I'm seriously considering switching over to a Mac. I think I've had enough of the PC. I'm thinking of getting the new i Mac Duo Core.
The question I have is: do any of you do everything on the Mac i.e Music sequencing, Notation, Word processing etc? Do any of you use two computers, one for Music and the other for everything else? I have many questions of which I'll ask little by little.
Any other information you can share I would appreciate.
Thanks.

Peter

Peter, there are many music programs that the Mac does not support...Make sure you are going to be able , to use the widely used , popular programs..
Personally I have never considered going to a Mac...I think they represent about 3% of the market, thus programmers[software], typically shy from Mac..

Mac's biggest strength is graphics..

I use a G5 IMac with the 20 inch monitor screen. The biggest reason for me using Apple is that I never get bugs, viruses or any other problems which my 3 PC computers get all the time. Also, musicians use Logic and Cubase sequencing softare all the time and the built in software "Garageband" is just amazing.
George Kaye
Kaye's Music Scene
Reseda, California

Fran

I hear what you're saying. And the biggest reason I'm considering going to a Mac is the same reason George just stated...it's reliability.
At least twice a year I go through a MAJOR problem with my PC. I have a friend who builds his own computers and goes through the same thing.
Just before Christmas I had to reformat my hard drive and while doing that my other back drive, which was a mirror image of my C drive, got wiped out too. The reason...my motherboard. So just about everything I had got destroyed.
Now I'm not saying this can't happen on a Mac, but it's a known fact that their machines are more stable.
You're right about all the available programs for the PC and they are certainly much cheaper than a Mac. I know if I make the switch their will be allot of adjustments and the Mac is more expensive which is a consideration too.
I'm still in the thinking about it stage.

Peter

Most of the PC problems I read about are self inflicted. In the vast majority of cases, the computer has huge numbers of old files on the hard drive that are the result of programs being installed, then uninstalled. More often than not the files are shared by other programs, thus creating problem when uninstalled. I have a friend who has a Mac and experienced similar problems, and for the same reason--installing and uninstalling lots of programs.

While virus' are rare with Macs, they do occur, just not with the same frequency because the a**holes that create them can get the same bang for the buck as they can targeting PCs.

George named two music programs that are supported by Mac, and I'm sure there are a few others. However, nearly all are supported by PCs, and online help with any of them is readily available. Not sure this is the case with Mac.

Peter, I would think seriously about making the switch, especially if you use the computer to run a business and perform multiple tasks. Mac is well known for being a stable platform, particularly for graphics applications, but for diversity I don't believe it can compare to the PC.

Good Luck on your decission,

Gary

------------------
Travlin' Easy

The Mac is more stable because very little runs on it, and so there is hardly anything to muck the system up, also because there are that few around it is not worth the hacker’s time, to bother with them.
With your old computer, you say you had a second drive that was an image of the first, which would indicate it was set up as a raid array, (Raid 1) which means if one of the hard disks failed you could swap it, and get all the information from the image disk.
However in Raid 1 mode, anything you do to one drive is automatically done the other, i.e. Load in a file and it is loaded on to both disks, Format the disk and both are formatted, and this will happen with any Raid 1 array, no matter what the system.
I would recommend a separate computer for your music system, so it can be optimised just for music.
Hope this helps

Bill

If you are planning to switch, make sure you are doing it for the right reasons.

Apple's design may appeal to you and win the awards, but ultimately it is what you can do with the computer that makes a difference - I will venture to say that for the most part, Apple does not do anything that a similarly priced PC does not do.

Another reason people often cite for the change is that Mac is more stable - that is not true. People in the know, the advanced users, report as many problems and crashes with the Macs as with the PCs. The reason many people's experience with the Mac is more trouble-free is because a typical user's Mac will have only a few applications installed, all Apple-approved. In contrast, because there is a great number more of tempting applications available for the PC, a typical PC user will have dozens more applications loaded and running on their machine. Even though these individual apps may work perfectly fine by themselves, their interaction with each other will sometimes cause problems. Still, if you are able to exercise self-discipline and limit the number of apps you are running on your PC, it will be every bit as stable as the Mac.

The third reason is that PCs are more susceptible to virus attacks - that is true, but simply because virus writers find it more fruitful to create a virus for a PC - with the overwhelming number of worldwide users running Windows, there is a very high probability that their virus will be fertile. There are much fewer viruses written for less-popular operating systems, but there are some out there for the Mac and Linux.

