05-31-2010, 04:58 PM

Hello there!

I have been a PC user for over 20 years. Now that I can switch to Apple, I need your opinion in getting a computer for music production.

My cousin gave me a wonderful gift last Christmas – M-Audio Keystation 88es midi controller keyboard, so I can learn how to play piano/keyboard. I sing and play guitar, as well. With this, I decided to start having a home studio recording for personal use. Friends have advised me to replace my old laptop for a USB-powered keyboard like M-Audio (been using Dell Inspiron 6000 laptop for more than 4 years now). I believe that Apple computers are better for music production. My computer has crashed several times due to internal hard disc problem and viruses (common for Dell PCs).

After a little bit of web surfing and researching, I am thinking of getting a MacBook Pro 13-inch, 250 GB, 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor. Is this good enough for music production? My budget fits on this computer because I will be purchasing other gadgets like microphone, stand, speakers, audio interface, etc. It will be for a beginner like me. Later on, I’ll be getting Pro Tools M-powered 8 music software, but for a start I will use Garage Band or Logic Express.

Do I need to get a larger screen like iMac? The most I can get is the iMac 21.5-inch, 500 GB, 3.06 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor as it is the same price as the MacBook Pro that I’m getting. But I need a more portable and handy computer, so I can bring it to social gatherings or concerts. The 15-inch and 17-inch MacBook Pro are beyond my budget ($2,000 total for all, including mics, etc.). I don’t need a bigger storage, because I have a 400 GB external hard drive to save all my files.

Any expert advise will be very much appreciated.

Thanks,

Eli

06-01-2010, 03:59 PM

I'm interested to know if the regular mac is good enough for music production. I'm a starving artist and would love to get a pro but I can't afford it at the moment... But yes I think the Pro should do fine. Although, a bigger screen would probably be better. If you already have a large screen you can probably just project your stuff onto it using some cable converter.

06-03-2010, 10:31 PM

Originally Posted by danko

I'm interested to know if the regular mac is good enough for music production. I'm a starving artist and would love to get a pro but I can't afford it at the moment... But yes I think the Pro should do fine. Although, a bigger screen would probably be better. If you already have a large screen you can probably just project your stuff onto it using some cable converter.

Thanks danko!

I bought the Macbook Pro today. I will get the large screen monitor later if I need one.

I think that the regular MacBook will be fine, because most of the music software requires a minimum 1 GB of RAM. I prefer aluminum casing than polycarbonate that's why I didn't get the regular one.

06-05-2010, 05:02 PM

Danko yes the regular macbook is good enough for music production. I have ran everything from the digidesign mbox to the digidesign 003. U just want 2 make sure that you have at least 1gig of ram. 2 gigs would be best.

06-16-2010, 05:58 AM

you definately want at least a 22" display, if not two. also, when purchasing your hardware, take portability into account. i was using logic on a macbook with my audio interface, midi hardware, effects processors, compressors, etc.. everything worked great but everytime i recorded somewhere else, i would have to tear everything down and move it. i ultimately wound up getting a powermac g5 quad and this is perfect. i thought i would use my laptop for production more than i do, but i am much more happy being a desktop producer. i did invest in an olympus ls-11 for feild PCM recording and have found that this is an AMAZING replacement for taking my expensive hardware out of its safety zone. hope this helps.

06-16-2010, 03:53 PM

Originally Posted by allturdmind

you definately want at least a 22" display, if not two.

That is an incorrect statement. You don't definately have to have a 22" display. Don't get me wrong at my studio I run dual monitors but for my mixing setup that I have at home. I run 1 external monitor as an extended desktop so I can look at both the edit view and the mixer view. But that is not a gotta have thing. Because when I'm recording on the go I do not hook up any external monitor. It is all a personal preference thing. And I run 17" monitors not 22" when I do it.