Today we’re looking for the best computer for music production and recording. So you have the; keyboards, speakers, microphones, and most importantly, the ideas storming around in your brain.
But what about the actual computer to act as the backbone of your entire digital music production setup? When it comes to a music making computer, we want to settle some anxiety you may have right off the bat: it isn’t too big of deal which one you get. When we say that, we mean what kind, type, brand, etc. You will want to follow our checklists for musts so you ensure you have a computer that can actually handle the modern-day digital music production setup; however, there is a vast majority of models to choose from that will work perfectly fine. How to choose your computer for music production.
A complete studio for your Mac. Logic Pro X turns your Mac into a professional recording studio able to handle even the most demanding projects. Capture your compositions and performances — from tracking a live band to a solo software-instrument session — and flow them into your songs. Jan 29, 2018 - Recording studio software includes powerful tools for creating, recording, editing and exporting audio for professional use. Sound engineers.
Your budget – As perhaps assumed, this is our first and foremost the biggest deciding factor. Although you don’t necessarily have to drop thousands of dollars on your music making computer, the higher you go, the better overall quality your work flow will be. Many reading this article may be just starting to, so keep in mind what other gear you need to balance your money out. To have a fast and easy setup however shouldn’t take more than a thousand bucks (and lower).
If you’re a starter musician buying your, you may want to save some money and grab a more budget-friendly computer to get going. However, we do recommend saving up as much cash and being as patient as you can, since computers will be a long-term investment for the next 5 or so years. As stated previously, they’re also the backbone of a home studio — without a solid music computer, your other gear won’t even work properly and will be useless. Uh oh, we’re not going to get into this debate.
When it comes to music production, this debacle is quite overplayed. You need to understand that in the end both are merely just computers. There is not a preferred “brand” of computer for music making! The only deciding factor for using a Mac or PC (in our opinion) is explained in the next bullet point (or if you’re loyal to a certain route, but that’s not our business). However, you can also read our article for more detail into this popular argument before you continue on.
What DAW are you using? Do you have your picked out yet? If so, this may steer you towards a specific Mac or PC choice. We would only go with Mac if you’re planning on using Pro Tools (they do have a Windows version out now), Garageband or Logic since they are Mac-only. Otherwise, both can work, but double-check on your preferred software’s compatibility. Desktop – Here’s another debate when it comes to computers for music. Nowadays, I’ve heard of producers using laptops at home considering how powerful and capable they’ve become in recent years.
One of the biggest deciding factors for a laptop vs. Desktop choice is if you’re planning on traveling. If this is so, we’d grab a laptop since it’ll work amazing for these purposes as well as can hold its own while you’re at home in the studio making some tunes in between gigs (you can read our guide as well). Otherwise, grabbing a powerful desktop PC Mac has a lot of potential. We have mostly desktop below, so read our guide we’ve just linked in case you’re in need of a laptop — we did sprinkle a few below, too.
These are all pre-built – We know many computer junkies out there who frown at those who buy computers that already have their insides picked out. We wanted to mention this last since it won’t pertain to everybody. If you’re in the mood to just get going on making some tunes, pre-built is the way to go. Creating your own music computer does give you some flexibility when it comes to doing a little more work and researching the best RAM, hard drive and processor you’d like to mix and match with (which can probably save you a few bucks in the long run as well); however, many pre-built PC’s in the market are still amazing for recording and producing music, so if you aren’t into learning how to make your own computer right now, it’s no worries. We’ll leave that up to you.
If you are indeed into, read our article for an in-depth guide. Our checklist for computers for making music In order to get a feel for what specifications we actually need in our computers, let’s first compare and contrast with some of the most popular music software out there and what minimum system requirements they ask for. We can then use this as a guide to see what the absolute minimum is. Going above is always a good idea since a lot of software out there update quite frequently and sometimes increase their requirements, and you want to be set for the long-term, not just the “minimum”.
Let’s review the three most popular software out there right now in Pro Tools, Ableton and Logic. Pro Tools is by far the most demanding software, so if you aren’t using it but still want a computer that supports it, you’ll be in the clear for literally anything else out there.
Hey rhody.there is a HUGE difference between mac and pc. I have always had a mac set up for recording music, doing midi.
And my day job (music dont pay the bills yet) is as a macintosh administrator in a desktop publishing environment. I love macs and i think they are great but since you have always been a pc user. There could be an advantage to you staying with pc. You are familiar with the platform. You already have software and hardware that works.
And there is a ton software for plugins etc. My questions to you would be: 1. What software are you using now to record?
What's the recording hardware? What kind of money are you looking to spend on a computer. What about your legacy recording files? Do you need them? How are you backing up your files now? Will that device work with your new mac. What else do you use your pc for?
You will need to get the software on the mac to continue doing the same thing. I would love to help you leave the darkside and join me in the mac world. But i gotta tell you, the mac isn't easier. What software are you using now to record? I've been using a simple program called magix. The plan is to jump to pro audio or something similar with a new system. What's the recording hardware?
