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and is there any difference anymore now that the software is cross platform?

Let the fur fly!!



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Well, it actually depends on what software you're talking about. Some software is, some isn't (i.e. Logic express/pro is Mac only, Cubase is both).

However, there is currently only one brand of machine that runs both OSX and Windows fairly effectively.

Some people buy based on myth and not based on need. So, the real question might be, why does it matter?

Jody


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I use a PC. I actually prefer Macs, but the company I worked for converted from Macs to PCs in the late 1980's/early 1990's so I eventually also converted to PCs. Now I have many thousands of dollars invested in PC-based software that converting back to a Mac is financially not feasible.


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I use PC even tho I like Macs better, and that's because most folks use PC's and I need to be compatible with them regarding graphic design/writing/editing projects. I just got a new audio computer & I got a PC because I already had the software on my old PC & didn't want to buy new.

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All computers in our home are non-mac computers
Work related, for the time being, is a laptop running winXP.
My main computer is a dual boot unit running PCLOS for general work and Win2K for recording. My garage/music computer is running PCLOS.
My wife's computer runs WinXP and another computer in the home runs SAM, a derivitive of PCLOS.
All are connected to my home LAN via either hardwire or wireless.




Oh, Why?
Because I've been working with PCs since the '80s and until recently the macs were not cost effective for me. Now, since I have the hardware I have I'll keep it for awhile. I'm moving toward Linux to get away from Microsoft and though my Windows boxes are quite solid, I'm looking for even more, and I like Linux.

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I am fairly new to the world of the computer and its jargon . I use a PC running xp pro. Most software I use is more set up for windows than mac. The guy who convinced me to buy a comp in the first place and helps me when I have a problem (fairly regular) uses the same stuff. It makes sense TO HAVE WHAT HE HAS. However my uncle runs a mac and from what he tells me he never seems to have problems like I constantly have.

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I use a Mac in the studio and a PC just about everywhere else.

Why? I started using a friend's Mac Classic with MOTU's Performer (it wasn't even Digital Performer then). I liked the graphical interface at that time (PCs were still DOS-based), and have just stayed with Macs in the studio. I will continue to stay with them because they are extremely powerful and are now very cost-competitive with PCs...AND the current versions can dual-boot with Windows XP or Mac OS.

There are a bunch of technical reasons such as no IRQs or DMA memory-sharing to worry about, too. This often (not always) makes Macs less fiddly than PCs. The hardware is also made by one company so they're pretty solid and reliable in my experience. Some people get their PCs working reliably as well; I just think it's easier with a Mac.



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I have used both mac and PC w/ Pro Tools. I think they're both identical. I know some people that still prefer the Macs for Pro Tools, but I can't really tell a difference. I use Sweetwater's Creation Station with a Pro Tools 002, and the PC works great.

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I have both operating systems, and I prefer the Mac for music, mostly because it's what I know. I'm a Logic user which of course is now mac only.

However, if I had to run Windows, I'd set up a PC with Pro Tools and I'd never use it for anything but music, and I wouldn't let it anywhere near the Internet. Then I'd buy a cheap PC for web surfing. The biggest problems I've had with Windows have resulted from being connected to the Internet. And that's with anti-virus software and firewalls.

Most serious pros who use Windows probably use them that way - as a turnkey solution - and don't expose them to risks. That's what I'd do.


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I use a PC and am in the process of doing exactly what Richard suggests...I am getting a second machine that will be used only for music production and will go online only when necessary. I stated using Cakewalk a zillion years ago and have been satisfied and happy with it, so I have stuck with it. It runs on Windows, so I do, too.

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I use a Mac for everything. The pc I have is used as a mass storage divice.

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I've got a PC because I couldn't afford a Mac, the thing crashed and I spent 40 hrs troubleshooting, hours on the phone with hp (compaq), hours online at forums trying to get to the bottom of it, was it my soundcard? a virus? notation software which kept crashing it? Nobody could figure it out so I erased the hard drive and started all over and it STILL didn't work properly. Then my friend suggested I take out the fancy graphics card and all of a sudden no more problems, go figure...

Mike


My name is Mike and I like to play guitar and I like to play the keys and I like to write music and I like to write long run-on sentences that use the word 'like' a lot!

