Want to upgrade DAW. PC or MAC???!

[kratos]

I currently use fl studio pro edition.
i can afford a mac pro and a very high end pc at the same price.
Ive been told by a producer who used to work for Arista that logic pro and pro tools is the industry standard and that all other DAWs are crap and inferior and that i should get a mac never a pc.
Im more used to fl studio. Have made like 100 instrumentals so far. Would be a shame to start all over again but i feel i need to upgrade..

Help needed on selecting a daw. i will mainly using plugin instruments and record vocals only.
Should i just stick to fl studio but ge better pc or what?

 

[Steenamaroo]

OH NO HE DIDN'T!!!!!!!!!










duck and cover my friend..

and when you come out, buy whatever you're most comfortable with.

no platform has a clear advantage these days, unless you have specific needs.

if you don't have specific needs, buy what you know

hope that helps.

 

[The Cancers]

buy whatever you're most comfortable with.

no platform has a clear advantage these days, unless you have specific needs.

if you don't have specific needs, buy what you know

Exactly.
Has there ever been something you wanted to do that FL just couldn't?
If not, then why would you move to a different DAW?
Certainly try some demos out to see if there's anything that just makes more sense to you, but if you're happy with what you're using there's no reason to ditch it.
In my experience, an equivalently priced PC will be more powerful than a Mac, but it really depends on what you get and where you get it.
Do you need a new computer? Is the work you're doing causing slowdowns, latency, pops and clicks, etc...? Or do you just feel like it's time for a change?
I ask because if what you have isn't being pushed past it's capabilities, then there're always other things you could spend that money on.
How's your room? Do you have broadband absorption, bass traps, etc...
Are your monitors top notch? Could you afford more accurate ones?
How about your microphone, preamp and interface?
You using an MXL POS with an mbox mini? Maybe it's time to upgrade there.

I make those three suggestions because, as long as your current computer and recording program can handle what you're trying to do, all three of them will have a much bigger effect on the sound of your final product than a new computer and an "industry standard" DAW program.

And screw that dude who used to work for Arista.
There's a reason the major labels are all dying.

 

[Dr. Varney]

Ive been told by a producer who used to work for Arista that logic pro and pro tools is the industry standard and that all other DAWs are crap and inferior and that i should get a mac never a pc.

That is complete bollocks! Ignorant blanket statement.

Should i just stick to fl studio but ge better pc or what?

If it were me, I would stick to FL Studio, if I knew it well. You say you've had some success with it so far. Think about how your heart sinks when you think about having to start again from scratch... This person is bullying you into what he thinks is good and right but you should not listen to evangelists but instead to your own heart.

FL Studio has it's flaws but it is rated as a professional tool.

Pro tools is industry standard but that does not mean the competition is not professional too. Pro tools has certain advantages the average home-recordist may not necessarily need but many home recordists use it anyway. That is merely their personal preference. There are people here making successful work with Reaper, which is free.

You pay an awful lot for Pro Tools and I believe you need specialist hardware to run it. FL works with anything and is flexible enough to make great music and Pro Tools allegedly will not sound any better (at least not in your current situation). Pro Tools would typically be found in large, industrial networks in studios costing millions of dollars. Without the rest of what makes a pro-studio, a pro-studio, Pro Tools might well be wasted in your bedroom on a little domestic computer.

But if you fall in love with the workflow and it's flexibility, then why the hell not?! You see what I'm saying...?

A Mac is not a superior computer because it is white and has rounded corners. It is not better at making music because there is a safety feature to stop clumsy idiots tripping over the power cable... or because hackers don't write many viruses for it.... Yet! It is not any easier to use because it has only one mouse button!

Macs enjoyed their 'professional' status because of successful marketing to large companies who bought into the plan. Companies that don't have the inclination to shop around or 'get into' computers. They just wanted 'a product that delivered'. Popularity spread by reputation, word of mouth and the promise of quality from Apple. Universities and art colleges recieved deals on large quantities... Mac offered warranties and service plans and could never be regarded as fly-by-night. That's how they got the reputation in the graphic design and music industries. That's it!

Many millions of people believe in God - but it doesn't mean he exists.

