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• Which Mac Is Best For Music Production Software

The Best Apple Computer For Music Production In 2019

It’s not easy to buy a new mac for music production. Many models are just too expensive and many of them are too slow because Apple is still using dual-core CPUs on some of their models.

If you want to produce music without any compromise I would really recommend you at least a mac with a 6 core CPU in 2019. We had 4 core CPUs for the last 6 or 7 years and I think it’s time to step it up. If you analyze Apple’s recent lineup there is a clear winner in terms of price/performance ratio but let’s save that one for later

Jul 16, 2020 The Apple iMac 27” for music production is easily the biggest and baddest iMac around. It has sufficient power for even the most demanding production and mixing tasks, and comes with a host of advanced storage, memory, and I/O features. It also has a spectacular Retina 5K display and comes in a sleek and modernistic all-in-one design. There’d be uproar if we did a list such of the best PCs for music production and didn’t include an Apple iMac. The fact is that this range, still going strong after over a decade, has been the centrepiece of many a productive home studio.

Let’s start with Apple’s Laptops:
The first model we’re going to look at is the Macbook 12 inch.

If you analyze the specs it offers either a 1.2 GHz dual-core Intel Core m3 or a 1.3 GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 with only 8GB Ram and a 256GB or 512GB SSD. While this laptop could be a great portable office machine it just won’t be able to keep up with modern DAWs and Plugins. The biggest bottleneck is the dual-core CPU followed by only 8 GB of RAM.

Now let’s look at the MacBook Air

You pretty much have the same problem with the “Air” models because they only have a dual-core CPU and only 8 GB of RAM. I wouldn’t recommend those for music production.

Let’s move on to the MacBook Pro

Here you need to differentiate between the three different 13-inch models and the two 15 inch models:

The MacBook Pro 13 inch starts with a 2.3 GHz Dual Core model and offers a 2.3 GHz Quad-Core at the top configuration that even can be upgraded to 2.7 GHz which will increase the price to up to $2099. But if you can afford to spend 2k on a laptop I would strongly advise you to get the 15-inch MacBook Pro with the Touch Bar. For only $300 more you get a strong 6 Core CPU, 16GB Of Ram and a 256GB SSD.

Conclusion:

If you want to get yourself an Apple laptop and you want to make music you either can get the MacBook Pro 13 inch with a Quadcore for $1799 or the MacBook Pro 15 Inch with a 6-Core for $2399. I really wouldn’t recommend you to get the MacBook Air or the Macbook 12 Inch. While they’re great and portable machines, they can’t give you the power that you need for music production.

What about the iMacs?

If you want a desktop solution Apple offers their iMac line that combines the processing unit and the display in one single device. My decision is pretty easy here:

The first 21.5 inch model with the dual core is slow. Forget about it. The next model with a 3.6 GHz Quadcore is decent but it costs $1299 while the 6 core iMac starts at $1499. Trust me, invest $200 more for the 6-Core CPU and thank me later. If you decide to get a 27 model, choose any model because they’re all great with 6-Cores. The only upgrade I would recommend is increasing RAM from 8GB to 16GB, especially if you use large Kontakt libraries or plugins like Spectrasonics Omnisphere

iMac Pro:

There is not really much to say about the iMac Pro. Great machine that has its price starting at $4999. You can even configure it with 18 cores. If you have that money you probably don’t need to read my guide here and don’t need my help

Mac Pro:

The Mac Pro is pretty much outdated in 2019 and will be soon replaced with a new model in 2020 (If I believe the rumors) so no need to spend so much money on an outdated model.

Edit: June 22rd, 2019, Apple announced the new Mac Pro starting at $6000. Just like with the iMac Pro if you can afford that machine go for it!