Performance is another motivator to switch to a Mac, but the ads are often misleading. For years Mac was saying that PowerPC processor was faster than Intel chips, but now they have switched to Intel processors, and all of a sudden they are four times faster than they used to be. So I guess, the PowerPC was not as fast as the Intel chips in the first place.

The Mac's operating system is better suited for processing multi-channel audio and video - that is true. But unless you are recording dozens of channels simultaneously, the PC will work just as well.

Best of luck with your computer decision,

Alex

In the communications business, it's almost impossible to use one or the other. For high end graphics, Mac is the standard. In fact, there is often a problem using, for instance, Quark for PC with a printers image setter, or when going direct to plate or press. For statistics, analytical software is usually more abundant and easier to use on a PC.

Left brainers (linear thinkers)seem to have an easier time with PC's, and "big picture" right brainers are more comfortable with a Mac.

For our business, at least for the near future, we'll be using both.


Russ

I've been a Mac user since they first came out (1984) and my LAN at home has four of them. Actually, I'm the only one using a PC and that's so I can be compatible with work (I'm an IT director and deal with Windows issues all day long). My wife and kids are doing just fine with their Macs.

My laptop has to be "cleaned" weekly - virus check, AdAware, AntiSpyware, disk defrag. And it still runs slower and slower all the time. Solution - buy a new one and start over. That's what M$ wants you to do. I constantly get calls from non-tech friends who need help fixing their Windows machines. I would go maintenance crazy if my wife and kids had Windows PCs.

I quit worrying about viruses on the Macs - they don't get them. Sure, they could, but I'm not going to worry about it. The new Macs with the Intel chips will change the playing field a lot IMHO, but it's the underlying UNIX operating system that makes these Macs so awesome. UNIX is a much better designed OS than Windows. Why do you think supercomputers and most Internet servers run UNIX? Windows needs a complete rewrite to get away from the constant patching.

Take a look at Keyboard Mag and you'll see that there's an abundance of Macs in the recording field. Why? Ask the recording artists and I'll bet they say they are easier to use.

I'm telling people these days that if they plan to mostly surf the net, send e-mail, store/edit photos and music, burn CDs and DVDs of music and video, MIDI - get a Mac.

Also, much of what anyone does these days is fast becoming web-based so it often doesn't matter what platform you use.

Sure, there are programs available only for Windows. Some of the tools that deal with arranger keyboards come to mind. If that forces you to remain a Windows user, go for it and learn to live with the maintenance issues. If you can swing it, keep a Windows laptop for use with your arranger tools and use a Mac for the rest of it.

Sorry Fran, Gary and others, that's simply untrue.

I've been using Macs since 1987. As stated above they are extremely reliable. I've had over ten apple computers and not one of them has ever failed me... no viruses and no breakdowns. In fact I have a friend with a fully functional Mac SE (1988) - and it still works at full capacity!

Whoever says that programs are not available for the Mac does not know what they are talking about. Every self respecting sound company makes their products for Mac because even though they only take up 4% of the casual market, they take up nearly HALF of the professional studio market! In fact, I've been to tens of film and audio studios, and nearly all of them use Macs - or would like to make the switch.

Macs are not just best for graphics, but for any CPU intensive software: ie: audio, film, animation and graphics.

Here are a list of programs which I use on my Mac plus a few others which I can recommend:
- Steinberg Cubase SX
- Logic Pro (not available on PC)
- Soundtrack (not available on PC)
- Native Instruments Kontakt 2 (All NI software is available on Mac)
- ProTools - this is the industry standard
- The list goes on and on.
- GarageBand (not available on PC)
- Waves
- Tones of plug ins

The Only software I'm aware of that isn't available for Mac is soundforge and freeware plugins. I think that when it comes to sound and music, there is actually MORE software available for the Mac than the PC.

Go to any music store, pull out a catalog, and that's what you'll find!

The other 'problem' with a Mac is that since less people have it, its harder to pirate software. But nowadays, ALL of the professional sound companies use dongles or computer registration, which is almost impossible to get around anyways.

Currently I use my Mac to run my recording studio, internet and graphics. I use the audio software and the internet nearly every day - with no conflict or slow down.

