Mac Pro 8 core or Mac Book Pro dual 2.6?

[turnstile]

What bit depth and sampling frequency will you be working with? 16/24, 44.1/96, etc.
To be honest I would go with the desktop, if you don't have to be portable. There are many factors that make the desktop faster then the laptop. Memory speeds, buss speeds, expandability, etc. My theory is have more power than you need as demands from new plugs/applications will always increase.

[DanRock101]

Check out this thread .............

REFURBISHED Mac Pro ...... any feedback?

Does one REALLY need to be THAT ahead of the gHz curve? Is a 3.2gHz 8 core processor THAT much better than a 2.8gHz 8 core????

[C Heat]

Originally Posted by DanRock101

Is a 3.2gHz 8 core processor THAT much better than a 2.8gHz 8 core????

Nope. Not $2k more worth it.

The difference would be negligible. I doubt you'd see it. Check out some benchmark tests if you can find them on the net.

To the OP — a MacPro will get you there easy. A MacBook Pro will get you there, but not as easy, but it's portable...

[blayz2002]

I'm sure I read some where on the Apple site that it is common knowledge now that more cores as opposed to faster ones are where the real jumps in processor speed lay.

[Studio Dweller]

Originally Posted by DanRock101

Check out this thread .............

REFURBISHED Mac Pro ...... any feedback?

Does one REALLY need to be THAT ahead of the gHz curve? Is a 3.2gHz 8 core processor THAT much better than a 2.8gHz 8 core????

The general consensus is that the speed gains offered by the 3.0 and 3.2 GHz Mac Pros are not justified by the added cost. I recently picked up an 8-core 2.8 GHz and couldn't be happier.

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by youngmain

I have a 003 with Waves Studio Classics bundle, Gold bundle, and Digi Music Production Toolkit(48 tracks). I will also purchase the Sonnox plugs to round out my aresenal. I wont be buying anymore plugs, so what do you guys think? 48 tracks at a time; does that require an 8-core or would a 4gb dual 2.6ghz MacBook Pro handle my tasks with ease?

P.S. I like processing though busses and usually dont put more than 3 plugs on each track. Keep this in mind also, I track my beats in a seperate session, mix it, then bounce it and upload the stereo track on the vocal session. So I process the beat and the vocals seperatley most of the time.

The Macbook Pro would probably cover what you are trying to do, but the Mac Pro is an amazing computer... even a Mac Pro Quad would be faster than the MB Pro (and cheaper).

[clonewar]

Like everyone else has said, it really comes down to whether you need/want the portability of the MBP.. otherwise the MP is the way to go..

[benevis66]

I'm more or less going to repeat what everybody else said x 1000!!!for the Mac Pro...expandability-connectivity...you don't want FW cables lying around for your audio interfaces and HDs they can be havoc with a laptop...knock one out by mistake and you could fry more than the port...also the life span of the MP is much longer than any laptop as it's more or less sitting in one place,and over time you can slowly reach it to full spec (32 Gigs of ram,4 TB HDs if you like),for audio i think it's a machine you could be using for at least the next 8 years or more.
I bought my octo 2.8, 5 months ago and it's flawless, i haven't managed to utilize more than 30% of the cpu and i use seriously heavy plugs most of the time with loads of automation etc. and it's still barebone no extra ram or HD yet.

[ProducerBoy]

I just pulled the trigger on a MP quad from Apple. I was gonna purchase a MB Pro, but I want something that will last longer. I'm on my second Mac Laptop in 4 years and didn't want to be shopping for a new laptop in 2 or 3 years.
I do use a lot of virtual instruments and audio tracks for my orchestral and pop production, so I needed something that can take on future VI's processing needs & more RAM for my current ones.

[YUGA]

Yeah go for the Mac Pro if your DAW doesn't have to be portable. You will probably want to use some new CPU-hungry plugins in the future, or want to work at higher sampling rates etc. You'll get roughly 3 times more DSP power. I bought a MBP two years ago and I thought I wouldn't need more CPU power, but now planning to buy a Mac Pro...

[gdeusthewhizkid]

im currently goin thru this decision right now myself. im not sure if i should get a macbook pro. 3 ghz imac or a mac pro.. The most afforable to me is a refurbished 2.5 ghz G5 right now. I currently own a g5 1.8 dual with 3 gigs and a mac mini. Im using a ton of soft synths and right now the g5 doesn't have problem goin thru those. Im not sure if the new intel machines are not overkill for me. I would like one but im necessarily sure if i need one..

definately a tough decision for me...

