I’m about to purchase my first Mac for my alternative studio.
I’m planning on leaving my PC based studio intact.
so all sound equipment will remain there.
I want to build my alternate studio around my Mac.
since this is a new endeavor for me, I would like some advice as to what kind of machine should I focus on:

Power Mac
Mac book Pro
Imac Intel core Duo
Mac mini ?

I’m working on a budget, so the more economic the better.
but I also want performance, I will be running Logic 8.
I want to know what souncard works really well with the Mac
I’ve already have Yamaha monitors I just purchased.
I also was reading about logic boards going out on the Imac’s

Thanks Everyone for your input.......(Mix)

Re: I’m Buying A Mac (Need Advice Please)

The answer is - set your budget, and buy the Mac that fits that
budget. If I was going to buy a new Mac tomorrow, myself, I’d pick up an iMac, regardless of the reports about the logic board problems (which were with older iMacs). If you don’t mind staying “behind” the curve and want to save some money, you could consider getting an older G5 PPC Dual 2.3 Ghz, which is what I have. That is a rock-solid machine.
A G5 Dual 2.7, or a G5 Quad, are also good machines.

Laptops are fine for music production except for one thing - the hard drives are generally too slow. You’d need a Macbook or Macbook Pro with a 7200 RPM drive in it. I think you can custom order them for the Macbook Pro. You can’t use
any drive slower than 7200 RPM for audio work.

The Mac Pros are very powerful, especially the latest 8-cores. But you are talking about a lot of expense with those. Some music applications and VI’s still don’t work with the latest 8-cores. Logic 8 and 8-core “Harpertown” Macs seems to be an iffy combination at the moment, although I’m sure it will get resolved eventually.

Regarding soundcards - most all of the Firewire audio interfaces work well. There is a new USB standard coming - USB 3.0 - which is
reportedly even faster than FireWire. I still recommend FireWire
because you need USB ports to run peripherals, such as printers,
as well as i-Lok keys or Syncrosoft dongles for products that require them. And you may want the option of plugging your Motif or other products in via USB - if you have too many things plugged into USB ports/hubs, that becomes a problem if the “most important” part of your system, the audio interface, is USB.

I’m partial to MOTU interfaces because in my experience, you just plug them in and they work, and they sound good.. I haven’t “road-tested” any other audio interface products, but I imagine, as I stated, that they all work pretty well.

Re: I’m Buying A Mac (Need Advice Please)

Thank You Dave for the information you provided.
it has help me in reaching a decision, and I decided to purchase the Imac 24” 2.8 ghz intel duo 2 core with 2gb ram, 350 internal HD and the whole 9 yards(LOL).
$1799.00 is where I would like to be in price range,
that would leave room for Logic 8 and my soundcard.
and my midi controller komplete 5 w/ kore 2 HD.
My Motif ES and sound modules will stay put in my main studio.
So my mac setup will be software based, until I purchase the Korg M3. Hmmmm yummy(LOL)

Thanks Again for your help!................(Mix)

Re: I’m Buying A Mac (Need Advice Please)

What’s up man call me I left you a message on your home phone.  It has to deal with school.

Re: I’m Buying A Mac (Need Advice Please)

Okay, I’ll call tonight!

Re: I’m Buying A Mac (Need Advice Please)

One thing to keep in mind if you go the iMac route, which might not matter to you, is that you have no PCI or PCIe slots.  Therefore, you are limited to Firewire/USB interfaces and using things like UAD plug-ins is a little more problematic (although not impossible).  I love my UAD plugs and because of the high price tag on the Mac Pros, I’ve stayed with my PC.  Hope the new computer works out.  Congrats!

Re: I’m Buying A Mac (Need Advice Please)

Hi Micheal, and thanks for that info,
that is one of the reasons I will leave my PC base studio intact.
My mac studio will be for quick sessions and putting down ideals,
when I don’t feel like going to my main studio (LOL).
when inspiration comes, I want to have quick access to a sequencer.
My Mo and other sound gear is in the main studio and I never move it for no reason. (LOL)
I could alternatively buy another board, but I always wanted a Mac, so I have the opportunity to purchase one.

Re: I’m Buying A Mac (Need Advice Please)

Hey mustbe, one of the things to watch out for is Kore 2,
I own this soft synth beast, and it can put a real strain on your daw
if yuo don’t pay attention.
but with your powerful imac I don’t think you will have too much of a problem.
just wnted to give heads up on high CPU uasge.



Peace:Q

Re: I’m Buying A Mac (Need Advice Please)

Hey Q, thanks for the info, yeah I’m already using Kore 2 on my PC
and it can handle it without breaking a sweat even on a high track count! (LOL)


Thanks!...................(Mix)

Re: I’m Buying A Mac (Need Advice Please)

Mix, one tip I picked up from Mac owners quite awhile ago is that if you decide to add more RAM or extra hard drives, it’s less expensive if you buy those things from some dealer other than Apple. You can match or surpass the quality of the components Apple sells, but at a better price if you shop around. Just something to keep in mind for the future perhaps............................frank

Re: I’m Buying A Mac (Need Advice Please)

Hello Frank, thanks for the info, I’ve been trying to do my homework on the cost effectiveness(LOL).
I really appreciate everyone’s input and advice!

Thanks Again!