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Mac Mini and Logic 8 - anyone using this?

I've seen that Apple have announced an upgraded mac mini which adds a few nice tweaks to the package. And i'm thinking of making the switch over to logic studio. Has anyone used a mac mini for production, whats your opinion of it?

Im probably looking at the following:

699 2.0Ghz 2Gb 320Gb plus keyboard
210 Dell 23" lcd
and logic studio 8 @ 260

So it's quite a big purchase and a big change to how I work.

I see that you can link mini's via the Ethernet and use another as a slave to process in Logic, anyone done this?

Thanks,

FJ

wow i was just going to make a thread about this lol.
ive bought a mac mini some months ago and logic express 8 and was going to ask about some tutorials etc to get me started, cause i havent really had time before now. It seems abit too weak but if i learn how to render/freeze tracks i might be ok with it and i really want to learn how to work this way anyway so i bet its good practise while saving for something more powerfull. Considering iMac

user "beyer" here in these forum says he is making tracks with this setup so it must be possible, would love to hear some tracks by him too, and also some participation in this thread.

my goal this year is to use the included instruments in logic as much as possible and learn them inside out. Im not planning on using VST at all, but i might rewire with reason after a while.

I also have a question about the mouse on a mac, its terrible to navigate, is there a way to adjust it to be linear? if i move it slow it almost doesnt move at all and if i move it faster it goes all over the screen, it seems its not position-relative but acceleration-relative, it makes it impossible to turn knobs etc etc. anyone? Im using Logitech mouse btw, not Apple.

lets keep this thread alive. btw my mini is 1,83GHz Core 2 Duo, 1GB RAM and 80GB HD. Btw2: I recomend u to buy a used version at first so see whether u like mac OSX at all, Ive used it abit now for normal use and Im not sure i like it, so Im keeping my windows PC for musiclibrary, winamp etc etc. Just learned about remote desktop too from mac to PC and it worked great so i dont need two screens.

I remember when i used to pour out choons using only an single core 2 GHZ AMD. So it should definitely be more than enough power.

That is more than enough like Subtle said.

i just have to get out some of my frustrations with OSX:

* why the hell doesnt some windows maximize using the maximize buttons? like the new Safari browser, it only maximize in the height and keep the width, makes me furious.

* mouse issue mentioned above making it impossible to navigate.

* why do i have to right-click and close all programs after they already are closed using X-button (while they really are just hidden or something).

* why do minimize-button minimize to another icon on the docking leaving me with two icons for each program, its terrible and inefective.

* why cant i add a password on mail, without having to put a password on the whole OSX?

* why is the finder always open, why cant i close it and remove it from the dock?
actually the whole docking thing is retard!

* why is the finder so retarded and excluding three-structure? making it impossible to find stuff.

* first thing i noticed in logic is that i have to choose number of channels and what kind at startup, well i dont know yet so i dont want to choose this now. is there a way to disable this or using a default setup etc? its fucking annoying getting pop-boxes at startup of programs.

* another thing in logic, is that its fonts, buttons etc doesnt follow the osx setup, its WAY too small, i dont see a shit and with the mouse-issues mentioned above i cant even hit the buttons making it impossible to like, close the mixer after i opened it.

apple is retard.

i just have to get out some of my frustrations with OSX:

* why the hell doesnt some windows maximize using the maximize buttons? like the new Safari browser, it only maximize in the height and keep the width, makes me furious.

1-This is just a habit for you in windows. I used to do it too. Mac os remembers the last window size you set and switches between them. What I find annoying about windows is the window taking up the whole screen. Just use the the drag.

* mouse issue mentioned above making it impossible to navigate.

2-Apple/System Preferences/Keyboard & Mouse. (mine moves in "real time")

* why do i have to right-click and close all programs after they already are closed using X-button (while they really are just hidden or something).

3-Again, windows habit. Mac os does not close programs by clicking x. Very few programs on a mac do. I find it annoying the other way around, like on windows.

* why do minimize-button minimize to another icon on the docking leaving me with two icons for each program, its terrible and inefective.

4-I don't get this one. What is the difference between the 2 os? Don't you want it there? it's not another program, it's a window.

* why cant i add a password on mail, without having to put a password on the whole OSX?

5-Not understanding this one.

* why is the finder always open, why cant i close it and remove it from the dock?
actually the whole docking thing is retard!

