Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Music recording & production -- best values?

Apr 5, 2006 3:03AM PDT

Hi all,

After a few years off, I'm trying to get back into making music, and am excited about the prospect of being able to put together whole tracks without a whole band... But I haven't ventured into doing this on computers before (im 26 and relatively good with computers... but poor and just finally saved up enough to upgrade from my ancient and inadequate old Dell). So I need some advice.

1. Laptop or Desktop? - I'm leaning towards a laptop because I'd love to be able to just plop down in a park or on the rooftop and record stuff wherever I feel like it. But desktops are a lot more cost-effective. Any opinion?

2. Mac or PC? - the mac is incredibly seductive. i'd love to have one... but a lot of my friends are telling me it's not really worth the hassle -- is it really still the best choice/value for doing work in media like music? Or have PC's caught up?

3. Protools? Audition? Or what? - okay, this is the big question. Whats the best VALUE for letting me plug in guitars, keyboards, and mics, laying down a percussion track, then editing and publishing the results? I am CLUELESS here. The only names I know are protools and audition... any users out there have some input as to what's easiest and reasonably priced in terms of software and (if needed) hardware?

Thanks everyone!

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Get a Garage Band demo.
Apr 5, 2006 3:33AM PDT

It's even more seductive than you can imagine...

Bob.

PS. Now that Intel Mac runs XP, it's not a dead end decision. Hint: Type BOOT CAMP MAC into google.com

- Collapse -
If cost is the issue, look at the MacMini.
Apr 5, 2006 8:46AM PDT

Small, quiet and not much more than other competing desktops.

Boot Camp works on them as well.

Bob

- Collapse -
If you choose this one, check it's sound capability. It may
Apr 5, 2006 3:44PM PDT

not match the performance of an M-Audio card. That's one of the downsides of a Mac. You don't get a lot of hardware choices.

- Collapse -
For kiddpeat. Please go to the Apple store for a demo.
Apr 5, 2006 9:55PM PDT

We are waiting for you and love you...(smile)

It appears you have not seen and hear Garage Band on a good setup. Hopefully you can close your eyes and just listen.

Bob

- Collapse -
So, you are saying that the new Mac intel computer can
Apr 6, 2006 3:05AM PDT

accomodate an M-Audio soundcard? That's interesting, and, if so, I must say I'm surprised. An outboard device would not be as surprising.

It sounds like you are drinking the Apple juice. To each his own.

- Collapse -
PS: I'm getting hints that Apple has recently discovered
Apr 6, 2006 3:07AM PDT

M-Audio. If so, why did it take so long?

- Collapse -
You may..
Apr 6, 2006 3:23AM PDT

Attribute as much as you want to me, but the BootCamp blast has changed the landscape as we see it.

Time to catch up (again.)

Cheers and see you on the ranch.

Bob

- Collapse -
So I guess it doesn't have the sound card as an option.
Apr 6, 2006 9:39AM PDT

That's what I figured, but have fun.

- Collapse -
How odd.
Apr 6, 2006 9:56AM PDT

You seem to not be diving too deep here. I won't either.

The Mac is well accepted and used in many artistic endeavers of both music and film

Next you'll tell me it doesn't do desktop publishing.

Bob

- Collapse -
Excuse me? I thought I asked a simple question, and was
Apr 6, 2006 11:53PM PDT

confirming the response. M-Audio is a professional audio standard. It has been available for, and used with, PC technology for years in professional applications. Your posts suggested that it could be included as an option in the new Intel mac machine. I asked, and you did not respond to the question. I was confirming the meaning of the failure to respond.

Are you now saying that the Intel mac machine can ship with M-Audio inside the computer? Or, perhaps you have become an Apple evangelist and are saying that Apple is the technical leader in audio? In video?

- Collapse -
Get out.
Apr 7, 2006 11:09PM PDT

Get out there and notice the Apple machines in the audio and video production world. You are right there are PC based versions as well but thankfully we can use either if we are savvy.

Long ago I learned to be agnostic about which to use.

Bob

- Collapse -
And I learned not to purchase the same asset twice.
Apr 8, 2006 10:42AM PDT

I would rather buy photo, audio, and video equipment that I do not yet have than 'play' with a technology which adds nothing to what I already do have. Plus, Apples are overpriced and overrated from the getgo. I can do far better with a PC based technology than I can with Apple. The pros I've talked to say that Apple simply doesn't understand video. You can certainly see some of that since their audio technology is not strong. The same pros say that audio is 70% of a good video. Thus, the integration of Vegas, Sound Forge, Acid, etc. is a tremendous advantage. I know have seen first hand how poor iMovie is, but cannot yet say that about Final Cut Pro. One of these days, I will get some exposure to it so that I can comment intelligently about it.

If you've got money and time to burn, have fun! More power to you.

- Collapse -
Are you "out there?"
Apr 8, 2006 10:07PM PDT

Besides my background in CCTV application programming, I've worked in the hardware arena of video since the IBM PC. The arrival of the Amiga Video Toaster was groundbreaking as well as when the Mac broke into the audio and video fields.

Your perspective in all our dialogues seem to be limited to this decade and only the PC. I get out there on the production sets and help wire it up and tweak our software if need be. The world uses more than a PC...

Bob

- Collapse -
So is it just my imagination...
Apr 9, 2006 3:08AM PDT

or is the impression that I'm getting from the discussion going on here that I could do pretty well with either a mac OR a pc and manage to do what I want (sound recording, editing, burning) without going obsolete in a year or two?