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Originally Posted by mikeredwine
I've got a PC because I couldn't afford a Mac, the thing crashed and I spent 40 hrs troubleshooting, hours on the phone with hp (compaq), hours online at forums trying to get to the bottom of it, was it my soundcard? a virus? notation software which kept crashing it? Nobody could figure it out so I erased the hard drive and started all over and it STILL didn't work properly. Then my friend suggested I take out the fancy graphics card and all of a sudden no more problems, go figure...

Mike


Now out of curiosity, how much is your time worth to you per hour? Then take that and multiply it by 40 and what is the result? Combine that with the price of the PC and is it still cheaper than the Mac?

I'm not saying that Mac's don't have problems. But I will say it's certainly not going to be more than an hour or three to fix or determine what's wrong.

The cost of your downtime is something that a lot of people never think about when it comes to a computer. 40 hours is excessive. I would be curious to know the answer to the total of your time and the cost of the PC, to know if it was really cheaper.

Jody


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Jody, you're right--my time is worth money (*lots* of money, thank you). I will accordingly never buy a computer off the shelf. I will have it built for me by a computer person I know and trust. Both "Alice" (my present computer) and "Wilma" (her predecessor) were built that way. I have had next to no problems.

I continue to look at Macs, but haven't bought one yet. I used Macs when I was in the newspaper business, but when I had to computerize the San Francisco magazine I went to work for in 1988, I used PCs because of the cost. Cost is one reason I use a PC at home, too (the other is customizability, which I understand you don't get much with a Mac--Jody, correct me if I'm wrong, please). "Alice" cost a grand total of $450 in parts to build, and is still better than most off-the-shelf units you can buy today, even though she's three years old.

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Joe,

It depends on the Mac, but essentially you're not customizing it so much as getting the power and form factor you need. The most configurable is the Mac Pro, lots of combinations on that one (including the fact that it is currently the only computer currently on the market that you can configure with 8 cores and is the most powerful machine on the consumer/business market as of this posting), however it's a high end machine meant for hardcore computing for business, graphics, film, music, etc... Which isn't for the average user.

The thing is, most people don't really need the "customization" factor if you get a computer that does what you need it to do with the power and price range you need. Apple and it's Mac line has a machine for any choice. It's part of the whole, plug and go concept. Part of the simplicity. Part of the ease of use, etc... It's also because buying individual parts is starting to get more expensive for good parts that are reliable. Thus when a machine ends up giving out, it's usually more cost effective to buy a whole new one.

Over the course of owning a computer, your IT/downtime is something that shouldn't be ignored. Because there is a tight integration between OS and machine with Apple, you'll have less downtime (it's a fact), which equals more savings.

Jody


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Originally Posted by Jody Whitesides
Joe,

.....
The thing is, most people don't really need the "customization" factor if you get a computer that does what you need it to do with the power and price range you need....


That's a fact Jack....
In reality, what most people need is a computer with a mini Linux distro such as Puppy. It, the distro, will have all the basic functions the majority of computer uses need, web surfing, email, word processing, spreadsheet, photo editing, printing & etc. A more involved distro is SAM.
The new Linux distributions are very easy to install, and all your normally required programs are included and installed along with the OS. Configuration is also quite easy for most of the better distributions.
If one must use a Windows program there are a couple of ways to accomplish that as well.

I originally stayed away from MAC due to the, IMHO, excessive cost. Though today the prices are more in line there is still the issue with their seeming penchant for requiring a hardware upgrade when the OS is upgraded or putting up with incompatibilities.

So, me? I'm on the Linux band wagon and I ain't gonna fall off. The music production is improving with better programs and distros with very low latency, geared to audio are becoming more common.
My main computer is running Linux as the main OS and I have an old PC in the garage on my LAN via wireless for streaming music. This laptop will, in the near future, become a Linux computer as well. I just have to do a bit more testing of the operation of the Windows programs I must use for business running under Linux.
So, in this day and age, and looking forward, I see no reason, for normal computer use, to purchase either a Windows OS or a MAC OS.

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Originally Posted by DakLander
I originally stayed away from MAC due to the, IMHO, excessive cost. Though today the prices are more in line there is still the issue with their seeming penchant for requiring a hardware upgrade when the OS is upgraded or putting up with incompatibilities.


