Recording Mac

NineSpine · #1 01-11-2009, 07:46 AM

I was curious if anyone could tell me if the Mac Mini computers were any good for a home recording situation. These are the specifications I was looking at:

# 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
# 2GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM - 2x1GB
# 160GB Serial ATA drive

Is this worth it or am I better off just using my PC, which has an Intel Quad Core and 4 gigs of RAM?

Thanks in advance!

DocBop · #2 01-11-2009, 11:11 AM

I've used one for editing and simple projects. I would get a iMac if you can. Doing audio on a Mac is easy since things basically just work not all the driver issues of other platforms.

NineSpine · #3 01-11-2009, 12:13 PM

I checked out the iMacs and it seems the only one even close to my price range isn't much more powerful than the Mac Mini at all. Sadly, money is quite an issue for me.

Are Macs really that much better for audio that something with a Core 2 Duo and 2 gigs of RAM would perform better than my PC that has a Quad Core and 4 gigs of RAM though?

DocBop · #4 01-11-2009, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NineSpine

I checked out the iMacs and it seems the only one even close to my price range isn't much more powerful than the Mac Mini at all. Sadly, money is quite an issue for me.

Are Macs really that much better for audio that something with a Core 2 Duo and 2 gigs of RAM would perform better than my PC that has a Quad Core and 4 gigs of RAM though?

That's an apples and oranges comparison. More CPU and RAM is going to handle more. Getting driver issues worked out is another. I say pick your software first, then hit the recording websites and software support sites to see what that issues are that people are have with that software on whatever platform you choose. Know what your are getting yourself into up front.

BAW · #5 01-11-2009, 12:32 PM

it should runt he programs fine but youd prolly need an external hardrive with lots of space on it.

NineSpine · #6 01-11-2009, 01:01 PM

Well I should have specified that I haven't ordered the new parts for my PC yet, so I am getting stuff that I know doesn't have any documented issues with the software and hardware I am using if I decide to go the PC route (Presonus Firestudio Project and Cubase).

debassr · #7 01-11-2009, 01:03 PM

A mini is fine.

gasjunky · #8 01-17-2009, 12:31 AM

I use a mini for home recording. I've got Pro Tools 7, Logic Studio, and Ableton Live 7 all running smoothly. As mentioned, you'll need a bigger hard drive to store all your sessions unless you burn them to cd/dvd. PC vs Mac doesn't make much a difference in audio quality these days. It all depends on the converters of your sound card/audio interface, your instrument and the cables you use to hook it all up. IMO, the major difference is the user experience on either operating system. Most recording software these days do more or less the same thing anyway - record, edit, mix, and export. As Doc said, find the recording software that you like and go from there.

NineSpine · #9 01-18-2009, 11:00 AM

The only thing I was concerned about on the mini is the 5400rpm hard drive. But realistically, this shouldnt cause any problems for only recording 2 or 3 tracks at a time right?

BASSnSAX · #10 01-18-2009, 01:07 PM

I have a mini, and it's worked fine for me. I do a couple amateur recordings, but I think it should work fine for you.

If you're not squeamish or faint of heart, you can also open up the Mini and upgrade some components. All you need is a putty knife and some patience. It is expandable to 3 GB of RAM (which is what I'm running) and you can upgrade the hard drive and processor as well. There are quite a few 7200 RPM drives available, all you need to do is order a 2.5" SATA drive. I've got a 250 GB 5400 RPM drive in mine, and it works just fine.

DocBop · #11 01-18-2009, 01:21 PM

At work the small edit workstation is a Mac Mini and it works fine. I have done some two track stuff on it too. If I was going to go Mini I would get a 7200 rpm hard drive put in. I used to use a mini for my home Mac and eventually hung a external 7200 HD on it and booted from the external. The Mini was much snappier with the faster HD.

BASSnSAX · #12 01-18-2009, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DocBop

At work the small edit workstation is a Mac Mini and it works fine. I have done some two track stuff on it too. If I was going to go Mini I would get a 7200 rpm hard drive put in. I used to use a mini for my home Mac and eventually hung a external 7200 HD on it and booted from the external. The Mini was much snappier with the faster HD.

If you go this route, I would recommend IMHO using an external Firewire drive, it will be a lot faster than using a USB external drive.

lennyonbass · #13 01-18-2009, 01:34 PM

fwiw, you can snap up an older g4 on CL for peanuts, and still have a 'more than capable' machine...i had been running a 2002 quicksilver for years, until last month, when i found a used g5 tower for a few more peanuts...(note: i do live recording...little to no midi or virtual instruments...it makes a difference)...blah blah blah

debassr · #14 01-18-2009, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BASSnSAX

If you go this route, I would recommend IMHO using an external Firewire drive, it will be a lot faster than using a USB external drive.

