Which computer setup is best?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Pylon Icon
  • Start date Start date

What would be the best option?

  • Upgrading my HP

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Buying a Mac

    Votes: 8 66.7%
  • Buying a different computer

    Votes: 1 8.3%
  • Building a new computer

    Votes: 3 25.0%
  • Sticking with Vista???

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    12
P

Pylon Icon

New member
Hi everyone, I'm new to these forums. I'm a Seattle MC/Producer who's all about perfection (or near perfection) when it come to music. I have an ok studio setup, but i'm looking to optimize it with the $1400 i made this summer. My computer is alright for the time it came out, but i've finally realized that windows vista is just not crackin in the realm of digital recording. So my primary investment will be a new computer or computer upgrade. I'm asking all of you, what is best?: Me upgrading my '07 HP', replacing Vista with Mac OS X or Windows 7; buying a new Mac; buying some other wonderous computer i haven't heard of, or building a new computer, OR maybe by some miracle sticking with Vista. Please take into consideration that I'm wanting to use some of this money on other equipment...
 
Windows 7 won't be out for a few months still if I'm not mistaken, has there been any reports about how it will handle audio? Imo, XP is still the best bet for audio production with a PC, simple, effective.

Macs are completely overpriced. Anybody who wants to argue that can save your time, because you won't be changing my mind :)

Getting a PC in parts and putting it together yourself (it's VERY easy) will get you a great setup for a great price.
 
well actually my manager has Windows7 on his laptop and desktop (so if it isn't out yet our tech guy must be better than i thought haha)

I do agree with you on the reliability of XP pertaining to music, but I'm really worried about viruses (this computer will be used for web surfing as well, just absolutely no P2P downloads)

I'm considering building, it would be very cost effective. But I'm also thinking about buying a Psystar Open(3). I guess it all just depends on time and budgets. but thank you for your input Funk Daddy. It is all very enlightening
 
It really depends on what you're trying to do, and what programs you'll be running... there's a lot of variables.
Myself I use Macs mainly because of QMidi, MidiPipe and I like an old version of Cubase for sequencing.

I wouldn't buy any new computer as I think they'll all be trash real soon, we are on the verge of breakthrough changes.

I don't buy into this operating system on software b.s. and I think that will end soon, resulting in instant-on computers.

So it depends on what you're running, and what problems you're having with your current system that makes you want to upgrade.
 
I recommend building yourself a "mac pro". There's some people on this forum who have done it and may be able to help you through it. I'm gearing up to build mine for about 800 in the coming months, and I'm really looking forward to having a dedicated studio tower without paying 2+ grand for it!
 
I think the Mac Mini = great value for money. Believe it or not but it has plenty of power for the average homereccer.
I use mine with Reaper. Works like a charm.
 
Always look at the specifications and components that the PROFESSIONAL audio computer builders are using. They know what WORKS.

There are many such companies. Here's one for example: http://adkproaudio.com/
 
I also have windows 7...had it for months, signed on as a beta tester and I have a tech net subscription.

that being said, it does not work with pro tools 8 and a digi rack factory +
 
Windows 7 won't be out for a few months still if I'm not mistaken, has there been any reports about how it will handle audio? Imo, XP is still the best bet for audio production with a PC, simple, effective.

Macs are completely overpriced. Anybody who wants to argue that can save your time, because you won't be changing my mind :)

Getting a PC in parts and putting it together yourself (it's VERY easy) will get you a great setup for a great price.

- Hogwash.


I'm certainly not out to change your mind mr.'funk-daddy' (because I could honestly care less:cool: ) - but first off, you can get Macs at very reasonable prices depending on how you go about it (it's not 2002 anymore, plus, you can build your own Mac as well, for much lower costs now - anybody should know that by now ;) - but you do have to remember, 'Macs' were originally designed & built to do jobs exactly such as these (pro-audio, film, graphics) - and they do a VERY damn good job at it as well. Not to mention, they're built like 'tanks' & their operating systems are extremely rock-solid compared to anything by Windows. Last I checked (in 3 out of 4 of the leading 'pro-audio' publications currently out there) nearly 87% of all recording studios within the U.S. are currently (and have been) using Mac set-ups to run ANY DAW platforms out on the market - so that should give you a pretty good idea for starters. (I've also worked in 5 pro-studios across the united states) - and every one of them use Apple computers to run their studios with - period.

