Is a mac easier?

[cuzitny]

I don't have a lot of time to record music on my pc. I normally record ideas on my phone and let them pile up. The problem is, when I get a chance to finally sit down a record I spend more time trying to remember how everything configured. Is a mac easier to use in this respect? I just want to be able to connect and go.

 

[Steenamaroo]

Any computer setup can have issues.
I personally find apple's OS to be incredibly reliable and straight forward, but I guarantee you can find any number of people who agree, and the same who disagree.

I'm totally a mac guy but to be fair, any platform should be ready to go once its first set up.
It does just boil down to preference and the best way to know is to try.

 

[Seafroggys]

Well, I would say Linux would be harder to set up (much harder), but be more reliable after its setup.

 

[kidkage]

I had the same problem you're having around this time last year. I've since bought a pair of Macbook Pros and they definitely fit the 'connect and go' thing for me more than the 3 PC's I tried with.
BUT they aren't flawless. They haven't crashed on me. But I've experienced crashes in Cubase, Ableton, and Adobe Premiere Elements 11 a few times. Much less frequently than on PC's and there was no annoying BSOD. But still. I figured I'd point that out just in case someone's told you Mac's don't crash.

 

[Seafroggys]

I can't recall the last time my studio PC crashed. Windows XP is solid on there.

 

[DarrenVocal]

Mac just looks fancier.

 

[moresound]

Last time I went on a date with MAC ... she was very easy.

 

[Bobbsy]

If you're used to a PC then you'll have to relearn the Mac. I've been using PCs longer that some forum members have been alive and don't feel at home when I'm forced to do something on a Mac--it always seems like it's forcing me to do things its way in terms of file structure and whatever. I'm sure I could get around this with some experience and practice but my point is that, for a PC user, a Mac is NOT immediately easier.

The other thing to consider is that the operating system is only one aspect. You also have to learn the DAW you are using and these tend to be pretty similar whether you've used a Mac or a PC to open them. Once you're recording, it makes little difference which Operating System you're on.

So choose whichever computer you want but, especially if you're fairly expert on Windows software, don't assume you can move to a Mac without a bit of a learning curve.

 

[Ferrllamp]

I would Agree with Darren, Mac just looks Cleaner , I am a PC guy for varios reasons all programs are made for Windows with exeption of Logic, and PC is a great platform aslong as you maintain it for what you plan to use it for. If it is your studio computer treat it as your studio computer,try not to DL so many thing because as we all know Pc has a huge problem with Ram bieng overwhelmed and your computer slowing down. when it comes to quality both PC and Mac can reach High Quality it comes down to what you are most comfurtable with

Hope this Helps,

FERNANDO LAMP - LEVELS RECORDING - WHATSMUSIC911.BLOGSPOT.MX
"if you think im underrated thats your richest thought"

 

[Steenamaroo]

I would Agree with Darren, Mac just looks Cleaner

I am a PC guy for varios reasons all programs are made for Windows with exeption of Logic, and PC is a great platform aslong as you maintain it for what you plan to use it for. If it is your studio computer treat it as your studio computer, try not to DL so many thing because as we all know Pc has a huge problem with Ram bieng overwhelmed and your computer slowing down.

My experience has been that your apple computer will not need any maintenance or special, unless it actually breaks.
There are always exceptions but my apple computer hasn't been one of them. It just works....always...

Quite often people talk about streamlining and special treatment for work computers as if it applies across the platforms.
It really doesn't.

So choose whichever computer you want but, especially if you're fairly expert on Windows software, don't assume you can move to a Mac without a bit of a learning curve.

OP, Spend two minutes in an apple store playing with one.
If you find your self bitching because X is on the left and M$ had it on the right, just walk away.
It's not for you.

If not, the learning curve is about 2 minutes.

 

[DarrenVocal]

My experience has been that your apple computer will not need any maintenance, unless it actually breaks.
There are always exceptions but my apple computer hasn't been one of them. It just works....always...