Today, with the way PCs have evolved, anyone who tells you there is any technical or creative advantage to owning a Mac over a PC (or vice versa) is a person caught by the idea of belonging to an exlusive owners club. They want you to join it too, because they might regard PCs as common riffraff. PCs can comprise generic bits from all over the world and market forces bring the price of components down. You can have a crap PC or you can have a fantastic PC. Macs can only be of Apple Macintosh standard, because only Apple Macintosh build them.

Right now, they are both perfectly solid platforms for music (as long as a PC is built right). I have my reasons for preferring the PC but I will not tell you to stick to it for any other reason than because it is what you're used to.

There is much more free software and open source programs open to PC users. The Mac G4 was sold to many professional studios yet, according to some sources, was notorious for internal noise but that was addressed; the point being, they were never better for music, people just thought they were. Pound for pound, I believe the PC will give you much better value for money, is much easier and cheaper to upgrade and you can service it yourself rather than having to send it away to a specialist.

Because of the nature of PCs, there is generally more information available on the 'net when things go wrong. Claims that Macs do not go wrong are false. They have the same potential to crash as a PC. The deciding factor is that there is more third party software available for PC, so PCs take more risks. Macs are safe. That's actually why I don't like them, but I wouldn't say YOU shouldn't have one. It's my choice.

Make your choice based on what you like, not what you are told and psychologically bullied into making by bigheads.

Computing is a science, not a religion. Therefore, make your choice scientifically, not religiously.

Hope this helps.

Dr. V

 

[witzendoz]

I currently use fl studio pro edition.
i can afford a mac pro and a very high end pc at the same price.
Ive been told by a producer who used to work for Arista that logic pro and pro tools is the industry standard and that all other DAWs are crap and inferior and that i should get a mac never a pc.

That is why he used to work for Arista, maybe he is not now due to stupid comments like this.

Should i just stick to fl studio but ge better pc or what?

If you are happy with what you use, get a good PC and use it only for music, no internet, games, office stuff etc. Use an old computer for that stuff.

PC's without virus software, windows security updates, etc etc run fine. Start in 20 seconds, don't crash, etc.

Cheers
Alan

 

[Washburn100]

OH NO HE DIDN'T!!!!!!!!!










duck and cover my friend..

and when you come out, buy whatever you're most comfortable with.

no platform has a clear advantage these days, unless you have specific needs.

if you don't have specific needs, buy what you know

hope that helps.

Funny,
wait until this thread is 56 pages long and you'll get it.
If you trust your friend, do what he says. If you trust all of us, do what we say. Actually forget that. You'll know why in about 56 pages!

Best answer was already given. Are you up to relearning a new DAW? Won't hurt you any. The only complete BS so far is what your friend said about everything but Logic and Pro-Tools being crap. That statement pretty much proves he doesn't have a clue.

 

[Jim Lad]

I cut my teeth on Mixcraft 2 or 3.
It's Mixcraft 5 now and even though I have all sorts of DAWs installed, Mixcraft fits me.
If your software fits your needs, stick with it.
If not, do what your doing right now.
Ask for advice and try some out.

 

[kratos]

That is why he used to work for Arista, maybe he is not now due to stupid comments like this.



If you are happy with what you use, get a good PC and use it only for music, no internet, games, office stuff etc. Use an old computer for that stuff.

PC's without virus software, windows security updates, etc etc run fine. Start in 20 seconds, don't crash, etc.

Cheers
Alan

The Dude still produces tracks for tv ads and some major artists though. Told me that money is not a problem if you plan to get a return on your album. I dunno who to trust. This guy or random people on forums lol

 

[kratos]

Funny,
wait until this thread is 56 pages long and you'll get it.
If you trust your friend, do what he says. If you trust all of us, do what we say. Actually forget that. You'll know why in about 56 pages!

Best answer was already given. Are you up to relearning a new DAW? Won't hurt you any. The only complete BS so far is what your friend said about everything but Logic and Pro-Tools being crap. That statement pretty much proves he doesn't have a clue.

the dude did say I would hear the same comment by any major studio and rambled on how the top producers never use pc or something. He has a right to his opinion but honestly I think it was BS. I think I had an eye opener by this thread!

