mac or pc

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dkijc

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i'm sure it's been asked b4 but i really dont' have time right now to search through the threads sorry.

i have chance to get the g5 dual 2.5. and for almost the same price i can get an equal or a better pc.
for recording, what would you recommend?

i personally do maya, final cut and obviously audio recording, what would you guys recommend?

thanks!
 
oh boy. i hate to get into these threads for the umpteenth time,
because they always end up in pc wars. i'm a computer engr...
and youll find a lot of us vets tend to stay away from these threads because they can get very silly quickly.
my own personal preference for audio multitrack recording is amd 64
with lots of ram, and fast 7200 rpm hard drives or look at raptor hard drives.
or look at what some folks are doing with amd dual opterons.
insane performance figures like 100 to 200 tracks, and all sorts of plug ins.
this year i'm saving up for an RME sound solution.
if your open minded on multitrack sioftware you wont beat what i use.
just been updated to do things like vocal pitch correction and harmonisation,
ppq of 3840 and a slew of other interesting features.
http://www.pgmusic.com/powertracks.htm
just take the on line video tour. the features are amazing.
i wont comment further unless you ask specific q"s because ive seen too many mac/pc crazy threads. peace.
 
hahaha thanks manning =)

yea, seems like these posts are always a trend to become a heated discussion. my bad heh

yea i heard amd64 is a great solution these days, what would be your recommendation on both pc and mac for both live/editing recording and graphic/video work... hahah i know all these programs need a lot of specs to run smoothly. Of course more i put it's gonna be better, i'm willing to spend about $2500.

thanks!
 
although i'm an engr with years of experience i dont feel qualified to advise you on subjects like video editing. however if you go to hitsquad,com
there are all sorts of video editing programs you can try.
multitrack studio recording is my bag. not video editing.
hitsquad also has a number of packages for audio on the mac.
if you want a detailed spec on amd 64 for multitrack recording, i can make suggestions on that aspect. frankly ive tested a slew of processors ...
and youll find the amd 64 hard to beat for PROCESSOR POWER.
both video and audio apps need high speed POWERFULL PROCESSORS.
this is where the 64 excels. but i would caution you even so on trying to run both video AND audio on one platform ie..one pc.
i have yet to see a perfect sogtware application that does everything one might ever need for both multitrack recording AND video rendering and editing. there are always compromises.
one thing powertracks does that i mentioned is includes smpte support.
ive never done this , but it might be possible using smpte to lock to video.
peace.
 
dkijc said:
i'm sure it's been asked b4 but i really dont' have time right now to search through the threads sorry.
i have chance to get the g5 dual 2.5. and for almost the same price i can get an equal or a better pc.
for recording, what would you recommend?
i personally do maya, final cut and obviously audio recording, what would you guys recommend? thanks!
Click to expand...


dkijc,

To preserve rational and sober approach manning1 introduced,..extend a few details to your attention nonetheless I think is worth the time.

Merits of your results are always the best indication that you can challenge you creative potential on both PC and Mac. Mac is certainly at home with audio and no dispute, will offer less then a half headache episodes with hardware installation compared to PC (Plug & pray)

However, tool is as powerful as user behind the same machine.

If you would start from the scratch with choosing a new platform, then AMD64 PC is a clear winner and G5 would have hard time - considering both value and realistically,the power and speed.

Read this to understand the essence of this comment : http://jonkubis.com/technology/mac/
and : http://spl.haxial.net/apple-powermac-G5/

Your accumulation of software, since you mention you use Mac software is also indication of certain experience with concrete software and also something of consideration.

There is nothing for video as smooth,charming and productive as Final Cut Pro the same is not almost of
reference in most of the film schools and workshops for nothing ;)

One can dispute from the reasons of his own expertise between Logic,Steinberg,Motu,Opcode and choose one or other over all...

I don't use at the moment MOTU , but for me, this is the most GUI elegant environment I have ever seen. I seem to be more productive with Digital Performer then with Steinberg or Logic (?)

However, if you path to PC and wish to find the best programs for video...this I recommend for you to research : Sony Soundforge VEGAS It is a beauty how elegantly this programs handles both Audio and Video in synergy, and makes one feel, both are the same process :)

Also very capable : AVID

Or perhaps, you need something of a light category but also competent to make things done : Ulead

Good luck.
 