Good luck with your new Mac! You'll never turn back! And for an even better kick, get another screen - if you plan to do professional audio its a must!

Chony

[This message has been edited by chony (edited 02-24-2006).]

Hi,

I'm running my Windows XP since several years and I've never reformatted it (something I did few times with the old Win98). The major problems are with internet but with an antivirus and a spyware I'm reliably working all the day with my pc. I've seen instead a lot of Mac users loose a lot of time while fighting with the 200 versions of OsX available with compatibility problems, plug in validations and the like. Since 2002 I'm with the service pack 1 load and it's still running. Nobody I've heard considering this: how many time Mac user have lost passing from Os9 to OsX ? How many of the beautiful graphical skill are really useful ? How many time will they spend with the migration to Intel platform ?

I've nothing against Mac, but I've never found a person able to demostrate me the superiority of this system all considered: costs, reliability, servicing, spare parts, software available.
Everything must be weighted in the right way.

Cheers.

Chony,

Most of the keyboard related programs, such as those created by Michael Bedesem, Jorgen Sorensen, Heiko Plate, and others, programs that we use on a daily basis, are not available in Mac format. Additionally, I am not aware of an Acid Pro Mac version, but one could exist.

All of my topographical mapping programs and marine navigational software is not available in Mac format either. And, to my knowledge there is no version of Dreamweaver, Versa Check, and dozens of other applications I use daily in the operation of a small business.

I have a few friends that switched to Mac during the past two years, and all but one came back to the PC claiming they were encountering problems. Guess I'll stick with the PC and the few headaches it produces.

Cheers,

Gary

------------------
Travlin' Easy

I just added a mac mini last week. Mostly for internet. I'm looking for a good cheap sequencer program for the mac if any of you guys kow any.
I use both I couldn't download DonM's lying eyes with my pc but with the mac I clicked on it and it started playing.
I have XP and I haven't had to reformat it yet, and Gary is right my problem may be self inflicted but I'm getting too old to keep learning a new operating system and now windows is gonna come out with a new one this year.
I know people using 15 year old macs everyday.
I have both hooked up to one monitor and one mouse with a kvm switch.Push a button to switch between pc and mac, also they are networked together and on DSL.
One more thing I got the mac home last week plugged it into the trackball the tablet the mouse the network and the keyboard and monitor turned it on and everything worked instantly.
There is a little learning curve and some things I still do on the pc because it's there and I'm used to it.
But only time will tell if I have to replace this everytime MS says so.

Peter,

In late January I made the switch to the new Intel iMac after being a Windows user since 1990. I have no regrets and absolutely love learning my way around Mac OSX and using new and different applications, especially Garageband. One thing that I find especially exciting about the new Intel Macs is that the possibility of dual-booting and\or virtualization of Windows on the new Macs (at near-native speed) is becoming more feasible than ever before (if interested, I can provide a lot more details with appropriate links). I'll still run Windows because of certain software that I use but I am confident that soon I'll be able to run almost everything I need on the Mac!

Michael

I hammer all these systems (automated/parallelized and run for most of the day) with production software for living. We run both memory intensive and CPU intensive jobs. My experience somehow is, if the program goofed, Linux and Unix systems kick out the program or stop execution without giving in to much sabotage. Macs to a little bit lesser extent. Windows is most likely to succumb to such and freeze. As a result Linux and Unix systems run for months without needing a reboot. Macs again to a little bit lesser extent. We had to schedule daily auto reboots on Windows machines to get things going smoothly on those.

Some people say Linux/Unix/OSX(Unix backend) machines are stable because not many programs run on them, but some say that's mostly because they are hard to crack due to their solid design.

This is just my experience. I don't meant to argue with or contradict anybody.

Shiral

[This message has been edited by shiral (edited 02-24-2006).]

Gary,



Well, there are a few that are only available on the Mac. I'm just thinking to SoundDiver, Unisyn, and K2000 Companion (a remote control for the Kurzweil).



The original author of Acid is now at Apple, and is the author of GarageBand. Consider it an updated, way more modern version of Acid.



DreamWeaver has been created on the Mac, and still exists. Plus, there are some nice easy web creation tools, like RapidWeaver and iWeb, that do not exist on Windows.

Best,
Paolo


[This message has been edited by ptram (edited 02-24-2006).]

[This message has been edited by ptram (edited 02-24-2006).]

