MacBook Pro Rig

[pboss]

I did some research on this topic, as I am getting ready to get into the 21st century with my rig. A few things were brought to my attention. The video card used can matter, if you are running extra monitors and/or running a movie file to sync in your recording app. I opted to upgrade a notch. I also will probably be getting a "Hackintosh" as I found a guy who puts these together, and offers a warranty as well. The topic of internal drives was brought up, and I will be getting 4 additional internal drives, because then the different sections of an VI orchestral library, for example, can be divided up to spread out. Internal drives, because I guess they're faster than external. What else? the bios settings are supposed to be something I expect to tweak. I also talked with someone running lots of VSL plugins and it seems that I will need to opt for the faster memory as opposed to the regular stuff he offers, otherwise it may be a problem for plugins, according to a friend. Anyway, the idea here is to run the latest Mac OS on it.

The machine will be about one-half the cost of the analogous Mac Pro parts via the Mac store, from the comparison I did. (plus the PCI expansion card for recording audio, which is supposed to sound better than a firewire connection). I supposed some of this may be debatable, I'm no expert.

I have not ordered the machine, but it was helpful to realize some of the things that can make a difference, like, video card, how fast the ram is, how many internal drives you have. The other stuff, is the obvious stuff, like CPU speed, how much RAM, how many cores, and all that. You do really want to be careful, because some people get all the right stuff and then have compatibility issues they did not foresee. You don't want that!

Let us know how it turns out with with what you get.

[anthonytop40]

Thx guys...

Pboss - I think you are refering to a MacPro & not a MacBook Pro(the laptop).

If only it could house 4 X internal drives....how cool would that be..??
Maybe we need to give Apple a few ideas/tips for future models.



AT40

[mojobone]

"...the PCI expansion card for recording audio, which is supposed to sound better than a firewire connection)

Nope. FireWire I/O should sound better in nearly all cases, because it moves the preamps/converters further from the stray magnetic fields, hum, and buzz found within the common computer case. (though Macs are generally quieter) Best practice is to convert any analog to digital before it gets near a computer, unless you take special precautions. Induction and interference are less of a problem once a signal is digitized. An argument can be made that internal soundcards are of better quality/construction, but I doubt that it's universally true; certainly they'd have to be better built and shielded to obtain noise performance equivalent to external converters, whether FireWire or otherwise.

[pboss]

Pboss - I think you are refering to a MacPro & not a MacBook Pro

Oh, my bad, yes you're right, that definitely has different space considerations.

mojobone - thanks for the update on the firewire vs pci expansion card for the A-D conversion. It's helpful and may change what I get.

[Dwayne Russell]

Hi All,

I am just about to take the plunge on a spec'd out 17" MBPro Quad Core 8GB Ram...etc,as I want a lean and mean mobile
recording/writing rig.

I will be running Logic,Superior Drummer 2,Spectrasonics,EastWest,UAD software as I've already purchased these.

I will also be using a portable external HDD to house my samples/sounds.

Any thoughts/tips from anyone who may be running a similar set-up? Is the MBPro Quad Core enough of a workhorse to run
all of this software without falling over..??


Thx
AT40

Of course it is enough, and of course its nice, but I never understood why people spend literally twcie the amount of money on a mac.

You could get the same rig or better in a PC for literally HALF the money and have money left over to buy Cubase or any other DAW you wanted for the PC.

I just helped a friend yesterday build your same rig in a PC version. He was going to buy the same thing you are. But instead we got him a better PC with Cubase and a new Interface for LESS than the Mac rig cost.

But, hey, there is nothing wrong with what you want if you got the money. Enjoy!

[mojobone]

There's still a gap in terms of malware for the Mac; if you spec a purpose-built PC DAW, you won't want to take it for a cruise on the interwebs under any circumstances, particularly if it's how you make your money, but more and more, I'm finding that the better-quality affordable software requires an internet connection for updates/authorization; using a separate computer for updates is a huge kluge, imo.(free rhyme included in nearly every post)

[Dwayne Russell]

There's still a gap in terms of malware for the Mac; if you spec a purpose-built PC DAW, you won't want to take it for a cruise on the interwebs under any circumstances, particularly if it's how you make your money, but more and more, I'm finding that the better-quality affordable software requires an internet connection for updates/authorization; using a separate computer for updates is a huge kluge, imo.(free rhyme included in nearly every post)

I take mine on the internet all the time. The mere act of going on the internet will net get a virus. It depends where you go. Getting updates from the companies that make our software is no threat. I do it all the time. And I dont have any virus protection on my computers that I do music on.

If you run a proper back up system which W7 has built in for free. then you really dont have to worry. Even a Mac needs a back up and restore system. People dont know, but you can back up your operating system. And you should!

[mazz]

Of course it is enough, and of course its nice, but I never understood why people spend literally twcie the amount of money on a mac.

I think it's because they like using them and maybe the software they use and are used to is Mac only. Plus, if they are considering it, then they probably can afford it.

Maybe that's why?

I use both, but prefer Mac by far. But I've been using Macs for years as my main machine. Maybe if I stared with PC it would be different. I used to use a Commodore 64 back in the 80s, and up until Windows 7, most flavors of Windows I used made me wish I had my Commodore back.

But that's just me.

[Dwayne Russell]

Of course it is enough, and of course its nice, but I never understood why people spend literally twcie the amount of money on a mac.

I think it's because they like using them and maybe the software they use and are used to is Mac only. Plus, if they are considering it, then they probably can afford it.

Maybe that's why?

I use both, but prefer Mac by far. But I've been using Macs for years as my main machine. Maybe if I stared with PC it would be different. I used to use a Commodore 64 back in the 80s, and up until Windows 7, most flavors of Windows I used made me wish I had my Commodore back.

But that's just me.

Same here. I used both and have spent an equal amount of time on both. Thats why I prefer PC, but until W7 there were still things that bugged me.

I think you're right. People get used to something and dont want to learn something new. And if they got double the money to spend then why not if it makes them happy.