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thanks so much for the replies, both anthony and manning

i personally use cubase sl and reason 2.5, (had presonus firestation but sold) so i'm trying to get either a delta44 or the firewire1814, or whatever suits my needs. final cut pro, photoshop and maya from my school mac. photoshop with my pc at home also.

right now my concern is not with the programs but the actual system itself.

and man.. researching.. so time consuming.. hahaha
 
This is my take on it, for what it's worth:

I concur with Anthony in this respect - IMHO, the system should *not* be the focus of your initial research, but rather, focus on the environment you want to work in.

The software applications, plugins, hardware *support* (ahem, ProTools if you are so inclined), etc, should be driving your decision. It doesn't matter what system you have if the software you run doesn't meet your productivity requirements. This may involve looking at both audio and non-audio software, if you want to multitask the box.

Personally, I have been a software engineer for many years in the Unix and PC worlds. I have never used a mac for my day job - *but* - if I had the option to start fresh, I would probably get a G5 on the strength of the audio software support. (Unix inderneath is also nice). That's my personal choice.

Yes, the AMD Athlon 64-bit systems may be superior to G5s, but that means diddly to me. In terms of software, my 1ghz Athlon system running linux outperforms my 3ghz Intel system running Win Xp. Why? The OS is tighter, leaner, and more robust, as is the software I use. This is not to say this will be true for everyone, this is how it is for ME. If I thought Linux was ready for primetime audio, then I would jump all over that, but IMHO it isn't.

If all else is equal, then we can quibble about the superiority of one hardware platform over another. And, while there may be systems that perform better in pure processing power, like it or not, the industry standard is arguably a G5 running Protools. Should you go that route, then you can match up with the big boys.

So, I would respectfully suggest you research the application environment you would be most productive in first and foremost, then worry about the platform.

My $.02.

Ciao.
 
oooooo that's what anthony meant lol

thanks fraserhutch.

yea made it clear what anthony was talking about ( sorry about the mis-understanding =))

yea... then to put it simple... i'm going to work with cubase sl or the sx.. (no protools yet.. not professional heh) and with reason.

and for video/graphic; adobe premiere, photoshop, maya, flash and illustrator.

right now i'm either choosing between pentium 4 or the amd64. ( they are about the same price.. and i'm always leaning towards the amd.. had better experiences with them). what processor has better performance in audio or/and video?

i went to guitar center today and they say some programs might not work on a pc.. only for mac... is that true?.. and if that is the case, what kind of program and would i needed for recording a plain band setup and singers?

technology flies these days and i really dont' wanna go top of the line right now cuz it's gonna be history within few years anyway. and sicne i'm making it i can always upgrade it ya know?.

thank you so much for taking your time to help me out there... i really really appreciate it. god bless!
 
Well, if it is a toss up between a p4 and an Athlon 64, the Athlon outperforms the p4 no doubt.

*HOWEVER*, please do some research on your audio hardware. I had an Athlon system that just refused to work with some of my hardware (I believe the problems were due to the VIA chipset). Specifically, I could never get my MOTU 2408mkII to work. There were other issues as well.

From what I understand, most of these issues have arisen when hardware manufacturers initially target Mac OSs for their products. Windows development, when done at all, seems to have been traditionally done only on Pentium based systems. Thus, when the hardware implementation differs between Pentium and Athon systems, issues may pass QA undetected.

So, if you have MOTU hardware, know that last time I checked they did NOT support Athlon sytems, and were certified NOT to work with cvertain DDR Ram (however, my DDR ram was not an issue with my hardware).

I do not know if these issues would affect Atlhon 64 systems, but i would suggest researching them first.

If your hardware is known to work with Athlon systems, go with the Atlhon 64 :)

My $02.
 
yea.. thats what what one of the other guy from the store said. If i do get it for audio or video, i would be better off with amd64 since like you said, it seems they base their hardware/software on pentium systems...

hmm... then before i research, what kind of hardware would you recommend? i'm a newbie and i only had experiecne with the presonus firestation (which i do not own anymore.)

and now the question becomes, what kind of hardware would you recommend for what i do? -Live recordings (drums, guitars, singers, keys, bass.. etc)... - Reason.

and i'm sorry.. one more question. should i go for a laptop or a desktop?.... i guess if i do go for a laptop.. i have no choice but the powerbook g4.....

again, thanks so much for your time! god blesS!
 
dk. the guy at the store doesnt know what he is talking about with respect. loads of folks are running successfull amd 64 multitrack recording set ups.
just search with google.
how many tracks do you want to record to a pc to seperate tracks at a time. ??peace.
 
if i do a live recording. i have the drums setup to a multi-track, then output to the my pc. then two mics, two for guitar, two for keys, one for bass.
so i guess 9?....

