The Apple computer for music

Ken Lang · Post by **Ken Lang** » 16 Nov 2003 2:50 pm

Over the last couple of days I've gotten curious about the Apple for doing music stuff.

To keep it short, do you use it, how and what for, and would it function better than a windows based computer?

Thanks. Ken

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 16 Nov 2003 4:26 pm

I have had 16 Apples or Macs.. ALL for doing music. I have a twin CPU PC and wouldn't think of using it for music.

Others have other opinions, as you will soon see.

Logic Audio is one of the top seqencer / recorder systems, and Apple owns Emagic that makes Logic.

I use Digital Performer and Protools, but plan on adding Logic also.

Most of the best audio apps originated on Mac's and then were ported to PC.

There are some VERY hign end recording systems on PC, but if you have to ask, you can't afford them, and don't need them.
Unless your doing classical music recording to DVD output only, you realy won't need 192khz 24 bit sampling rates when your CD is 16 bit, 44.1Khz rates.

Any system with 44.1 /48khz 24 bit, will be just fine for most end users. But golden ears prefer 96khz 24 bit down sampled to 44.1khz.
Opps sorry for all the greek here.

Joey Ace · Post by **Joey Ace** » 16 Nov 2003 4:41 pm

I just got a high end PowerBook for music and video/DVD editing.

Apples are new to me, and I've only had it for 4 days so I can't offer much advice. I'm still learning the OS and am very pleased with it.

BIAB has not yet released it's OS-X version. It's due in a few months.

Joey Ace · Post by **Joey Ace** » 16 Nov 2003 4:45 pm

http://www.pctomac.com/

Bill Llewellyn · Post by **Bill Llewellyn** » 16 Nov 2003 8:16 pm

I've been using MOTU's Performer for MIDI sequencing for about 15 years, and for digital audio for about 5 years (just upgraded to Digital Performer), always on a Mac. From what I've read, the Mac has the upper hand for both audio and video production.

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Bill, steelin' since '99 | Steel page | My music | Steelers' birthdays | Over 50?

Dave Boothroyd · Post by **Dave Boothroyd** » 17 Nov 2003 4:32 am

One of our best student recordings of last year was done on a G4 powerbook, using a Digidesign M Box and Pro-Tools Free version.
The only other equipment used , apart from the musical instruments, was a Lacie external hard drive and one SM57 mic.
With no more than that Noel achieved a broadcast quality recording in a home built studio in Dacca, Senegal.
Cheers
Dave

erik · Post by **erik** » 17 Nov 2003 4:54 pm

The M-box appears to be very cost-effective. But the powerbook is probably around 3 grand, eh?

Joey Ace · Post by **Joey Ace** » 18 Nov 2003 9:38 am

Yes the Powerbook is expensive. When you consider all the items you'd have to add to a IBM clone to make it do the same, it's still more expensive, but not as bad.

I think of it as a BMW. They only have 3 or 5% market share, cost more, but are a great product.

Joey Ace · Post by **Joey Ace** » 18 Nov 2003 10:08 am

For anyone interested in how the Windows XP Operating System compares to MAC OS-X see this excellent site.

There's a lot of info there. Bottom line is they're very close.[This message was edited by Joey Ace on 18 November 2003 at 10:09 AM.]

Jerry Erickson · Post by **Jerry Erickson** » 19 Nov 2003 4:16 pm

The 17" powerbook is 3K.The 12" screen powerbook I got early this month was $1599 at macconnection and came with 512K extra ram and a tote bag for the computer. I'm leaning towards a MOTU system. Just can't decide yet on newer/higher resolution or just jumping in used recent gear that's not quite as high resolution.

Brad Sarno · Post by **Brad Sarno** » 19 Nov 2003 6:13 pm

Why get a powerbook when you can get an Apple iBook for much less? Works great for me.

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Brad Sarno
Blue Jade Audio Mastering
St. Louis
http://home.earthlink.net/~bradsarno/

Rich Weiss · Post by **Rich Weiss** » 19 Nov 2003 6:19 pm

I have a Mac G4 800, in which I use Pro Tools. I was advised to get a Mac over a PC from a friend with a TDM studio in Burbank, and I'm glad I did. It's very stable.

Ken Lang · Post by **Ken Lang** » 19 Nov 2003 6:50 pm

Thanks for all the replies, and keep them coming. There are lots of things for me to learn before any decision can be made, and you all have certainly pointed out directions for me to look in. That gives me the first faltering steps.

More thoughts, ideas and information are certainly welcome.

Thanks a heap. Ken

Joey Ace · Post by **Joey Ace** » 19 Nov 2003 7:38 pm

Brad,
I chose a PB because it has better specs (faster processor, able to more take more RAM) , an analog input, and an internal DVD burner.

These features are not available on the iBooks.

See www.apple.com to compare specs.

Jerry Gleason · Post by **Jerry Gleason** » 20 Nov 2003 5:55 pm

A Powerbook is better if you can afford it, but an ibook would still be a formidable platform for digital audio, especially now that they have moved up to a G4 processor. The lack of an audio input isn't a real issue if you are serious about audio recording, since you would most likely be using an external audio interface anyway. Most people probably don't need a DVD burner, but firewire external burners are not prohibitively expensive, and could always be added if the need arises.

The only case I would make against an ibook is that the display resolution is limited to 1024 x 768. You can plug in an external monitor, but it just mirrors the built-in display. Powerbooks have support for an extended desktop on an additional display. Extra screen real estate is handy when you're mixing.

I have an older G3 500Mhz ibook, and it can still manage to record at least 12 tracks of simultaneous 24-bit audio without a glitch, and play back a lot more than that, even with a generous assortment of plug-ins (reverbs, compressors, and eq's).

I use Digital Performer, with a MOTU 828 firewire interface. I generally use my G4 867 desktop machine for mixing, and for recording at home, but I have a locaction rig that I use with the laptop, which consists of the 828 and an Alesis Studio 12 mixer/mic preamp, which all fits in a 4-space rack case. I run the Alesis mic pre's direct out to the 828 analog inputs, and use the mixer portion for monitor mixes.