Mike,



If you think GarageBand, coming with every Mac, is not enough for your needs, you can order the inexpensive Tracktion (www.mackie.com) or Cubase SE (www.steinberg.de).

If you work mostly with audio, look at the free Ardour (www.ardour.org). Also, if you buy a MOTU or M-Audio audio interface, you get AudioDesk or ProTools LE/M-Powered.

Best,
Paolo


[This message has been edited by ptram (edited 02-24-2006).]

Quite an interesting topic....PC or Mac?

I'm so glad there were so many responses to this topic. When I originally started with computers I started with a Mac and my friend convinced me to switch to a PC which I did and he taught me allot about them. Everyone here has valid reasons for using the system they are using.
My friend that I just spoke of just had a major problem "again" with his PC and swore up and down he was switching to a Mac...well he didn't. My friends in California and N.Y. all use a Mac and of course love them and are in the music business.
For me, I'm having a hard time making this decision. My heart tells me to go with a Mac. My pocketbook says PC, and there won't be any learning curve with a PC which is a strong point.
There a other considerations too. If I go with a Mac...then it seems like starting all over again, although I'm not completely sure about that point.
If I go with a PC, well I'm not starting over again and it would certainly be much easier.
One point I found kind of interesting, I'm not sure if Gary or someone else made it and that is, 'the Mac usually has less programs running on it.' Well, if that's true, what difference does it make if it has fewer programs running on it as long as it runs without breaking down?

Well, back to my research and Michael please send me those links....email me.

To PC or not to PC? That is the question.

Peter

Hi

=====================
travlin'easy wrote:,
Most of the keyboard related programs, such as those created by Michael Bedesem, Jorgen Sorensen, Heiko Plate, and others, programs that we use on a daily basis, are not available in Mac format.
=====================

Just to inform the Mac users:
Some of my programs will run on Mac. However I can not assist you installing the programs. Sorry.

These programs will run on Mac:

MDB Editor 1.00
midi2style 4.18
MIDI and Style Player 1.01
MIDI Mega Voice Cleaner 1.02
MIDI Note Event Cleaner 1.00
MIDI Revoicer 1.06
OTS Editor 2.04
Style Old Format Converter 1.04
Style Revoicer 1.08
Style Split and Splice 1.00
Voice Finder 1.07

Check http://www.jososoft.dk/yamaha/software.htm

Regards
Jørgen

I've tried to open a midi file in garage band and so far have not been able to do it. I haven't spent alot of time with it but I read in a forum somewhere that it won't open midi files, unless you load them in one track at a time. If you know of a way I'd be willing to give garage band a try.
On the PC I use powertracks pro a $49 program my needs are simple. I like to take a GM file change the volumes, the key, the instruments, maybe delete a couple of parts.
If I could add a vocal or guitar part that would be nice but I don't even use all the features built into power tracks.

I paid $499 with 512 of meg and a DVD burner and all the software, except midi, I need.
I'm new with a MAC and only time will tell if I made a good choice but I was going to replace my backup win 98 machine so instead of a cheap XP machine I thought I would try a mac for all the reasons outlined here.
The most amazing thing so far, like I've said, I plugged it in and everything worked no drivers to install.

qqqwq@hotmail.com

[This message has been edited by mikeathome1 (edited 02-25-2006).]

Paolo & Jorgen,

Thanks, I was not aware these programs would run on Mac. Good information for those who are thinking about switching.

Cheers,

Gary

------------------
Travlin' Easy

Gary,

To be fair, there are certain music programs which don't work on a Mac - most notably for me, the Yamaha Tyros software!

I find that a lot of the amatueur and free sortware and plug-ins are not available for the Mac -- but when it comes to professional audio, film or design, you'll get more on the Mac than the PC.

If you want to use an ancient operating system and microsoft word though, you'll probably be better off with a PC.

Just kidding!!! The truth is that if you're computer savvy, you can probably get the same done on both...

Chony

Mike,



Typical of people not used to Apple's ease of use. :-)
Just drag the midifile to the GarageBand window, and the new song is ready.

Cheers,
Paolo

Hi,

I use 2 Mac and have for over 10 years... LOVE IT.
Easier than Windows.

Also don't forget that with Virtual PC 7 I can run
ANY windows program on my Mac!

Pro Logic 7 and ProTools are reeeeally productive
on the Mac too.

