how much computer power do you need?

djburnone · 1st July 2008, 06:49 AM

how much computer power do you need when you are mostly a hardware guy. workstations modules ect. just need something for vocals and mixing. please help

dlmorley · 1st July 2008, 08:06 AM

I just got a new Mac Pro and opted for the 4 core (not 8 core)
Haven't seen the CPU move past 20% yet (and that was running a demo track from the Logic DVD with LOTS of plugins and tracks)
I just figured that the extra $500 is too useful on other things and when I need more power it will probably be time for a new computer anyway

Denny Lavish · 1st July 2008, 09:45 AM

If you're gonna be mixing get as much cpu power and ram as you can afford.

you can never have too much.

Lavish

themaestro · 2nd July 2008, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Denny Lavish

If you're gonna be mixing get as much cpu power and ram as you can afford.

you can never have too much.

Lavish

RIGHT!!

**TonyBelmont** · 2nd July 2008, 02:06 AM

I've got a quad Mac Pro and a Macbook Pro (2.4)...

The Mac Pro is insane.. won't need a faster computer until hard drives get faster and better.

The MB Pro I can max out on a big mix... but it's perfect for making beats, tracking vocals, etc.

PettyCash · 2nd July 2008, 02:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by themaestro

RIGHT!!

Nice blog homie.

Carmen Sandiego!!! You mentioning that just brought back some fun memories for me.

Brian! · 2nd July 2008, 02:31 AM

Enough to post endless threads on Gearslutz asking for recommendations

Igotsoul4u · 2nd July 2008, 04:20 AM

If you are going to mix in the box you should go with a Macpro. I don't think the dual quad core is necessary as i can do a ton of processor heavy activities with a quadcore macpro. Make sure you have at least 4GB of memory. Specifying your DAW would be helpful.

Autotune Prophet · 2nd July 2008, 01:34 PM

No need to talk for ever:

What you should really pay attention to when buying a computer for mixing purposes is:

(NB. I assume that you will primarly use VST plugins rather than hardware)

CPU POWER: the more the better.

RAM memory: I suggest no less than 2GB! That's really standart nowadays (Look at maestro... sheeeet: 16 GB if I remember correctly? That's crazy... I like that though). Make sure you pick up quality RAM... don't go for no-name unless you are really sure of what you do.

Look at me: Macbook 2,16 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo, 2 GB 667 Mhz DDR2...

and I already feel limited! Can't load as much plugins as I would like/need to...

7161 · 2nd July 2008, 04:08 PM

well in some ways what you're asking is "How long is a piece of string"

it depends what amounts of tracks you mix and the style of the piece, but there's no reason you cant do that on even an older pc like an amd 2ghz or whatever.

there's a tendency for people to evaluate 'tons of stuff' with quality - a great track, (or just a track that sells even if you personaly dislike it), can be not particularly overladen with endless crap and still be a superb track.

everything is overkill nowadays - when people talk it sounds like the ghetto style has died it seems. There wouldnt be any hiphop if the originators required huge pro budgets and flashy gear, it's nonsense.

terrytee · 2nd July 2008, 04:56 PM

mac pro 4 cores. 2 x 2.66 GHz dual - core + 5GB ram

Sure i would like a new 8 core one but it's only because of lust

.

The 4 core power is all i need & if i have ever had any overload problems it always seems to be that one core has overloaded and that the Audio unit i am using at the time isn't taking full advantage of all 4 cores. Basically it's not spreading the load over them evenly

, given a little stop & play start again this generally goes away.

Maybe when logic improve there audio engine the it's stability will be alot better. I believe that programs like nuendio don't have this issue and take control of multiple cores a lot better than logic.

d1rtynyc · 2nd July 2008, 07:49 PM

I have a iMac & love it.
Enough power for me. 2.3ghz x2 4gb ram.
Sure more power would be nice, but the only thing I really miss not having a Mac Pro is the ability to use a UAD or other process card, not for more power, for more options.

Igotsoul4u · 3rd July 2008, 08:24 AM

My only problem with anything other then a tower, is the time it takes for it to become obsolete. Most towers stay current for at least 5 years while laptops and all in ones fade after 3. Technology is moving faster and faster and I think its important to max out when you buy if you are trying to do something on a professional level.

piccazzo · 3rd July 2008, 10:49 AM

U Dont need a comp if u hace Open Labs Neko.

