Mac mini

Nathan,
Thanks for the synopsis. I'm seriously considering one of these to complement my Windows machines. Maybe to run Logic. ? ..

Bassman

If you are thinking about running Logic 7 (with all the audio units and such), think about a G5...

Thom

Is it a matter of having enough horsepower?

Bassman

Yes, "horsepower" is particularly relevant with respect to software synths and number of audio tracks. The 1.25 GHz G4 Mac mini with 1 GB of RAM would be sufficient for small to medium studios with a few software synths and probably around 16 or so 24-bit 96 kHz audio tracks using the internal hard drive. Much more than that and you'd want to get a faster system most likely. Of course, you can always bounce your soft synth tracks to audio saving CPU power. Logic Express 7 would probably be more appropriate for the Mac mini (though Logic Pro 7 would run okay).

Regards,

Nathan Sheldon
http://www.nathansheldon.com/

Thanks Nathan,
Very useful info. I'll be spinning any tracks over to a DAW(Tascam 2488), so I could probably do fine with the Mac mini. I'd be better to go the extra $100 and get the $599 machine.

I've been wanting to look at the soft synth side of things and have a friend that I think is running Logic Pro. Think I'll go hang out for awhile. I'll definitely look into the Logic Express and Logic Pro specs, keeping in mind your tips.

Off to Google land. . . . . . . . .

Bassman

What about the Mac Mini just to "learn" Logic Pro 7. I don't care really about audio tracks. Maybe two to four maximum. Mainly I just want to learn how to sequence on it, and to use the soft-synths that come with it - that new drum machine and some of the VA synths. Maybe later I would get FM-7 and some type of soft-sampler like Kontakt or the MOTU one.

Would the Mac Mini be okay for that? I realize it wouldn't be as appropriate as a G5, but that price is almost irresistable.

Also, what kind of flat panel monitor can be used with it? You don't have to buy an Apple brand do you?

Thanks!

Hi guys.

bassman: Yes, a Mac mini could handle the soft synths in Logic Pro 7. Of course, polyphony and the maximum number of simultaneous synths that can be used at once will be less than would be possible with a G5. Spending the extra $100 for the additional CPU speed and drive space would be wise. I'd also strongly suggest upgrading the RAM to at least 512 MB if you plan on using Logic Pro 7 as you'll need it. The Mac mini is user upgradeable, but not easily.

2TIM316: Yes, the Mac mini would be able to handle those tasks (as long as you have at least 512 MB of RAM or more), and I'd suggest the larger 80 GB hard drive. You're right, a G5 would be more appropriate for numerous simultaneous soft synth usage, but you could at least learn Logic on the mini and create small-scale productions with it. The mini comes with a built-in FireWire 400 port (standard 6-pin IEEE 1394a interface) which could be used for any of the FireWire audio interfaces currently available. It also has 2 USB 2.0 ports that would work with USB audio interfaces (though I'd not recommend using those as most are still USB 1.1 limiting bandwidth and increasing latency). It should be noted that the Mac mini does not have a built-in audio input jack (only output), not that you'd really want to use one anyway if it existed.

Regards,

Nathan Sheldon
http://www.nathansheldon.com/

Thx Nate. I still need to get over my preconceived notion of the Logic community being a bunch of elitist snobs. But I can get Logic Pro 7 at a student rate of $500. So not bad.

Hahaha. Yea. I have only messed with Logic a bit, but it certainly does seem to have a steep learning curve. It seems as though it's like learning how to use a new professional audio workstation I suppose (from what little experience I've had). I first started with software sequencers using Opcode's StudioVision Pro. Logic is just not nearly as intuitive as that program was (though Logic certainly seems to have more features). No matter. Nothing that can't be learned.

Regards,

Nathan Sheldon
http://www.nathansheldon.com/

i use sx2 on my pc and i love it
i want to use it also on the new minimac (1.42ghz)
is it possible?also for vsti?such as kontakt,absynth,legacy,etc etc..
i already have ableton...is it enough fot he minimac or too much?
then i saw that the hard disk is only at 5400 rpm....the 80gb
is it better an external usb 2.0 Lacie/250gb?

thanks

i've loved fantom and tritons then i've found my Oasys..i'm dead...i haven't money for the water...

Hi all.

2TIM316: I forgot to answer your question about monitors. No, you don't need an Apple monitor. Any standard VGA or DVI PC monitor will work as well as any USB keyboard and mouse.

bisibuuu: Yes, the Mac mini would be able to handle all those programs, but not as quickly as something like a G5. The Mac mini is basically the same speed as a PowerBook G4 (same bus speed, nearly the same CPU speed, same hard drive specs, same Combo Drive). Yes, it does appear that the Mac mini uses a laptop size (2.5") 5400 RPM hard drive. This should be sufficient for small audio recording applications, but it would certainly be better to get a FireWire or USB 2.0 external hard drive.

Regards,

Nathan Sheldon
http://www.nathansheldon.com/

i was thinking to buy the 1.42 g4 version,with 80 gb,and superdrive
but only with 256 mb ddr....i'll plan to swap it then with a cheaper 1 gb ddr....from a store...
maybe i can change also the 80 gb HD...and to put in it
a 7200 model..
this will change the performance i presume..isn't it..

i even heard also about somekind of linkin between 2 minimac
to be used as dual processor platform...
by the way this machine is really nice..
maybe not the top performer...but...enough for a nice use

bye

i've loved fantom and tritons then i've found my Oasys..i'm dead...i haven't money for the water...

The processor speed, blahblahblah, has nothing to do with how large a project can be, or how professional it's going to sound. It will however determine the level of difficulty of achieving your goals. You can put together a 125 track project on your FantomX with the V2.0 upgrade, you jut have to be prepared to do a lot of bouncing, and making some permanent decisions. early.
Unless you are strapped for cash, I wouldn't bother with Logic Express. There is no reason it would run better on the Mac mini , than Logic Pro7. It's just that your limitations are already built in. If you use the max numbe of audio tracks, and max number of audio instruments, you'll probably taxing the little fellow anyway. So if you can, get Pro7, and just watch it. Besides, you'll be getting GarageBand built in, and it's pretty damn near LogicExpress.
Logic is pretty straight forward, and not hard at all to learn. The thing is that there is so much you can do with it as far as controlling a midi studio that it can get mind numbing for sure. if you want straight up audio/midi recording/editing, then it's as easy as anything else on the market. You just gotta learn their way of doing things, which is equivalent to learning the way DP, Sonar, Cubase does things.


Fantom-S
AW4416
Now all I need is talent.
Anyone selling any talent??
member # 55
registered 21 May 2003

Workflow question: So those of you that have played live with softsynths like Logic + Kontakt (e.g.). How does that integrate with the FS/X? I mean, now I program either a Performance Card or a set of midi files and just scroll from one song to the next in a set to play live.

Can I similarly use the FS/X to control Logic so that once my performances are programmed using both FS voices and Kontakt samples, I can use something like performance select on the FS to go from song to song?

Or do I have to interact with the CPU to make those switches live?

Also, regarding the MacMini HD, I would definitely recommend an external FW drive. Not just because it's 7200 vs 5400, but having your samples stream from a separate drive than your application/system drive is huge. At least that's been my experience with digital video editing on my Powerbook G4 + External FW drive. I can scroll through hours of footage without a hiccup. Before the FW drive it was excruciating!

-patrick