The best MAC setup for recording

[Dakoom]

Currently I have an old computer with Win XP, and I was thinking to buy a new Mac with Logic Studio or Logic Express. I'm totally new to the Apple world.

I want to use it for home recording sessions, for recording a demo, all my ideas and all my next songs. Right now, (I still have 1.5GB of RAM) on my PC I go frequenty on 100% of ram usage. This is just when I play my recorded tracks: 8/16-two takes of drum, 2/4 for guitar, 2/4 for voice, 2/4 for bass.

I have an Alesis IO/26 as audio interface and two Yamaha HS80M monitors plus some mics.

I expect to use some plugins per song. And I don't want to be limited. I've seen on the apple store that an upgrade from 4GB of RAM to 8GB of RAM have a price different of $900! That's a lot.

PS: I want to use this new computer as a dedicated DAW; no games, no personal stuff. Nothing else than music.

So, what do you suggest?

[richiebee]

Personally, I don't think you need to go Mac. I think a modern computer with a quad core Core 2 or i7 processor will get you what you want. If you have no issues with Windows as such, then there's no real reason to change. There's no doubt, Apple charges a premium for their machines.

But if you want a relatively hassle free experience, or aren't really computer oriented, do it. Macs are great. Buy the best processor you can, but with the least amount of RAM available, and buy third party RAM from a reputable company like Crucial. Apple won't mind. If your new computer goes in for warranty repair, likely they'll take out your third party RAM just to make sure it isn't the cause, but they'll give it back to you, and it won't invalidate your warranty. Apple just doesn't like selling RAM which is why it charges a fortune for it. The price difference between Apple RAM and something like Crucial is significant.

Personally I think most Macs are overpriced, but if you have the money for one, they are good machines.

[venuestudio]

I have run 48 tracks on 4 gig of ram using Logic 7. Granted some of the plugins I was using were run off of a SSL Duende but still it had plenty of headroom to run without the extra processing. Obviously like any computer you want as much ram as you can afford but 4 gig will certainly meet your need. BTW I have a 2.66 quad core G5, you don't mention what you are looking at. It will not take long to get use to the differences between a PC and a Mac.

[brandondrury]

(I still have 1.5GB of RAM) on my PC I go frequenty on 100% of ram usage. This is just when I play my recorded tracks: 8/16-two takes of drum, 2/4 for guitar, 2/4 for voice, 2/4 for bass.

That's very strange, because I never get even close to that with much higher track counts even with my old Athlon 64 2800. I'm using Cubase SX3.

Now with my $400 Quad Core setup I get bored adding plugins and virtual instruments before I overload it. It's outstanding and I won't need a newer computer until some revolution occurs and plugins and such use triple the power. I'm using XP.

Brandon

[Dakoom]

I'm using adobe audition. What are your computer specs, Brandon?

[Dakoom]

For example, my current PC have these specs:

Intel(R)
Pentium (R) 4 CPU 2.80Ghz
2.81GHz, 1.50GB Ram

.. and the iMac I want to buy:

24-inch : 2.66GHz
2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
4GB memory
640GB hard drive1
8x double-layer SuperDrive
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics

Then, my current 2.80/2.81GHz vs the iMac 2.66GHz.
Which is the best? I suppose the iMac. But, why does it have less Ghz?

[wolfydolf]

Originally Posted by Dakoom

For example, my current PC have these specs:

Intel(R)
Pentium (R) 4 CPU 2.80Ghz
2.81GHz, 1.50GB Ram

.. and the iMac I want to buy:

24-inch : 2.66GHz
2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
4GB memory
640GB hard drive1
8x double-layer SuperDrive
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics

Then, my current 2.80/2.81GHz vs the iMac 2.66GHz.
Which is the best? I suppose the iMac. But, why does it have less Ghz?

Hi Dakoom,

Intel Pentium 4 CPUs have an older architecture. Imagine that the CPU in the iMac is 2 architectures away from P4 if I may say that (after the P4 the Dual-Core appeared and then Core 2 Duo). The difference between those processors is huge, even if the iMac has less Ghz. The iMac's CPU has 2 cores, this means the system sees like you're having 2 processors at that speed, and it works like that (it will balance the processing load between those cores). Besides this, the memory is also an important factor. You might have a DDR-2 type of memory at max 800 Mhz, while the iMac has the latest memory technology, DDR-3 running at max 1066-1333 Mhz.(if you're in a geeky mood you can see some of the intel processors here List of Intel microprocessors - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia).

So, I'll not bother you anymore with technical details, but I think iMac is a giant leap forward (while comparing to your current PC). If you have the money, and the adventurer spirit in you to discover a new way to work with computers, than go buy iMac. (this comes from a guy that switched to mac 7 months ago ). But I also have to admit that you can buy a very good PC with a "modest" amount of money, that can do the job well.

Good luck in making the right decision

[Dakoom]

Thank you for the info, wolfydolf. One big reason I want to buy a Mac is Logic Studio; it seems to be really great, and I've read it's even better than PT (just for some eh).

[vashuba]

Just got a macbook pro and logic studio, of course i am a student so i got it discounted!!! need to learn how to switch from cubase le.
I am thinking of getting the apogee duet to hook right up!