Buying an iMac (2019 - high end with the 3,7 GHz i5 configured 512 GB SSD) for music production

[Paratriplel]

I’ve thought about this for almost 6 months now. I believe I need a new computer and I’m not ready to switch to Windows at all and I’m not sure how well Linux will work for music production even if I understand a lot of people manage just fine.

So I’ve decided to order an high end iMac with 3,7 GHz i5 but configure it with an 512 GB SSD and buy RAM from Amazon (or such alike).

About 3Dmodeling
I also want to use it with 3D modelling and I’m mostly working in Fusion 360 but I’m not entirely sure that the computer can handle it with ease (for simpler models) as I’m hoping for, though I must say I’m fairly certain it will be enough for my needs and Fusion 360 works rather fine in my MacBook Pro 15” from 2015 and besides, when I talked to Apple on the phone they guaranteed me a 14 day return policy and I said I’ve heard it’s not eligible for CTO-options he said they of course offer generous return policies for all their products because they want their customers to be happy but it needs to be returned in the same condition as it as revived.
anyway before I pull the trigger in it.

Let me know what you think.


About music production
I’m currently using an Apollo x8 but will probably change that out for something similar without the DSP-focused stuff because I want to go back using native plugins again since UAD plugins are expensive and I’ve had some issues with latency if I try to software monitor it... not very important stuff but point being my computer needs to be able to run a few plugins on a couple of tracks without getting loud or laggy etc.

Low latency is rather important to me.
But I think I’ll be fine. I’m just a bit excited and afraid, if Apple would update the iMac in March i still would have tried to wait a bit before getting one since I don’t want to troubleshoot and beta test products for free etc.. but I Would of course feel a bit “funny” if it was released in like 3 weeks later but If my iMac runs fine I’ll be happy.

I’ve mostly used my computer as a tape machine for music production work but I want to start shaping the sound during production with native plugin


Summary
I guess I just want to hear if it’s not a stupid decision to buy one now. I mean i could wait a month nursing’s I don’t really want to use the first iteration seeing that there has been some issues with MBP 16” for example.
And about the i9, I believe that’s not necessary and the iMac needs better cooling to get the most out of it I’ve learned (I’d that’s correct?).
I like some light video editing but I do it extremely rarely these days and don’t see myself starting anytime soon so it’s not even relevant to this thread.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Should I just go ahead and pull the trigger or change something? I’ve pretty much stretched my budget with that SSD upgrade and then there’s the cost for RAM.

I live in a country where the Corona Virus doesn’t seem to affect delivery times so therefore I could order it and get it tHe upcoming week if I don’t spill much more time because I have to admit it’s fun to receive a new computer.

Thanks!

 

[Paratriplel]

Anyone?

Will the RAM upgrade work fine? Because I suspect the 4 slots will be filled with 4+4 when it arrives and then I’ll add another 16+16 to a total of 40 GB of RAM.

Is the graphic card okay for what I plan to use it for?


Not that I have the cash to upgrade that much more but because I’ll order it really soon if none has any objection?

 

[mike1123]

I can’t speak on the 3D modeling piece, but for any kind of music production, your main things to look at are:

1. CPU. You should max this out if you plan on using virtual instruments. The lower level ones are passable, but I highly recommend getting at least an i7. Core distribution and clock speed both play a big role in simultaneous instrument playback and preventing system overloads. If you are looking to have tons of tracks playing back at once, CPU is your bottleneck. Not nearly as important if you mainly do audio recording.

2. Sound card / DAC / ADC. For both virtual instruments and audio recording, this will be where the most latency is introduced. This will also be the most expensive component on this list. Be prepared to drop some dough for something that allows you to record audio and/or have lower buffer size for virtual instrument playback. Take this with a grain of salt and know that the law of diminishing returns applies. Could you get by with something that’s $2-300, like a Focusrite? Sure. Will it be as good as something more expensive? Nope. If you are mainly dealing with software instruments and won’t actually be recording audio, I highly recommend the RME ADI-2 DAC. Likewise, if you need audio recording / ADC capabilities, the RME ADI-2 PRO is it’s bigger brother. Apogee also makes some great products like the Duet that you should look into.

3. Storage. Make sure any sample libraries are on a solid state disk. Makes a huge difference in load times and overall ability to switch tracks/patches quickly. Can’t be overstated that spinning disks no longer make sense in a production environment. The cost of these had come down enough that your entire library of sounds, as well as your work/DAW environment, should be on one.

4. RAM. More virtual instruments = more memory needed. The more plugins/samples you have loaded at once, the more memory you need so that the system doesn’t end up needing to page out to disk. Your upgrade strategy is fine. However, Apple’s RAM upgrade prices, while still high, are not nearly as ridiculous as they used to be. Do some research and make sure the savings make sense to do it yourself.


Graphics card is completely irrelevant for music production. Again, I can’t speak to the 3D modeling piece, as I’m not familiar with that. Now, as far as your question about upgrading now goes, the mantra is this: if you need it now, buy it now. There is ALWAYS something new in the pipeline. That’s the nature of technology. The bottom line is that you want something that does the work you need it to do. If that’s the current iMac, fine. If not, and you don’t feel it can handle what you need, then quite frankly, neither will the next iMac. Step up to an iMac Pro or a Mac Pro. Don’t get hung up on what’s next. Remember that this will be a tool to help you make music! Ensure it checks that box, first and foremost. Everything else is icing on the cake. Feel free to respond if you have any other questions. Happy to help.

 

[SKYNET-1]

just a tip: for producing, choose the i9... i use cubase n on the i5(old one with 4 threads) was just a torture, now with the i7(8 threads) MUCH better, n on my ryzen 3600(12 threads) n the 2700X before(16 threads) its like butter when many tracks n VSTs loaded.

 

[DQ11]

Good advice everyone.

I've been saving for a new imac to get back into music too, so been planning on getting the i9 + 1TB SSD + Logic Pro X + track pad + 16 gb RAM ( I will be getting 32GB extra online eventually but don't need it the first 1-2 weeks with Logic while I'm relearning everything)....

Total is about $3,930 after tax

I had been using a 2007 Macbook Pro 2.4 ghz core 2 duo + 2 gb ram on Mac osx 10.4.1 with Logic Pro 7.............There are so many new features including with Logic Pro 10.5, that it will take me a bit to get used to everything...

I'm just worried about buying and then Apple announcing a new one 2 months later.....Happened back when I got the 2007 MBP...............I'm due for an upgrade as this thing sucks by today's standards and I can't do much with it....

Can't wait to get a new one, but good to know it should do what I need.

*** I'd be using mostly virtual instruments at first so I'm guessing I'll need all the CPU I can get...

My concern was with using an external SSD and a good affordable Audio interface that works well with Logic.....

Any advice on the best for under $300?

Sorry to Hijack thread