Mac Mini:

This is the most interesting Apple computer for music producers? Why? Because of its great price-performance ratio which makes it the Best Apple Computer For Music Production. For only $799 you already get a Quad-Core 3.6 GHz processor. Add another $300 and you have a 6-Core. You can even upgrade the RAM yourself if you’re careful as Apple uses SO-DIMM sockets in their recent Mac Minis. Another advantage compared to the iMac is that you pretty much get the same computing unit but can pair it up with any monitor you want. Want to connect a 34 inch widescreen Monitor? No Problem! Want to take your Mac Mini with you when traveling to make music in a hotel room? No Problem. Now imagine having an iMac and not being able to take it with you on a trip or to your friend’s music studio. There are even small portable screens available for people who want to be as mobile as possible.

Music producer @theonlydanja is using such a setup that consists of two portable Asus Zenscreens, one Mac Mini, and a UAD Arrow audio interface

A post shared by DANJA (@theonlydanja) on

And that’s why I think the Mac Mini is the Best Apple Computer For Music Production in terms of performance, price, and mobility.

Drey Andersson

Music Producer & Founder Of TheMusicProducersBlog

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The debate over which type of computer reigns supreme has raged on for decades now. As with sports teams and political parties, people began to huddle into distinct camps, devout in their allegiances. In the computing world, these camps became Mac vs PC. And this battle has also bled into the world of music. For producers and musicians, the question of Mac vs PC goes beyond computing alone, but Mac vs PC for music production, specifically.

Today, people still tend to cling to one or the other. However, years of competition and exponential technological breakthroughs have shrunk the gap between Macs and PCs even further. This bodes especially well for music producers. More processing power means shorter export times, more plugins, faster workflow, higher quality sound, and so much more. But even with this overall improvement in computing power, most producers want to work within a single system. And Macs and PCs remain the two most viable options. So when it comes to Mac vs PC for music production, which is better?

What do we mean by Mac vs PC?

Before we go further with the specifics of Mac vs PC for music production, let’s briefly describe what we mean by Mac and PC. These labels get thrown around as general markers for Apple and Microsoft products, but this isn’t exactly right. Apple alone produces Macintosh computers and its operating system, macOS. Microsoft also manufactures computers and its operating system, Windows. However, several other companies such as Dell and Lenovo make computers that run Windows as well. To make matters more complicated, Windows can run on a Mac, and some people hack macOS onto their PC.

So in short, we’re really referring to the unaltered package here. If you buy a Mac, you’re likely running macOS, and if you buy a PC you’re probably using Windows.

What are we looking for?

We should first outline the parameters which will inform our decision when duking it out between Mac vs PC for music production. Which hardware or operating system does a particular thing better than the other? What are these particular things? They might be numerous, depending on how technical we want to get. We’re mostly concerned with music production, of course. So to keep things simple, let’s break it down into four categories: ease of use, compatibility, functionality/power, and cost.

Compatibility

Aside from ease of use, compatibility plays the biggest role in the Mac vs PC for music production debate. This includes both hardware and software. Both Apple and Microsoft have to walk a tightrope to keep up with advancing technology while not leaving average users in the dust.

Hardware

When we say hardware, we’re talking about the physical components of the computer. Depending on the model and year of Mac or PC, the hardware can vary. The most recent MacBook Pro, for instance, abandoned the standard USB 2.0/3.0 port entirely and strictly adopted USB C. Yes, the latter is much faster, but most products still rely on USB 2.0 or 3.0. So if your interface is a standard USB model, you’ll have to dish out for an adaptor, which Apple is happy to sell you.

New MacBooks also lack a CD/DVD drive. Because most files are shared and stored digitally now, there isn’t much of a use for this drive, but it can still frustrate some users who enjoy using their physical collections or uploading/downloading data to and from discs. Likewise, you’ll need a special lightning cable adapter to hook up an HDMI cable to your Mac.

On the hardware side, PCs might win the day here. Because PCs are made from parts that can come from more than one manufacturer, they’re highly customizable. More customization means more compatibility. But even without purchasing add-ons, PCs generally come equipped with more universal hardware out of the box. You won’t need special adaptors for USB, HDMI, or disc drives. Even beneath the hood, swapping out parts like graphics chips and processors tends to be a lot easier and cheaper for PC owners.