 

[kratos]

Exactly.
Has there ever been something you wanted to do that FL just couldn't?
If not, then why would you move to a different DAW?
Certainly try some demos out to see if there's anything that just makes more sense to you, but if you're happy with what you're using there's no reason to ditch it.
In my experience, an equivalently priced PC will be more powerful than a Mac, but it really depends on what you get and where you get it.
Do you need a new computer? Is the work you're doing causing slowdowns, latency, pops and clicks, etc...? Or do you just feel like it's time for a change?
I ask because if what you have isn't being pushed past it's capabilities, then there're always other things you could spend that money on.
How's your room? Do you have broadband absorption, bass traps, etc...
Are your monitors top notch? Could you afford more accurate ones?
How about your microphone, preamp and interface?
You using an MXL POS with an mbox mini? Maybe it's time to upgrade there.

I make those three suggestions because, as long as your current computer and recording program can handle what you're trying to do, all three of them will have a much bigger effect on the sound of your final product than a new computer and an "industry standard" DAW program.

And screw that dude who used to work for Arista.
There's a reason the major labels are all dying.

The reason I want an upgrade is mainly because of latency and pop fiZz issues when playing the audio back in the daw. Also I'm limited to sound samples of instruments and most of them are mono and when I stereo it sounds pretty horrible for particular instruments. I've been looking at kontakt by ni but dunno if the sounds will be good. So if you know any other sound samples/players for like $200-500 please tell me!

 

[kcearl]

your friend is an idiot ...all DAWs produce the same files for mixing, they also go around the pretty same way of achieving/recording those files


if you are happy with FL stick with it, if a PC is a machine you are comfortable stick with it...

if not buy Ableton Live and a Mac



no seriously every DAW does much of a muchness...and the days of a Mac being more stable than a PC have passed (maybe lol)....yup a majority of studios use pro tools because that's what many cut their teeth on, not because its better...

 

[kcearl]

The reason I want an upgrade is mainly because of latency and pop fiZz issues when playing the audio back in the daw. Also I'm limited to sound samples of instruments and most of them are mono and when I stereo it sounds pretty horrible for particular instruments. I've been looking at kontakt by ni but dunno if the sounds will be good. So if you know any other sound samples/players for like $200-500 please tell me!

Kontakts libraries will blow the shit out of anything FL studio produces, Im pretty certain of that...in fact Id say kontakt will become the sampler of choice for most its that good...


sounding pretty horrible depends on the samples you're sticking in it but I havent heard any yet...and that includes the freebie sets I get from Magazine dvds.....in fact other than my old JV, kontakt provides pretty much everything i use

 

[kratos]

Kontakts libraries will blow the shit out of anything FL studio produces, Im pretty certain of that...in fact Id say kontakt will become the sampler of choice for most its that good...


sounding pretty horrible depends on the samples you're sticking in it but I havent heard any yet...and that includes the freebie sets I get from Magazine dvds.....in fact other than my old JV, kontakt provides pretty much everything i use

What about east west/quantum leap?
I think that runs on kontakt

 

[kratos]

OH NO HE DIDN'T!!!!!!!!!










duck and cover my friend..

and when you come out, buy whatever you're most comfortable with.

no platform has a clear advantage these days, unless you have specific needs.

if you don't have specific needs, buy what you know

hope that helps.

I always thought logic was more aesthetically pleasing to work with coz of it's sleek designs.

 

[Steenamaroo]

then buy a mac

what do you want from me?

 

[witzendoz]

the dude did say I would hear the same comment by any major studio and rambled on how the top producers never use pc or something. He has a right to his opinion but honestly I think it was BS. I think I had an eye opener by this thread!

To me it's not so much the Mac PC thing, as that is up to you, it's the "top studios only use mac" which is rubbish.

The pro tools thing is about marketing, some top producers get a free set up from pro tools then tell the world how they can't manage without it. Home studios read about the top producers (that have pro tools) and think that to sound like them they must have pro tools. In fact there are a lot of top producers out there that don't use pro tools, they use the free whatever they got ha ha. The bottom line is that yes pro tools is a great product but to say everything else is rubbish is just not true.

Go over to the guitar forum, Mr Great Guitar player must play a sofastlick guitar as it's the only guitar for me, so all the budding guitar players go out and buy one thinking that they now will sound like mr great guitar player. It's not true, the way to sound great is to practice and study guitar, then if you have talent you will get there. Mr Great Guitar player will sound great on almost any guitar.

Cheers
Alan.