(the 2 studios I did work at that actually used 'Windows' for pro-audio applications, eventually (and fairly quickly) switched over to MACs as well, because of having so many operating system crashes & 'bugs' due to Windows alone - for which in a professional recording environment, simply can't be afforded - ever.)

Apples are also a bit more 'upgradeable' in terms of large amounts of reliable RAM, power, etc, etc - so that's another long-term 'plus' for you.

But I think the main question at hand here, is 'what' kind of studio are you going to be running?

I mean, if you're just going to be doing this at home or in your school dormitory via a laptop or something - then just about any computer will probably do (even though I agree with 'christiaan' above about the mac-minis may be the better choice for a 'smaller' studio.) But if you're looking to set-up more of a professional or larger studio - then by all means - go for a 'solid Mac' of some sort - because that's always going to be the heart and 'core' of your main system.

I would NOT ever recommend just "piecing together a cheap PC with duct tape & parts and putting it together yourself" in order to get a great value for your money - that's just about insane (IMO) - and about the most 'risky' thing to do if you're trying to go for a 'quality' recording studio - just so you can 'save a few bucks' in the end.

(not only will you face many problems later on down the road, but you'll get exactly what you pay for in the end, and your overall sound-quality will suck as well.)

I would definitely NOT recommend that approach - at all.

(if you really do need to save money - then again, go for a mac-mini, or maybe even an 'imac' - they're fairly inexpensive, yet a really solid mac at the same time.) - but bottom line: Mac is nearly always going to be better for any type of 'arts', especially film & pro-audio - that's what they were born to do & they do it very well obviously :cool:
 
they all suck

I'd recommend doing what I do - use the cheapest computer you can get for free or almost free. It makes hardly any difference what you use. Lots of people's favorite songs were recorded on computers that most here would call pitifull. I'm using a freebie Mac dual 1 GHz 1.5 GB RAM.

Everything out there will be garbage real soon so don't waste your money on an expensive computer.

No computers in 2010 are really very good.
 
I'd recommend doing what I do - use the cheapest computer you can get for free or almost free. It makes hardly any difference what you use. Lots of people's favorite songs were recorded on computers that most here would call pitifull. I'm using a freebie Mac dual 1 GHz 1.5 GB RAM.

Everything out there will be garbage real soon so don't waste your money on an expensive computer.

No computers in 2010 are really very good.

Why garbage real soon dinty? what is around the corner for computers?



:cool:
 
Why garbage real soon dinty? what is around the corner for computers?...

The unknown... but based on what's happened so far it should be pretty cool.

Ray Kurzweil, keyboard maker and futurist has some pretty good observations. I read one of his books (as much as I could) and the most important thing that jumped out was that technology doesn't happen at a steady rate, it happens at an exponential rate. It doubles, then doubles again.

Think about how much we use YouTube. It's only 5 years old. According to Kurzweil, we should expect the amount of growth we've had in the last 5 years in the next 2 -3 years. And the same amount in the year or so after that. Then in 6 months. Technology is going to go absolutely nuts in the next 10 years. It will be a way, way different world than we live in now.

For one, the difference between reality and the cyberworld will become very blurred. And tools will design themselves.

 
How the hell is mac winning this poll?? The guy said he wants a good computer at minimal cost because he wants the dosh for more gear...

He's obviously gotten his computer by now, but if you're on a budget for a computer and other things, get a computer for a third of the price and probably twice as good.
 
- Hogwash.


