Unfortunately choosing a Mac or PC for music production isn't as black-and-white as it used to be anymore. So what I thought I would do is look at the different criteria for a good music production computer and see which we think is better. Price: Price-wise you are better off with a PC for about $1600 you can build a really well-specced PC. Which music production software is good for Mac computers? The best music production software for Mac is Logic Pro and Ableton Live. Logic Pro and Garage have a lot of similarities, but the former is more advanced. All the latest Mac computers come with GarageBand music production software. However, you can use other music production software.
Should I use Mac vs. PC for music production? Which operating system and type of computer is better for recording and making music? Does it even matter? Not only had we asked ourselves this questions for years, but it's also one of the most popular questions we receive from our readers. Can we give you a literal answer to save you time from reading this relatively long article? Unfortunately, that wouldn't be fair. So today we wade into the deep end on the Mac vs. PC debate, joining a battle that has been raging for 30 plus years. This time however, we will discuss only the music production end of the spectrum. Before we begin though, we want to mention that this is simply an overview of the debate between PC vs. Mac in terms of capabilities and the pros and cons of each platform. Production has many facets when it comes to music making equipment with instruments, controllers, mixers and software, so be sure to read our other guides when you're done if you need further help. While some software will only work on some systems and not others, the hardware of music production is multi-platform, so we won't get too far into that today.
Everyone talks about the pros and cons of this debate, but they all end up the same way. Some people are Mac fans and others are PC fans. You could literally use either one of them and be happy, and that is a true statement. The fact that this fight has been going on for a generation should tell you just how close the two are to each other in capabilities. Both can deliver a level of performance that any audiophile, musician or producer would want. It really boils down to what you are comfortable with. Some kids grew up on a Mac, others grew up on a PC. Tribalism is an ugly business, but since it makes both sides money it will most likely never end, neither will the debate of PC vs. Mac.
Are Macs Good For Music Production Sites
Before our feet can't touch the bottom anymore, we should talk about production desktop computer vs. music making laptop. When talking about which one is the right one for you, we must first decide how you are going to use it. Is it going to be for a home recording studio? Or is this going to be your mobile laboratory? This is a tougher question than you might think. Maybe you want to go to a friend's house to work on something together. It's not very practical to pack up a desktop and haul it across town every time you want to collaborate. Perhaps the best method would be to go dual platform, have both a desktop and a laptop, using the desktop for the bulk of the work and storage and the laptop for mobile work. Since you will already have the software, and with the compact nature of some of the hardware these days, logistics shouldn't be a problem.
Best Mac For Music Production
Do I choose Mac or PC for music making?
In the beginning, it's going to be all about budget. If you have the means, then go ahead and spend away! If you don't, then there are some things to consider when comparing the PC vs. Mac. First off, the PC is and expandable device. This means that as long as you have a huge power supply and a large enough box to put it in, you can literally upgrade from time to time forever. This approach favors the lower end budget because you may only need a few hundred dollars at a time, allowing you to stretch the cost over a very long period of time after the initial purchase. This is also a forgiving route because the speed at which technology races forward is going to render your machine obsolete in just a few years, what's hot tomorrow may not exist yet but with a PC you can be pretty sure it will simply be a matter of plug and play.
For the Mac however, it's a bit tougher on the budget initially but you get a very powerful and capable machine right out of the box. The way Apple has progressed in recent years has been nothing short of impressive, with technologies and software compatibility the PC is going to be hard pressed to match in the future. Apple has made it a strong point that they want to own the cell phone market and it's clear that's what they've invested most of their R&D into, but that may be about to change. The Mac Pro Tower back in 2012 was the closest Apple ever got to the PC in terms of hardware upgrade compatibility, and with the rumors of a new Mac Pro on the horizon later in 2018 it may very well be game on in the battle between Mac vs. PC for music production. The software for Apple products is easily transferred from one device to another, making it simple to run audio software on say an iPad and send it straight to the iMac in just a few moments.