T M

Gary says - “I was not aware”.

And that friends is the root of most of the problems of many. They know everything for a fact but are not aware of their ignorance. They go travlin’easy through life giving advice to others while not being aware of what is around them.

I guess the old saying that ignorance is bliss is certainly true.

Grandpa Doug running a number of Macs in his corporation and music endeavors is always willing to look at the real world and see it for what it is and not for what one may think it is.

Grandpa Doug, again, just musing.

Grandpa Doug:

Your opinion about Gary is more than a little off. He's not an ignorant person by any stretch of the imagination, although he may travel a bit easy through life, as we all do from time to time, he is definitely aware of what's going on around him.
I for one, have learned and grown from his knowledge and expertise and probably many people on this and other forums also.
His generosity of himself is to be commended. I wish I was as knowledgeable and as generous as he is.

No GRANDPA, you're absolutely wrong about this man. "Ignorance is Bliss".

Peter

[This message has been edited by Musicman22 (edited 02-27-2006).]

Ouch! LOL.

Anyways, I'm a Mac guy all the way, but I completely understand why people have a bad opinion of Macs. They may be good at making computers, but at marketing they were terrible until very, very recently.

Chony

Peter and others,

Sorry if you thought I was saying Gary was an ignorant man. I did not say he was not aware of what is going on around him. I also never said he had no knowledge and/or expertise in anything. To top it off I never said he was not a generous person. You implied that is my impression of him. It is not! You Peter, are standing up for Gary and I commend you for that. I have been reading Gary’s posts for some time and will say without a doubt in his field of endeavor he is no dummy. And that Peter, is my whole point!

People give advice about things without knowledge, out of their expertise, not being aware of what they are saying. In other words Peter, you seem to know Gary, so, when he or anyone for that matter says something that is negative or false about a product because you trust him you will be mislead. In Gary’s case, as with many others, their intent is not to mislead on purpose but the result has the same effect in the end. And that Peter, is what needs to be addressed!

Yes Chony, you have had experience with Mac’s as well as many others and know the elegance of the OP. You know the quality, the delight and satisfaction one has in operating a fine piece of gear. Owning and using the finest of anything is always of great pleasure. With a Mac there is no problem to also run PC programs with software. Try to run Mac programs on a PC, no dice!

So fellows, in closing, I hope ya’all understand what I am saying. Be aware of what you know about something less another is mislead and misses out on a great pleasure in life. Of course Peter one of your great concerns is that with Mac the cost of everything is greater than with PC. That is true and has to be weighed in the mix of one’s means. However driving a BMW is still more fun than a Ford even though they both will get you to the same place.

And that’s it for Grandpa Doug

P.S. Ruthie says she has more fun with me than her first boy friend. She says to make the right choice fellows and you won’t be sorry.

Thanks for clarrifying that. It did seem from your original post that you were saying just that.

Chony

Chony, thanks for understanding.

As you said, It did seem from your original post that you were saying just that. I am happy to be able to clarify that. Just goes to show everything is not always what it seems to be. Seems like Mac is at the tail end of computing technology where as the PC is the copy cat of the Mac windows system and rather clunky and funky at that. I much prefer going with the leader than being a follower. Buying cheap is what you get for cheap. Cheapness and the problems associated with it. Of course cheap is not cheap when it morphs into necessity.

Necessity becomes necessary when one cannot necessarily get along without the necessity of a tool to do the job. Therefore cheapness is not always being cheap when cheapness becomes necessary in lieu of .............., well you know what I mean?

Old Grandpa is just thinking about things again because it don’t hurt to think about things. With that I think I will think about what I think I will think about playing at the shindig (gig) tonight. An awards presentation party with eating, drinking and dancing afterwards. Any suggestions what I should play tonight for big ego music?

Grandpa Doug with Ruthie doing the heavy setup work. I just love that girl!

You could always set some of your posts to music and sing them......should be just the thing!

Tony

Maybe Gary has some suggestions on "what to play"...

Again...

Mac users can run ANY Windows PC program

with Virtual PC 7. Costs about $129 and to my knowledge there is no Windows software that would allows me to run Mac programs on the PC.

Additionally with the new Intel PC Mac's it may become even easier.

While there may not be as many programs on the Mac in my 25 years of using BOTH I've found the software on the mac to be of higher quality.

Besides...
Bill Gates IS Satan!!