It sounds like the Mac would be an easier setup to just jump in and start working, while the PC would provide more room for upgrading and be more affordable...

That sound about right? Coz if what I'm hearing is accurate -- that the platform doesnt really matter so much as personal preference, in this field -- then that really alleviates a lot of the concerns I have!

- Collapse -
Oh please!
Apr 9, 2006 12:12PM PDT

Don't give me the 'I am an expert line' Bob. I already know that half the time you are blowing smoke.

Do you have published credits for significant video productions Bob? I am talking to, and being taught by, folks who do. I am quite content that they know a heck of a lot more about this subject than you do. I've been involved with computers and audio for longer than you can imagine.

I know that Apple has broken into the audio field. I've even used iTunes occasionally. It's not the sort of thing that the pros look to for music. As far as the rest of their 'break-in' is concerned,they really didn't have much choice did they? That doesn't mean they are an industry leader in audio.

While Apples may indeed be used in audio production, they are not producing the audio equipment. If you can point to Apple's line of professional audio equipment, I'll certainly be interested in looking at it.

In the meantime, I know Windows IS using professional equipment. It can do that you see because Gates is not hung up on supplying the hardware. I've seen what pros use, and I've watched them use it. Many use Windows based machines, and tout the advantages.

As I said, if you want to play with Apple, and drink the juice, be my guest. I've got better things to do than reinventing the wheel.

- Collapse -
Where's the pub?
Apr 9, 2006 10:44PM PDT

You seem to dislike Apple or other products and it shows. As an production manager or artist I would expect a more open mind.

Since you want to see some of my works, I'm just one of many that help in the CCTV and other recording systems with software and more. In the past we used the IBM PC with addon boards, then the Amiga with the Toaster (did you use one of those?) and fast forward to today where we have many Apple and PC based choices.

I'm unsure why your choices are so narrow here. I can only conclude you haven't been at this for decades. I've been at this since pre-PC times with A-B roll editing and more.

In closing, flame if you must but I know where I stand and I am a guru.

Bob

- Collapse -
I love it.
Apr 10, 2006 3:14AM PDT

I was going to let it drop, but this statement of yours says it all;

'I am a guru.'

I'm glad your self esteem is intact Bob.

- Collapse -
nope... not yet.
Apr 6, 2006 4:23AM PDT

no... it'd be an outboard device. Would I be able to install an on-board card on a pc laptop?

- Collapse -
That I don't know. You can check the M-Audio site to see
Apr 6, 2006 9:42AM PDT

if they have such a product. Also, Creative might have one. If you can't find those, check B&H Photo & Video. They also carry audio equipment and may have sound cards.

- Collapse -
Forget the lap top. Especially if you don't have the money.
Apr 5, 2006 8:31AM PDT

Chances are that you aren't going to be taking the computer to a recording location. I'm using the new M-Audio Microtrak 24/96, and, so far, I'm impressed. Edirol (sp?) is also a possibility. I'm looking forward to plugging some good mics into the M-Audio unit.

IMCO, forget Macs. They are more expensive, suffer many of the same problems as the PC, include some really poor design decisions of their own, do not have access to the same breadth of software & hardware as the PC, and do not have a lock on any digital media technology. I use Sound Forge together with Vegas (video) and can add Acid any time I want. Sony also has publishing software (CD Architect for music) when you are ready for that. I don't like Sony, but, in this case, I think they've made some very good acquisitions. Get the Pro versions if you can afford them rather than the Studio (lite) versions.

Look to M-Audio for your sound card, and be sure that it can accomodate whatever devices you want to use.

- Collapse -
and what about plugins and drums....?
Apr 6, 2006 1:24AM PDT

Hmm... sound card. Are the USB and firewire extentions sold by M-Audio going to be sufficient, if I opt for getting a laptop?

Also -- looking at their offerings for GarageBand... it looks like that actually is a pretty useful starting point... can get the drum machine software M-Audio has, and the mixers and stuff. If I wanted, I could upgrade to protools once the universal version is available...

Would Acid pro pretty much cover the same ground? Would inputs like M-audio's boxes be compatible?

Sorry for what must seem like stupid questions... It's kind of an overwhelming thing to jump into! Happy

- Collapse -
If you go with a portable, you should probably look
Apr 6, 2006 3:01AM PDT

seriously at an outboard device. In fact, many suggest that as a good strategy for a desktop also. It's probably going to sound a LOT better than any audio built into a portable.

Yes, Acid Pro covers pretty much the same ground. I've usually seen it demoed with Vegas since Vegas can support so many tracks with audio and video.

- Collapse -
awesome... silly that something like iDrums
Apr 6, 2006 4:25AM PDT

would be so seductive. I guess i'm just terrified that I'll get a whole new computer, an awesome recording setup, and then find out that I can't find a decent program for laying down percussion tracks...

- Collapse -
Apple certainly knows seduction to get you to drink the
Apr 6, 2006 9:45AM PDT

juice. That's what their business is built on.

Wink

- Collapse -
Re "So is it just my imagination..."
Apr 9, 2006 3:34AM PDT

You're pretty much hearing it right. The ones that don't have any feelings one way or the other can use either platform. You will find those that are pro or con on particular platforms but the best thing to do is to "get out there" and see what you like.

I think a demo of garage band and the video editing on the Mac platform would do you good. It's a shame that you can't see such demos on PCs too often where the Apple stores seem to always be ready to show off.

If you get out there in the business you see both machines. And with the bucks at stake on a good release, the pro or con this or that machine quickly boils away as we see that it's the product and not what tools you used.

Bob