Which iMac & external storage is best for latest Logic Pro

[J. Hargis]

Hello all.

I'm new here and I hope I'm not duplicating an existing thread.This looks like the right forum to get the correct information to get started and down the road once I get rolling.

Like most of you, I have read and researched the Pro Tools vs. Logic Pro debate, funny how emotional people get about such things. I've pretty much decided upon Logic Pro. As a composer / musician the weight of opinion seems to favor Logic Pro, so here I am. I have some newbie questions, but that is how we learn. Yes?

As implied, I haven't actually purchased Logic Pro, I'm trying to determine what my basic system should look like when I do, which Mac is the ultimate performer for Logic Pro, etc.

From what I'm hearing and reading, the IMac seems to be it unless you need a laptop. Tell me if I'm wrong. It's OK to explain things to me like your chatting with, well, a rookie Mac user, which I essentially am. In fact I'm new to a purely computer based DAW system and have much to learn but do catch on quickly, so I like to think.

Knowing that I will want the full Logic Pro package, here we go, some basic questions:

What is the price for the full-on Logic Pro package? I've read $499 unless you download it from the Mac Store.
What would be the absolute best IMac configuration to go with?
What is the ball park price for such a configuration?
What would make for the best external storage device?
Any price info. on that would also be helpful.

Regards, JH

[triplets]

Logic Pro is officially now only sold at the Apple App Store for 199 and that's the pro application with 30 gigs of optional downloads.
You can find the previous DVD version on some retailers for 499.
What's the difference?
Soundtrack Pro and Waveburner are gone from the app store and Mainstage and Compressor can be bought separate.
Other than that it's the same Logic Pro.

The imac is not your only option. You can also go for the Mac Mini Server, which is more powerful than the imac, cost 999 and comes with 2 internal HDs, and this is very cool because with the imac you need an external FW800 drive.
It doesn't come with a DVD drive and no monitor and no keyboard and mouse.

By the way, what's your budget?

[J. Hargis]

triplets,
Thanks for your reply.
My budget, including purchase of Logic Pro, is about $3000.00.
I was told an Imac 27" * as packaged would do the job, except I would need an external drive. Knowing what I know about the requirements for Logic Pro, the 27" Imac off the shelf* would seem to be adequate.I don't want the computer to be slow and compromises made in terms of effects, tracks etc. But like everyone I guess, I don't want to break the bank

The Mac Mini Server, which seems like a CPU only arrangement. sounds interesting, but doesn't having 2 HDs in the same unit still leave you vulnerable?

Thanks, JH

* 27" IMAC
3.1GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i5
2560 x 1440 resolution
4GB (two 2GB) memory
1TB hard drive1
AMD Radeon HD 6970M with 1GB

[David]

The Mac Mini Server, which seems like a CPU only arrangement. sounds interesting, but doesn't having 2 HDs in the same unit still leave you vulnerable?

Not a problem. My Mac Pro has 4 HDs in the same unit. I would strongly consider the Mac mini for the reasons explained by triplets.

[digital(ninja)]

I'm a bit confused, for music production with Logic in what ways is the mac mini server more powerful than an imac? After reading this thread I checked out the apple website and the best imac looks like it has 3.4GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7 with 16 GB possible RAM, while Mac Mini Server has 2.0GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7 and 8GB RAM.

If music production (mainly ITB with a couple of external instruments) is the only thing I'll be doing with this, is there something I'm missing? The imac is more expensive, but isn't it also way more powerful for running Logic?

Thank you, I'm looking to upgrade my studio mac soon so this is a very informative thread.

[triplets]

The advantage of the mac mini server is that it comes with two internal HDs, which the iMac doesn't have. If you're using a lot of sample heavy plugins, that second internal drive is a god-send.
Check out this thread with explanations of people using the MMS:
viewtopic.php?f=10&t=74166&start=80

[Red Robin]

My 27" iMac has 2 internal hard drives: 1 SSD + 1 HD. I keep the Mac OS and all Applications on the SSD.

[digital(ninja)]

Ya I noticed you can do that with both the server and the iMac. Was it difficult to set up that way?

[triplets]

Ya I noticed you can do that with both the server and the iMac. Was it difficult to set up that way?

No, to put another drive on the iMac you get rid of the DVD drive.
The Mac Mini Server has no dvd drive and already comes with 2 drives.

[digital(ninja)]

Oh, I see. But if I were to buy the mms with the ssd is it difficult to install the os and logic on that drive?

[triplets]

I know that installing ram now on the mms is easy, don't know about the drives.
Did you check out this thread?:
viewtopic.php?f=10&t=74166&start=80

[digital(ninja)]

I have read thru that thread, and thank you for being so patient in answering my questions. I'm sorry if I am not being specific enough, or should ask this question somewhere else. To be more specific about my last question:

both the mms and the imac have the option to upgrade a hd to ssd. the way it is worded on the apple store website the ssd appears to be a 2nd drive. is it difficult to install lion os and logic on this smaller ssd and leave the storage for the larger SATA drives?

I'm under the impression that this is the advantage of having a setup with a ssd. Is there a better scenario for music production than what I have described?

Again, thank you for your help. This is one of the most informative and helpful forums I have found!

[munk18]

hey ninja. having an SSD will be some what a of a godsend if using applications like Logic Pro due to its performance. i havent used one personally but i know a few guys in studios using Logic, PT, Final Cut, and Mainstage who praise by them. what you dont get in storage you get in performance. they are incredibly efficient and reliable. right now im using an external Lacie 1TB big disk at 5400rpm and must wait a bit for some plug-ins to come up. im in the market for a newer more efficient external right now since im scared something will go wrong with it, even though i have everything backed up. also, Lacie hasnt really been great with my experience. Im looking at Glyph http://www.glyphtech.com/

as for choice between mac mini and imac id say def go with the mac mini. what triplets listed is on point. also i feel they are much more customizable to your liking and needs. even though the mac store says max ram for the mac mini is 8gb, if its one of the later models (early 2011 and beyond) im pretty sure you can go up to 16gb of ram. check out this awesome site, which is a must for any mac user. hope this helps and good luck!
http://www.everymac.com/ultimate-mac-comparison-chart/