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DasBeef
Gold Member
United Kingdom
704 Posts |
 Posted - 02/11/2009 : 16:35:06
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Thanks for all the replies.
I went to the mac shop and got speaking to the guy who does the demos for Garageband and Logic. I asked him about the Mac Mini, and he said it would meet my requirements. It has 3 usb's and a firewire. He said it could handle up to 16 tracks at once.
What did confuse me is that when I said 'If I wasn't asking about the Mini, which system would you be reccomending me for my needs?'. He then showed me an iMac, which was a lower spec? Hmmm
He was pushed for time as he was about to start the Logic demo (unfortunately I had other commitments and couldn't hang around for an hour and a half). He did indicate that the shop does demos for Garageband and Logic regularly, so I think my next port of call will be attending both of these as soon as I get the chance. |
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nathanscribe
Silver Member
United Kingdom
376 Posts |
Posted - 02/11/2009 : 18:03:49
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Ollie, that's the same as my iMac that I use for music... it works for me just fine.
As for recommending an iMac, that might have something to do with it already having a screen, and costing more...
Apparently Mac have dropped firewire from the next macbooks, and they're concentrating on USB3, but I can't remember where I read that. I used to have a USB audio/midi interface but was never happy with it, and since getting a firewire interface, I've had no problems. If another generation of USB is in the pipeline, it'd better be good. |
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Heart and Soul
Silver Member
USA
369 Posts |
Posted - 02/11/2009 : 23:51:46
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quote:
Originally posted by nathanscribe
Ollie, that's the same as my iMac that I use for music... it works for me just fine.
As for recommending an iMac, that might have something to do with it already having a screen, and costing more...
Apparently Mac have dropped firewire from the next macbooks, and they're concentrating on USB3, but I can't remember where I read that. I used to have a USB audio/midi interface but was never happy with it, and since getting a firewire interface, I've had no problems. If another generation of USB is in the pipeline, it'd better be good.
yeah, that's why i won't be upgrading my first gen macbook...cause otherwise i'll have to get a macbook pro and a firewire 800 -> 400 converter...which, no thank you...but hopefully USB3 is decent... |
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nathanscribe
Silver Member
United Kingdom
376 Posts |
Posted - 02/12/2009 : 13:21:33
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quote:
Originally posted by Heart and Soul
firewire 800 -> 400 converter...
I thought Firewire was backwards-compatible... does that mean you can't use a 400 interface with an 800 computer port? I was under the impression that the 800 port would automatically 'step down' to 400 specs. |
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MullyFX
Gold Member
Germany
753 Posts |
Posted - 02/12/2009 : 16:34:53
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I do have a Mac Mini with about the same specs... and it runs super fine.
Honestly the amount of tracks you can run simultaneously depends on HARDDRIVE Speed... a fast external Drive might give you more tracks but the internal drive should be good for 20 tracks if you don't use a streaming sampler at the same time.
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Heart and Soul
Silver Member
USA
369 Posts |
Posted - 02/15/2009 : 21:45:52
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quote:
Originally posted by nathanscribe
quote:
Originally posted by Heart and Soul
firewire 800 -> 400 converter...
I thought Firewire was backwards-compatible... does that mean you can't use a 400 interface with an 800 computer port? I was under the impression that the 800 port would automatically 'step down' to 400 specs.
you can, i think you just need the appropriate cable cause there ports are a bit different...not 100% sure though...just read it somewhere... |
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DasBeef
Gold Member
United Kingdom
704 Posts |
Posted - 05/18/2009 : 18:06:16
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| Right, finally bought a MacBook which arrived today, and I'm delighted with it. Does anyone know where to download free virtual instrument drum loops that I can use in Garageband? |
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MullyFX
Gold Member
Germany
753 Posts |
Posted - 05/18/2009 : 18:11:05
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quote:
Originally posted by DasBeef
Considering getting a Mac, so I can use garage band to make rough demo's. Also aware of the hefty price tag attatched to the beefier models, so...
Which Mac will record without suffering latency?
Will a decent spec Mac Mini do it?
What accessories would you suggest getting?
I'm actually going to go to my local Mac shop and ask the guys, but they'll obviously try to punt me the most expensive model they can, so looking for a little consumer advice!
I'm a mac fan and user myself so don't get me wrong... but Garage band is not a good reason to buy a mac.
if you have a PC go download REAPER or maybe try Tracktion which still is my favourite sequencer. |
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verivorax
Platinum Member
Canada
1185 Posts |
Posted - 05/18/2009 : 18:32:22
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Or get Logic for your mac. mmmm.  |
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DasBeef
Gold Member
United Kingdom
704 Posts |
Posted - 05/18/2009 : 18:46:07
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I have Logic sitting waiting to install. Does that come with more drum loops and the like?
I'm just going to get used to the easy stuff first. Day 1 owning a mac and I already had to phone IT support (OK, my brother) to find out how to install firefox. Noob fail for me.... |
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nathanscribe
Silver Member
United Kingdom
376 Posts |
Posted - 05/18/2009 : 18:56:46
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Ah yes, the platform switchover effect.... the only problems I've ever had with my macs have been of the noob-style it's-not-a-pc-where's-the-thingummy variety.
Enjoy. I'm sure you'll get it cracked soon enough. |
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DasBeef
Gold Member
United Kingdom
704 Posts |
Posted - 05/18/2009 : 20:05:10
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Yeah. I know what your on about. When I was trying to install Firefox, I was waiting for the install wizard to pop up. When it didn't I panicked. Turns out all I had to do was drag the file into the applications folder. So much easier than a PC, yet so alien when all you've ever used was a PC!
No one know where I can get virtual instrument drum loops then? |
Edited by - DasBeef on 05/18/2009 20:05:53 |
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MullyFX
Gold Member
Germany
753 Posts |
Posted - 05/18/2009 : 20:37:23
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quote:
Originally posted by DasBeef
Yeah. I know what your on about. When I was trying to install Firefox, I was waiting for the install wizard to pop up. When it didn't I panicked. Turns out all I had to do was drag the file into the applications folder. So much easier than a PC, yet so alien when all you've ever used was a PC!
No one know where I can get virtual instrument drum loops then?
Hi,
maybe check out www.fxpansion.com it's the company I work for
it may not be drum loops but it's sooooo much more than that.
cheers,
mully |
Edited by - MullyFX on 05/19/2009 19:33:37 |
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DasBeef
Gold Member
United Kingdom
704 Posts |
Posted - 05/19/2009 : 18:52:04
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Mully - Cheers for the offer, but I think that is leagues ahead of what I'm looking to do for just now.
At the moment I'm only looking to do rough demo's, so I just want a choice of a few more beats than Garageband has to offer as standard. I'm going to keep ploughing away with Garageband for the time being.
If anyone even know where I can download some reasonably priced loops, it'd be appreciated too. I just need them to be virtual instrument (midi style) so I can edit them slightly for what I'm looking to achieve.
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WHich Mac?
