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Can somebody recommend a good setup?
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| Joeydav |
I've been producing on FL studio as a beginner for a while on a standard laptop. I'm going to take things further and get a new computer but I don't really know where to start.
I've heard MacBook Pros are good for production, but I don't know the pros and cons of getting a MacBook Pro because I haven't used one and I've never produced on a decent computer.
I know it's mainly preference, but in your opinion what's more suitable? A laptop or a custom PC? |
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| cryophonik |
Do you need the portability of a laptop?
I assume that by "standard laptop", you mean that you're currently using a PC/Windows, yes/no?
Do you plan on sticking with FLS, or are you considering a different DAW? If you plan on going with a different DAW, which one and why? |
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| Joeydav |
| quote: | Originally posted by cryophonik
Do you need the portability of a laptop?
I assume that by "standard laptop", you mean that you're currently using a PC/Windows, yes/no?
Do you plan on sticking with FLS, or are you considering a different DAW? If you plan on going with a different DAW, which one and why? |
Yes Windows. I don't need the portability of a laptop. As for the DAW I'm not sure yet, I like FL studio but I can't say I prefer one to the other because that's all I've ever used. I'd probably start using Logic/Ableton/Cubase just because I've heard better reviews. |
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| cryophonik |
| quote: | Originally posted by Joeydav
I'd probably start using Logic/Ableton/Cubase just because I've heard better reviews. |
I wouldn't use alone that as a reason to switch. If FLS does what you need and you don't find yourself lacking anywhere, then there's really no need to look elsewhere. But, if you are finding it lacking in too many areas, then looking at other options is a good idea. Although, be aware that the grass is not always greener - every DAW has its pros/cons.
If you're thinking about Logic, then Mac is obviously your only choice and a new MBP is more than sufficient for music production. Otherwise, the Mac vs. PC choice comes down more to personal preference and budget. Hell, almost every new laptop with an i5 processor, 8GB of RAM and a 500GB HD is more than sufficient for most EDM producer's needs. It wasn't that long ago that we were doing fine with far less.
My advice is to start by figuring out how much you can afford between the computer and your DAW (nothing if you stick with FLS) and go from there. One of the advantages of going with Logic at $200 over some of the others (at twice the $ or more) is that you'll save a few hundred bucks in DAW costs alone, which can offset the cost of a MBP relative to a PC. |
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| Joeydav |
| quote: | Originally posted by cryophonik
I wouldn't use alone that as a reason to switch. If FLS does what you need and you don't find yourself lacking anywhere, then there's really no need to look elsewhere. But, if you are finding it lacking in too many areas, then looking at other options is a good idea. Although, be aware that the grass is not always greener - every DAW has its pros/cons.
If you're thinking about Logic, then Mac is obviously your only choice and a new MBP is more than sufficient for music production. Otherwise, the Mac vs. PC choice comes down more to personal preference and budget. Hell, almost every new laptop with an i5 processor, 8GB of RAM and a 500GB HD is more than sufficient for most EDM producer's needs. It wasn't that long ago that we were doing fine with far less.
My advice is to start by figuring out how much you can afford between the computer and your DAW (nothing if you stick with FLS) and go from there. One of the advantages of going with Logic at $200 over some of the others (at twice the $ or more) is that you'll save a few hundred bucks in DAW costs alone, which can offset the cost of a MBP relative to a PC. |
Thanks, I like the idea of a MacBook Pro but the only disadvantage I can think of is the screen size. Would it be much of a problem? |
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| cryophonik |
I use Logic Pro X on my 13-in MacBook Air and it's not too bad to be honest. I prefer using my two 22-in monitors on my desktop, but obviously that's not portable. The MBPro with a 15-in monitor probably won't be too bad, especially if you get used to using things like screensets and keyboard shortcuts to quickly view/hide whatever windows you want to see.
One thing to consider with the MacBooks is that you don't get a lot of USB inputs, which might be a PITA if it's your only computer. |
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| vercetti |
What are your current laptop specs? If not entirely ty maybe just stick to what you got and spent that money elsewhere. Fruity is a great DAW.
Custom PC will be miles better vs MBP or Windows laptop in terms of price/performance, if you don't need portability get that. |
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| Joeydav |
| quote: | Originally posted by vercetti
What are your current laptop specs? If not entirely ty maybe just stick to what you got and spent that money elsewhere. Fruity is a great DAW.
Custom PC will be miles better vs MBP or Windows laptop in terms of price/performance, if you don't need portability get that. |
The laptop is terrible;
Processor: T2330 Intel Pentium Dual Core 1.60GHz (1MB Cache, 533MHz FSB) Memory: 2GB (2048MB) 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM
Hard Drive: 120GB Serial (SATA)
The sound card is broken too, sounds awful. |
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| vercetti |
| Yeah that's crap. I'd build a desktop PC for about 1 to 1.3k and stick to Fruity. |
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| Joeydav |
| quote: | Originally posted by vercetti
Yeah that's crap. I'd build a desktop PC for about 1 to 1.3k and stick to Fruity. |
What sort of specs do I need? I'm worried about buying the wrong thing, last time I took advice from a sales assistant in a computer shop they gave me something ridiculously slow. Are there any recommended parts that a lot of people favour? A certain model/make? |
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| clay |
the only reason for getting a mac or macbook is if you want to use Logic or Pro Tools as I see it. If not you might just as well build yourself a nice workstation (or barebone as I did) and continue using FL, or change to whatever other daw you like (Ableton, Cubase, Reason, Reaper etc etc). The thing also to think about is what soundcard you plan on using and the monitoring setup. You dont want a noise computer and you certainly need alot of USB-connections for various devices. That alone should be enough reasons to avoid a laptop. Building your own computer is cheap, fun, and you get "the best" specs. Also its easy upgradeable later.
I bought:
- Shuttle DS61 barebone case w/ motherboard
- Intel I5 3450S Ivy Bridge (low power to avoid big fans and noise)
- Intel 330 120GB SSD
- 8GB RAM
- Win 8
- A 23" screen with Vesa-mounts for the barebone on the back.
I put it all together and hang the computer on the back of the screen and it works amazing, almost no fan noise, very little cable clutter, and its super fast.
I work in Reason btw and Ive never had a more creative setup as now (finaly after years of strugling in a macbook pro, trying Logic etc etc).
The only thing I miss is firewire connection for my old soundcard... Need a new one USB.
edit: i see you wonder about laptop screen size. i can tell you that working on a small screen is hell! it totally stopped my entire creativity process. i didnt really understand it before i was back on full screen 23" at work, then i did the switch at home from macbook pro to this custom made desktop7barebone copmuter and suddently everything came back to me. laptops really sux for anything else than checking email or playing back music on a preparty. i even consider getting another screen. mixer+sequencer on left, instruments on right. screen size is almost the most important thing of any creative prosess on computers imo. i could probably work with an atom prosecor as long as i had full-hd screen big enough to read, atleast 22-23" minimum. but i could never again work on a 13 or 15 or even 17" ever again, even with the most amazing computer specs. |
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| vercetti |
I7 CPU for $300 for 4 core or 550 6 core, your choice
mobo with integrated graphics for about 150, Asus or Gigabyte, you cannot go wrong here
no separate graphics card, it's a music computer, not a gaming rig
16G RAM, generic, cheapest
120G SSD
3TB HDD
600-700W PSU
spend about 100 on silent CPU and mobo fans if you want it quiet. |
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