Mac or PC

[Ty Ford]

Originally Posted by Scott Whigham

You are missing an answer choice: "It doesn't matter" should be listed. I happen to have both and I think that the choice of computer isn't all that important relative to other gear/"things". In 2002, I might've given you quite a different/polarized answer but not in 2012/2013. My $0.02.

+1.

And I'm a Mac user.

Regards,

Ty Ford

[Cocobolo Kid]

I think the learning curve on both a Mac or PC will be similar, and most music production software is available in both formats. There's a lot more to learning how to get great recordings than involves the computer (e.g. room acoustic treatment, mic placement, mic choice, etc.).

Also, most newer Mac's/PC's are fairly quiet, but since your computer will typically be in the same room as the microphones, you should take this into consideration when purchasing a computer for music production use.

The only other thing I would add is that a Mac is considerably more expensive than an equally equipped PC.

John

[mccallum]

Originally Posted by yoda_soda

I like this idea. What is a good one to start out with? I mostly will just use it for when i sing and play my acoustic. Money is a factor. Is there a portable recorder that is a lot of bang for your buck?

If memory serves me bob1131 uses a Boss Br‑864 and if you have had a chance to listen to his work, you will be impressed.

I also have found this to be the best method for me to this point and I use the Fostex MR-8 mkII 8. The Boss you can find on ebay for $100 or less and the Fostex can be had new for about $150-$200.

[cpeehler7]

If money is a factor in this at all PC would be the best bang for the buck by far. I know the mac mini is cheap, but it really doesn't have the power of the PCs in the same price range. The other thing about Mac is they're usually a year behind with their hardware. Like windows will have the Core i3/5/7 2nd gen, but mac will still be putting 1st gen in their computers until the next year.

Those are my complaints about Mac. I used to own a macbook, I'm good on a PC and it just drove me nuts. I'm not saying it's worse, it's just that the little things drove me nuts. There are so many subtle changes between mac to PC, like on a mac it's not cntl+C to copy it's the command C (I believe). It's been a while since I've sold my macbook, so i'm even more rusty now than I was then.

My point is, if you're used to a PC, stick with it. It's a pain to learn how to use a computer all over again if you already know how to use one, if that made sense haha. However if you've tried macs and like it go for it. I think the software for either will be just as good. So from a music standpoint it wont affect your recordings in any way.

[Capt-Dave]

I'm using the Mac Mini. It's a very powerful and affordable way to go!

[frankhond]

For recording, I aim to not use a computer at all, they are too noisy.

For editing and other work... I'm a media professional and have used both platforms for many years, and some Linux too.

There is simply no comparison in terms of general quality, user experience, stability, software for creating etc. Mac OS wins hands down. In terms of tweakability too, as mac is really a unix variant.

It didn't always use to be that way, and future is uncertain as Steve is gone and a major paradigm shift is happening for all platforms towards mobile/cloud computing.

Some areas where windows might have an edge is gaming and some specialist CAD software, and mechatronics development because of the serial port that PC's still have. The CAD scene is catching up on the mac though.