Convert Me

[teamsterjim]

Hello Fellow Music Lovers,
I have been using PC's mostly because of Gigasampler back in '99.
I packed 3 x 4U ATX's w/ 3 x Scope Pro's over a 3 year period and have making music and money w/ them ever since.
I just love the Scope Fusion Platform, and recently await the new XITE-1 that will be Mac/PC 32bit for it's initial release.
I absolutely hate modern O.S.'s, as they seem to be like politicians, trying to please everyone.
The PC's I use have been 100% stable for automation purposes and for live performance which is also a large part of my income.
To me having a powerful live performance DAW is essential, as I find when I record, large templates, like the type I use live are helpful for when recording.
I have also noticed in studios I frequent that ProTools/Mac rigs have been the choice since '92/'93, even though the HDD's were the size of a shoebox, and Lexicon's NuVerb sounded like crap, so I insisted on my PCM70.
I love my DSP 1U which I recently had the oppurtunity to sit down and dig into at NAMM, so it will be a large part of my rig.

I would love to see an O.S. that is more musically orientated, such as the ability to take advantage of future advancements using SSD's, etc.
I would love to escape the slavery of M$ O.S.'s and go for a more tailored approach.

I came her to learn, and would love to hear exactly why members need a Mac. I cannot seem to get straight answers from my Mac buddies running ProTools other than they like having a nice support apparatus and warranty.
Afterall, they are engineers,and just want a tinker free solution.

So why would I need a Mac O.S. to run romplers and a 1U DSP powerhouse....
I am literally sitting on the fence.


JAV

 

[Winni]

There are NO technological reasons to move away from Microsoft to Apple. No matter how much wishful thinking you will hear on forums like this one, Microsoft's platform is much more versatile than Apple's and there are solutions for every purpose available for Windows. And usually for Windows ONLY.

Both platforms are almost equally mature and robust, while, in all honesty, I think Microsoft Windows is more stable and reliable than Mac OS X. Windows also performs faster than OS X. And especially on the server side of things, OS X is no competition to Windows Server.

On the user-side of things, I personally find OS X more user friendly, comfortable and also more enjoyable than Windows. However, your mileage might vary, and many people will disagree and say that they prefer the Windows experience over OS X.

But all that aside: Since you are already using the acronym "M$", you are not looking for technological arguments, but for ideological ones, and there I won't help you. Ultimately, it doesn't matter in what greedy throat you shovel your money. Both companies rip off their customers, but in my book Apple is worse than Microsoft in that regard.

I usually feel more screwed - and controlled and deprived of my freedom to do what I want to do with MY system - by Apple.

That certainly is not what you wanted to hear, and it certainly is not what I would have told you three years ago. But once you really wake up in Apple land, you quickly notice that you've only exchanged pest for cholera.

 

[teamsterjim]

Danke Bruda Mann Winni,

I was curious why the Leopard and Snow Leopard, etc.
I always watched w/ enthusiam as Apple bought EMagic and hoped it would mature into it's own O.S. tailored for our needs.
I finally have the option of O.S.'s for my DSP rack and DAW and wish to learn the other side of the equation more.
I have Supermicro and Intel motherboards in my DAW's and will be going for the Supermicro on my new build, while slightly upgrading the other 2 Scope DAW's.
I haven't bought into the whole 64bit debacle yet since these DAW's have worked flawlessley w/ 32bit XP and P35, 865, and 965 chipsets.
I will need to swap out a few apps in my downtime while I upgrade.
Giga 2.54 and GS3 Orch will both get GVI & K2P Romplers, and even get some new low cost E series CPU's.
However I am excited about the new i7/i5 & Xeon choices.
At the end of the day I could care less about speed, however stability is paramount.
One thing is certain, DSP lovers sure get their money's worth w/ Mac or PC, as I have seen G4's still running ProTools flawlessley for years, and my ancient P4 Northwood has worked for so many years I have been scared into upgrading as it will surely die soon, and I cannot have that ruin the 100% track record I have had on these workhorses.
If it wasn't for these giant romplers I have recently purchased we wouldn't even have this conversation, since I use hardware analog synths and effects routed into my projects.
But I look forward to the Vienna engine as they have really matured into an excellent Orchestration choice. I used Giga VSL for years and do see it's long in the tooth.
Being able to assign cores in a sample playback application is what I call worthy.

