Anything on the PC side as good as Logic on the Mac side....

[Megatron]

I've been hearing really good things about logic on the Mac. I'd like to get a Mac Pro, Logic, and a duet but it's pretty expensive.

I'd imagine I could get a PC a lot cheaper that a Mac.....what program on the PC platform would be as cool (powerful, lots of similar types of plugins and vst's). Drum programming is real imortant to me.

[stevel]

I've been hearing really good things about logic on the Mac. I'd like to get a Mac Pro, Logic, and a duet but it's pretty expensive.

I'd imagine I could get a PC a lot cheaper that a Mac.....what program on the PC platform would be as cool (powerful, lots of similar types of plugins and vst's). Drum programming is real imortant to me.

Do you know *why* the PCs are a lot cheaper? :-)

Pro Tools works fine on PCs, but then you got to pay for Pro Tools junk.

Cubase gets my next vote (and a higher vote if you're mainly doing MIDI)

Digital Performer


Do this - buy a Mac. It will work, and the extra money you pay will be offset by the amount of time you don't spend installing things and fussing with drivers. Besides, I think if you buy a PC now, you HAVE to get Vista. That's bad in and of itself.

You'll also get Garage Band with a Mac.

You can add in EZ Logic when you buy it from Apple.

Then by your Duet, and see which free software it comes with - or, consider an interface that comes with some free software so you can try it!

Then you can upgrade Logic, or the Freebie you got in case you like that one better.

Or if you're serious, just go ahead and buy the Mac and Logic. You can't really go wrong. If you're planning to do mainly Audio though and plan to be working with others with whom you need to share files, you might also consider Pro Tools (Pro Tools MIDI/Synth implementation has greatly improved in recent versions, but still, it's a little behind in the whole MIDI implementation - but you can quantize audio!).

HTH,
Steve

[ephed]

Samplitude

[littledreamer]

Logic 5.5 (not joking, I was using it up until last year when I moved to Mac & Logic 8)

[chickenbackside]

I agree with littledreamer. Older Logic is great. Used up to 4.8 before jumping to 7, and now 8.

Emagic made it possible for me to buy my house and cars...

[jefesq]

Sonar

[boz_h]

All the talk about Mac or PC is pointless, a good setup PC (including Vista) is a stable as a Mac and a badly setup Mac is as unstable as a badly setup PC, granted its a lot harder set to a Mac up badly you do have to put the effort in. I think one of the most missed points is do you have any friends that have been recording for a while, and if so what are they using. This is important as there is nothing as good as someone showing you the tips and tricks of any software/hardware. Not only can you learn from them, but you will have cheep support (I would say free, but a few beers or a bottle of wine as a thank you goes a long way). Also try getting demo versions of the software you want, to see how you get on with it or use the cut down version that will come with your interface/OS .

[Bassomatic]

Nuendo

[GP_Hawk]

Nuendo..samplitude...old logic...cubase. It all depends on what you want feature wise, how you work(i.e. extensive midi capabilities, integrate outboard gear with your setup, ect). And no you don't have to run vista if you go PC, I wouldn't and I don't.

[GuitarsFromMars]

I like Cubase SX3...

[jammybastard]

It's not about the computer, or the software, it's what you are comfortable using.

The cheapest, most powerful option on PC is Reaper (http://reaper.fm/).
It's as good as any software based recording and editing software on the market today including PT LE & Logic.

[mtlin]

+1 for Reaper.

[Pietro]

Both systems set up well can work very well. That said, I will never do this kind of thing on a PC myself.

It's Logic or DP imho. Period.

[gainiac]

Do you know *why* the PCs are a lot cheaper? :-


HTH,
Steve


The question knowadays should be, "Why are Macs so expensive?"

The answer is marketing, and they also do a nice little bit of extra systems integration and QA.

If you know what you're doing though It's quite easy to build a PC that easily outperforms a Mac at the same pricepoint.

Then again Macs are now PC's!!!

What's the world coming too!!!!

AHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't wait until the DAW software/HW clowns give up on the propietary BS and start building to an open standard. The world will be a big sloppy oyster then.

[Aaron Cheney]

+1 for Reaper.

Another +1 for Reaper.

I've used Sonar since way back in the olden days of Cakewalk 3.0. Just switched to Reaper and couldn't be happier. It's like switching from a 1972 Ford LTD to a Mini Cooper....with a full-time mechanic standing by to tweak it at a moment's notice.

A

[straticus]

Another vote for Samplitude.

[Janne.M]

The question knowadays should be, "Why are Macs so expensive?"

The answer is marketing, and they also do a nice little bit of extra systems integration and QA.

Well, have You read this article at Toms Hardware: The Apple Mac Cost Misconception : Macs and Their Prices (http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/apple-mac-leopard-windows-vista,1985.html)

And this is from the premier PC hardware/DIY site...

Janne

[Orren]

Well, have You read this article at Toms Hardware: The Apple Mac Cost Misconception : Macs and Their Prices (http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/apple-mac-leopard-windows-vista,1985.html)

And this is from the premier PC hardware/DIY site...

Very true.

When people say that PCs are cheaper than Macs, they're either:


Simply misinformed. They're repeating what a friend told them, and don't really know. Or they're going off of something they read ten years ago, when Macs were more expensive, and haven't realized that that's changed.
Lying. They have an anti-Mac prejudice for some reason, and feel that by propogating information that they know isn't true, they are some how making their case.
Comparing the price of a low-performance, under-performing PC to a new high-performance Mac. Nobody denies that you can pick-up generic PC parts on eBay or at an OEM seller and build yourself an underpowered PC for pennies. In my own case, I have a Linux Eee PC that I bought for under $400. That's cheaper than any Mac laptop. However, it also is three times slower, has less than half the memory, has less than 5% the storage capacity, has a really tiny screen, etc. And the same goes for building desktop PCs. You can get an old Celeron for pennies, put on a ten year old motherboard and stick it in a shuttle case and have your PC for $300. But it's going to seriously underpowered compared to even a $599 Core 2 Duo Mac Mini. As soon as you start buying/building PCs with Mac-like specs, you pay as much as you would for a Mac.


These days, all personal computers use the same Chinese parts. The difference is their industrial design and operating system. That's it. Whether your "PC" runs Mac OS or Windows OS does not significantly impact the hardware price.

Orren