PlanetZ forums - scopeusers.com

Hello,
I currently use a PC and have done quite happily. I am considering changing to a Mac because I am a Logic user and as you all probably know development for PC has stopped at version 5.51.
Do I continue to use 5.51 on PC, which still gets the job done (very well), or go for a Mac and have the opportunity to make use of future developments for Logic, or even change to Cubase SX (which I have but not got round to using because of the hassle of learning yet another program).
I have read that there are problems with OSX, but I am sure they will be solved sooner or later.
Finally,(maybe a dumb question),will the same Pulsar card from my PC work with a Mac (I think it does, though I am not 100% sure).

Thanks in advance for your responses

It’s a taught one!
You need to go by yourself, install Cubase SX, see what kind of work you do, analyse it slowly, taking your time, and finally decide which one suits you best. Nobody can truly answer your main question, but you. The only way for you to be able to answer this question without mistaking is to get hands on it yourself.

An old English maxims says: “If you want it well done, do it yourself”. I think this maxim suits the situation you are in.

About Pulsar:
No problem, Pulsar works in Mac and PC, so there no problems.

Despite what I have first said, I would prefer Cubase SX myself. Why? Well… for me it’s much comfortable than Logic and I’m sure that future development of SX will reach such an incredible high level of development, that Logic will be regarded as a secondary option, and no longer as a real adversary to Cubase.

As you can see, my believes and so, can be subjective, or perhaps I’m right. Everybody else following me will be more and less subjective about that. Remember, YOU ARE the one to chose. Let’s start learning Cubase to judge by yourself, and… very important… without prejudices or preconceptions. You want to have a free mind when approaching a new program.

Hope this helps…

I am going to politely disagree with Nestor on a few points. (No offense Nestor!)

Being a Logic user on a Mac, I feel that if you want the newer functions of Logic (OSX support, offline bounce, freeze tracks...the new EQ....etc) then buying a Mac for Logic is not a bad way to go. Many of the audio sequencing programs (Logic, Cubase, etc...) have similar functions...often it comes down to what you are comfortable with.

I used to use Cubase...and it was always unstable for me (on a Mac). I switched to Logic and it has been bliss. Logic on OSX is a nice step forward and will only continue to get better... I would be VERY surprised if Cubase completely overtook Logic in the market (always nice to have your hardware and software controlled by the same company - Apple)

That being said....one more hitch...Creamware currently does not support OSX (which is NOT buggy...it is very stable and robust for music....everything I do is in OSX). For this reason, I would suggest keeping your PC to run your Creamware cards in and getting a Mac for Logic.

That's what I do (in fact, Nestor helped me with my questions on setup)

It works really well...and you can run SFP really well on a modest PC when there isn't any other software (like sequencers) running in the background.

The downside is this is kind of a pricey way to go (rather than just switching to Cubase)

Ultimately, you need to decide how dedicated you are to Logic and it's future....

Best of luck.

I don't use Cubase or Logic, but just to comment on the technology...

Apple machines seem to me to be a bit behind the curve, that is they are ready for a substantial upgrade in hardware. It's like the jump in PCs which happened between about 866MHz and 1.8MHz - remember how fast that transition was ? PCs stabilised at around 2MHz for at least a year and have only now started moving again. I think Apple's are ready (or perhaps need) to improve.

Because of this, and because CW does not support OSX, I'd wait a while.

Wait for the next generation of Apple hardware and for CW. By that time the development of Logic and Cubase, and reports from CW OSX users, should make your choice more obvious.

Using SFP on one machine and Logic on another sounds like additional complexity for only small benefits.

You're obviously not in a situation where you desperately must change, so let it ride.

I'm not sure that the current gap in speeds between Mac's and PC's is really a relevant issue (at least with Logic).

Let me explain.


I run an upgraded G4 500mhz (I have a Powerlogix dual 1ghz card installed).

This configuration is comparable to the lower end of the current offerings from Apple.

However, with the "freeze tracks" function of Logic, it is possible for me to run 50+ stereo audio tracks with literally DOZENS of plugins on this configuration....including reverbs and automation.

It kind of makes the mhz argument moot.

If Logic is your software of choice...then running Logic 6 on a Mac is by no means a "crippling" situation.

I do agree that new Mac hardware is right around the corner....but consider that the current lineup (or even used machines) will do an admirable job in a studio situation.

So I would still say buy your hardware based on how you want to use it...not on the specs alone.

Just my .02

Cheers

I agree completely with you there Kamurah, certainly "buying on specs" is not the way to go. It just seems that there's no need to rush, so the Cautious "wait and see" option seems viable here.

Love the sound of that "freeze tracks" function

On 2003-05-17 22:36, Spirit wrote:
PCs stabilised at around 2MHz for at least a year and have only now started moving again.

That's fast, indeed

On 2003-05-17 23:58, Kamurah wrote:
I run an upgraded G4 500mhz Cheers

Hi Kamurah,

I'm going to upgrade my Mac (G4/400 to G4/800/L3 cache) with a Sonnet card. So you say there's no problem regarding Pulsar/Mac/upgrade card in overall?

On 2003-05-18 10:25, samplaire wrote:
That's fast, indeed

I loved my C64

Sam:
I cannot directly comment on the Sonnet card since mine was a Powerlogix....

But I had zero problems....(even running SFP under OS9) The upgrade overall has been pretty painless for me....and I even avoided some of the problems that the owners of the newer "mirrored door" Mac's had with other hardware.

A good way to go IMO. For Logic, I would recommend a dual processor since it can take advantage of it....but in any case it has given me an extra year or two on my system.




P.S. I loved my C64 too....shame that Commodore went belly up. I thought the Amiga had a lot going for it. Atari too (built in MIDI.....it's taken apple ten years to get that)

I've been a PC user all my life, and I just got a Mac G4 notebook. It's cool. All I do on the G4 is Max MSP, so I can't make any general statements, but things are groovy for me. Why? Cuz Max MSP runs on a Mac. So does Supercollider, which is free. (2 of the most sophisticated DSP programming software)
But all of it is quite expensive.. the hardware, the new software..
OSX seems very solid to me. You can tell it's unix inside. And the networking is awesome. Plug it in, and you're ready to share files.

If you have the option, use 'em both!

hey Ken, welcom in Mac world
I'm sure you will love it the more you use it

On 2003-05-18 14:33, kensuguro wrote:
All I do on the G4 is Max MSP, so I can't make any general statements, but things are groovy for me.

Have a look at RAX: http://www.grantedsw.com/rax/ , I think you'll like it

The second app worth trying is Numerology: http://www.five12.com/numerology.html

For general info on OSX audio releases - look here: http://www.osxaudio.com/ (what a difficult name to remember, isn't it? )
_________________
Sir SamPlaire




<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: samplaire on 2003-05-19 10:28 ]</font>

that Numerology looks very interesting, Sam.
Waiting is now for CW to support OSX...

I am not sure what RAX is all about.

On 2003-05-19 18:43, Weirdo The Weird wrote:
I am not sure what RAX is all about.

Kinda VSTi host