Topic: What Computer is Best For Music Recording?
Totage's photo
Fri 02/01/08 12:14 PM
Which would be better for a home music studio and why?

PC or Mac?

I was thinking of doing a custom PC, but I'm not really sure what would be best. I don't have a huge budget, but I want to get the best I can for the least amount of money.

Any help would be apperciated.

If it helps, I would like to record all kinds of music, but mostly rap/hip-hop.

no photo
Fri 02/01/08 12:16 PM
Mac for multimedia. Better programs and very solid performance. I'm a PC guy myself, but have been in the business over 17 years. Macs do best on multimedia for the best quality in video/audio.

Totage's photo
Fri 02/01/08 12:21 PM
Edited by Totage on Fri 02/01/08 12:21 PM
Thanks, I've heard Macs are better for multimedia. I was thinking of maybe getting one to use soley for my studio, so I guess I'll stick with that plan.

Do you know if Macs have any kind of MIDI support?

no photo
Fri 02/01/08 02:05 PM

Thanks, I've heard Macs are better for multimedia. I was thinking of maybe getting one to use soley for my studio, so I guess I'll stick with that plan.

Do you know if Macs have any kind of MIDI support?


Oh yes, Mac has basically all forms of support, including MIDI. I have a friend with a professional recording studio and uses a program called "Pro Tools" and uses it on a Mac system that is just for that purpose. He uses PC also, but not for the recording work.

shiloh0's photo
Thu 02/07/08 12:05 AM
i would choose a pc. many more options available in programs. cheaper. no issues in reliability with windows xp. if you are not familiar with computers tho maybe a mac is the best route.
if you choose a pc be sure to get over 1 gig of ram.

KalamazooGuy87's photo
Thu 02/07/08 01:17 PM
if you arnt familar with one i wouldnt suggest using it, especially since they are not cheap, however better in multimedia and of course video

whispertoascream's photo
Fri 02/08/08 01:11 AM
I would have to agree. Mac is the way to go. It is great for graphics and multimedia. PC's are good for documents and powerpoint presentations and stuff like that. Go for the Mac.

adj4u's photo
Fri 02/08/08 06:45 AM
Edited by adj4u on Fri 02/08/08 06:46 AM
it is kinda like

maybe a x would b better than y

but if x is strange to you

and y is familiar then you can probably

do a better job with y

it matters not if something is better

if it is not properly used

a good operator on an mediocre machine

can out perform

a bad operator on a dream machine

just a thought

but hey what do i know

justplaingerald's photo
Tue 02/12/08 12:10 AM
MAC MAC MAC, Yes Pro Tools is a strong force in Audio. Plus the graphics on a Mac are far none the best. Something about the non-square pixels..

Danette_Giavanna's photo
Tue 02/12/08 05:33 AM
Mac is the best my ex husband is in a band and this is the only computer they use for music purpose..Im going to be buying my own soon. The Apple dealer said thats what Mac is best for...

no photo
Tue 02/12/08 11:52 AM
all the musical type people tend to use Macs, not only for the ease of use, but also because they've traditionally won favor over the "art" crowd. as a result, more multimedia-oriented software is gonna be developed for Mac instead of PC which even now has to deal with the stigma of being latched in with M$, which everybody hates.

so yeah- Macs tend to do better for musical stuff, whether it be MP3 ripping, or full-on music creation.

tmaxx222's photo
Wed 02/13/08 01:21 AM
the only thing that matters is your budget, if you cant afford a high end setup then you need to look at what fits you best... a cheap mac is just as bad as a cheap pc...

as far as software goes... many companies provide for both, and for pc there are free ones like audacity if its just basic editing.

its possible to build a mac better then a pc and you can make a pc better then a mac... use whatever your comfortable with and that you can afford.

Nox_Arcana's photo
Wed 02/20/08 09:17 PM
Edited by Nox_Arcana on Wed 02/20/08 09:18 PM
Th margin between what's better isn't really wither you use a Mac or a PC. It's the apps and the OS.

If you prefer Mac OS, use a Mac, and get the appropriate applications for that platform to do what you want to do (Final Cut Studio, BIAS Peak, etc).

If you like Windows, configure a PC that fits your needs and buy the appropriate software (Vegas Studio, Sound Forge, etc).

What it boils down to is what platform you feel most comfortable working in, and what apps you know, or want to know, and as others have mentioned, what you can afford.

Macs traditionally have been the multimedia kings, but that gap is all but nonexistent. Hardware performance isn't an issue because they all use Intel based hardware for both platforms. It really comes down to the OS and the apps. Since the apps more of less do the same tasks, you are faced with wither you want to learn or use the Mac OS or Windows.

It is really tough to say what platform these days is "THE BEST" when it comes to video/audio creation and editing. They both have their flaws and their weak/strong points.