For discussion about setting up your studio and advice on the gear and equipment within it.
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By Jaytim3 Tue Mar 22, 2011 9:37 pm
Im maybe getting a good deal on a Macbook pro 15" Quad-Core i7 2.0GHz, 4GB, 500GB.

Im thinking of going over to logic after being a PC user for many years.
I actually dont know much about computer specs and all that stuff, so i need som guidance of what is good for me.
I want something that isnt the best but not the crappiest either, so something in the middle.
I will be running NI Maschine, Logic and a few VST's and ofcourse my MPC, And i want everything to run smooth.
So is a Macbook pro 15" Quad-Core i7 2.0GHz, 4GB, 500GB any good?
Im thinking of an IMac too, its better, but its not portable.

I appreciate any good tips.
By beach_break Tue Mar 22, 2011 10:54 pm
worth noting that both the macbook and imac come with digital in/outs. can be very useful, if you're that way inclined.
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By JUKE 179r Tue Mar 22, 2011 11:58 pm
Fk it... go for the MBP! I switched to a 15" MBP 2.2GHz back in late '07 and it works well for my music (Logic) and DJing (Traktor & LIVE).
Just get a great external audio/MIDI interface and you'll be set!
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By Jaytim3 Wed Mar 23, 2011 12:24 am
The deal is off..

Well im looking into some MBP but i cant really believe that its more expensive than IMAC...
By beach_break Wed Mar 23, 2011 2:55 am
a new imac should be released very soon. don't buy a current model.
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By Jaytim3 Wed Mar 23, 2011 10:59 am
Yeah i should maybe wait..
By Clint Wed Mar 23, 2011 11:40 am
My advice to you is simple.

Any Macbook with Intel processor is good enough for music production, but if you can afford it get a Macbook Pro.

You dont need the new i7 processor, the Intel Core Duo is good enough.

Don't get a used PPC (non-Intel) Mac if you want to run the latest software, it won't work out.
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By Coz Wed Mar 23, 2011 4:21 pm
Jaytim3 wrote:Im maybe getting a good deal on a Macbook pro 15" Quad-Core i7 2.0GHz, 4GB, 500GB.

Im thinking of going over to logic after being a PC user for many years.
I actually dont know much about computer specs and all that stuff, so i need som guidance of what is good for me.
I want something that isnt the best but not the crappiest either, so something in the middle.
I will be running NI Maschine, Logic and a few VST's and ofcourse my MPC, And i want everything to run smooth.
So is a Macbook pro 15" Quad-Core i7 2.0GHz, 4GB, 500GB any good?
Im thinking of an IMac too, its better, but its not portable.

I appreciate any good tips.



I'm in the process of switching from pc to mac... got my MBP 17" yesterday. 8)

The iMac is obviously going to give you a bigger bang for your buck, but if you need to travel around you're screwed!

What DAW are you currently using?

I've been researching Logic and comparing it with Cubase (my current DAW), and it appears that audio editing is still superior in Cubase, so I may go with Cubase 6 instead. I downloaded Reaper last night and that looks pretty nice too, but some of the text is miniscule on this high res screen. I need to dig into the settings me thinks...

One final thing...

If you can 'obtain' a student discount on a new machine you can save a small fortune. My girlfriend goes to college one day a week and I still managed to get 15% off the laptop and 3 year's Applecare for £50. That's a nice saving of £600 overall! :D
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By konc3pt Fri Mar 25, 2011 2:39 pm
clint246clint wrote:My advice to you is simple.

Any Macbook with Intel processor is good enough for music production, but if you can afford it get a Macbook Pro.

You dont need the new i7 processor, the Intel Core Duo is good enough.

By Clint Fri Mar 25, 2011 5:11 pm
Coz wrote:I've been researching Logic and comparing it with Cubase (my current DAW), and it appears that audio editing is still superior in Cubase, so I may go with Cubase 6 instead.


A Mac running Logic is a perfect, stable and reliable combination for obvious reasons.

Logic Studio comes with the SoundTrack Pro audio editor integrated into software, it's ok but I don't like it.

I'd imagine most 'power users' of audio editing software go for a 3rd party software solution.

Audacity is FREE to download and gets the job done, other favourites include Soundforge, Bias Peak and Wavelab.

@Coz Congrat's on the MBP, you're gonna love it!!
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By Coz Fri Mar 25, 2011 5:32 pm
clint246clint wrote:A Mac running Logic is a perfect, stable and reliable combination for obvious reasons.



I hear ya. :wink:

If update cycles are anything to go on, Logic is due an update in the next few months, so I'm unsure about buying now AND having to learn a new DAW.

There's a dude on eBay who sells full versions of Cubase 6 for £250, so when the next one comes up I'll hopefully get in early. I might as well stick with what I know and also be able to port old projects into the new version.


clint246clint wrote:@Coz Congrat's on the MBP, you're gonna love it!!



I already do! :D
By séance Fri Mar 25, 2011 6:09 pm
I just bought the new MBP 15 that you mentioned, and now I'm broke. Traktor runs well though. Processor is overkill for anything I'm doing, maybe should have opted for 13 inch with more ram.
By Clint Sat Mar 26, 2011 3:29 am
séance wrote:I just bought the new MBP 15 that you mentioned, and now I'm broke.


You had dough bro. :wink:
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By Jaytim3 Sat Mar 26, 2011 3:24 pm
Reason why i want MBP is that if i need to go to a friends house i can just take the MBP with me, i can take my work where ever i want. + i can just connect a bigger screen to it. Im just afraid that it cant handle everything smooth, but from what i see it should be okey.
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By Jaytim3 Sat Mar 26, 2011 3:28 pm
Can anyone answer me this: What is the diffrence between 15" 2.0 ghz and a 2.2ghz ?