In anticipation of my RD-88, I would like to try MAINSTAGE, which it seems to be made for . What is THE CHEAPEST MAC I can buy that will run MAINSTAGE? I've never owned a MAC and know absolutely nothing about them. Whatever you recommend, the SIMPLER (and cheaper and smaller) the better. Thanks.

chas (ain't too proud to beg)

4GB of RAM
OS X v10.11 or later
Minimum 6GB of disk space. Up to 51GB of optional content available via in-app download.

Best prices are on iMacs in the 2010 or 2011 era. They are the least expensive. Get one with an i5 or i7 processor and at least 16 gb of ram. I feel they are great machines when working with music. I have used them for a long time without a problem.

Thanks, I'll check those out first (for availability). BTW, what about these little 'mini's'? Any good?

chas

How much are you prepared to spend and do you want a desktop or laptop, when you have decided this just type a question into YouTube and you will find plenty of demos, comparisons and how too. (If possible aim for something at least post 2012)
Bill

Thanks Bill, will do.

chas

Take a look here. Some very good bargin machines.

https://www.dvwarehouse.com/Apple-iMac-Intel-Base-c-5203.html

I have purchased many of my MacBookPros here. I would recommend any 2011-2012 vintage machines. Anything of a newer vintage you start running into problems with right to service issues with the newer machines. Apple makes newer machines unrepairable. 2012 vintage machines is the cutoff for installing and running Mac OS Mojave and Catalina. If you want a cheaper older machine I don't think you would have any trouble running MainStage.

Thanks for the info, appreciate it.

chas

I would buy a used one..
With some kind of i7
And 8, preferably 16gb of ram and an SSD

I run mainstage on a 2013 macbook and it runs fine
As long as i dont layer to much and dont go insane on adding effects..


If you want a new mac, the mac min8 with i5, 256GB SSD and 8 GB should do well
You can allways upgrade memmory if needed.. its possibl3 with the mac mini


But i would personally go for a used macbook, i7 16GB, 256GB ssd..
3 to 4 years old...


And then you could consider the latest model macbook air..
Its affordable for a mac..


Also when buying mac, keep in mind that the used market is almost comparable to arranger/keyboard/synth market... you will get a fair amount of money back


Other things, check on the mac website if a used model will still run the latest osx version..

If you want to use the mainstage as a host for vst/au then this changes the whole story... depending on the vst you will use, heavier specs are needed

I saw someone say 4GB, on my 2013 macbook, when i upgraded from 4 to 16 it made a huge difference... so i would say allways go for atleast 8GB

Chas, I have zero experience on a Mac. But my advice is if you go that way, go on and get a new one or late model. I'm pretty sure you can afford whatever you need or want. Go for it!

Thanks Bachus and Donny and Don. Don, I wish that were true; if it was, I'd have a auditorium-sized room with wall-to-wall keyboards (and other assorted toys ).

Bachus, your info confirms the info that I have gathered so far but I feel better hearing it from a known user within our own little group.

Donny, nice demos. Too bad I have to buy a MAC to try it out. That's the only down side; I've never been an Apple fan for any of their products. It's not that I think their products are bad, I just don't like their business model (especially making everything proprietary and their pricing). I don't know if Mainstage is worth it or not which is why I wanted to go cheap until I found out.

Everybody stay safe.

chas

Here is my take

You already own software that out performs Mainstage..

With your controllers and Reaper...no need to become an Apple head

Just my 2 cent on a Mac. I've owned then for about 15 years. When I left the working world in 2013 with Windows computers I stopped using them. I'll cut to the chase I just retired my refurbished Mac Book Pro that I bought in 2009. I got 11 years of great service from it, but it was getting long in the tooth so to speak.

I recently bought the latest Mac Book air. I bought the i5 with 512 gigs SSD and 16 gigs of ram. Like Bachus recommended get the 16 gigs of ram. IN my case I run Adobe Lightroom on it and it works flawlessly.

+1

Based on what does this advice come?

So you have no expereince at mac?
And you advice to buy a new one?

Well, luckilly on the mainstage facebookgroup most people advice against spending that much on a new mac.... they mostly seem to agree used does the job just as well..

But then,.. maybe you have some insight info i missed?

Based on what experience do you advise to buy new?

Can you explain me what software outperforms mainstage and why?

Because as a live host, i do not know any software that outperforms mainstage
Yes some come close, but then they don’t come with all the instruments( there is 18 there) that make mainstage such a perfect starting point for anyone that wants to start going the software road..


On top of that, his new RD from Roland does fully support mainstage, but not the other products...


So enlighten me, what software works better as a live host with his RD then mainstage does?

Don do you notice a trend here, if you disagree with Apple folks, it is just like politics..

Not taking the bait. I meant well.

Of course you did.. I am referring to being on edge.. and misunderstanding.

Bachus I was commented about overall(and not anything specific).. Reaper does more than Mainstage.. and yes I am aware that RD88 interfaces with Mainstage.

I have no problem with Chas buying Apple... heck he can buy me one too

Fran, I'll buy you one when you donate that G70 to the Smithsonian .

chas

Reaper is a DAW

Mainstage isnt...
Its a specific tool for live keyboardists..

Its more like a keyboard workstation in software..
And not a DAW..


Maybe i over reacted..
But giving advise that puts a buyer on the wrong leg, warrants such a reaction..


There is absolutely no reason to buy a new mac for this..
The software itself is deathcheap.. its €30...
And comes with 18 sound engines, each of them normally would cost like €100..

The program itselves warrants an investment in apple all by irselves..


But if you think mainstage is just another DAW, you are totally off..


Basically, he asked thequestion to me, and not to the restof you, probably because he realizes i am one of the few onhere thatactually has experience with apple and mainstage....


Ever wondered why?

Its not bait..

If he follows your advise, he could be spending double the money neccesary
All i want is to protect him from making this mistake
Espescially in dark hard times like this..


Youradvise was totally off...
And i have a whole apple mainstage usergroup to back it up as a fact..

I appreciate everyone's willingness and eagerness to help and to be sure, I am open to logical and reasonable suggestions from one and all. That said, I DID purposely direct my question to Bachus because I was aware that he was unique in having (extensive) experience with both MACs and Mainstage. And also, although I agree with Don generally (buy new), in this particular case where I was only looking to do an initial experiment/assessment to see if this were something I'd be interested in making a permanent part of my studio, the cheapest RELIABLE course of action was what I was looking for (I'm notorious for NOT returning things, so minimal loss for me is always a consideration ). I will most likely go with the minimal USED machine that will run a full-blown version of Mainstage (without hiccuping). If I really, really like it, I would upgrade when future circumstances dictated. Part of the reason for going with minimal expenditure is that I have a number of state-of-the-art PC's for all my other computer-related chores, so this would be a single-purpose machine.

Again, thanks to all for your help and suggestions. SZ is certainly tops in that department. As I used to teach in my class on decision-making, the more the possibilities, the better the decisional process and the better the chance of a good outcome.

chas

How many time do you need to say it Bachus? I believe you have made your point and expressed your opinion that my suggestion was not in agreement with you.
Have a blessed day.

But Chas is my friend