This is actually about as FUD as it can get when it comes to compatibility of Apple machines and OSX. False, false, false. Dak, you really can't get much more wrong. OSX is capable of running on machines as far back as G3 processors, that's on well over 7 year old machines. While it won't be as snappy as the current Intel versions of Macs, it is possible. I know because I was running OSX (panther 10.3) on a wallstreet powerbook G3. It worked just fine.

Since G3's there have been entire lines of G4's, G5's and now Intels. Since OSX has come out, I've had two computers. That's hardly incompatible. I'm about to upgrade to a new Mac Pro fairly soon with the Dual Quad processors. I'd say that two computers in 7 years (with one machine running two different Mac OS's) is pretty damn good. And Apple never "requires" a hardware upgrade for it's new OS to work. They'll post a minimum requirement, but generally it's on machines they haven't sold in several years. If you don't fit that minimum, they don't provide support for it, doesn't mean it won't work.

So, before you go spreading misinformation about compatibility, spend some time using the OS and the machines. I can't speak for Windows, but I'm fairly sure they also work on backwards compatibilty, not only on machines, but even for the OS. But look what's happening with Vista. Lots of compatibility issues, and now even some class-action suits are being started because of improper advertising of new machines claiming to be Vista compatible when they truly aren't. I have IT buddies who are advising their clients not to upgrade to Vista.

I can't speak for Linux. I'm sure it's a fine OS for people that aren't GUI oriented. At least that's what Derek Sivers tells me. He's a Linux man (who also has a Mac now). But he prefers that command line style of OS which is more of what Linux & Unix & Free BSD is. I've seen Derek on Linux & Free BSD, he friggin flys and it's insane to watch him, but I could never get that far into that type of computing, I don't care for it.

That being stated, you are not the norm - I am not the norm. Most people want a computer that they don't have to constantly tweak. They want it to boot up, do their thing with as little hassle as possible and then be on their merry way. Linux isn't fully mature yet. Drivers are probably still an issue, right? Things are still constantly updated, and it's generally, I said generally, an OS more reserved for IT and tech geeks. Whereas Windows is more GUI friendly than Linux, and OSX is more GUI friendly than Windows (OSX is also capable of command line style Unix too).

Jody


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Hey Jody,

Yes had I known I would spend 40 hrs to fix the thing I wouldn't have bought it! But at the time I really needed a music computer and simply couldn't afford a mac, which I wanted. And I have a friend who knows a lot about computer recording so I decided to get his same getup (he hadn't had any major issues), so I could ask him questions. So it was out of convenience and lack of funds that I selected said computer. The next time it will be a Mac though,

Mike


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Jody, as mentioned, I don't use macs. The information I have is from people who have used macs for along time and complained about the need to upgrade their machines because their old machine wouldn't run the upgraded os. Personally I could care less who is right or wrong in the mac/windows crap. I've had very few OS issues with any of the Windows OS's I've used, since 3.0. More problems with hardware failure than anything else.
The need to upgrade the windows hardware to meet the OS requirements is a negative for that OS as well as mac so it's all the same and boils down to personal preference.

As to the Linux stuff, maybe you should take a look. Many are, essentially, install and go and ideal for the person who just wants to turn their computer on and it works. Grab a couple of live cd distros and burn them to disk. They'll run on your machine and you can see what they'll do. Obviously because they are running off the cd or dvd they'll run slower than an actual install but you can run the OS. There are more manufacturers building computers with a Linux distro as the OS getting on board, including HP and even the Windows bastion, Dell, will sell a pc without Windows or refund the OS price if the buyer does not want Windows. There is some noise that they too will be putting out units with a Linux OS.
What driver problems exist are because many of the hardware manufacturers don't put drivers out for Linux, though that is changing. All that does is, to a point, slow some things down in being "cutting edge" with Linux. For the "average" user it's idea.
I installed a beta version of a distro called SAM on an old K6-500 with 192MB ram. The complete install took about 20 minutes, OS and all applications. It took another 10 minutes to set up wireless and another 10 minutes to setup the local networked all-in-one printer, scanner, copier, fax and memory card reader with all functions working.
As to the audio capabilities of Linux, below is a blurb by Harrison from NAB:
Quote
From Harrison at NAB
We've assembled a truly innovative "proof of concept" system based entirely on the Linux platform. 5 computers (a total of 12 cores) work together in this system, each contributing a part of the processing and control load, very similar to the way a renderfarm works in a graphics facility.