Although the PC and Mac look very similar these days, the cost of components inside them is a very real difference. If you have the ability to build your own PC, this may be the cheaper way to go. Make sure you buy with quality in mind though. Very often a newly built PC can suffer from compatibility issues right out of the gate. That's not to say that Apple doesn't have their fair share of problems (cooking an egg on the back of your MacBook for example), but a well-built PC with quality components inside can be a very effective tool for your music production. Combine this with a hard drive array and watch your workflow will blossom. Some of the best array's work with both PC and Mac, and utilize the new Thunderbolt technology. While you may have to pony up some money for dongles and cables, because the iMac only has 4 slots for USB, it also comes with 2 additional Thunderbolt 3 ports making it a bit more worth the money considering buying just one Thunderbolt 3 dock for a PC can cost $250 to $300 US. RAM is also a very big consideration when looking at the PC vs. Mac for music production. 16 GB of RAM should be more than enough to run your software, but if you're using sample-based instruments with plug-ins and a large library you should consider about 32GB of RAM. The iMac offers a 32 GB version, which will completely serve this purpose.
So, as we swim back towards the safety of the shallow end, let's discuss some of the drawbacks to both systems.
Music production with a PC
The PC for music production suffers from a few things like sound bleed from the fans and compatibility issues, but those are all relatively simple to fix. The biggest problem for the PC is upgrade. Now we know what you're going to say here 'but the PC can be upgraded countless times!' which is true, but think about the cost of upgrading your system every year. On average, to replace memory sticks, you're looking at about $100 to $800, to replace an SSD hard drive it can cost between $110 to $700 US. Upgrading to a motherboard with the new Thunderbolt 3 and an Intel i9 CPU is going to run well over $2000. Also not to be out done is the video card. Those have come down in price in recent years, but for a good quality card these days, you can pick one up for about $100. However, the wrong card can bottleneck your system and destroy your workflow. Expect to spend a few hundred dollars on a decent card. At those price points, you can see that the upgrade tree for the PC can be an expensive endeavor. All of that is also before you begin to get into any compatibility issue you might end up with.
Music producing with a Mac
The Mac has obvious drawbacks in terms of out of the box cost, but its' biggest problem is being able to upgrade. The iMac is really just a thin computer strapped to the back of a monitor and although this is great for keeping your workspace tidy, it's not so great for adding components like a new video card or hard drive. https://download-el.medium.com/www-google-chrome-free-download-2017-ef0503637adb. You're pretty much stuck with what you have until you decide to go out and get some add-on devices for storage, but that will take up another USB slot on your already scant computer. Of course we can't forget that should anything ever go wrong with your monitor your entire computer is pretty much useless. One would be forgiven for thinking that kind of design flaw would've surely been removed with the combo TV-DVD players that now sit in the dustbin of history.
In conclusion of the debate
In the end, the range of software available for music production is both large and well-defined. Most companies today make them compatible with both PC and Mac. We have tried to be impartial in this discussion without going too far into the deep end with specs, drivers and hardware devices that will be connected to these computers for music production, but simply give you an overview of their capabilities and flaws. Both platforms are very powerful when it comes to music production and with the exciting new technologies on the horizon for both the PC and the Mac the debate between PC vs. Mac will continue long after these technologies become obsolete. One thing is for certain, however — the future of music production on both platforms is very bright.
More gear reviews and guides in the realm.
Do you have a gaming computer and are wondering whether you can use it for producing music? In this article, we will discuss the cons and pros of using a gaming computer for producing audio and what computers you should consider using.
Are gaming computers good for music production? Gaming computers can be used for producing music due to their powerful hardware specs. However, gaming computers can make a lot of noise. If you turn down the fan speeds and managed the sound levels, a gaming computer could be a great machine for producing music.
A gaming computer is good for music production because everything it has is crucial for making good music. The only thing you don't need from a gaming computer is the graphics card.
Using a Gaming Computer For Music Production
Gaming computers are GPU-oriented. However, they have a bigger RAM and massive horsepower. The only feature that a gaming computer has that makes it not ideal for music production is that it makes a lot of noise. Gaming computers have fans that exert a lot of pressure into the workstation, and this could compromise audio quality when you are recording with open microphones. However, if you are into electronic music, this may not be an alarming issue.
Electronic music doesn't typically need a microphone to produce music, therefore external factors such as the noise of the room or computer fan noises aren't a problem. However, if you're recording vocals, making sure your room and computer are quiet is something you should take seriously as it can interfere with your recordings.