[AllAboutTone]

Mac Pro is kick ass, i just bought a Mac Pro Core Quad Xeon 2.66 for 1500.00 at GC brand new, was a super deal, i added a extra 4 GB ram for 100.00.
Those things are built like a tank.
Think about cards if you need to install, if needed, the macbook you cannot do it. I love my macbook 2.2 4 gb ram for most everything though

[DanRock101]

Looks like I'm gana go with a 2.8gHz 8 Core Mac Pro.... I'll buy my RAM at Newsegg.com.

One question. I plan on getting the new QUAD UAD-2 Card AND ProTools LE (003) with a ton of WAVE plugs.... This will be my FIRST PT set up (I normally use Logic 8 & VSL)

I'm assuming that the MASSIVE processing power of the Mac Pro will be a good match for the new UAD-2, right AND a PT LE setup?

I WAS gana get PT HD and get a couple of cards, but since I have kick ass Mac system, wouldn't that be just as efficient as an HD Excel? Will I notice a TON of difference?

[ProducerBoy]

Originally Posted by DanRock101

Looks like I'm gana go with a 2.8gHz 8 Core Mac Pro.... I'll buy my RAM at Newsegg.com.

One question. I plan on getting the new QUAD UAD-2 Card AND ProTools LE (003) with a ton of WAVE plugs.... This will be my FIRST PT set up (I normally use Logic 8 & VSL)

I'm assuming that the MASSIVE processing power of the Mac Pro will be a good match for the new UAD-2, right AND a PT LE setup?

I WAS gana get PT HD and get a couple of cards, but since I have kick ass Mac system, wouldn't that be just as efficient as an HD Excel? Will I notice a TON of difference?

That'll rock... just as soon as UA gets the UAD-2 working with the 8 core macs and PT.

[kwilliams]

Just to repeat what has been said many times..!

You can't compare a MacPro to a MacbookPro! Both great computers but completely different horsepower.

An 8 core MacPro with 8+GB Ram will literally smoke the $hit out of the maxed out MacbookPro.

When working on a MacPro with say Logic and V.I's; it feels like hardware. You can throw anything you want at it and it keeps going, no slow downs.

A MacbookPro on the other hand, not the same. You have to be more calculative of what you're doing. Don't pull up a bunch of CPU intensive plugins and then not use them and leave them active in the song (thing I do all the time in the MacPro). Don't let the song keep playing and at the same time instantiate another VI, load a sound and start clicking somewhere else...all at the same time! It may bog it down.

I have both....One for the home studio, one for the road.

What it comes down to is portability. If you need to have a portable rig you can take with you...MacbookPro. If you only work from your studio....MacPro.

[blayz2002]

Originally Posted by gdeusthewhizkid

im currently goin thru this decision right now myself. im not sure if i should get a macbook pro. 3 ghz imac or a mac pro.. The most afforable to me is a refurbished 2.5 ghz G5 right now. I currently own a g5 1.8 dual with 3 gigs and a mac mini. Im using a ton of soft synths and right now the g5 doesn't have problem goin thru those. Im not sure if the new intel machines are not overkill for me. I would like one but im necessarily sure if i need one..

definately a tough decision for me...

If you need a new computer then just get the Mac Pro, you might not need all that power now, but you never know, it will be more future proof, better resale value (if that becomes an issue) and hey, you know what man is like, you give him more power the brain starts thinking bigger.

I'm on Quad 2.8 with 4 Gb ram, no extra HD's yet and I just don't have to worry about throwing plugs on tracks or loading another VI...it's just freedom to produce and mix.

Originally Posted by DanRock101

Looks like I'm gana go with a 2.8gHz 8 Core Mac Pro.... I'll buy my RAM at Newsegg.com.

One question. I plan on getting the new QUAD UAD-2 Card AND ProTools LE (003) with a ton of WAVE plugs.... This will be my FIRST PT set up (I normally use Logic 8 & VSL)

I'm assuming that the MASSIVE processing power of the Mac Pro will be a good match for the new UAD-2, right AND a PT LE setup?

I WAS gana get PT HD and get a couple of cards, but since I have kick ass Mac system, wouldn't that be just as efficient as an HD Excel? Will I notice a TON of difference?

That will smoke as long as the UAD 2 works (reasonably)...do some home work first to make sure all is compatible with how you want to work. I was holding out for a UAD 2, but I think I'm actually going to get another UAD 1 and the Waves SSL & API pack...I like to throw plugs on tracks as I'm producing and all the latency issues with UAD 2 right now ain't inspiring!