The Harrison products on display are:
Trion: a mixing control surface which simultaneously controls several DAWs along with Harrison DSP.
Xengine: a multi-Opteron, ultra-low-latency DSP engine with 64-bit I/O over gigabit ethernet cable.
Xrouter: a 1536x1536 audio router with (4) 64-bit Xrange ports, (8) MADI ins, and (8) MADI outs.
Xdubber: a recorder/workstation, optimized for stem recording and playback in floating-point.
Setup for this ultra-sophisticated system couldn't be simpler. The components are connected using CAT5 cable for both control and audio. All control cables are connected to a single ethernet switch, and gigabit audio is sent to our XRouter which provides signal-by-signal routing between the boxes at 64-bit depth. The XRouter embeds video sync in the audio stream which allows sample-accurate locking to timecode. The only connectors needed are a set of XLR connectors for outboard gear and monitors. For those of you looking for a drop-in upgrade for your mixing room, this is it!

In addition to the Harrison products, we are showcasing some "up and coming" products from the Linux Audio consortium:
64Studio: an easy-to-install linux OS with a comprehensive selection of audio software
JACK: an inter-app audio routing protocol that allows multiple programs to share audio and a timeline
Ardour2: a digital audio workstation (DAW) with all of the post-production necessities
xjadeo: a video playback utility which synchronizes with sample accuracy to Ardour
While still in "beta" form, we've found that in many ways this software is more stable, more accurate and more powerful than similar products at any price point.

Come see a piece of the future of the audio industry. If you've heard about Linux but never really seen what it can do for your facility, this is your chance. http://www.harrisonconsoles.com/

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Looks like a nice setup. (12 cores across 5 computers. What if they did 5 of the 8 core Macs? That would be some power - 40 cores!) Now, lets say I've done some recording with that setup you show. What if I'd like to take that which I've recorded with that setup and I want to mix somewhere else, how portable is the program? Will I be able to find lots of other users?

Part of the issue is portability. Right now, Pro-Tools and Logic are tops because lots of people use each and many use both. It's also because I can export a Logic session and have it open in Pro-Tools and visa versa. I can also do the same between Logic and Final Cut. Is that setup shown for Linix widely compatible like that? That is also a big consideration.

Jody

p.s. - just playin devils advocate, I'm sure that setup is pretty hip.


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Heh, Jody, you know better than I do, just export the files in wav format and import those into the other program. Or, are you telling me I can't record a wav file with Windows recorder and have you import that file into Pro-Tools or Logic? wink

Also, Harrison is a pretty big player in Digital audio and video consoles with more than 30 years in the business. I think they're using Linux for more reasons than it can be had free.

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Actually I'm talking about OMF format. So that if there is an arrangement it opens and all the files know where they should be on any track at any given time. That's not quite the same as spending time exporting each track. Especially when you've got like 40 of them.

Since I'm not much of a video guy I'm not familiar with them. Plus I'm not one to advocate Windows use either. So I understand why they'd use Linux. I'll stick with OSX on Mac since it's Unix based.

Jody


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Hello All,
Currently I am using an HP PC notebook with the Duo Core 2 with two 120gig drives and 2 Gigs of ram as my portable solution linked by up to 4 TC electronic 24D firewire interfaces.

However I am going to buy after reading all your posts a MAC PRO and dedicate it to the studio enviroment period!

I belive a lot of my problems have been because the computer is being used for so many other uses such as internet and art programs that cause conflicts with my Cubase4 and Wavelab6

It will be my first Mac ever.. I will let you know.

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Originally Posted by Jody Whitesides
Actually I'm talking about OMF format. So that if there is an arrangement it opens and all the files know where they should be on any track at any given time. That's not quite the same as spending time exporting each track. Especially when you've got like 40 of them.