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1st July 2008, 06:49 AM	#1
djburnone Gear nut Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 119	how much computer power do you need? how much computer power do you need when you are mostly a hardware guy. workstations modules ect. just need something for vocals and mixing. please help

1st July 2008, 08:06 AM	#2
dlmorley Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Belgium Posts: 3,094	I just got a new Mac Pro and opted for the 4 core (not 8 core) Haven't seen the CPU move past 20% yet (and that was running a demo track from the Logic DVD with LOTS of plugins and tracks) I just figured that the extra $500 is too useful on other things and when I need more power it will probably be time for a new computer anyway __________________ New-ish CD "Ghosts" Ursa Major Studios

2nd July 2008, 02:06 AM	#5
TonyBelmont Moderator Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boston,MA Providence,RI Posts: 10,150	I've got a quad Mac Pro and a Macbook Pro (2.4)... The Mac Pro is insane.. won't need a faster computer until hard drives get faster and better. The MB Pro I can max out on a big mix... but it's perfect for making beats, tracking vocals, etc. __________________ Tony Belmont We Sell Gear! Need plugins? Check out PluginDiscounts.com

2nd July 2008, 04:20 AM	#8
Igotsoul4u Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: New York, NY Posts: 1,610	If you are going to mix in the box you should go with a Macpro. I don't think the dual quad core is necessary as i can do a ton of processor heavy activities with a quadcore macpro. Make sure you have at least 4GB of memory. Specifying your DAW would be helpful. __________________ http://www.myspace.com/polishedproductions MacPro 2.66 quad, Protools LE 003, Logic 8, McDsp, Sonnox

1st July 2008, 09:45 AM	#3
Denny Lavish Gear nut Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Atlanta Posts: 90	If you're gonna be mixing get as much cpu power and ram as you can afford. you can never have too much. Lavish

2nd July 2008, 02:31 AM	#7
Brian! Gear addict Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 440	Enough to post endless threads on Gearslutz asking for recommendations

2nd July 2008, 01:34 PM	#9
Autotune Prophet Gear maniac Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 182	No need to talk for ever: What you should really pay attention to when buying a computer for mixing purposes is: (NB. I assume that you will primarly use VST plugins rather than hardware) CPU POWER: the more the better. RAM memory: I suggest no less than 2GB! That's really standart nowadays (Look at maestro... sheeeet: 16 GB if I remember correctly? That's crazy... I like that though). Make sure you pick up quality RAM... don't go for no-name unless you are really sure of what you do. Look at me: Macbook 2,16 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo, 2 GB 667 Mhz DDR2... and I already feel limited! Can't load as much plugins as I would like/need to...

2nd July 2008, 04:08 PM	#10
7161 Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 563	well in some ways what you're asking is "How long is a piece of string" it depends what amounts of tracks you mix and the style of the piece, but there's no reason you cant do that on even an older pc like an amd 2ghz or whatever. there's a tendency for people to evaluate 'tons of stuff' with quality - a great track, (or just a track that sells even if you personaly dislike it), can be not particularly overladen with endless crap and still be a superb track. everything is overkill nowadays - when people talk it sounds like the ghetto style has died it seems. There wouldnt be any hiphop if the originators required huge pro budgets and flashy gear, it's nonsense. __________________ www.7161.com Free music space for artists bands & deejays Free podcasting for artists, bands & deejays

2nd July 2008, 04:56 PM	#11
terrytee Lives for gear Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 820	mac pro 4 cores. 2 x 2.66 GHz dual - core + 5GB ram Sure i would like a new 8 core one but it's only because of lust . The 4 core power is all i need & if i have ever had any overload problems it always seems to be that one core has overloaded and that the Audio unit i am using at the time isn't taking full advantage of all 4 cores. Basically it's not spreading the load over them evenly , given a little stop & play start again this generally goes away. Maybe when logic improve there audio engine the it's stability will be alot better. I believe that programs like nuendio don't have this issue and take control of multiple cores a lot better than logic. __________________ santa claus doesn't care about black people

2nd July 2008, 07:49 PM	#12
d1rtynyc Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Brooklyn Posts: 798	I have a iMac & love it. Enough power for me. 2.3ghz x2 4gb ram. Sure more power would be nice, but the only thing I really miss not having a Mac Pro is the ability to use a UAD or other process card, not for more power, for more options. __________________ Thinking of unloading my x0xb0x with Devilfish mods. \ If you are interested PM me.

3rd July 2008, 08:24 AM	#13
Igotsoul4u Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: New York, NY Posts: 1,610	My only problem with anything other then a tower, is the time it takes for it to become obsolete. Most towers stay current for at least 5 years while laptops and all in ones fade after 3. Technology is moving faster and faster and I think its important to max out when you buy if you are trying to do something on a professional level. __________________ http://www.myspace.com/polishedproductions MacPro 2.66 quad, Protools LE 003, Logic 8, McDsp, Sonnox

3rd July 2008, 10:49 AM	#14
piccazzo Gear maniac Join Date: May 2005 Location: Stockholm / Sweden Posts: 259	U Dont need a comp if u hace Open Labs Neko. __________________ bigntiny@gmail.com Myspace / The Foundation Worldwide Myspace / Bigntiny

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