How much RAM do I need?

[Powman]

Hi folks...have a RAM question.

Recording is a new hobby for me. My setup so far is as follows:

A) iMac with 2GB of RAM.
B) Presonus Firepod I purchased used for a great price.
C) ART TPS II Preamp. I use this mainly as a DI for the other guys when we practice with my "mid-life crisis" band.
D) Tech 21 Sansamp RBI for my bass.
E) Garageband and Logic Express. I should learn to use Logic more as I tend to use Garageband more often.
D) SM 57, SM 58, and an Audio Technica Condenser mic

This is all my budget can afford for now...I can't get afford $1000 mics and preamps right now.

Anyhow, one of the challenges is recording the electric guitar. The amp emulators in Garageband for guitar are so so.

So I downloaded a demo version of Guitar Rig. I used it via Garageband but my iMac was crashing.

Is this because I only had the demo version of guitar rig? Or do i have insufficient RAM?

[MetalDave]

I don't own a MAC but from what all the Mac users say, I would say it has to be the emulator.

[Powman]

Thanks MetalDave...

I hope some Mac users can respond because Guitar Rig is not cheap and I need to be sure that it will run correctly before I plunk down my $$$.

Adding RAM is not too expensive...but again I want to be sure this will solve the problem...

[Powman]

Ok, now the whole iMac is screwed up. I can't even get it to boot up. It just hangs with a white screen. I can't find ther bootup disk. Crap. The only thing i have done recently is load up the Guitar Rig Demo which was causing problems right from the get go.

Off to the Apple store tomorrow. I am going to ask them to fix things up + add 2 more meg of RAM.

[kheftel]

I don't think you need any more RAM, really... sounds like a more serious problem, like you need to reinstall your OS.

[fortyseven]

Im extremely doubtful that its a RAM problem.

[Powman]

Yeah...seems like its a guitar rig issue...problems all started after loading this demo.

[fortyseven]

Just curious... from where did you get/download GR3 demo?

[garageband]

I have used Guitar Rig on a Mac before without incident. It's probably the demo. NI's copy protection scheme is pretty severe and probably not playing nice with your machine. 2GB is tons, BTW, for this kind of action. For the sake of science, I'd try to instantiate it in Logic.

[kheftel]

I used to run a whole studio off of a G5 with 1.5 gigs of ram and it worked fine up to 24 tracks of playback. I have since been able to upgrade said machine to 5 gigs and am loving life, but it's not necessary. Did you get the iMac bootable again?