Jody


Yeah, I get that but I'm not going to purchase Logic or Pro-Tools if I want or need to send someone audio tracks for tweaking, or what ever. If it comes to that, I would expect the other end, being the "professional" side of the transaction to have what ever it takes to import MY files in what ever format they are generated in, whether it's Cakewalk, n-Track Studio, Cool Edit, Kristal, Reaper, Audacity, Ardour, or any other program that generates the "format" for the track locations and settings. The next best thing is for them to accept, without qualms, wav files.
If there's a collaboration going, I don't expect the other part to acquire the program I use, I'm more than happy to work with wav files and even, for trial, listening or click tracks, mp3 files.
The last reasonably large remote projects, 24 tracks, I was involved in used Shorten or Monkey's Audio to compress the files, depending on which project. Worked great and wasn't all that much trouble to align the tracks once converted back to wav format.

Again, it comes down to what a person is familiar with and grows to like.

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Yup, not saying it can't be done that way. It just takes more work. I'm all for ease of use. That's just me.

Jody


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Here is a fact
I bought an off the shelf E-machine 1&1/2 years ago.
2.8 gig Amd 64 bit. 1600 mhz
5400 rpm hard drive(to slow but it works) 200 GIG
2 gig memory DDR
On board graphics
On board sound (which I disabled) Mixer provides the sound card.
fire wire
Records at 96 Khz 24 bit with no latency
Records 16 simultaneous tracks with plenty of plugins without a hitch. Except the limits of the 5400 rpm hard drive. I am going to upgrade the hard drive to 7200 rpm with 16 mb buffers SATA. Will cost me about $100. Would have bought it that way but I forgot to ask.
$550 plus I upgraded the monitor $150
I don't think I have ever used more than 50% of CPU capacity. My software has a CPU indicator so I can monitor it.

It came with windows Media center installed.
Runs Cubase SX 3 without a hitch. Including videos.

After mucking around with it for months trying to figure out why I was have trouble with my recordings my DAW company finally informed me the Windows Media center was not compatible with the DAW. It was designed for Windows XP
I reinstalled windows XP pro which solved all my problems. It was a simple fix.
I do NOT connect this computer to the internet. It is dedicated to music.
Since I installed windows XP it has never failed me, never froze, never crashed. It has ultra quiet fans. and I never turn it off. it runs 24 hours a day.

I bought this Machine Because my PC Computer was stolen. It was 3 years old when it was stolen. The police recovered the stolen machine and I have it back. It is 5 years old and has never failed. My wife uses the PC. Did get a nasty virus once tho.

When I went to California I took a PC with me. It bounced off the shelf and broke. I had to repair it. I spent two days in California trying to find someone who handled PC's. I was told by several Computer stores that people there did not like PC's, everyone used macs.
I asked him why he said PC's were not reliable. I looked in the repair area behind the Guy and there were shelves full of Macs with repair tags on them. I asked him what those Macs were there for. He said Oh! one type of failure or another. Hmmmm. OK.

I don't know which is better but everything I have needed to do for recording music on this PC has worked without a problem once I installed XP Pro.


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Hey Bill,

I wouldn't leave your computer on 24 hrs a day, I burnt one out that way! I would just like to say that people have preferences for different reasons as to what they prefer Mac or PC, just as with music or anything else in life. Everybody's different and likes different things for different reasons. (I like to use the same word three times in one sentence, such as the last one with three uses of 'different', and like this one, when I used 'like' three times). I for one don't want to argue around people's differences, you will never get to the bottom of it. And don't come back arguing about my argument, I do not want to argue!(see, three 'argue' variations in one sentence).

Mike


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I fully leave my machines on 24 hrs a day. There's no proof it burns them out.

Jody


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I too often leave my computers on. I think once the electronic parts are burned it and there's no over heat problem it'll be fine. There is some discussion about the hard drives failing sooner if the computer is running but that doesn't make sense to me and I would think start up stress would cause more wear and tear on a hard drive than having the computer running.


Maybe the only time I would suggest shutting down regularly is with some Windows systems, particularly those that aren't well maintained as far as un-necessary processes running, un-protected for Virus and spyware issues and so on. Those I would recommend being shut down if it's not going to be used for more than a couple of hours.

My Linux machines often run for weeks without being shutdown.

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It's my guess that Macs are excellent machines. Jody can certainly attest to that.
My preferences for PC's is simple. I have owned PC's for a long time, LOL. The only Apple I ever had was my first one. Back in the early 1980's. An Apple 11E. It used 5 1/4 floppies for everything. The OS was on the floppy. Did not even have a hard drive. The other option at the time was, I think, a Commodore 64, LOL.
I think in 1985 I upgraded to a PC. It had a 10 Megabit Hard drive. It was incredible, LOL. I think it was a 16 Mhz processor. Now we have 3 Gighz processors, LOL.