6-Why can't you close windows navigator. The whole task bar is retarded.

* why is the finder so retarded and excluding three-structure? making it impossible to find stuff.

7-Set your views. Mac os is the easiest os. You will get used to it. It's pretty stupid proof.

* first thing i noticed in logic is that i have to choose number of channels and what kind at startup, well i dont know yet so i dont want to choose this now. is there a way to disable this or using a default setup etc? its fucking annoying getting pop-boxes at startup of programs.

8-Many ways to do this. One way is to make a template and start Logic from that. Easy.

* another thing in logic, is that its fonts, buttons etc doesnt follow the osx setup, its WAY too small, i dont see a shit and with the mouse-issues mentioned above i cant even hit the buttons making it impossible to like, close the mixer after i opened it.

9-Read above. I'll have to look in to Logic and text sizes. Defaults are good enough for me so I never tried changing them.

apple is retard.

No, you're just a little ignorant to the way it works. All in time. We are creatures of habit.

If you're going to spend that much on everything... you might as well invest another $200 and get the 24" iMac. You'll have a bigger drive, a bigger monitor, and a much faster processor for the same price. I run Logic 8 on an aluminum iMac at my work and it runs really well.

quote:

Originally posted by No Left Turn If you're going to spend that much on everything... you might as well invest another $200 and get the 24" iMac. You'll have a bigger drive, a bigger monitor, and a much faster processor for the same price. I run Logic 8 on an aluminum iMac at my work and it runs really well.

Agreed.

I just love the OSX, its so logical. I had imac 1,83GHz 4GB ram before and logic express. I dont know how it compare to mac mini but it worked ok, and you can always freeze tracks ( dont like this option though ) and bounce midi tracks to audio to save processing power. Now i have imac 2,4GHz ,4GB ram with logic studio and its still ok, i wish it was faster when working on projects that are near finnish. So i assume you can run logic with mac mini but it will get sticky with many tracks and plugins.

quote:

Originally posted by palm apple is retard.

I don't want to turn this into yet another Windows vs OS X thread, but this statement shows you've not really tried to adjust to its workflow from Windows. I had been a Windows user my whole life until October of last year, and since switching to OS X , I've notice just how arbitrary and idiotic many of Windows' functions are. Installing hardware, searching for files, window organization, sharing files, and networking functionality are just some of the areas I've experienced massive improvements in. Installing my audio interface to my Mac was as simple as plugging it in. Connection to my wireless network was as simple as typing in the encryption key. Finding files is a rapid process, and window management is clean, without the clutter of a task bar. I dunno man, just give it some time and stop looking at it as a different version of Windows. Should become very intuitive and reasonable.

quote:

Originally posted by Numb you're just a little ignorant to the way it works. All in time. We are creatures of habit.

yeah i know i just needed to get it out beacuse it kills creativity thinking about issues like this. i want to make my own OS lol.
i could also make a long positive list but i dont see the point of that. now lets stick to the topic and discuss Logic 8 on Mac Mini, id love to hear some experience about it as im about to go that route myself.

quote:

Originally posted by No Left Turn If you're going to spend that much on everything... you might as well invest another $200 and get the 24" iMac. You'll have a bigger drive, a bigger monitor, and a much faster processor for the same price. I run Logic 8 on an aluminum iMac at my work and it runs really well.

It's bigger price diff than that as the 24" mac has taken a price increase, starting at �1200, whereas the mac is around �820 inc a standalone 23" lcd. Although my GF has a imac and it really does seem great, just too much money as I need to inc Logic studio and a quality vsti.

The difficult decision is whether to go for 2 or 4gb ram as the mac mini cannot use user upgraded easily ha

i dont think now is a good time to get a mac... they all use c2d/c2d/xeon cpus right? i7 is out now...

i would wait until macs start using i7, or just get another pc.

my home setup is as follows:
24"iMac
-Logic Studio
-Refx Vanguard
MOTU Ultralight
KRK RP-5 (x2)
M-Audio Axiom 61
and a Macbook Pro (15.1" unibody)
-Logic Studio
-Refx Vanguard


i find that it all works really, really well. vst's will be key for you cause the factory plugins will only take you so far. but its still fun to use.
and go with the imac over the mini.

quote:

Originally posted by echosystm i dont think now is a good time to get a mac... they all use c2d/c2d/xeon cpus right? i7 is out now... i would wait until macs start using i7, or just get another pc.