 

[Dr. Varney]

The Dude still produces tracks for tv ads and some major artists though. Told me that money is not a problem if you plan to get a return on your album. I dunno who to trust. This guy or random people on forums lol

Yeah, look... Has it occurred to you his nose might be put out of joint, after all the money and time he's spent on his pro set-up - and you suddenly come up with some excellent results on your PC and Fruity Loops?

If you do decide to go with the PC, given it will be a dual core with plenty of RAM and your software can work with 24bit/32bit float, then what's going to make the biggest difference to your sound is your audio interface.

I mean, come on... I've heard this before from people 'in the business' and it's always the same old shit. They are the pros and they really don't like the idea of some 'amateur' doing well on a shoestring when they themselves had it drummed into them by their predecessors (arrogance + ignorance is hereditary) that only a MAC and Pro-Tools will do the job.

Right now I'm seeing some jerk's red face through the steam, looking through the side window of his new Alpha Romeo, as a woman in a Mini Cooper burns him off at the traffic lights.

Sterling Moss actually drove a Mini in his spare time.

It's simply an ego thing, my friend. There are still a good number of professionals who would say:
"We use pro-tools on Macs all the time, so I'm not sure about this Fruity Loops thing but if you're having trouble, I'll come over and have a look at it with you, if you like".
That is a far more 'professional' (and encouraging) attitude to take towards budding amateurs and their equipment, than to make stupid blanket statements, based on narrow experience, even if that experience was gained in the professional field.

Remember that while the IBM clone, with it's open architecture and accessible price ranges for students promotes adaptive learning in all aspects of computing for all, the Mac owners club promotes brand loyalty. Now, since I have at no point stated that one does a better job at audio than the other, you can be sure my viewpoint is objective.

So, do you not think that if a 'bunch of random people' on the internet are talking basic common sense, it be might be worth a hundred in the flesh, who are wandering about with their dicks hanging out of their pants?

Listen: he doesn't want you to use a PC - in case you suddenly prove that the sensibly-priced PC is just as good at making music, as his expensive designer Apple Macintosh! Trust me, I've heard it all before.

Dr. V

 

[Steenamaroo]

dr varney is 100% right all the way..

i know a dude who runs a modest studio setup.

he had a c24 (big digidesign console) which broke, but when it did work, it wasn't even being used for it's preamps. It was purely used as a 'big mouse'.

he couldn't afford to get it fixed, and when i offered to move it out and re stup up the studio for him, he declined on the basis that the physical appearance of the c24 is what keeps the studio alive.

he's only recording small time bands/young guys starting out,,,,but how sad is that when you rely on the WOW factor, from the LOOK of a piece of gear that actually does NOTHING!


idk, just thought it was similar,,cos even if it's true,,there are very few engineers who are gonna respond to "oh wow look at that amazing mac and protools and stuff" with ' ach, you don't really need all that. a dell laptop and a motu will give you the same results'

 

[Dr. Varney]

That's right, Steen. It's all about understanding the needs of the large and the needs of the small.

For instance, I use Photoshop in my professional work but when someone asks me whether they need it, I ask what they intend to do with it. If all they want to do is process their family photographs and make a few web graphics for their web page, then I will suggest they try out The GIMP free open source graphics editor...

Photoshop is tuned (among other tasks) for top-class printing output - so if the person was intending to run a magazine or hoping to take digital photography to it's logical end, especially if they want to bag a position in the industry where Photoshop is extensively used, I would not hesitate to recommend it to them. But then, if they were already dead-set on reaching the top level of their profession, they would most lkely have answered this question for themselves.

Having said that, some of my earlier published work is out there, having been rendered entirely with the cheaper Corel Photopaint.

That covers software. If they asked me whether they should run Photoshop on a Mac or a PC, that would be an entirely different conversation... One that would run something like the above.

Dr. V

 

[Steenamaroo]

it is!

the fact that a pac/mc debate still exists in this day and age sometimes baffles me..

fair enough, it's maybe not thaaaat well known, but you can boot windows on a mac, or go to psystar and buy mac software that runs ON a pc?

doesn't it kinda mean they're the same?

under the hood there's soo much that's shared between pc and mac these days, and really they all boil down to the same memory(give or take) the same intel processors, the same ati or nvidia graphics cards

the question isn't which is better anymore; it's definitely which do you prefer.