Recording Studio Rig: i7-2700K | GA-Z68X-UD7 | Radeon HD6870

Mac OS X version 10.7.2 Lion Retail - purchased/downloaded from App Store
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/os-x-lion/id444303913?mt=12&ls=1#

EDIT: Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z68X-UD7-B3
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004ZQ6F54/

CPU: Intel Core i7-2700K http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=I7-2700KBX

Graphics: Gigabyte Radeon HD 6870 1GB GV-R687OC-1GD
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004IF6I1S http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125357

RAM: 16GB Corsair 1600Mhz DDR3 ("Vengeance")
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145346

Boot Drive: OCZ Agility 3 240GB SSD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227727

Optical: Sony Optiarc 12X Blu-ray Writer BD-5300S
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118065

Case: CoolerMaster CM690 Advanced
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119216

Power: CORSAIR Professional Series Gold AX650
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139035

Card Reader/Fan Controller: Ultra ULT40123 MD3 Media Dashboard
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3298386&CatId=2824

CPU Cooler: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

EDIT: Syba Low Profile PCI-Express 1394b/1394a (2B1A) Card, TI Chipset
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002S53IG8/

EDIT: Targus USB Bluetooth Adapter (to replace the origina DLINK DBT-120 that I bought when Apple first "blessed" a USB Bluetooth adapter ages ago. Forgot to mention it before)
http://www.amazon.com/Targus-USB-Bluetooth%C2%AE-Adapter-ACB10US/dp/B0002K6RK0/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1344289218&sr=1-1&keywords=Targus+Bluetooth+adapter

Already Owned

Two 750GB Seagate RAID Edition SATA HDs (1 for "work" drive for project files; 1 for VST & sample libraries)

1 Samsung 1.5 TB drive - for TimeMachine & misc backups.

EDIT: Also forgot to list Apple Wireless Keyboard & Apple Trackpad
Comments:

UPDATE: Due to some incompatibilities with one of my PCIe cards, I had to go back to the drawing board (actually TWICE) and finally found a mobo that worked for me. I've updated the post to reflect the most current motherboard that is working GREAT! Third time was the charm for motherboard choices!! And now, back to our originally scheduled program....

This 2nd build was pretty effortless for the most part, had I not tried to second guess a couple of the instructions from our team of fearless leaders!! I began with following all the instructions here for installation from my retail purchased OS X Lion 10.7.2: UniBeast Installation Guide for Lion. My MultiBeast options "eventually" were exactly as shown in the UniBeast instruction page (see headbang from above)

My only big hiccup was kernel panic on reboot once I completed running MultiBeast & tried to boot from my SSD. I had initially downloaded my mobo’s DSDT file & saved it to my UniBeast install USB stick, along with the latest MB app. Somehow I think the file got corrupted in the process. How did I resolve? Well, I followed the instructions and used my new build machine to browse out to the DSDT Database & download to my desktop. Once I ran MB with **that** DSDT file, I was home free!

The only other mini-hiccup I have/had was my PCIe combo Firewire 800 + USB 2.0 card that came out of my MacPro5,1. I need a couple FW800 ports, and my mobo only has FW400. It was a great card in my MacPro and naturally assumed it would work in my CustoMac. Alas, anything I plugged into the USB ports to test never showed up. Not a really big deal for the USB ports, though. My mobo has a TON of them already.

EDIT: I've since replace the Sonnet Tango FW card with the Syba card that many others on the board have recommended - it rocks & the price is right!!

My current studio audio interface is an Apogee Symphony I/O, driven by an AVID Pro Tools|HD Native card. In the Symphony I/O, I have the 8 Analog In/Out + optical card. I also recently purchased a Mackie Onyx Blackbird (1U Firewire audio interface) for the 8 boutique mic pre's - fed into the Symphony I/O via optical. Both interfaces are clocked to an Apogee Big Ben Wordclock. In addition, if/when I do remote recoding sessions, I can use the Mackie FW interface (vs yanking out the Apogee).