The new mac pro has the new i7 xeon cpu(s). I can only imagine the power of that thing.
I have the mac mini 1.83ghz, running logic (soon ableton live too), and all I can say, is that
even the most basic duo core cpu is enough. Honestly. There are ways of working that will
let you make tunes with huge numbers of tracks. Obviously, the faster the cpu, the less you need to bounce down stuff to audio etc.
But there is no NEED in there. For me, the mac mini is
just fine, but I�m either buying the new imac 24", or the mac pro quite soon. Most likely the mac pro, because
it will be the end of my power needs. For ever. Or, until it breaks down obviously

Feeling very much happier about stepping over the boundary now

I will be getting an mini mac purely because I'll get a monitor which I could use to connect to a laptop, or even another PC if I wanted.

Not too bothered by CPU as I run a 3.4ghz AMD and I manage just fine, I dont like to work with many effects until I've finished the layout and any creative effects are just rendered to .wav.

I know as much RAM as poss is the rule but has everyone managed just fine with 2GB, as you canot easily user upgrade the minis RAM, you properly need to force it open.

Yeah, that�s one of the issues, no doubt. I only have 1GB, and it�s enough for me. I should see
a small performance boost, with another GB in there though. It�s not that hard to open
actually. Another matter, is the slow small hard drives. Unless you multitrack record
that�s not problem though.

switched from pc to mac (cubase to logic) a few weeks ago and i must admit i which i did it earlier. logic is so easy to get to grips with and offers so much more than cubase. the built in instruments are better than any vst i used with cubase and my cpu doesnt even reach the half way point when ive a track half complete.

i went for the imac 20" 2.66ghz core 2 duo and i cant see myself needed an upgrade anytime soon. i wouldnt dream of going back to cubase or a pc for that matter now. my next step is to get rid of this shitty laptop and get a macbook pro or mac air.

mac design is awesome

quote:

Originally posted by 4everX mac design is awesome

Yes, but don�t get caught saying that too loud though.. The infidels feast on comments like these!

quote:

Originally posted by palm i just have to get out some of my frustrations with OSX: * first thing i noticed in logic is that i have to choose number of channels and what kind at startup, well i dont know yet so i dont want to choose this now. is there a way to disable this or using a default setup etc? its fucking annoying getting pop-boxes at startup of programs. apple is retard.

why dont you add one at a time if you arent sure, or add 10 and take out 3 if you arent using them. they will only take up space on your window if nothing is running through them so i dont see the problem. i think someone else mentioned you can make a template, but how is the box annoying? it takes 1 second to add channels and you need them to work right?

quote:

Originally posted by hadi ****** why dont you add one at a time if you arent sure, or add 10 and take out 3 if you arent using them. they will only take up space on your window if nothing is running through them so i dont see the problem. i think someone else mentioned you can make a template, but how is the box annoying? it takes 1 second to add channels and you need them to work right?

if u actualy need them anyway why arent them there in the first place? its like a textbox asking "do you really want to quit?" yes of course you bloody idiot computer, why would i press exit if i didnt want to?
ok enough of my negativity towards the software-developers in the world.

quote:

Originally posted by palm if u actualy need them anyway why arent them there in the first place? its like a textbox asking "do you really want to quit?" yes of course you bloody idiot computer, why would i press exit if i didnt want to? ok enough of my negativity towards the software-developers in the world.

sometimes this can happen by mistake, and what�s worse than the damn comp rebooting by mistake :P

then it should be a setting somewhere or a select-box to avoid this message in the future like some web-stuff. it seems all thinking/creativity in computers is aimed on webbrowsers these days and all the loosers are left with other programs. lol let me stop now please before i find more to complain about. im getting a imac or a 15" macbook someday, whoever has both hyper-USB 3.0 and firewire 800 first.

quote:

Originally posted by palm if u actualy need them anyway why arent them there in the first place? its like a textbox asking "do you really want to quit?" yes of course you bloody idiot computer, why would i press exit if i didnt want to? ok enough of my negativity towards the software-developers in the world.

i guess it would be nice if we could customize the program anyway we like but if that isnt the case, just go with it. its not that big of a hassle. i always press 10 on the number pad and enter, then its ready to go.

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