Is this good for recording?
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Posted on Jun 07, 2009 09:50 am
jetglo
Member Since: Jul 23, 2004
Okay I am about to take the plunge into computer recording. I plan to archive most of the installed programs that I won't need and only use it for recording.. what do you think of this? Any obvious problems on the horizon as dedicated computer?
(edit) I should add that I currently do very little track editing.. just removal of pops etc.. as well, I currently mic and record my amps/ drums and don't foresee using plugins like that anytime soon.. eq/dynamics that may be a different story though.
Apple Mac mini (2GHz, 2GB RAM, 320GB Hard Drive, SuperDive, AirPort Extreme Wi-Fi, Bluetooth)
2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor
3MB on-chip L2 cache running 1:1 with processor speed
1006MHz frontside bus
2GB SO-DIMM of 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM, two SO-DIMM slots support up to 4GB
1 x FireWire 800 port (up to 800 Mbps)
Five USB 2.0 ports (up to 480 Mbps)
mini-DVI output
Mini DisplayPort
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics processor with 256MB of DDR3
Built-in speaker
Combined optical digital audio input/audio line in
Combined digital audio output/headphones out
Built-in 10/100/1000BASE-T (Gigabit)
Built-in AirPort Extreme Wi-Fi (802.11n)
Built-in Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate)
320GB 5400-RPM Serial ATA hard disc drive
Slot-loading SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVDñRW/CD-RW): Writes DVD+R DL and DVD-R DL discs at up to 6x speed, writes DVD-R and DVD+R discs at up to 8x speed, writes DVD-RW discs at up to 6x speed, writes DVD+RW discs at up to 8x speed, reads DVDs at up to 8x speed, writes CD-R and CD-RW discs at up to 24x speed, reads CDs at up to 24x speed
Software includes:
Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard (includes iTunes, Time Machine, Quick Look, Spaces, Spotlight, Dashboard, Mail, iChat, Safari, Address Book, QuickTime, iCal, DVD Player, Front Row, Xcode Developer Tools)
iLife '09 (includes iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, iWeb, GarageBand)
Included:
Mini-DVI to DVI Adapter
110W power adapter and power cord
Install/restore DVDs
Printed and electronic documentation
Apple Mac mini (2GHz, 2GB RAM, 320GB Hard Drive, SuperDive, AirPort Extreme Wi-Fi, Bluetooth) Specifications:
Line voltage: 100-240V AC
Frequency: 50Hz to 60Hz, single phase
Thoughts?
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Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jun 07, 2009 07:01 pm While I'm not fond of the Mac or the limitation's of a Mac mini. I know that some are using them to record small project with pretty good success. I am not sure why they insist on putting those wimpy 5400RPM drives in there though.
I would surely opt to add an external drive for the audio though to insure that you won't have any issues running the audio and programs on a slow RPM driver like that.
Otherwise, it should be good with 2gig of ram for now as long as you do not plan on running any reverb pluggins or heavy stuff. Dynamic processor's are CPU hog's by the way so you might want to opt for 4 gig of RAM as well.
My only other ***** would be the lack of a big selection of programs for Mac and the expense of those that are around.
However, Garageband is known to work well and smoothly. And I know a couple long time members here do record with it and like using it.
jetgloMember
Since: Jul 23, 2004
Jun 08, 2009 08:21 am hmmm lots of good thoughts. I appreciate it.
It sounds sounds like I may be throwing good money at a very limited machine. My current need is a premastering device.. basically as a two track recorder with a bit of editing ability for spaces and fades etc.. whether it be computer or something like the Alesis masterlink. But I would like to have the option in the near future of using the computer for tracking if I were to buy one.
This one is about the same price as the Masterlink..so started here.. but I don't have a firm grasp on the computer needs.
BTW what is a good drive speed in terms of RPM if 5400 is less than desireable? Is that true for both Mac and PC?
CptTrippsCzar of Turd PolishMember
Since: Jun 20, 2006
Jun 08, 2009 01:18 pm 5400rpm is usually reserverd for laptops as they use less power than 7200rpm. That is true for both Mac/PC.
The main problem I see with the Mac Mini is future expansion, somewhat limited on software choice, and of course the price you are paying. How much was the mini with the specs you listed?
Side note, my laptop I track with has a 5400rpm drive, it handles tracking 8 channels at a time and I have mixed projects of 20+ tracks. I'm not saying it was fun, but it did work.
My last few DAW systems were all Best Buy purchases (credit FTW). They were a Dell, Gateway, Dell laptop, Gateway, Asus Laptop. The only thing I did to any was add a USB card so my interface did not have to share bandwidth with other USB deives.
Some suggestions, for the base price of that mac I am gonna throw a few laptops in as suggestion. I'm not saying buy any of these, but for the price there is alot out there.
Similar to the laptop I use. Price is right I suppose...
www.bestbuy.com/site/olsp...d=1218036213752
Nice looking gateway with 4GB and a 500GB HDD...
www.bestbuy.com/site/olsp...d=1218044029503
Asus similar to the Gateway but with dedicated graphics card (does help by taking the load of the CPU/Ram)...
www.bestbuy.com/site/olsp...d=1218044029604
Jun 08, 2009 01:26 pm you'd love the mini. I use Mac's for recording 100% of the time and I have a new Vista PC here too - YOU'D LOVE THE MAC.
