Don't want to start a product war but

[crs7string]

Matto,I was going to surprise Mazz with Logic for Christmas. Thanks for blowing the surprise. I guess he'll have to stick with DP. Chuck

[squids]

Thanks all y'all for your advice. Everyone had great input here and it sounds like you've all found systems that work for you. I'll read it all over carefully, do some comparisons, see what I can come up with. Whatever it is will have to do orchestral arrangements plus some live recording.....I'm so picky about production (sigh).Anyway, thank you a lot, I appreciate it. I hope all y'all have a wonderful, wonderful Christmas. I'm grateful to you for taking the time to write in your thoughts on this. It's an adventure to build a studio and that's a fact! If I'd had my druthers, I'd jes move in with Stick but maybe next year......

[jh]

Quote:It's unchecked, I looked a month or two ago as well. I strongly suspect an xp/bill gates curse. My next step is to reformat it and drag it all down to the basics, see what it does. I miss win 98. But thanks tons! No prob. It could be malware.. try this http://www.lavasoftusa.com/products/ad_aware_free.php (it´s free). Though the best way is to reformat and reinstall everything. Try not to install anything "extra", that slows down the computer (or a mac). For example games will mess up your PC. BUT, get those updates for windows (service pack 2 etc.)Quote:It's when something goes wrong that I've found a notable difference: Windows is an absolute NIGHTMARE to troubleshoot! I've had problems that total PC experts couldn't figure out, and that's not the case with Macs.I´ve never had any major problems with my PCs. More often than not, those "nightmares" are hardware problems, or "too much software and different drivers" kind of problems. Windows is not always the one to blame IMHO. btw. I´m doing music AND surfing without any problems. (sometimes even at the same time ) However, the most important thing is what works for you. - JH

[nickbatzdorf]

Gee, I've always known I was an idiot, but I never thought of myself as a total flipping moron as well.Thanks for your post, JH. And thanks for letting me know that if I just delete some software so I don't have "too much" on my Windows machines, XP will - to mention just one example - let me start up from a CD and just replace a corrupted registry file without trying to overwrite my entire fricking system drive with a new installation...wiping out all the programs I have installed. I never realized that was a hardware problem caused by different drivers - and "too much" software.After all, the fact that you can do music and surf on your computer at the same time is total proof that the very real problems leading me to make the statement I made are due only to operator stupidity.

[nickbatzdorf]

[andreh]

Somebody pee'd in Nick's eggnog...

[jh]

Quote:Gee, I've always known I was an idiot, but I never thought of myself as a total flipping moron as well.Thanks for your post, JH. And thanks for letting me know that if I just delete some software so I don't have "too much" on my Windows machines, XP will - to mention just one example - let me start up from a CD and just replace a corrupted registry file without trying to overwrite my entire fricking system drive with a new installation...wiping out all the programs I have installed. I never realized that was a hardware problem caused by different drivers - and "too much" software.After all, the fact that you can do music and surf on your computer at the same time is total proof that the very real problems leading me to make the statement I made are due only to operator stupidity. Thanks a lot for your kind words... Ok, but seriously... Sorry Nick, I was just commenting on your post, and talking in general.I really didn´t mean it like that. I wasn´t talking about any specific individual or event. What I was trying to say was that hardware conflicts may seem like windows iscausing the problem. Then people are usually installing different drivers, andif it´s still not working, they´ll install some more. - JH

[nickbatzdorf]

Note the . I'm not bent out of shape.The point is just that my comments about Windows aren't religious or knee-jerk, nor are they only because I'm a total putz (which I am, but I manage to keep that hidden well); they're based on solid experience - and the problem I mentioned is just one example. Notice that I've stayed away from the arguments about whether there's "more software available" or "Windows is less expensive." Those are separate questions.Of course lots of people get work done on Windows machines all over the world every day. And we cover software that runs on both in Virtual Instruments in every issue. But if someone is going to ask for a recommendation, I'm going to say what my experience with both has been. And I've found that Windows is considerably more difficult to deal with when something goes wrong; moreover, I can give you a list of Windows software problems I've encountered that neither experts - genuine ones - nor fellow musicians in a hornet's next of experienced professional Windows DAW users have been able to solve.That has not been the case with any Mac OS problem I've ever had, and I've been working on Macs all day long for the past 22 years.Does that automatically mean I believe everyone should buy a Mac? Of course not. if you want to run Sonar or Wavelab, for example, you can't run them on Mac OS, and I've heard reliable reports that Nuendo and Cubase are better under Windows (although you can use Boot Camp and install Windows on an Intel Mac). And Windows machines are very good as sample-streaming slaves, because you can custom tailor he hardware to do just what you need it to do.But it's not just "whatever works for you"; there's also objective reality that you can't just write off by saying the problems are caused by hardware or user ignorance.

[jh]

I have a strong feeling that we´re not talking about the same thing(s) here.When you wrote:Quote:It's when something goes wrong that I've found a notable difference: Windows is an absolute NIGHTMARE to troubleshoot! I've had problems that total PC experts couldn't figure out, and that's not the case with Macs.I got the impression that you were saying "Windows is causing the problems". I read it fast and didn´t pay much attention to the word "troubleshoot". So I thought to mention that the problems MIGHT BE caused by hardware, malware, etc. I thought I was helping someone who could be reading this, that they would check other things too. Quote:I can give you a list of Windows software problems I've encountered that neither experts - genuine ones - nor fellow musicians in a hornet's next of experienced professional Windows DAW users have been able to solve.Yes, softwares have bugs that can´t be solved (by a user), no matter what you do, I´m aware of that. However, I wasn´t talking about the software. I tried to say that it´s a good idea to check the compatibility of the hardware before you(="someone who could be reading this", not you Nick) buy anything. Quote:But it's not just "whatever works for you"; there's also objective reality that you can't just write off by saying the problems are caused by hardware or user ignorance.When did I say that the problems ARE caused by hardware or user ignorance?? I said that they could be. There are far more variables involved. For example if there are bugs in the software, there´s nothing you can do about it (other than uninstalling it). Anyway, by saying "whatever works for you" I meant that if you like PC, get a PC, if you like Mac, get a Mac... and btw. Nick, I was assuming that your setups are/were complicated and that´s not (usually) the case with the "average user".So I guess there has been some misunderstandings here

[ddusty]

Hi Nick, I think my meaning was lost in the attempt at humor. (besides i was using the Political metaphor, not the religious one )My point was both machines are capable of making great music, as this forum can well represent. Most people can't afford one of each (or more) so the point was supposed to be that there is no write or wrong answer.If my sign off was unclear, I am a Mac guy who just happens to be using his work (i.e. not mine) laptop to post these messages.Rob