[DanRock101]

Thanks for the tip blayz2002!

I make it a point to get a computer every 2 years REGARDLESS...and I NEVER get the top-of-line when it comes out; I always wait a couple of years that way I'm ahead of the price curve, ie, I'll get a MP 8 core 3.2gHz FOUR YEARS FROM NOW! By then, they'll cost $3,000 and the 4.0gHz will be the "top-of-the-line" and cost $5,000!

Also blayz2002 THANKS for the heads up on the UAD-2.... wow, I didn't know that there were so many problems! I guess I was heading to breaking my own rule of getting the "latest & greatest" TODAY, rather than tomorrow when it's proven and cheaper!

Are the UAD-1 still worth getting? What DAW are you using?

[blayz2002]

Originally Posted by DanRock101

Thanks for the tip blayz2002!

I make it a computer every 2 years REGARDLESS...and I NEVER get the top-of-line when it comes out; I always wait a couple of years that way I'm ahead of the price curve, ie, I'll get a MP 8 core 3.2gHz FOUR YEARS FROM NOW! By then, they'll cost $3,000 and the 4.0gHz will be the "top-of-the-line" and cost $5,000!

Also blayz2002 THANKS for the heads up on the UAD-2.... wow, I didn't know that there were so many problems! I guess I was heading to breaking my own rule of getting the "latest & greatest" TODAY, rather than tomorrow when it's proven and cheaper!

Are the UAD-1 still worth getting? What DAW are you using?

I'm using Logic 8.02 and the UAD 1e is working fine on my quad Mac, but again there are guys having issues with UAD1 and 8 core Macs ...I feel like the grim reaper today!

So far UAD 2 is following a recent trend on technology leading hardware that's just not fully beta tested and taking 3-4 months to get stable drivers...SSL Duende, Euphonix MC Mix, the new Motu interface and the new (ish) TC interfaces come to mind... It should have been like the the Duet ...which just worked solidly out the box.

[DanRock101]

So the UAD-1 are NOT working well with the Mac Pro 8 cores yet?!?! WHat the hell!!! Should I just forget them completely?

Would the WAVES plug ins be a better option for Mac Pro / LOGIC 8?

For ME, I HAVE unstable issues with software or hardware. I'd just a easy NOT buy it, which is the reason my Apogee Ensemble is going back to Guitar Center tomorrow!

What say YOU about WAVES plugs (since UAD1 doesn't cut it)?

[blayz2002]

Originally Posted by DanRock101

So the UAD-1 are NOT working well with the Mac Pro 8 cores yet?!?! WHat the hell!!! Should I just forget them completely?

Would the WAVES plug ins be a better option for Mac Pro / LOGIC 8?

For ME, I HAVE unstable issues with software or hardware. I'd just a easy NOT buy it, which is the reason my Apogee Ensemble is going back to Guitar Center tomorrow!

What say YOU about WAVES plugs (since UAD1 doesn't cut it)?

Take a read through this thread UAD-2 Bug Reports - Logic with 8 core ONLY! ...where 2 guys say that they are using UAD 1 or a UAD 2 successfully on 8 core Macs...I would also say that to do some searching over a the UA forum...don't just take my word.

Also I've been demoing the Waves SSL and API ove the last few days..and I think they can work well to get you good mixes..but I would still have to have some UAD plugs, becasue they are differnt and ofer something that the Waves don't. So I am going to buy both Waves packs to complement my UAD 1...and I think I am going to just buy another UAD 1 to stick in my spare PCIe slot (I don't want to risk messing with UAD 2 right now).

So my advice right now would be to try and get both. The othr advantage of native plugs are no latency issues to worry about and I like o process my tracks as I go. I make Hip Hop, in the box and only pre's are the Brick and the Duets, so I want my plugs to give me a much analogue flavor as poss. The mix of all these gives me that.

Ps...I'm pimping these 2 right now as they go a long way to help with the analogue vibe: Tri Tone's Colortone, and Massey Tape Head (http://www.gearslutz.com/board/new-p...e-head-au.html) both free and sound great.

[blayz2002]

Another UAD1 and Mac Pro thread: New mac pro's and UAD-1e ? any problems

[cybeross]

just fyi and to close this issue, i believe the 5.2 update fixed all of the big mac pro/logic/uad2 issues. I think it's a very solid (!) solution now...