Music W/ Mac Mini...?, How reliable are Mac Minis for recording Options

[Derok]

Hello,

I am interested in getting feedback from any members that are using mac mini computers to do music. I recently purchased the mac mini specifically for general use; but I realized I have a computer w/ a 1.42ghz processor. I've been doing music projects on a 500mhz G4 powerbook for the last few years. My software of choice is Logic Pro 7.1. The audio interface is a Firewire 410. I'm interested in knowing if mac minis have been reliable for others who are recording audio. Secondly, I'm interested in the choices of software that others are using with this computer besides the bundled garageband software.
Any feedback would be great.

Thanks

[Dadoo]

Hey Derok. I'm not aware of anyone using a mac mini for music recording, but with the specs it has, it should be good to run many programs, although even Logic Express is looking for 512 MB of RAM and "recommends" that it be run on a G4 dual processor or a G5! If you are looking for something inexpensive in software that has a ton of features (besides Garageband of course you might want to check out Tracktion 2 from Mackie www.mackie.com Their website has good info on it, reviews, a video overview, etc.

[gdoubleyou]

I have a mini and a Powerbook, the mini is basically a repackaged powerbook.

I run DP and Logic Express, I have no problems with sessions of 32-48 stereo 24bit tracks.
I use soft synths exclusively, when cpu load goes over 60% i freeze tracks.

Make sure you get more RAM, and an external 7200rpm firewire drive for your audio files.

[bassman1976]

I got a mini when they first came out. As a switcher, I fell in love with not only GarageBand, but apple in general. I've run Reason and Live on the mini and have had few problems. Biggest beef is choking with too many soft synths going on - but I just put in 1Gig of RAM this morning and that should be cleared up. The fact that it only has two USB ports could be a limitation if you are running many external devices, but for me it's a US-122 interface with an ancient Casio keyboard for MIDI control and I've been having a blast for almost a year now.

And thanks for the tip on TRaction.... need to go check them out!

[zakary]

hey bassman1976,
let me know how your setup behaves with 1gb of ram, i got the 1.42ghz mini with 512mb ram and i'm thinking of live with softsynths, maybe reason as well. Let me know if the 1gb of ram sorts things out for you.

cheers
z

[Derok]

Hello,

Thank you all for your feedback. I think I will install my logic 7.1 now and give it a go. I'm thinking about trying out Reason as well. Hey bassman1976, I'm interested in knowing how that 1gb of ram works out for you as well.

Thanks.

d.

[dwwave]

I have 1Gb of ram just to use Apple's Garageband well

It should help Logic and Reason as well

I would load as much ram as you can afford.

[makaala]

I would second that ram suggestion. Limited ram is like putting a gallon of gas in a car on empty. You can get going but you won't get very far before you run out of possibilities(stuck in first gear... and then the program quits). Ram=better performance.

[dwwave]

More Ram the better

its a still underused computer egniter