2010 Mac Pro - multichannel audio out

[elbiciclista]

We have a mid-2010 Mac Pro (Westmere) 8-core that was upgraded to 3.33GHz 12-core. It is used for mixing audio in a home studio. Stereo audio (that is mixed in Pro Tools HD) is output thru USB to an Antelope Eclipse 384 DA converter/master clock/monitor control system.

The room is being converted to a cinema post-production room. So, we need to output multichannel audio to a surround system. One option is to output multichannel audio thru the Mini DisplayPort to a 5.1 (or possibly 7.1) home theater receiver. This write-up
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202079
says we can send "up to 8 channels of audio and video" over the Mini DisplayPort.

Alternatively, our Mac Pro manual says we can "Connect to decks, receivers, digital instruments, and surround sound speaker systems" using the optical digital ports.
This write-up also says we can do it with optical audio out port (though it is not clear if it applies to my older Mac Pro):
http://www.noproblemmac.com/blog/2014/01/30/how-to-get-digital-audio-from-your-mac-to-your-receiver/


Questions:
1. Am I correct that I can output 5.1 or 7.1 audio (from Pro Tools or DaVinci Resolve) thru the Mini DisplayPort into the HDMI input of a home theater receiver?
2. Alternatively, could we do the same using the optical audio out port (which would be our preference)?
3. We intend to keep the existing stereo mixing hardware (using the master external clock at all times), and add a separate surround receiver and speakers. We would then simply switch the audio output between the two under System Preferences, Sound. Is this doable?

Thank you.

 

[pm-r]

Am I correct that I can output 5.1 or 7.1 audio (from Pro Tools or DaVinci Resolve) thru the Mini DisplayPort into the HDMI input of a home theater receiver?

Have you checked with either of the Pro Tools or DaVinci Resolve software developers?

That would be my choice of places to start and ask.



- Patrick
======

 

[elbiciclista]

Have you checked with either of the Pro Tools or DaVinci Resolve software developers?

That would be my choice of places to start and ask.



- Patrick
======

These are not really questions about these applications, since we already know these can create and output multichannel audio.
These are questions about the capabilities of this Mac Pro to send multichannel audio to a surround system.

 

[pm-r]

These are questions about the capabilities of this Mac Pro to send multichannel audio to a surround system.

I'd guess and suggest that if that Mac Pro can't do it, Apple should just get out of the media world all together!!!

But a quick web search says it should be able to do it all quite well:

How to Get Surround Sound From Your Mac
https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-get-surround-sound-mac-2260161

Setup OS X to Output 5.1/7.1 Surround Sound via HDMI to A/V Receiver and HDTV
http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/audio/OSX_DVD_DigitalSurround.html

and more via:
https://www.google.ca/search?client...F-8&gfe_rd=cr&dcr=0&ei=ObT3Wd_MNtHe8Ae6-4PIBA

Good luck with your reno project.




- Patrick
======

 

[elbiciclista]

I'd guess and suggest that if that Mac Pro can't do it, Apple should just get out of the media world all together!!!

But a quick web search says it should be able to do it all quite well:

How to Get Surround Sound From Your Mac
https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-get-surround-sound-mac-2260161

Setup OS X to Output 5.1/7.1 Surround Sound via HDMI to A/V Receiver and HDTV
http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/audio/OSX_DVD_DigitalSurround.html

and more via:
https://www.google.ca/search?client...F-8&gfe_rd=cr&dcr=0&ei=ObT3Wd_MNtHe8Ae6-4PIBA

Good luck with your reno project.




- Patrick
======

Thank you, Patrick.
Our only concern was about this particular 2010 Mac Pro, but it appears we are OK.

FYI, in the view of many of us in the pro cinema world, Apple has already abandoned the pro media world by not accommodating the massive storage required for video processing. I know of no pro who is installing new Mac systems. When we have to move on from this Mac Pro, it will of necessity be to Windows or Linux. I hate Windows, and Pro Tools won't run on Linux (although DaVinci Resolve will). We will probably go to Linux and process all audio in DaVinci Resolve.
Anyway, just a general comment FWIW.

Thanks again.

 

[pm-r]

FYI, in the view of many of us in the pro cinema world, Apple has already abandoned the pro media world … … just a general comment FWIW.

Actually elbiciclista, and I was trying to keep things civil towards Apple, but I have known this and similar situations when Apple pretty well abandoned some of my studio recording friends back in the days of the windtunnel G4 PPC "Pro" OS 9.x Macs.

A crime really, considering their interest in multimedia that used to exist and the nice excellent Mac software and hardware mix that went with it.




- Patrick
======

 

[pm-r]

Apple has already abandoned the pro media world by not accommodating the massive storage required for video processing.

Actually, as for video, I don't see the same problem and there sure seems to be all kinds of massive storage options when I look at sites like: https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/hard-drives/sata/mac-pro etc.

And as for some pros, the older Mac Pros still seem to be a pretty good model and some expansion and upgrades available:
Why the Mac Pro 5,1 is the best system for Creative Professionals: Internal expandability and unparalleled workstation customization
https://create.pro/blog/mac-pro-51-...xpandability-unparalleled-customisation-king/

But it seems Apple did screw up things for some Pros with Jony Ive's stupid Trascan Pro Mac model IMHO.




- Patrick
======

 

[elbiciclista]

Actually, as for video, I don't see the same problem and there sure seems to be all kinds of massive storage options when I look at sites like: https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/hard-drives/sata/mac-pro etc.

And as for some pros, the older Mac Pros still seem to be a pretty good model and some expansion and upgrades available:
Why the Mac Pro 5,1 is the best system for Creative Professionals: Internal expandability and unparalleled workstation customization
https://create.pro/blog/mac-pro-51-...xpandability-unparalleled-customisation-king/

But it seems Apple did screw up things for some Pros with Jony Ive's stupid Trascan Pro Mac model IMHO.




- Patrick
======

I agree that the 5.1 is outstanding. That is why I still have one. But the trashcan Mac Pro can't touch a top Windows or Linux computer with a Cubix Expander full of PCI cards (and BTW, I run an Expander with the 5.1). I know of nobody who has built a pro system with a trashcan MP. I have been a Mac guy for decades, so this turn away from the pros was a huge disappointment for me. And I have a MacBook Pro Retina for use outside of the studio. But, Apple made the call, and we move on. Linux systems have the clear advantage now.

 

[pm-r]

Linux systems have the clear advantage now.

Not to flog the subject too much here, but how are the Hackintoshs or whatever variety one wants managing in such enviroments these days.

Just interested and curious.




- Patrick
======

 

[elbiciclista]

Not to flog the subject too much here, but how are the Hackintoshs or whatever variety one wants managing in such enviroments these days.

Just interested and curious.




- Patrick
======

I really don't know, Patrick. Wrong guy to ask. We decided early on not to go that route, so I don't have a clue what the Hacksters are up to lately.

So, we're off to select a good surround system for the studio. An amazing number of options out there.

Thanks for the help, best of luck,
Mike

 

[Slydude]

Keep us posted on what you choose. I'm always curious what others are using even though I'm sure it'll be out of budget for me.