Hi. I've been reading the forum from time to time over the last few years - just joined
This has been asked quite a lot around the net (I've searched a lot) but there hasn't been much information on the specifics I have to ask about.
I'm upgrading from my (personal) Macbook Pro. I've had it for 2 years now. I've used this to play a couple of piano samples and sing/write. I use Logic Pro. Now I'm starting to create a little more of a small studio set-up, and I'd like to know what to upgrade to. I don't think I'll want to go to the new Macbook Pro (with Retina) - it's either an iMac, Mac Pro, or perhaps a mini server.
I would consider a Mac Pro - but it seems a little outdated perhaps. I wish Apple spent more time on their professional stuff, rather than concentrating all their time on creating Garageband for iPad. That, and leaving Logic 9 hanging without a 10 (or X) has left me quite disappointed in them!
But anyway. I assume that my needs are a little simpler than most people. I don't think I'd use more than 10 tracks. A lot less, by the looks of it. I've read the forum for quite a while - and I always see a large number of tracks being mentioned, and I'm wondering if I'm doing anything wrong with my music making
If it helps - also - my stuff is usually not all recorded in the same one take together. And I would probably just be recording:
- piano (usually really good samples I've invested in/midi), or mic-ed up acoustic piano in the future.
- vocals (probably just the one or two tracks) - in the future I would expect to do some harmonies (2 more tracks?)
- acoustic guitar
There may be times:
- one track for bass
- drums (samples from Native Instruments/Abbey Roads)
- an additional instrument probably from Komplete/Native Instruments. I know this one varies. But a rough idea would be like Session Strings, an organ, some sort of extra padding or effect.
So that's around 8-10 tracks? I'm not sure how to add up drums, or just add it as one since it uses 1 track in the sampler. I know this is probably a bad way to make an estimate, but I expect my projects to be either the above, or a lot less. (With plugins.)
My budget for the computer (and any additional memory upgrades) would probably be maximum £2,500... around $3,900. I've set more of my savings for new recording equipment, plugins, tracking stuff, monitors, etc. But I already have a lot of this stuff ready to use.
The room I record in is good, so there aren't really any recording environment factors. Musicians are also top quality. I also plan on getting Komplete 8 Ultimate/run samples. There should be enough memory to use what I want from the pack, since I won't be installing the whole 250+GB of instruments! Just 1 or 2 instruments, and effects.
I currently have an Apogee Duet 2 - and I would expect to be upgrading to record more tracks.
This whole thing is to get some nice music recorded, mainly for my music marketing/youtube/facebook - to get the ball rolling for my music career. I'm 23, I've played piano/been singing for 15 years, but haven't recorded it all and put it out for the world to see. I think it's time I actually start
Thank you so much for reading this, I hope you can help me make a decision on this. I don't know much about CPU's, memory, etc. and I'm sure you guys do
I hope I can also follow up on your ideas!
To sum up - which Mac computer do you think I should invest in? And, if required, do you think I should upgrade any memory, or add external memories/HD?
Best regards,
Adleina
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