David Crandall

Audio Recording - Mac Vs. PC

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Created on Monday, 17 October 2011 07:54

The Mac Vs. PC argument has sadly made its way into the world of audio recording and music production.  There are many arguments, but I'm here to say - anyone who picks one over the other doesn't know what they're talking about.  I also assume that if you're asking this question, you're looking to pick the right computer to start recording on, which implies you're new to the world of music production.

The answer: there is no right answer.  There are advantages and disadvantages in either option that are relative to the user.  I've personally recorded music on both Windows and Mac OSX, and both experiences were neither better or worse than the other.

So, let me make some suggestions as to whether or not Mac or Windows would be a better option for you.

You will probably want a Mac if...

1. You use a Mac on a regular basis
2. You want a machine with the recording software built in
3. You intend to purchase Mac-only hardware/software.

You will probably want a Windows PC if...

If you're worried about cost, it's probably going to be the same.  While Mac's do come with basic recording software off the shelf, you end up forking $300+ more for it than you would a Windows PC.  However, with a Windows PC, you will spend the same on a decent DAW (digital audio workstation, i.e recording software.)

If you're worried about sound quality, that's relative to the hardware and software you choose, and your ability to mix your music well - not the computer or operating system.  Just because you record audio on a Mac won't make your audio quality any better.  In fact, if you use Garage Band, the actual sound quality is less than that of MOST other DAW's out there. If you want the best quality, you have to go out and buy a new DAW.  Don't get me wrong, Garage Band is a great DAW for the beginner or for bands recording demos and ideas.

Because your choice of brand really doesn't matter, you will need to look at the actual specs of the machine you choose to record audio.  So here is a list of things to look for and my recommendations:

CPU:

Again, brand doesn't matter, but you should look speed and quality.  You should be using at LEAST a 2.0ghz dual-core processor - however, for ease of use, I recommend a 3.0ghz (or more) processor with at LEAST 4 cores (quad core.)  The reason being is that a lot of effects will be CPU intensive (unless you have a DSP card, which can be REALLY expensive), so the more powerful the CPU, the better in the long run.

RAM:

RAM is responsible for how many things run on your computer at the same time.  In other words, the more RAM, the more tracks and effects you can run at the same time.

Disk Space and Disk Type:

If you intend to record A LOT of music, you should invest in a large hard drive (at LEAST 500GB.)  You'll be surprised how fast your hard drive will fill up.

Hard drives also vary in read and write speed.  Your DAW reads audio files from your hard drive, and if the read-time is slow, the slower your DAW will perform as the amount of tracks you record and play back add up.  If you have the expenses to do so, I'd recommend running your operating system, DAW and current project on an SSD, then back up your projects on a separate HDD when you're done.

Audio Interface & Mic:

This is completely relative as there are an array of options for everyone.  Before you decide what audio interface you're going to buy, decide what you want to do.  If your projects are small and you only need to record 1 track at a time, consider getting an interface with only one or two channels, or a USB mic.  If you are going to record drums, you'll need more channels for more microphones; consider getting an interface with 8 mic inputs or more (like the TASCAM US-1641.)

If you're buying an interface, and not a USB mic, you'll need to buy a mic, a mic stand, and a pop filter (if you intend to record vocals.)  I recommend using large diaphragm condenser microphones like the MXL 3000 because it's versatile.  It's great for recording instruments, amps, and vocals.  If you choose a condenser microphone of any kind, you will need to make sure your interface has phantom power - most interfaces do, but some don't, so it's good to double check.

Now all you need to do, is pick a DAW.  For Mac, I recommend Protools, Logic or Logic Pro.  For PC, I recommend ProTools, FL Studio (which will soon be available for Mac OSX), or an advanced version of Cubase (the lite versions are difficult to grasp.)  You don't have to pick from only these DAW's, there are HUNDREDS out there to choose from.  Find one that works for you.

Hopefully these recommendations will help you decide what to look for when choosing your hardare and software - be it Windows or Mac OSX.  What you choose is relative to your needs, not everyone else's.