and at home, i usally record the guitar parts and vocals seperately. so i just use one input at a time at home...

can you recommend any hardware or software for me to use if i do get the amd64?....

one of the reason i'd like to get a laptop is if i do a live recording, i'll have to bring my desktop to that location... which is pain in the butt (me do not have enough budget to get both laptop and desktop.. lol)

thanks !!
 
well dk....you might want to look at a amd 64 laptop.
i was out the other day looking at them with a studio friend. but this is a brand new market which i think will explode now the 64 can be had on a laptop.
its still a new market, and i expect powerfull amd processors in laptops
will go over huge with daw users. above the 64 is the opteron (very expensive) but i havent bothered to look if you can get them in laptops as i dont need that power.
so ...if you want to be "bleeding edge" you might look at a amd 64 laptop.
BUT TEST IT OUT WITH THE FIREWIRE SOLUTION before you buy it.
this is a whole new market. if you DO GO laptop 64 make sure your not lumbered with a slow old 5400 rpm internal drive someones trying to paw off on you. get a 7200 rpm and probably another external fast hard drive.
and makesure it doesnt conflict with the external firewire solution.
as i said - a lot of this is new...so only a few users so far.
 
hey manning. I looked into amd64 laptop and saw the linux series goin for $1800, that sounds like a decent price for me. but the thing is can you recommend anyway devices that i can record at gigs and bring it home to record with the desktop?

cuz i would like a laptop but what i need right now is a desktop.

and i think i made my choice:
amd64 3400 2.2 Ghz(or was it 2.4.. lol)
1gig DDR ram
radeon 9600
200 gig sata drive.
Asus mother board.

does that sound good enough? =)
 
i dont want to get into an argument about big drives. another thread
lots of opinions on THAT. my own personal preference is two drives.
a daw works better this way. just search under my name...been explained why many times.
one small fast hard drive for windows, and i prefer no bigger than 120 gb for tracks. some folks like sata. some folks like raptor drives.
for me - hard drives with 8 mb caches are good to look at.
there really are sooo many options.as the market moves sooo fast.
frankly on the laptop 64 idea i would wait 6 months as more come out
using the 64. acer just introduced in nov a 64 laptop, compaq have one and many others are on their way.
 
o yea...

i forgot to mention. i'll be using my 30gig for the os... nothing else.. and just use the 200 sata and prolly more harddrives in the future for the storage.

that's how i'm running my pc right now.

yea, and for the laptop, i'll pass and just get the desktop.

i saw on the other thread. what is DDR2 ram? i dont' need it do i?
 
I still stand by my statement that the AMD has a troubled history with supporting audio hardware.

The fact that there are many people who are successfully running AMD audio systems is besides the point. Certain audio cards had and continue to have issues with Athlon chips and motherboards.

My advice still stands - if you go with an AMD system - and I am not arguing against it - research your hardware, and even better = *TEST* out your hardware first combination first.

again, my $.02.
 
thanks fraser, i'll make sure i'll do plenty of research...

but right now.. am too tired to do anything... hahah +)

i've been talkin to my art professors and what not... they all say.. MAC.. hahahahah

is it because they dont' know much about computers? or are they just a stubborn buncha ppl.. hahah jk jk no offense to apple people. but man.. they were looking at me like if that was even a question. hahah

dilemma dilemma..... ppl who knows about computer say they are both the same in performance wise.. and ppl who just use it for art and audio stick by their MACs....

man.... soo confusing.. hahah
 
If you plan to use programs like Maya and Premiere Pro, I think you would be better off with some kind of dual Xeon or Opteron system (if you have the money, of course).

I suggest you read through the Hardware and Maya forums at cgtalk.com as well as the Premiere Pro user forum at adobe.com - the P4 vs. AMD is a bigger issue with those programs than it is with DAW software. You definetly see a performance difference and in some cases its not what you think

You also need to realize that Maya is very picky when it comes to video cards and you will need to shell out the big bucks for a nVidia card that is certified with the program. Don't waste your time on ATI.

Finally, 2Gb or RAM is almost a requirement nowadays when doing 3D work as well as video editing.

My system at work is a Dual 2.8 Ghz Xeon Dell Workstation with 2Gb of RAM and programs like Premiere and 3D Studio MAX run very smoothly.
 
man.. i posted a long post but didn't get loaded.. o well. heh

in short....

dual xeon or the dual opteron, in price wise it's about the same price as the dual g5.

if that's the case, the question becomes, what kind of hardware works best for the sofware i'm going to be using?

have you used the g5's?
 
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