Getting the right Mac Pro (December 2012)

[Joe Porto]

if you plan to monitor using VIs and Plugin processing at lowest possible latency, the 3.33 may be a better choice as Logic can only use a single processor for live monitoring.

[TheBeatDoctor]

I see, I do plan to monitor with plugins and virtual instruments at first, but a few months down the line they will not be used as intensively as I will switch to outboard gear. I guess I want to know if both Mac Pro's can handle projects using "intensive" VST's and plugins (I'd say no more than a maximum of 26 tracks) as fast as possible without buckling. Obviously I know the main factors here are processor, RAM and hard drive speed, but I did not know about Logic only being able to monitor live through one processor. Still relatively new to the depths of Logic. Thank you for your reply

[Toeheads]

Hi im new to this so please forgive me if im posting in the wrong section but the heading was what i was after.
Ill keep this simple.
i have logic pro 9 and will be using it to record/edit mostly rock/experimental music.
i have an external audio interface & will be using live and digital instruments.

Im after a new computer preferably mac as that's what im proficient in.
I was considering a
MacBook Pro 13"
2.9GHz Dual-core Intel Core i7, Turbo Boost up to 3.6GHz
8GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM — 2x4GB
1TB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm
SuperDrive 8x (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)

will this handle what i want to do
or will the quad core 15" be the wiser choice
(keep in mind the steep price jump)
i don't want any lag so to speak or crashing due to hardware capabilities

any help will be much appreciated

Thanks

[jasonM]

Welcome to Gearslutz ,I'm not sure it might be an overkill , however this is Gearslutz ......so i would suggest you wait for the new Mac pro for an even bigger overkill .

Good luck finding out ....you will enjoy your Mac system new or old.

[jasonM]

Originally Posted by Toeheads

Hi im new to this so please forgive me if im posting in the wrong section but the heading was what i was after.
Ill keep this simple.
i have logic pro 9 and will be using it to record/edit mostly rock/experimental music.
i have an external audio interface & will be using live and digital instruments.

Im after a new computer preferably mac as that's what im proficient in.
I was considering a
MacBook Pro 13"
2.9GHz Dual-core Intel Core i7, Turbo Boost up to 3.6GHz
8GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM — 2x4GB
1TB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm
SuperDrive 8x (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)

will this handle what i want to do
or will the quad core 15" be the wiser choice
(keep in mind the steep price jump)
i don't want any lag so to speak or crashing due to hardware capabilities

any help will be much appreciated

Thanks

Again i'm not sure but what i know is ,if you are going to use a drive for audio , its better to have the 7200RPM drive .

[vinuprsu]

Give a visit to tony mac osx ,,,

I followed showkingpup's build successfully,,

using with avid hdx protools and logic pro very smooth and cost effective, worth to give a look.

Showkingpup's built : http://www.tonymacx86.com/user-build...p9x79-pro.html


Check these golden builds
http://www.tonymacx86.com/golden-builds/

Jus trying to help,,

[lauradogin]

good. would suggest you wait for the new Mac pro for an even bigger overkill.thanks for your sharing

[shanabit]

6 core box is what you want, I have the 8 core here. The new Macs wont be out till later this year

[xgman]

Either wait for the new (if ever) Mac Pros, or get a maxed out new 27" imac with and ssd and external Thunderbolt drives for project and library storage. Either way you should be good. I wouldn't invest in any new Mac Pro now other than used or deep discounted refurb. The tech is just too old. I just sold a 6 core 3.33 and got the imac.

[cinealta]

First ask yourself whether you need the expandability of a "Mac Pro" eg PCIe, 4 x 3.5" slots (for HDD or SSD), 2 x optical size bays, RAM slots etc. If so, I would either wait for the new "Mac Pro" version or buy the current 3.33GHz 6-core.

If you don't need all that expandability, something like the quad-core i7 Mac Mini ($799) can give you similar ballpark processing power (although a little less) as a Xeon Mac Pro but at < 1/3 the price.

If you've saved this long, I would really wait 6-9 more months and see what Apple has planned for a new "Mac Pro." It should have faster processors, USB 3.0, Thunderbolt etc.