Setting Up MacBook for Recording. Need Advice

[Zthom]

Hello All,
I just purchased a MacBook with with the dual 2ghz Intel core duo and 1.25gb of ram. I will primarily be using it for home recording projects. I have a MOTU 828 firewire interface and will be using Logic Express 7.2 as my DAW. For the most part I will be recording a few tracks of acoustic guitar and some vocals. However, I'd like to be able to use the occasional soft-synth or virtual instrument. I have a 250gb external firewire drive to record to. I've done a few tests and all seems to be running well. I was wondering if anyone had any tips for optimizing the performance of my macbook for audio recording. As I said before this will be the primary use of the computer. Are there any settings in Logic express that I should be aware of? I am still learning how to use the software so any help would be great. Thanks in advance.

 

[jimmy2sticks]

I am not familiar with Logic Express or the MOTU 828, however, I am sure that both Apple and MOTU provide optimal settings for you to incorporate. I know with Pro Tools and Digidesign, there is a section on the website that tells you what to enable, disable and so on. I would look into this.

And good luck! Welcome to the recording world.

 

[Emusic]

Hello All,
I just purchased a MacBook with with the dual 2ghz Intel core duo and 1.25gb of ram.

Grats. Thats a good platform for recording.
Dont know if I can give you too many hints but.....
1) Use SaveAsProject in Logic to save every song to a folder on your external disk. This will keep all audiotracks in that folder together with the settings for any plugins. Will make backup a breeze later. Or restoration.
2) Hold down Alt-key at startup (keep Mac OS DVD in drive) to make a clone of you systems harddrive when everything works flawlessly. Store the clone on your external drive for easy restoration if you ever run into problems.
3) If you are using samples or large sample-based plugins (like BFD, Virtual Guitarist II, Akoustic Piano etc) keep them on a partition all by them self. Probably on the external drive. I allways recommend at least 3 drives so you might want to sniff into getting another external in case you run many samplebased sounds and plugins.
4) Allways do a cold start of your system before a mix or track session. Espesially if you have been surfing the net up front or played a game or similar.

If you encounter problems feel free to pm me here or mail me at emailoffice@wizardsongs.netemail (remove email x 2 from the email adress as it is there to fake the email robots that run around on forums picking up emailadresses)

Happy recording.

 

[altitude909]

I'd like to be able to use the occasional soft-synth or virtual instrument.

Bear in mind that you will need a Mactel compatable plugin so make sure any plugin you buy is designed to work on a intel based mac