Recording Mac

[D.Don]

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!

The quad core and 4 gigs of memory will take you a lot further in terms of processing power (not double up though as the bus is still a limit, and laws of physics doesn't work that way either). However, if you just need a machine dedicated to home recording that you can make sure always works for you, I'd go with that mac. I have a 2.16 ghz Core 2 duo macbook and been showeling some quite big projects on it (lots of virtual instruments that is), showeling audio tracks is seldom a problem with todays computers, but if you use a lot of plugins and VIs, make sure you opt in for as much processing power as possible.

D.Don

 

[D.Don]

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.

Macbook Pro can host an Expresscard with eSata ...



D.Don

 

[FormerGuitarist]

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

I meant no hostility, sorry if it came off that way. However, apples support of firewire will not dissapear until they adopt an alternative prior to doing so. This stupid stunt with the macbooks hopefully costed them quite a few sales.

 

[D.Don]

As Apple create FW and since there's nothing yet available that can replace it (USB is a joke in comparison), I strongly believe the removal of FW from the non Pro Macbook line was to add on to the premium value that is intended on the Macbook Pro's...

Apple has always been very aggressive when it come to marketing strategies, and before those new macbooks/macbook pros came with the new screen etc. I kind of wondered why anyone would get a pro (unless you needed the enhanced gfx) when you could get about the same machine in the non pro for a lot less....

Pro people is probably identified being the ones who need the FW, pro people make pro money, and can afford pro prices.. the rest will be just as happy with usb.

D.Don

 

[WillPlay4Food]

I agree with D.Don. Removing Firewire from the MacBook was to force you to buy up to the MacBook Pro. Same thing just happened with the MBP 17" model. It is now the only Apple laptop with a matte screen (which costs an extra $50). Now anyone thinking about a matte-screen Apple laptop has to buy their most expensive machine.

 

[beelzelboss]

What your looking at won't really make a difference in sound and editing, just speed of the computer.

People go mac because of the specific programs for macs.

 

[agreatheight]

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.

This is the single best advice I have seen on this forum. Recording is not, as the boxes say, plug and play. Platform, software and interfaces all need to be address. Trust me, it can be a serious pain in the ass.

Macs are great, depending on what you use. I record Mac at work and I run an Apogee interface with, believe it or not, Audacity. Works flawlessly. When I started at that job, they were running M-Boxes and Pro-Tools. All kinds of issues, never did work right.

At home I run PC - Sonar - MOTU. I spent a lot of time trouble shooting when I first got it running, and then more time after I upgrade a few years back. Works fine now, very stable, BUT, I can only get one interface working at a time, which presently isn't a big deal (8 in is plenty for me). I never did figure out why.

Good luck!

 

[billoetjen]

MacBook Pros have, and always will have firewire. Because it's still cleaner than USB - USB has too many weird artifacts that find their way into the recording. Ever watch a Mac user at work? Know why it's called "windows"? Because you want to throw the damn PC out the window. The mini should comfortably do the job.
Good luck.