MAC or PC for Recording Studio ?

[Derek]

I DO NOT want this to become a MAC vs PC slanging match - I am looking for a sensible discussion, please.
I have posted this here because i know there are some sensible MAC users that may be able to offer some good advice.

Here is the story ..

FYI: We are running a Windows 2003 network in an education environment.
We are building a recording studio and have just employed a Media Technician as part of the team that will run the studio.
Andy [the new guy] is a MAC man and has put in a request to buy a MAC for the recording studio.
I have been tasked with providing a "sound and well researched technical answer" to this.
Problem is, i dont know anything about MACs.

My initial concern is integrating a MAC into a Windows network. I am told it's not too easy without spending mega bucks to make it secure [apparently, MACs don't understand the permissions and offer all network drives for browsing!!]

But what is a MAC gonna provide that a Windows PC can't, for a recording studio?

Any offers, please?

[bule]

I think that Mac or PC for the recording studio is not that relevant as is the sound card you're gonna buy. So, if you have a fixed budget, instead of spending a lot of money for a shiny look, you might redirect that money for a better card... For example, something like this:
http://www.proaudiosolutions.com/product-p/vx442.htm

[Derek]

Thanks for your response. There's not likley to be a fixed budget. Fairly flexible and a few grand is what i'm told.

[JDog37]

The PC or Mac both have allot to offer. I'm using a PC for all my audio. But I have to say either way you must have a good sound card. I'v tried allot of diff. cards but I had issues with quality. I broke down and got the personus Firepod. It will run you about $399.00. There is a new version called F10 of the same card. Anyway It has 8 inputs, 8 outputs, SPDIF, and NO LATENCY!!! It can be used for both PC or MAC, (I think).

My partner ONLY likes MAC and says its a better system, but I know he can't use most of the software I run on my PC. PC's have allot of diff. software and you're not stuck with just Garage Band. Don't get me wrong, it's an ok software but it don't offer allot that I found.

What kind of software are you looking to run? Do you use Pro Tools? Pro Tools work great with MAC< ( my partner says ) but I never messed with it. I use Sonar, Sound Forge 9 and a few others.

Let me know before you buy and I'll try to help you out! You don't want to put a ton of $$$ in on a system and hate it, TRUST ME!!

[bule]

But then again, if the guy who asks for the Mac is the one that will be using the system, you might just go along and get what suits him. You don't wanna have him moaning around all day.

[JDog37]

True, True. Are you going to run it as well? Or others? You got to look at the whole picture.

[AGRO]

I would first ask the guy who will be using the mac if he could recommend anything. If so I would look into that. If he has no recommendations I would say go to the aplple site and look around to see what they have to offer. This is on apple's website for production/studio.

Logic Studio - $499

Pro Tools is not on the apple site. I wonder if Logic Studio has replaced Pro Tools? Doing a little research and reading some of the audio forums, everybody says "Pro Tools is great if your just looking to track and mix, but if you are looking to make music (midi sequencing etc) Logic is your best bet."

So as for a professional studio, it looks like Logic Studio is apple's answer.

I could not find anything on integrating it with Windows??? Ya might want to look into that.

[RobertB]

Employees are trainable and potentially transient. I would not build your studio around an employee.

I cannot imagine for your applications that your output needs to be as sophisticated as a Hollywood film production.

For your budget....these guys make decent software for PC's. IMHO if your whole company is on a Window's network, stay consistent.

http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/

http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/acidpro

[ScottDuncan]

i fought with Latency issues for years. It has already been said, so i'm just reinforcing the idea, the sound/audio card is vital. I've recorded on PCs for years but never really had a completely pro setup. I've used different multitrack software, they all seem to get the job done. I bought a Yamaha AW1600, and wow. The Yamaha has USB2 and a 40 gb hardrive, so i record tracks and then transfer them to the computer for visual editing in Cool Edit Pro. It's been a nice setup. The Yamaha has beautiful sound quality and will take 8 tracks in simultaneously. Plus it was just $1000. Well worth the money.