Starting Production on a Mac

[nabs]

Im on an Intel Core Duo MacBook, and im looking for software that I can start production with. Im looking for something possibly with samples. or something that i can sample out of other tracks or something to that effect.

Help please, i need the names of software, plus pro's and con's.

[b0ld]

Logic..... Ableton....

[Digital Over]

^

Yes Logic is by far the best, and I like Live the most for time stretching.


Logic can be tough to jump into the right off the bat.....I'd say Master Reason first, get some of the fundamentals of sequencing and how to create cool synthesizers right from scratch. Reason isn't fabulous for creating glimmering synths by any stretch of the imagination, but consider it a spring board into Logic, you'll find the learning curve less steap and less frustrating.

[klockwize]

REASON is my bitch!!!!!

[Digital Over]

regarding Ben's post:

Good notes. Yeah definately, a lot of the software I own I bought, its a hell of a lot less time consuming to have the actual CD, as opposed to a crack which A.)You could loose or delete by accident and B.)Causing navagational issues w/ the program once or if you get it going.


If cost is a main concern, you can get Pro Tools w/ some TDM plug ins as well....completely different approach, but when I was talking to Dogzilla about production, he likes Pro Tools LE, simply for the simplicity of the interface, and its what he's used to as well.

Ultimately its also a matter of what is the best fit for you....for some people its Cubase, some people its Pro Tools, for me it's Logic. Might be a good idea to go to McQuade or Tom Lee and ask for a demo of a program, I'm sure they'd be able to do that.


(There are also free versions of Pro Tools out there as well, they only have 8 track limit, but there are ways of getting around that.)

[b0ld]

keep in mind as well..... midi controllers.... Whether if its the m-audio trigger finger drum pad.... to the uc-33 or your standard piano midi controller it is a definant must have when producing.

[Digital Over]

Oh yeah for sure! :y:

[nabs]

mmhm. ya i was just looking to try out a few copies of programs before splurging on it without knowing, made that mistake with PC when i bought Ableton.

But thanks. More input from others as well please, mostly from peopel that know mac's if possible

[decypher]

Do searches on futureproducers.com or other related sites. Dogs on Acid also has a forum called the Grid.

[mojo]

wow. it really sounds like your interested, doing so much research and all.

[-evil-duerr-]

Originally Posted by nabs

made that mistake with PC when i bought Ableton.

sounds like an excellent purchase to me!
give it some time buddy, its a fantastic program.

[NinjaBoy]

I use logic express, I'm not a pro by any means, so it works out fine for me.

It depends on what your trying to do. If I'm just getting down quick ideas I use garage band. Then when I finally want to sit down and work it out on logic.

I have a pirated copy of logic 7 express, I can't remeber where I got it, I'll try and dig it up though...

[cubed]

don't listen to anything ninjaboy says.

[dj_soo]

ableton, logic, reason, protools are all available for hte mac.

If you want something to actually edit wavs tho you may want a seperate program - I suggest Bias Peak (which doesn't use a dongle :D)

[dj_soo]

^ also - if you bought Ableton for the PC, you can use it on Macs too.

what was your issue with Ableton? It's a fun program and you can do a lot with it... (way more than Reason)

[cubed]

Originally Posted by dj_soo

what was your issue with Ableton?

my guess is he didn't know what the hell to do with it.

[dj_soo]

if hat's the case, he's goin to have a hell of a time with logic or protools or cubase.

Ableton also has some of hte best tutorials out there.

[Séguin]

If Macs are so great... why do major high-tech companies use PCs exclusivly?

Well I'll tell you. That whole "Macs are better for multimedia work" argument would have washed 10 years ago. But that is not the case anymore. You don't get anything "extra" out of producing from a Mac. You just spend more money on a pretty toy.

While the o/s doesn't crash as much (also a problem that's become less with real computers), they have other problems like repetative hardware failiure. And you can only buy Mac parts to replace them.

Buy something that works better than it looks.

[BenGiovanni]

Originally Posted by Séguin

If Macs are so great... why do major high-tech companies use PCs exclusivly?

Well I'll tell you. That whole "Macs are better for multimedia work" argument would have washed 10 years ago. But that is not the case anymore. You don't get anything "extra" out of producing from a Mac. You just spend more money on a pretty toy.

While the o/s doesn't crash as much (also a problem that's become less with real computers), they have other problems like repetative hardware failiure. And you can only buy Mac parts to replace them.

Buy something that works better than it looks.

Dongle issues, dongles not working due to the microchips frying from extensive use...

[nabs]

ableton, iunno. i cant figure out how to properly use it for production. and it dont work well on my mac cuz im on an intel based, and theres no upgrade that i know of for it yet.

[Digital Over]

^ there's no comparison...MAC's for audio are the pinacle of computing and signal processing. Simply because they are more effective at utilizing resources...PC's were programmed in order to handle DOS and the Windows OS together, where as MAC has a completely dedicated OS for data processing. Its designed to handle hi end graphics, and audio....I don't know what "hi tech" companies you're talking about, but every enterprise which uses professional graphic design, and audio engineering, have mainly all macs...

Emagic never continued programming Logic for PC based on that principal, and since Apple bought them out, Logic has gotten better and better...since it's now industry standard for the serious producer, I think they kind of have an idea as far as what systems will power their software the best.....

[Séguin]

^^ alright. Start naming companies. I'll do companies that don't own a single Mac.

Nortel
Mitel
Polycom
Alcatel

[dj_soo]

^ exactly what do those companies have to do with music production and/or sound recording?

[Séguin]

Originally Posted by dj_soo

^ exactly what do those companies have to do with music production and/or sound recording?

Nothing. They just don't use toys that keep needing expensive repairs.

You know what... rfmf, say what ever helps you sleep and night, and think you have the upper hand advantage Mac users.

[dj_soo]

your whole arguement is that they're not "better" for audio production - someone counters that they are and then you go and list 4 companies that have absolutey nothig to do with audio production - say they don't use macs and that's supposed to prove PC's superiority at audio production?

wow.