I'm certainly not out to change your mind mr.'funk-daddy' (because I could honestly care less:cool: ) - but first off, you can get Macs at very reasonable prices depending on how you go about it (it's not 2002 anymore, plus, you can build your own Mac as well, for much lower costs now - anybody should know that by now ;) - but you do have to remember, 'Macs' were originally designed & built to do jobs exactly such as these (pro-audio, film, graphics) - and they do a VERY damn good job at it as well. Not to mention, they're built like 'tanks' & their operating systems are extremely rock-solid compared to anything by Windows. Last I checked (in 3 out of 4 of the leading 'pro-audio' publications currently out there) nearly 87% of all recording studios within the U.S. are currently (and have been) using Mac set-ups to run ANY DAW platforms out on the market - so that should give you a pretty good idea for starters. (I've also worked in 5 pro-studios across the united states) - and every one of them use Apple computers to run their studios with - period.

(the 2 studios I did work at that actually used 'Windows' for pro-audio applications, eventually (and fairly quickly) switched over to MACs as well, because of having so many operating system crashes & 'bugs' due to Windows alone - for which in a professional recording environment, simply can't be afforded - ever.)

Apples are also a bit more 'upgradeable' in terms of large amounts of reliable RAM, power, etc, etc - so that's another long-term 'plus' for you.

But I think the main question at hand here, is 'what' kind of studio are you going to be running?

I mean, if you're just going to be doing this at home or in your school dormitory via a laptop or something - then just about any computer will probably do (even though I agree with 'christiaan' above about the mac-minis may be the better choice for a 'smaller' studio.) But if you're looking to set-up more of a professional or larger studio - then by all means - go for a 'solid Mac' of some sort - because that's always going to be the heart and 'core' of your main system.

I would NOT ever recommend just "piecing together a cheap PC with duct tape & parts and putting it together yourself" in order to get a great value for your money - that's just about insane (IMO) - and about the most 'risky' thing to do if you're trying to go for a 'quality' recording studio - just so you can 'save a few bucks' in the end.

(not only will you face many problems later on down the road, but you'll get exactly what you pay for in the end, and your overall sound-quality will suck as well.)

I would definitely NOT recommend that approach - at all.

(if you really do need to save money - then again, go for a mac-mini, or maybe even an 'imac' - they're fairly inexpensive, yet a really solid mac at the same time.) - but bottom line: Mac is nearly always going to be better for any type of 'arts', especially film & pro-audio - that's what they were born to do & they do it very well obviously :cool:

...just saw this, and it's wrong on SO many levels.
 
...just saw this, and it's wrong on SO many levels.

Good for you.

Don't catch the ball.

Catching the ball would be getting into a 4 page argument. It's worth it the same amount as it's worth it to stand at the door and argue with the Jehovah Wintenesses.

"Apples are also a bit more 'upgradeable' in terms of large amounts of reliable RAM, power, etc"

I'm a Mac user, repairer and own about 9 of them, and that's 100% bullshit. Mac computers use the same memory chips and it's not worth catching the ball, it takes a lot of retraint (that not many here have :) ) and philbagg I commend you on it!
 
Dan'em, Book-O!

I have a big fix on this ....I just answer the door naked!! :eek:

Do it for the Lord!

JackLord.jpg
 
(good lord, and he we go.... :()

'Yeah' - that's exactly what I'm trying to do here - 'throw out 'balls' for people to catch so that some good, wholesome 'arguing' can take place......

(thanks a lot guys)

Look you two - if you honestly think I'm trying to come in here to start 'wars' or silly arguments, then you're highly mistaken. I was simply offering-up some ideas or alternatives to the man's original inquiry, and I'm certainly (nor did I ever for that matter) say that he needed to spend as much money as he can possibly afford, on ANY computer.

(And by the way: if you're going to call me out like that, or disagree with something I've said - fine, then do so - essentially, that's what we're here for. But don't just make cheap & stupid accusations like that, and then end it by saying, "there are SO many things wrong with this...." again, if so, 'fine' - but what are they then? Can you possibly try & be a bit more specific?)