BTW, I use a mix of Pro Tools 10 HD Native, Digital Performer, and Logic Studio. I've tested and used all 3 apps, and to my delight, everything is working like a champ!!

Per TonyMac's recommendations, I'm including a few more pics of my studio, too:
BTW, the mixing desk/console is also a custom build project. A few pics of the desk during construction (for those who are interested or curious):

The pedestal supports for the racks:​

The gear racks on the pedestals:​

The textured finish on the pedestals + cable management port:​

The unfinished desktop - testing out the angle of the control surfaces:​

PVC for cable management beween the 2 racks + rear support of the desktop surface:​

Padded armrest on front of desktop:​

Finished off the sides with oak panels to help with structural integrity:​

Cable management for all connections through the floor to the CustoMac in the other room (USB, video, FW800/400, and Apogee bus connection):​

Re: Core i7 2700K – GA-Z68XP-UD3 – 16GB RAM – Radeon HD 6870 1GB

thanks i like!

Re: Core i7 2700K – GA-Z68XP-UD3 – 16GB RAM – Radeon HD 6870 1GB

Damn that is a nice piece of machinery you have there sir. Very nice job, that case is awesome.

Re: Core i7 2700K – GA-Z68XP-UD3 – 16GB RAM – Radeon HD 6870 1GB

BoomR,

Very nice build! I am looking to build a DAW as well for Cubase 6. How is your low latency performance with the apogee rig? Just as on a mac?

I will be using FireWire to run my RME FF800.

I am tempted to pick a different GA Mobo with more pcie slots, sata ports, and dual ethernet. Would you recommend against it or is it ok as long as its a GA with DSDT available. The board in question is a GA-P67A-UD7.

Thanks in advance for helping a total newcomer!

Re: Core i7 2700K – GA-Z68XP-UD3 – 16GB RAM – Radeon HD 6870 1GB

What latency??

Just as long as the tonymacx86 boys have that mobo in the DSDT database (including matching the mobo's firmware) you should be in good shape !!

If you're using FW, check the mobo's FW chipset. I don't think that Gigabyte board uses TI ... That is pretty much the industry standard requirement. Look into getting a Hack-compatible PCIe FW card. syba seems to be the one that works OTB.

Keep me posted!!!

Re: Core i7 2700K – GA-Z68XP-UD3 – 16GB RAM – Radeon HD 6870 1GB

BoomR,

Good to hear that your audio is flowing quickly and smoothly!

Thanks so much for the advice. I'll think the Mobo I'm looking at has the TI chipset for FW but I will still want a PCIE card like the syba or sonnet for FF800.

I am very encouraged! I can't wait for my tax return so I can start my build! Thanks again.

Re: Core i7 2700K – GA-Z68XP-UD3 – 16GB RAM – Radeon HD 6870 1GB

This is nice!

Also looking to build a DAW machine. I would like a smaller case size though.

Planning thread here.

Re: Core i7 2700K – GA-Z68XP-UD3 – 16GB RAM – Radeon HD 6870 1GB

w_bizzle said:

This is nice!

Also looking to build a DAW machine. I would like a smaller case size though.

Click to expand...

No way!!' Bigger is Better, don'tcha know??!!

Re: Core i7 2700K – GA-Z68XP-UD3 – 16GB RAM – Radeon HD 6870 1GB

I am having the same issue with the same build (accept i have an i5 2500k)

kernel panic after booting from the hd,

i will try to download straight to my build machine after i reinstall the os. i hope the internet will work before i use multibeast



(i have a similar case CM 922 HAF and might copy your media and dvd blue ray burner build)

Re: Core i7 2700K – GA-Z68XP-UD3 – 16GB RAM – Radeon HD 6870 1GB

dschapin said:

i will try to download straight to my build machine after i reinstall the os. i hope the internet will work before i use multibeast

Click to expand...

In all the times I ran UniBeast on BOTH of my builds, I **never** had any problems with the on-board NIC not working. I was pleasantly surprised every time I got to the point in the 1st time setup/config where it asked for my AppleID username/password, and it would find me each & every time.

Trust the force!