AbstraKt wrote:I too am thinking of putting a system together my current computer is outdated. I was thinking of the AMD 64 3500(at least) 1Gig RAM and that is as far as my knowledge in putting a computer parts together
I was leaning towards a Mac cause I don't have to pick out any core specific parts as they are used for multi-media but those PRICES Is putting something together with specs that are geared towards music production going to be the same price? If so should I just lean towards a Mac and get a good sound card. I've been so stressed trying to choose between cost and practicality. I don't know how to pic parts for a computer PLEASE HELP!
I know I want a desktop. No one here has to divulge any secrets to their set-up just a good base to build on. Something that won't get outdated in the near future. My production will more likely be software based first then get hardware as I progress and begin to understand what I need. Lastly sound cards any suggestions or helpful knowledge?
I know I'm asking a lot of questions but I know there are a lot producers in here. If I decide on a Mac what am I going to need? I will be using Ableton Live and as far as other software what other are the other essentials?
A common misconception about macs are that they are expensive. The truth of the matter is that PC's seem cheap because a wider range of systems exist, from really cheap and not so powerful ones to the top-of-the-line dream machine. Mac's don't have anything short of middle of the road and up.. the cheapest mac's are more expensive than the cheapest PC's because they don't have a really low-end model available.
Aside from this, they are slightly pricier but I think the above explains most of it.
If you get a mac, you won't really need much else depending on what you're getting. To run ableton live, you shouldn't need much. I myself have a 1ghz G4 imac. 700-some-odd mb of ram. Mac's typically have all the items you'd need to jump in to it all. Depending on how indepth you go, you may or may not want to look at different audio devices for output and input. PC's are much more readily available though and are cheaper but if you have the cash to go better quality and have to choose between pc and a mac, your safer with a mac.
The biggest problems with PC's are the operating systems. Unless there's some unix version of Live that I don't know about, you'll be running on a windows machine and that is a big problem. XP especially is TERRIBLY unstable. I know of at least 3 people who were using XP based machines for music and the operating system just randomly corrupted and would no longer boot. Reformatting was the only solution for a couple of them. Imagine that happening right before a show!