Quite often people talk about streamlining and special treatment for work computers as if it applies across the platforms.
It really doesn't.

My Dad didn't know how to look after windows. A typical install would last about 6 months then I'd have to intervene.
I forced him to buy a mac mini. He doesn't know how to maintain that either but I'm betting it will never be an issue.

It's going strong over a year already.

Same goes with my windows P.C . Ever since Mac started using Intel chips, the hardwares aren't really all that unique anymore.

 

[Steenamaroo]

Same goes with my windows P.C . Ever since Mac started using Intel chips, the hardwares aren't really all that unique anymore.

Can you honestly say your windows machine doesn't need any maintenance or special treatment?

No messing around; I bought mac, installed PT and motu drivers and waves, and that's it!
About once every 6 months it lets me know what updates there are.
I genuinely can't think of anything else I have to do.

The hardware never made the difference, btw.
People always say that...like, oooh the secret's out. Their all the same now.

 

[Bobbsy]

My current laptop PC is 7 months old, has had no "maintenance" and is still as fast as the day I bought it.

My previous laptop was almost 6 years old when I "replaced" it. Actually, it's still working fine--I keep it in the bedroom for bedtime browsing. It had no maintenance in those six years other than occasionally transferring data from one of the two internal HDDs onto an archive to clear some space. The main reasons for my update were a desire to move to 64 bit processing and the fact that the battery needed replacing if I wanted to take it on the road.

Actually, I take all that back. There IS a maintenance routine I follow which is to not download junk willy nilly. I make sure I know what any download I do is all about. This is the one big difference--there's a lot less junk software downloadable for Macs but, as more are sold, that will change and Apple users will have to be more and more careful.

 

[Steenamaroo]

Why does this always happen?
M$ users can't have it both ways.

Someone always rhymes off these routines that you must do to use your windows machine for audio.
Disable this, turn off that, scan this, etc etc...

Someone says you don't need to do that on mac.

Someone comes along and says you don't need to do that on M$ operating systems either.

Which is it guys?

All I know is I get endless phone calls to reinstall Xp/Vista/7 because the machine is running at snails pace.
I never ever get that call from a mac user.

 

[Bobbsy]

I can only speak for myself but I can do pretty elaborate audio work without any mods to straight out of the box. However, I can make it work better and faster if I do a one off optimisation when I buy the computer and simply shut down un-necessary extra programmes. To be clear though, at least in my case, this is not a "you have to do it to make it work" thing. It's an "up the channel count from 24 or so with some effects" to "you'll never bump into the limits in normal working".

By the way, a Mac can benefit from exactly the same sort of optimisation. When I post advice on this forum I usually recommend a list of tips on the Presonus site. Guess what? Presonus have exactly the same advice for Mac OS users--you can see it HERE. From what I can tell, the suggestions exactly mirror the things I do in Windows...I'm guessing "turn of airport" is like "turn of wifi networking", the "repair disk permissions" button is likely equivalent to "turn off automatic defragmenting" and so on.

There's nothing magic about Macs and their OS. Rather, the difference is that they much more tightly control applications available which can affect the workings of the computer. For example, my Mac-mad-mate Wallace recently had endless freezes and reboots. It turned out to be the USB wireless modem provided by his ISP to replace ADSL. If that had happened on a PC, everybody would be cursing the computer instead of tracing the cause.

 

[Steenamaroo]

From what I can tell, the suggestions exactly mirror the things I do in Windows...I'm guessing "turn of airport" is like "turn of wifi networking", the "repair disk permissions" button is likely equivalent to "turn off automatic defragmenting" and so on.

Defragging and permissions aren't almost related, but I take your point.
Anything can be optimised, sure.
You're right though. It's a totally different thing. Optimisation isn't long term.

My disagreement isn't necessarily with you, Bobbsy.

Ferrllamo said
"PC is a great platform aslong as you maintain it for what you plan to use it for. If it is your studio computer treat it as your studio computer"
I say either apple OS is superior, or he's wrong. That's all.

