airport extreme bases station.

quote:

Originally posted by mudwolf:
Then I have to buy the Lavry and cords to connect it all. I got home late Friday, not sure the Lavry sellers work on the weekend, hope they do so shipment can be Monday.

Why not just get a NaimUniti instead of the Lavvy DAC? This will play music from your Mac across a wireless or wired network and will be easy to control. You should be able to get your dealer to set it up for you if you are not sure how to do it yourself.

ATB Rotf

Thanks guys this is all helping for the technically challenged. I will look at options but the airport rings a bell since I see it in my icons. I was thinking to use an iPod to control the mini. My iMac in in dining room 25 feet from the couch. So I'd use it occasionally to work the mini. The phone tech asked if I was going to be wireless a few months ago, but I thought I don't need another computer in a 1 BR apartment.

That was before I knew anything about this stuff. Who makes the Transformer? I'll google.