Software

This isn’t to say Apple completely fails the compatibility test, however. Several music production companies design products with Apple in mind, since they understand their audience often uses Apple products. Apple’s iPhone has even found a niche in the mobile DAW market (check out these great iOS DAWs). In this way, Macs and other Apple products push the industry forward, but some fallout is inevitable.

As for add-ons, plugins, and software, you’ll generally find way more plugins available for Windows than for Mac (but check out these 25 free Mac plugins). When it comes to free plugins and VST instruments, PCs fare better as well. It takes a lot of research and time to find the best plugins for Mac, and even more time to find freebies. As for DAWs, if Logic is your program of choice, it will only run on Mac. Conversely, Sonar can only run on Windows. PCs can run more DAWs natively than Macs as well. You really have your pick on a PC: Cubase, Reaper, Ableton, FL Studio, Pro Tools, etc. While many of these top-tier DAWs also run on Mac now, they tend to work a bit better on PC.

Functionality and power

This factor stems right from the previous one. Out of the box, Macs are typically more functional and stable than PCs. They even come pre-loaded with GarageBand, a good stepping stone for the amateur producer without a professional DAW. Macs are designed with optimization in mind already. PCs, which have a more general audience, vary a bit more in their functionality and processing power. If you only use your PC for light web browsing and emails, you don’t need the bells and whistles. But for music producers, artists, designers, and gamers, the more power and functionality the better.

For some, even a high-end Mac doesn’t offer enough speed to handle everything, even if it’s generally more stable. And, as we mentioned, since PCs offer more customization, some creative types simply modify or enhance their PC to handle their work and play. Of course, not everyone has the money, skill, or knowledge to transform their PC into a powerhouse. So it’s really a draw here. Do you want more right away, or the potential to add more down the road?

Ease of use

Your ability to navigate your computer matters more than just about anything. You won’t get very far if you can’t get a grip on the design philosophy of your computer. Macs have dominated this space with intuitive design both inside and out. They’ve become known as the “creative person’s computer” in part for this reason. The applications of the MacBook touchpad alone make navigation and precision control incredibly simple. In Logic Pro, for instance, the touchpad acts as a multi-purpose mixing board, and it feels great.

Cost

Mac Music Production Software

Macs cost more, sometimes by a lot. This is partially due to fantastic branding by Apple, which drives up demand regardless of the product itself. But the product usually backs up the price. Macs run well, crash infrequently, offer a lot of power out of the gate, feature an intuitive interface and design, and live a long time. With fewer maintenance costs, the price of admission is usually worth it. These machines really are perfect for music production and creative endeavours in general. If that’s the experience you want, just be prepared to dish out a grand or two.

Best Software For Music Production Free Mac

PCs typically cost less to start with. But, again, if you plan on modifying your hardware or software, the dollars begin to add up. Still, you’d have to modify your PC quite a bit to reach the cost of the highest-end Mac. In that case, your PC would likely perform better anyway. PCs might require more maintenance than Macs, but that gap is narrowing as well. So in the end, you could end up shelling out as much for a PC as you would have for a Mac, but it’s unlikely. And if you did, your PC would take the cake by a long shot.

Mac vs PC for music production: and the winner is…

Which Mac Is Best For Music Production Sites

Truth be told, you can’t really go wrong either way. Both Macs and PCs get better every year, and they’ll continue to improve so long as people continue using them. If you want a computer strictly for music production, maybe consider a Mac for its ease of use and built-in features. But if you plan on using your computer for several purposes in addition to music production, get a PC and upgrade it to your liking. The Mac vs PC for music production war rages on, and we all benefit from the competition. In the end, the winner is us.

Which Mac Is Best For Music Production Possibilities

Which Mac Is Best For Music Production Software