My experience does tend to suggest he's right and apple's a simpler option, but if you say otherwise I'll certainly take it.

Maybe it's just outdated practices that some people still carry on but every time I see "I have a studio computer, then another computer for internet use" I just laugh and think, "I have a mac".

Going back to the original question though, either machine should be 'turn on and go' once it's first set up.

 

[Bobbsy]

Yeah. I see the same posts as you about trouble with Windows machines. I'd call them Varneygrams but that might get me in trouble. Anyway, all I can say is that they don't mirror my experience.

However, this makes a degree of sense. When you buy a Mac, you buy a package. Apple make both the hardware and the operating system...and they at least attempt to control software and peripherals you can use with them.

With Windows, there are probably hundreds of different companies assembling the hardware then slamming in an image disk of the operating system. Some use good components and are careful on their software installs; other less so.

I strongly suspect the reason I haven't had trouble is that I take the time to research the manufacturers and models I buy. My most recent machine was a Lenovo laptop and they allowed me to specify the configuration I needed. This effort paid off because I unpacked my laptop, installed Audition and some M Audio drivers, plugged in the Firewire and loaded a 33 track session I worked on in the old machine. The new one worked flawlessly first try and only got better when I did things like turning off foolishness like animated screens and drop shadows on icons.

The big difference with Mac, of course, is that you don't need to do the research. Since they control the hardware and software you KNOW it's going to work together. However, you also pay a price for this control. My Lenovo cost me a bit over half the price of a similarly specced Mac--which, for me, means it's worth the time and effort. (And, as I say, for me it's largely a one-off effort. I've not done anything since the initial purchase.)

It's horses for courses.

In this case, the OP asked if a Mac is easier to record on when he only does sessions occasionally. If he's used to a PC (and that's only a guess of course) and isn't having any tech problems, then a change to a Mac will just mean learning a new OS--and he'll still have to go through the process of re-learning his DAW each time. That won't change whether he's on Mac or Windows.

 

[Steenamaroo]

When you buy a Mac, you buy a package. Apple make both the hardware and the operating system...and they at least attempt to control software and peripherals you can use with them.
......
With Windows, there are probably hundreds of different companies assembling the hardware then slamming in an image disk of the operating system. Some use good components and are careful on their software installs; other less so.

I strongly suspect the reason I haven't had trouble is that I take the time to research the manufacturers and models I buy.

I think we just met in the middle. You're bang right.
Assuming there are no issues with interface drivers / whatever, mac's probably easier in the long run, in that respect.

I used to be PC guy (dos through to vista) and in honesty I loved the customisation and tinker-ability; I can see the value in it.
I set about installing osx on my PC when Tiger was the current OS. I suppose there was a bit of proving you don't need to pay apple their big bucks in there somewhere.
Next thing I bought a mac.


I'd whole heartedly concede that as an apple user I'm boxed in, but I kinda like the box.

In this case, the OP asked if a Mac is easier to record on when he only does sessions occasionally. If he's used to a PC (and that's only a guess of course) and isn't having any tech problems, then a change to a Mac will just mean learning a new OS--and he'll still have to go through the process of re-learning his DAW each time. That won't change whether he's on Mac or Windows.

When it comes to a PC and a mac both set up ready to go, and the question is which one is easier to use, this is it.
It's just preference/familiarity.

 

[DarrenVocal]

Well, it doesn't really matter which is "better". People debate on this 'till death and nobody gets anywhere. Let's just say this: People use whatever operating systems they PREFER. There is no better or worse one. One might be "better" than other in a certain task, but does it really matter? In the end, both are able to produce music.

 

[Steenamaroo]

Well, it doesn't really matter which is "better".

The debate here is which is easier to use, not which is better.
That might seem pedantic but your above statement applies to "better". It doesn't apply to "easier to use".

I think between us Bobbsy and I have a pretty good gauge of it.