I wouldn't buy a firewire drive if you're looking for forward compatibility. The most recent macbook pros have NO firewire at all which a lot of people believe marks the end of the firewire era on the Mac line.

http://www.computerworld.com/action/...icleId=9117339

FormerGuitarist · #15 01-18-2009, 02:04 PM

IF YOUR BUYING A MAC MINI PLEASE KEEP AN EYE OUT ON APPLE FORUMS BECAUSE THERE IS A HARDWARE CHANGE RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER!!!!

(sorry for shouting)
Seriously, I'm an audio production student (senior) and just purchased a mac last September for audio production specifically. Being a PC person my whole life I have to tell you that either route will work fine. I have Pro Tools 7.4 M-Powered on a PC of mine and compared to that of what I use on Macs in class there is not much difference (aside from my slower setup). BUT if you have the money to spend on a Mac, you will have the assurance that driver issues will be far less of a concern over time (apple can rollout drivers much quicker with less hardware concerns).

As someone else mentioned, a lot of what you might be concerned with lies in your audio interface. If you want some real in depth opinions on how well a Mini would perform, I would also post on apple.com's forum under mac mini or under logic pro. They're obviously going to be biased, but will be able to tell you whether a mini can handle a really heavy session.

Also, there are always ways around hardware short comings. For example, you can bypass any effect plugins during recording, and then while editing you can set your buffer higher and not worry about any issues.

If your planning on going with Cubase as you stated, again either PC or mac will work and meet your desired results. I use Logic Pro for all my personal stuff, but because I'm a SIU student I only pay 150$ for a 500$ program, otherwise I would go with Abelton or Pro Tools (and their semi-overpriced hardware ends up being worth it).

Ok I will end my rambling, I could talk this stuff all day.

FormerGuitarist · #16 01-18-2009, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by debassr

I wouldn't buy a firewire drive if you're looking for forward compatibility. The most recent macbook pros have NO firewire at all which a lot of people believe marks the end of the firewire era on the Mac line.

http://www.computerworld.com/action/...icleId=9117339

You are incorrect, the Macbooks, Not Macbook pros have no firewire. Besides most drives that have firewire also have esata, with the exception of some lacies.

BASSnSAX · #17 01-18-2009, 07:05 PM

Firewire 800 is backward compatible with Firewire 400, but yes, the MacBook no longer has Firewire 400 (which is a shame). The MacBook Pros have Firewire 800, and the iMacs and Mac Pros have both Firewire 400 and 800.

eSATA would be the perfect interface for an external, but the only machine that eSATA would work for would be the Mac Pro with an eSATA card, which isn't very practical either.

Yes, the mini SHOULD be receiving an update, but if you need the machine now, go for the 2.0 GHz Mini. But definately check the forums for other users who have similar needs.

debassr · #18 01-18-2009, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FormerGuitarist

You are incorrect, the Macbooks, Not Macbook pros have no firewire. Besides most drives that have firewire also have esata, with the exception of some lacies.

Despite splitting hairs - my point was that Apple's commitment to firewire seems to be fading.

vin*tone · #19 01-18-2009, 08:07 PM

I'd probably recommend you upgrade your PC at this stage. i think that as your recording needs expand- the mini won't grow with you. If you just want to track a few things down on a drum sequence on Garage Band then great- it's perfect, but if you want to start running multiple filters on the fly through Logic/Ableton then you might start getting frustrated by 2GB RAM.

Also I imagine your PC will be MUCH quicker. (you don't specify Intel speed)
Multicores make a huge diff to CPU intensive applications. Google G5 Quad vs. imac and check out speed tests. The G5s are about twice as fast for the same CPU clock speed.

BTW- I currently run a G5 1.6 (3GB RAM) and Powerbook 1.6 (1.5GB RAM)- been using Macs for many years. They're great computers- and if you can afford an iMac or G5 - get one. But in your case I'm thinkin the PC will give you more options.

DocBop · #20 01-18-2009, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by debassr

I wouldn't buy a firewire drive if you're looking for forward compatibility. The most recent macbook pros have NO firewire at all which a lot of people believe marks the end of the firewire era on the Mac line.

http://www.computerworld.com/action/...icleId=9117339

From what I hear Apple has been working on FW over Ethernet and thought it would be ready by the time the new laptops came out. Now they are talking about it being in Snow Leopard