I don't have very much to be honest. I have one place to plug the mic up and that's it (record everything through the mic) 3.
What kind of money are you looking to spend on a computer. What about your legacy recording files? Do you need them?
Hmmm.not sure what those are still new at this5. How are you backing up your files now? Will that device work with your new mac. I don't currently back up anything. What else do you use your pc for?
You will need to get the software on the mac to continue doing the same thing. Nothing really, just music. I might consider internet/website in the future though. I would love to help you leave the darkside and join me in the mac world. But i gotta tell you, the mac isn't easier. Heh, I've heard that mac users are fiercely loyal!
Darn though, I had heard macs are much easier to use, and that's pretty much the only reason I had considered one because they are more expensive. I'm one of those ppl that don't care too much about effects and fancy stuff.I just wanna get in and record things naturally and shoot for a good sound. Thx for the advice! I do think the macs are easier to use- especially if you don't have extensive experience with PC's that you need to undo- I had my first mac 12 years ago and I love them- been using Performer ever since- I've had a couple pcs along the way to use with programs such as gigastudio that are not mac compatible and i tell you, its like nite and day- macs are way over the pcs- (next we'll have a pc user tell you the oposite but hey, that's how it is!) seriously, if you get a mac thouggh, get the dual processor- gives you a lot more muscle for audio.
I have a dual G4 867 and its more than enough for my recording needs, 24+ audio tracks plus plug ins and soft synths- they are up to G5 2.0 ghz dual so that would give you like more than twice the power of what I got- you can't go wrong with that. Here we go again. Ok, I'll try to be helpful and honest: get what you are most comfortable with, if you've been a PC user for several years well, you are right at home as Win XP is just as easy as the rest of the OSs only its' finally a stable system. About this fairy tale that Macs are easier to use, this was true 'till a few years ago, now I would say that they are equal, the cool factor has always been one thing Mac people have been so proud about.and people don't change their mind easily once they are used to one thing. To testify that this is true take a look at what Digidesign is doing with the PC side of their products: feature parity is reached and the recent demos I saw (including the new Icon controller) have been on PCs.
Powerwise the two system are equal, only, to get the same amount of power of a dual Athlon 64 3400 you have to get a Dual G5 and spend about twice as much (and still benchmark tests held on Pro Tools favor PCs, take a look at the DUC page for this). In this regard I think that PCs are more customizable than Macs, which come prebuilt and configured right out of the box; the downside about this is that you have to spend time and research on the right PC configuration, but you can get the one that fits your needs without the added things. Maybe this is the only point where Macs are really a bit easier to set up. In the end I think that (since I've been working on both) you have to choose an application you feel comfortable with, and choose the system that supports it. Pro Tools is now equally supported on both platforms and the PC support has grown exponentially in the last two years (I'v been one of the witnesses to this), so much that Digi is promoting the two platforms at the same level. All of the major audio software and sequencers are supported on both platforms - Pro Tools, Cubase, Nuendo with the exception of Logic (who's been acquired by Apple) and Digital Peformer. My advice is, test a few, see what you like best and the get the system that supports it, but also consider your $$ availability.
Either way I think you'llbe fine. Hope this helps L.G.
Click to expand.I use the stock plug ins that come with DP everyday. They work for me. I am not a big effect guy as I try to record my stuff sounding like I want it to sound anyway, and try to use reverb, compression and others just to add a little spice. The DP plug ins work for me jut fine for that, so maybe I'm not the one to ask if you are into effects big time. I also have no problems with the DP eq as it is adequate for me.
I have tried the wave plug ins and eventhough they are better I haven't bought them as they are not high on my wish list. (I'm still working on getting good mics and preamps). You can check out some of my songs if you wish. They are all done with stock DP plug ins. DP also has access to the apple plug ins and some are very useable, especially a couple of the reverbs. I said this before, for me DP is the best but them I've been using it for over 15 years, about 4 in a studio I used to work at and the rest of the time at my own studio.
If I was into film, though, I would get into logic as apple is making a big effort to integrate logic and final cut and all the other programs you need to work on film. I've messed around with PT a bit and eventhough is de facto the industry standard I am no longer involved in working in commercial studios and DP suits me just fine (and I like a lot better). If that ever changes I supposed I will have to take the plunge into PT but I see me going in the direction of films as I have made several demos for indie films- if I get something going with that, then maybe I'll get logic. Disclaimer: NOT INTENDING TO START A FLAMEWAR Well I actually did. The results obtained using the same test method on the Pro Tools LE application clearly have the PC side in advantage; this is not my opinion, it's the numbers speaking; take a look HERE for the whole story and numbers. I used the processor model just to point at a particular power category.
I'm not saying Macs aren't any good, and having worked on both platform I can say both have flaws and strenghts. For sheer power and price the numbers favor PCs, Macs have their community and a solid user base, and the only flaw I can find is they are way overpriced for what they can offer; good machines for the rest.