I don't even have the first 'clue' of what 'ball' you're referring to (mr. 'dintymoore' or 'philbagg' :rolleyes:)

But what I do know is that these forums are designed for discussion purposes, and each of us have the exact same right as you two do, to come in here, offer up various opinions for those in need of possible answers to their questions.

(but if this is in fact the 'dintymoore & philbagg show', and everyone else's opinions are complete crap compared to your own, and simply aren't worth hearing - then please let us know, so that I for one, can excuse myself, find a different forum to go to, and just let you two guys run the show from here, if that's what you'd like?)


Now getting back to the 'topic' at hand: All I recommended for the original author of this thread ('Pylon Icon') was not all that far from what you ('dintymoore') was offering. I explained to him that it really depended on what type of 'recording studio' he was looking to build to begin with. If he was trying to build a 'smaller', home-based studio - then using a 'cheaper', less-expensive computer of ANY kind was probably fine. But if he was looking to build a 'bigger', more professional style studio, then a better, stable, more reliable computer (of ANY kind) was needed (but probably a Mac in my opinion, would be the better choice - given what he's trying to do.)

I'm sorry, but if you're planning on operating a 'serious' studio, in which 'reliability' is absolutely key - then 'no', I simply don't see 'how' or 'why' it would benefit anybody to use the 'cheapest' computer available? (and you also stated to just get one for 'free' like you did - but where exactly are you getting all of these 'free' Mac computers? or better yet, 'where' can any of us get these 'free' computers?)

I never said a single word about 'buying the most expensive computer you could possibly afford' Again, the original author of this post stated:

* he was a 'Seattle producer, who was all about 'perfection' when it came to music, his primary investment was to buy a new computer or an upgrade because Windows & Vista was not performing to his liking, he had $1,400 to spend, and that he was already considering a Mac, but would like to use some of his left-over money for additional equipment.'

- by that, I can only assume he's looking for a fairly 'semi-professional' type of set-up (not a cheap, randomly pieced-together Wal-Mart special.)

If you would have actually 'read' both of what he said, and what I replied to him - I was trying to let him know that he could get a Mac fairly 'inexpensive' nowadays. I also told him that he could try 'building one' on his own for not much money, or find a used one, or even to just buy a 'mini-mac' or better yet, maybe an 'imac' - again, for NOT much money nowadays. (you can find a huge variety of ANY of the Mac family computers on Ebay now, for well under $1,400 and still have money left-over for other gear.) Where's the problem in that?

Exactly 'how' is that such 'horrible' advice? What 'ball' mr. 'dintymoore' are you accusing me of throwing? (whatever the hell that means?)

The man asked for opinions & help, and I tried to offer him some - not 'stir-up' arguments & 'throw balls' as you so kindly put it. But I have worked with Sony in their computer technical division for 7 years, worked with Apple computers in their pro-audio/tech division for 11 years, and throughout all of that - I've worked at 5 pro-level recording studios (that I mentioned earlier) for a grand total of 28 years.

Please understand, I say absolutely none of this for any type of 'bragging rights' or even anything of that nature - but only to let you know that I 'do' happen to know just a little bit about pro-recording, especially within the computer/DAW industry.

So if I'm "SO way off on SO many levels....." - and only come on here to pick arguments or 'throw balls around' - then both of you, 'speak up' & tell me what I've said that's 'so wrong', and stop trying to make me out to be some sort of trouble-maker who has absolutely no clue as to what he's even talking about.


(but it is kinda funny that you say that about me, when in fact your best answer or solution to the man's original question is - "it doesn't matter what computer you use - they're all the same, all new computers suck, but I can show you a Jay Leno video on 'how to make a plastic wrench', and that should answer everything for ya.":D


(give me a break.)
 
(And by the way: if you're going to call me out like that, or disagree with something I've said - fine, then do so - essentially, that's what we're here for. But don't just make cheap & stupid accusations like that, and then end it by saying, "there are SO many things wrong with this...."

I'll read the rest of that post when I've a few hours free, but I just gotta ask this: how are you supposed to disagree with someone without saying they're wrong? :confused:

:laughings:
 
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