MUSIC, AMBIENCE AND SOUND ART > Music Gearheads Tech Talk
Laptop & other suggestions for mobile studio
Julio Di Benedetto:
Im about to start a major studio downsizing to a more mobile rig and Im looking for suggestions regarding laptops, power, size, screen options etc.
Im running logic pro 8 on a G5 2.5 quad core 16g ram system currently so it has to be a Macbook Pro as I dont want to switch Daw's.
I would like to hear from PC users as well because regardless of platform I imagine the positive aspects of a laptop and their pitfalls would be somewhat universal.
I plan on using soft synths...something new for me and limited hardware. I already have my interface, a Metric Halo uln2.
Also any thoughts on hard drives.....SSD? External Drives....Thunderbolt? New or used Macbook. OSX?
Lots to consider.
Thanks...Julio
mgriffin:
I love my Macbook Pro but... you can't put 16GB RAM in the current models. Max RAM is 8GB. Also I have a 17" model and rumor is that nobody's buying 17" any more and they'll discontinue soon.
There are rumors Apple is going to do something more like the Macbook Air for the replacement to the Macbook Pro line. Lack of an optical drive is no big deal, and I'm sure Apple realizes there are pros who need a powerful machine.
I think an SSD drive makes a difference in terms of quickness, but it's too expensive (in my opinion) to use for regular storage. I have an SSD in my Mac Pro for the OS and user/system folders, and store all my documents on a regular ATA drive. This is a pre-Thunderbolt model or I'd consider getting external Thunderbolt storage. Firewire and even USB2 are pretty quick though. I also have two network drives for backups and bulk storage, and while you wouldn't want to try to record multitrack digital audio over ethernet (short of gigabit), you could certainly do so over Thunderbolt, Firewire, or USB2 or 3.
Used Macbooks hold their value well, which is good for the seller but means that for the buyer, they're not really a great option. You can usually get better, newer tech for not much more than last year's tech. If you want a 17" screen you may want to buy a current model rather than wait for an update. Of course, I could probably do just as well with a 15" considering I'm usually connected to an external monitor anyway. Given the pixel density of the 17" screen, I actually have more screen real estate (more pixels, if not more square inches of screen) on the laptop screen than on the external 23" monitor next to it.
LNerell:
From my experience with a MacBook Pro and live performance.
1. Get the fastest model you can afford.
2. Get the largest screen you can afford.
3. SSD drives are great for speed but are still rather small and expensive.
4. Using Logic live was ok, but I found it hard switching from different instruments on different channels. For SoundQuest Fest I ended up only using Logic for midi. All my instruments were in a custom setup I made in Main Stage. That worked out quite well for the most part. I had several softsynths, samplers, and hardware synths all mapped out across my keyboard, I also had backing tracks running in it along with looping software. Logic just sent patch change info to my various devices (including Main Stape) and midi timecode to Main Stage so everything stayed in tempo when needed.
Julio Di Benedetto:
Thanks Mike & Loren for your insight. Nice glimpse inside your live setup Loren.
Heres a link to a recent 16 gig ram setup from OWC I came across today for the current Macbook......painful sticker price. Their 8 gig option is almost $100 cheaper than apples 8 gig option http://www.macrumors.com/2011/03/09/16-gb-ram-upgrades-for-new-macbook-pros-now-available/
SSD is expensive.....I have almost 2 tb of glyph firewire external storage. I will stick with that and install a SSd drive in the laptop as you did Mike. What size SSD do you have installed Mike?
It will be a challenge going to 17" Screen after using a 23" apple display. Im hoping that as one works much closer to the screen it wont be so bad and there are different resolution option that give more screen space.
Any thoughts to the anti glare screen macbook pro? Cant say Im fond of the glare that comes of the new Imacs when I had the chance to use one. I like the look of my current brushed aluminum 23" lcd apple display. No glare from that.
El culto:
Keep in mind that with OSX Lion (any new Mac has this installed) itīs not possible to run anymore Logic 8! You have to upgrade and pay for version 9.
Cheers,
Tomas
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