I really like that Mac that Jody gave us a link for. If I could afford it I would definitely be looking more seriously at it.


Bill
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If I hadn't wanted to upgrade my Protools setup from a Digi001 to a Digi002, I would still be able to use my old Mac G4/400Mhz. It's kind of slow now, but it would still work with OS X, even though it's still running OS 9.2. I have a dual G5 now. Works great with any Mac DAW I throw at it: Protools, Logic, Digital Performer. I'm waiting for all my software to be compatible with the new Intel dual-core Macs before I buy one. There are still a couple of companies that haven't made universal binaries of their software. Spectrasonics is the main one that I use for Trilogy (bass), and Stylus RMX (for drum loops). They've promised Mac/Intel compatibility sometime this year.

I also have a Gateway laptop that I use with XP SP2. I don't really use it much for music except burning CDs. I've had great reliability with both, but I use an HP desktop all day long at my day job and it's also pretty reliable.

I personally think the Mac allows me to concentrate more on making music than making things compatible (no, IRQs, DMA channels, etc to worry about). I connect my Mac to the Internet (wireless connection) only when I need to download updated software and it's a simple mouse click to turn off (and on) the Internet AirPort card. However, I've never had a virus on any Mac I've owned. I can't say that about my PC.



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Good I'm glad to see I didn't kill the thread with my post, just voicing my opinion, it's very educational anyway,

Mike


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Hi,
I use a Mac, I run a recent version of MOTU's Digital Performer. It does what I need; I don't need to know very much about configuring a computer, not a major area of interest for me. I bought the computer second-hand, got the software on ebay at a decent price, enabling me to get into digital recording for well under $1000.
I thought I was very happy with the 8-track recorder I've used for several years. Now I find it is nice to have extra tracks for hand clapping, horn sections, or whatever other auxillary things I want on my recordings.

Steve Vasil

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I use a Mac too. It's a dual 2 GHz processor Power PC G5 with 2.5 gigs of SDRAM. I had 2 iMacs before that. I use Finale 2006 and Cubasis on it. My son does a lot of graphic work on it while I use it mostly for my music, education, and website stuff. I work on PC compatibles too but I prefer Macs for ease of use and not having to have a lot of technical help.


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I use a Mac too. It's a dual 2 GHz processor Power PC G5 with 2.5 gigs of SDRAM. I had 2 iMacs before that. I use Finale 2006 and Cubasis on it. My son does a lot of graphic work on it while I use it mostly for my music, education, and website stuff. I work on PC compatibles too but I prefer Macs for ease of use and not having to have a lot of technical help.


Please visit my facebook EZ3D PopUps for free papercraft templates. Great for beginners of all ages.

Favorite Sites:
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It's kinda funny...
I was re-reading the header to the post, and realized how completly wrong it is!
So here is my answer...
I use an Apple computer because it runs Macintosh OSX. A singular computer designed to run the operatinng system. Ease of use because of design, all the way around.
I do not use an IBM. That is a specific brand of computer... I do use a computer that runs Windows operating system XP. A differing computer maufactuer, and oposing operating system which leades to crashes, and incompatibilities. Therefore I limit the use of this system to mass storage, and as a slave to my GPS unit. It is of course a lap top, and does of course have an audio recording progam... Something is alway better than nothin when on the road.

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Currently, using a PC for my work; a Dell Dimension 2400 I bought slightly used. Used it for my upcoming CD; the first one (......BTW)was recorded on 8-track analog tape (3 formats: 1/8 inch tape, 1/4 inch, and 1/2 inch), then mixed to digital tape. the second one, (S.T.A.T.!), was mostly recorded on my (main)PC, except for one cut that was tracked on 8-track 1/2 inch tape, and digitally mixed. the upcoming one was recorded entirely on the Dell, but some of the cuts were mixed to 1/4 inch analog tape; others were mixed to 1/2 inch analog tape. the results turned out well, I must say. Already thinking of the 4th CD; entirely analog recording and mixing. digital mastering, of course.



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