Mit Freundlichen Blicken,

JAV

 

[kastenbrust]

There are NO technological reasons to move away from Microsoft to Apple. No matter how much wishful thinking you will hear on forums like this one, Microsoft's platform is much more versatile than Apple's and there are solutions for every purpose available for Windows. And usually for Windows ONLY.

You mean Mac ONLY

You cant tell me you know more graphic designers and audio professionals that use Windows over Mac because that wouldn't be true.

I use Mac because theres so much software thats OS X (Leopard) only for my job and of course it just wont work with Windows, but theres load of other reaons too, if Windows was better, then why is it loosing market share to Apple every year? and the rate its loosing is growing.

Just look at this thread if you want to know reasons to buy a Mac, it wasn't made with the intention of slamming Windows, and its just a simple question but the answers are interesting:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/650987/

 

[kolax]

There is solutions for both OS X and Windows. However, on the Mac side, the OS plays a role. It is easier using OS X than Windows mainly because of the commands. Working in OS X, you can switch between windows, applications, change view settings with a breeze.

The CMD key is where your thumb is hovering, so pressing CMD+S/M/W/TAB/any other app specific key combo is much easier. Windows, the CTRL key is requires a hand stretch to do similar commands.

Of course it is generally the same software that professionals use on both platforms (with exception of Logic) - Cubase, Reason and Absynth to name a few. But the Mac way is just more fun and a hell of a lot easier.

Note I didn't say which was better - just which is easier and in a lot of ways, more work efficient.

I use Mac because theres so much software thats OS X (Leopard) only for my job and of course it just wont work with Windows, but theres load of other reaons too, if Windows was better, then why is it loosing market share to Apple every year? and the rate its loosing is growing.

What software out of interest..?

 

[teamsterjim]

I was more interested in the claims I hear of how the Apple based O.S.'s can load more large sample based instruments using the same amount of RAM that PC's use?
Also, Muse Recptor users have a Linux based O.S. and they make similar claims, but offer little proof of how or why these claims are based.
Convenience is a great explanation and something to consider also.
But whichever O.S. seems to benefit my particular needs is the one I will settle for.
I am simply trying to get to the truth which seems like this particular forum will provide.

Thanks For Your Input Once Again Gents,

JAV

 

[clyde2801]

This is, in a lot of ways, a highly subjective decision. Both platforms have pros and cons, and are in a state of flux. When I switched back in 03, I was sick to death of XP malware, and of fixes for it that seemed to be as bad as the problem itself.

To further complicate matters, each side is expecting to roll out new os's within the next year to eighteen months which could potentially change the equation.

Find some musicians in your area who use macs, and talk to them about their systems and compare them to yours. Or, mosey into an apple store with your current rig (assuming its portable), and ask them how they would engineer a similar or better system for your needs.

One thing to keep in mind is that intel macs can run windows well through a variety of ways. Not too long ago, the macbook pro was the fastest vista laptop. If all else fails, and you can't go mac for your professional needs, you may still be able to run your current software system through an apple.

I'm not a fanatic, and I haven't drunk the kool-aid. Starting on this board is a good first step, but you'll have to do your own research and make your own decision. Good luck!

 

[teamsterjim]

Thanks Clyde2801,
I have been conversing w/ my Mac/ProTools bro's and we share similar concepts in the way we route hardware into our projects and use the DSP's for a bulk of the processing,which is why we can use older designs for so many years w/o the need to upgrade as often.
One thing's certain, since Mac's have started using Intel CPU's it has become very attractive.
I have a lot of work to do.

Thanks For Your Input.

JAV