If you're a vocalist then you're going to need a studio microphone to record your vocals. I've written an indepth guide to the best microphones on the market and which microphone you can use to help yield the best sound quality. These are the microphones I've used in the past and were able to achieve great results with them.
So, which is the best laptop for music production, what are some of the features to look for in a computer machine, what makes a good machine? All these questions are answered in the details below.
Laptop or Desktop For Music Production?
Typically, laptops have low performance and less power than desktop computers that are sold within the same price range. Moreover, you cannot upgrade or expand a laptop. While you can still use a laptop for music production, you should be specific with what you need to be mobile with your music production; otherwise, you should opt for a PC.
If I want to use a laptop, which one should I buy for music production?
When it comes to laptops, there are many options to consider. But, before you make any decisions, there are numerous technical features that you must consider. This guide discusses the top three best laptops for music production.
Music Production Mac
MacBook Pro
You have probably seen the Macbook pro in most studios. This is enough proof that it is the best laptop for producing music. In fact, it is one of the most reliable workstations for music production and video editing. https://post-soft.medium.com/custom-imovie-transitions-19e0fc864320. Moreover, many DAWs are designed for the Mac operating system. Hence, it is very difficult to experience performance issues or crashes.
These specifications may of been updated with the newier models but as the time of writing this article, the main model features 8GB of RAM and a dual-core 3.6GHz processor. Advanced models have 16GB of RAM and quad-core 4.0GHz processors. Hard drives storage range between 128GB and 1TB. The MacBook Pro comes in two screen variants: the 13 inch and 15-inch variants. If you will connect your laptop to a monitor, the 13 inches would be ideal, plus it is cheaper. The 15-inch variant is ideal if you will be using it as the main production platform.
Lenovo Ideapad Y700 laptop
The Lenovo Y700 has various functionalities. The market price for the machine ranges between $749.99 and $1,099.99. It features a 15-inch display, 512GB of SSD, and 1TB of HDD storage. There is a bigger version of the model that comes with a 17-inch screen, 128GB of storage, and 1TB of HDD. Both models have 16GB of RAM, a quad-core 2.8GHz Intel i7 processor, as well as an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M graphics card. The only downside with this laptop is that it has a weak processor. However, the 16GB of RAM should be enough to handle music production. The Lenovo Ideapad Y700 is an affordable and perfect machine for music producers.
ASUS ROG STRIX GL553 Postbox 6 0 5 – powerful and flexible email client.
The Asus Rog Strix GL553 monster has a lot to offer. First and foremost, the laptop boasts of a quad-core 3.8GHz Intel i7 processor, internal storage of 1TB, and 16GB of RAM. The GL55E is a high breed model that features an additional 256 GB of internal storage. It had a 15-inch screen display plus a powerful NVIDIA GTX1050 graphics card.
The machine also comes with two 3.0 USB ports, 1 USB 2.0 port, and a USB-C port. There is also a port for Ethernet connection. These connections are very important to a music producer. That's not all; the laptop's gaming keyboard is made to feel like a mechanical keyboard. It has a longer key travel that measures 2.55mm. With this machine, typing is not an issue. This will lead to a smoother music production experience.
What Makes The Best Laptop For Music Production?
When choosing a laptop for music production, there are three primary factors to consider:
The Processor (CPU)
The CPU is the first thing to take into account when shopping for a music production computer. The term CPU means Central Processing Unit. The processor is important because if it is weak, your computer will develop issues when recording.
Measure the strength of your CPU by its frequency by checking the GHz unit. The higher the number of processors a CPU has, the stronger the laptop. For example, a 4.0GHz processor is powerful than a 2.0GHz processor. Also, consider the number of cores in a CPU. The more cores the CPU has, the more functional it is. Therefore, get a computer that has at least dual core with 2.5GHz to make sure your music software works efficiently.
The RAM
Another important factor to consider is the RAM. RAM stands for Random Access Memory. The RAM acts as a short-term memory for your computer, but it is different from the hard drive. The hard drive stores and archives 99% of its files on the computer. The computer RAM determines the speed of your computer in running programs and tasks because it temporarily stores codes needed to run programs. For smooth music creation, get a RAM that is powerful enough to run multiple tasks at the same time. RAM is measured in Gigabytes. For smooth work, get a computer with at least 8GB of RAM.
The Hard Drive
Music production involves the creation of different types of files such as samples, project files, software, and so forth. As a producer, you need a lot of space to store your files, otherwise, it would become an issue. Opt for a bigger storage capacity like 1TB. A bigger storage capacity means you will never run out of space.
Mac vs. Windows: Which is the best?
Music production involves the creation of different types of files such as samples, project files, software, and so forth. As a producer, you need a lot of space to store your files, otherwise, it would become an issue. Opt for a bigger storage capacity like 1TB. A bigger storage capacity means you will never run out of space.
Mac vs. Windows: Which is the best?
The type of laptop you choose depends on the software you want to use, as well as your budget. Many professional studios use Macbook laptops and Mac towers. So, if you are planning to partner with professional studios or want to hire an expert to mix and master your projects, a Mac machine would be an ideal choice. You can also transfer audio files from Windows OS to Mac OS.
You can never go wrong with the two options. PCs and Macs continue to advance every year. If you want to use your computer solely for music production, get a Mac computer, you will find the built-in features useful. On the other hand, if you are planning to use your computer to do other tasks other than music making music, purchase a PC and upgrade its features. The war between PC and Mac continues to rage, and at the end of it all, the users benefit from the competition.
How do I optimize my computer for music production?
To optimize your computer for music production, do the following:
Use multithreading
Multithreading lets you distribute digital signal processor load (DSP) using DAW when you set multiple audio channels for recording. If you are not going to record live instruments, switch the setting to play back to help preserve the processing power that would otherwise be used on instruments.
Increase the buffer size and length
During a music recording session, the sound card usually takes time to process data from the DAW into the computer. The amount of time it takes to process this data is what is called the buffer size. When recording audio, you must reduce the buffer size to prevent latency from occurring. But if you are only making beats and mixing with the DAW, you should increase your buffer size to make sure the best performance. This is highly recommended if you have multiple tracks running on different channels.
Bus the effects
Many producers use the same reverb effect on every channel. Instead, you should send each audio track to a reverb effect via a bus. This will ease your CPU's work. When you create effects for each audio track, you will not be able to customize more effects. So, if you want to use reverb effect on your audio tracks, consider using a bus. The same is true for sidechain compression. You should group your tracks and send all of them as groups to separate AUX tracks. For example, percussion should have its own AUX track and synth another.
Backup your files more often
An interesting feature with modern OS is that they regularly and automatically save data into the cloud or hard drive. But you don't want your computer to do a major backup while you are in the middle of a recording session as this will interfere with your work. You should instead schedule manual backups. Alternatively, you can use software that schedules these backups, so that it only backups data when you are not using your computer.
Does optimizing the I/O have any effect on my computer's speed?
Things have changed over time, but still, sending data in and out of your computer utilizes resources and a lot of processing power. Indeed, optimizing the I/O increases your computer's efficiency considerably. To optimize the I/O, disconnect cables and equipment you are not using, such as webcams, scanners, and printers. For external drives, use eSATA, Thunderbolt, or USB3. For a faster internet connection use Ethernet. If you have Wi-Fi, consider a router that is compatible with 5GHz and 802.11 networks. These tiny adjustments will help reduce data tailback.
Related questions
Best paid mac apps 2018. Should I avoid buying window computers for music production? You should not avoid buying window computers for music production because you will always get a quality computer at an affordable cost. In addition, window computers are compatible with millions of software and games. Plus they support, printers, scanners, and other peripherals.
Which music production software is good for Mac computers? The best music production software for Mac is Logic Pro and Ableton Live. Logic Pro and Garage have a lot of similarities, but the former is more advanced. All the latest Mac computers come with GarageBand music production software. However, you can use other music production software these.
Do you begin by figuring out which DAW platform software best suits your present and future game plan needs for your home studio and then choose your computer based on that? It is advisable to choose DAW software before getting a computer. The DAW platform is the center of your production and recording system. The platform you choose depends on your needs and preferences. Keep in mind different software programs have different requirements.
Why is a MacBook Pro good for music production? The MacBook Pro laptops have soundcard it that doesn't cause latency problems when creating music from an interface. This is the reason Mac computers are highly preferred for music production.
