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Mac Mini duo core I5 enough?

Postby Quai34 » 09 Apr 2015, 07:08

Hi,
I need finaly to buy a computer to run Cubase, Midi Quest sound quest and Band in a box, not much more because i have a lot of hardware gear, compressor, reverb, multieffet etc....all running through a Mackie 1640i via effect send and return which means that i won't need a lot of processor power....will the Mac mini duo core I5 at 549$, 1.4 Ghtz will be enough or should i go for the I5 2.8Ghrtz? At 749$ if the 1.4 is fast enough i could have a package with two 24 inches monitor around 1000$, i have already the keyboards with short cut labels on it for cubase....
Just let me know
Sincerely
Stage 2/C2/NL2X+TC Pedals, 2XMatrix, EMU P2K, TX802, DSI P8/Tetra+H9, P12+TC HoF, D50+PG1000, XV5080,AX keytar, Streichfett, Drumbrute.Ibanez SR1200 & 2605 basses, Artstar AS153,G&L L2000,Legacy HSS,Asat Blueboys,Asat Deluxe Savanna.genelec 8040A.
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Mac Mini duo core I5 enough?


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Re: Mac Mini duo core I5 enough?

Postby Marlowes » 09 Apr 2015, 07:27

Hej!

I'm using a cheap Behringer mixer (I know it has poor quality but so has my chops) plugged in directly to "line in" of the Mac. Seems to work just fine. Why a soundcard?
On "Studio Mac 1" or "2" I can run Logic Pro X & Arturia Spark & NI Kontakt & ... at the same time. You can add a huge monitor later? :?
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Re: Mac Mini duo core I5 enough?

Postby Quai34 » 09 Apr 2015, 09:07

Ok Insee but your mac are 2.5 GHz, the first price for the 2014 Mac mini, at 549$ is a duo core but at 1.4 GHz? So? Fast enough?
Stage 2/C2/NL2X+TC Pedals, 2XMatrix, EMU P2K, TX802, DSI P8/Tetra+H9, P12+TC HoF, D50+PG1000, XV5080,AX keytar, Streichfett, Drumbrute.Ibanez SR1200 & 2605 basses, Artstar AS153,G&L L2000,Legacy HSS,Asat Blueboys,Asat Deluxe Savanna.genelec 8040A.
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Re: Mac Mini duo core I5 enough?

Postby Marlowes » 09 Apr 2015, 11:31

Hej Quai!

I am not an expert at the exact demands for computer power ... but I would not go for the 1.4GHz box.
Of course I have two monitors for all my Macs, but you don't have to buy them at once. Wait a few weeks and save up for no 2.
Also, eBay should be full of used 19-inch and larger monitors. At no cost at all?
I also added some extra memory to my Mac Minis. Not "original" was half the price and no problems. What I've read, more memory is good.

Start with a good platform, and you can add more later ... just my 2 centimes ... :)

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NE3HP, NP88, NS2, DPP1, NL2X, NL2X, NLA1, NL4, NE5D, NW2 (Collect Them All?), some classic Rolands, Arturias, a Waldorf, a Kurz, a WONOK3, a pile of guitars, a P-bass, loopers, amps and computers ...
I'm a gearslut! :oops:

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Re: Mac Mini duo core I5 enough?

Postby neolithic » 09 Apr 2015, 16:40

I wouldn't focus to hard on the clock speed - my 10 year old Windows desktop has an intel i3 running at 2.93 Ghz while my Macbook Pro has an i7 running 'slower' at 2.4Ghz. The Macbook is much quicker at intensive tasks like large Photoshop projects for e.g. so go figure.
(I use the Windows box in my studio and it's more than capable for audio - i use a USB mixer also)
Newer computers use faster RAM - and I think that makes a significant difference when recording audio.
I think it's VST's and FX that chew up your processor, so if you are using outboard hardware your needs may be fairly basic. See what the recommended specs for the version of Cubase you want to use are, and even consider running an older version that is less demanding. Midiquest will use next to nothing in terms of horsepower.
And now for something completely different...
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Re: Mac Mini duo core I5 enough?

Postby Quai34 » 11 Apr 2015, 15:29

Ok thanks a lot to both of you....
Stage 2/C2/NL2X+TC Pedals, 2XMatrix, EMU P2K, TX802, DSI P8/Tetra+H9, P12+TC HoF, D50+PG1000, XV5080,AX keytar, Streichfett, Drumbrute.Ibanez SR1200 & 2605 basses, Artstar AS153,G&L L2000,Legacy HSS,Asat Blueboys,Asat Deluxe Savanna.genelec 8040A.
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Re: Mac Mini duo core I5 enough?

Postby Quai34 » 13 Mar 2018, 03:28

Hi Guys,
I just found an Apple specialist (Network all across Canada, Simply computing.ca) which sells not only new but also used ones and he has an IMac 21", late 2013, i5 quad core, 8 gb for Ram, 2.7 mg Hertz, 1 Tera hard drive, with a 3 years warranty for 990 CAN$ which is around 770 US$...I think I should go for it right (If you re-read the post, you will see that I'm not planning to use a lot of Plugins or to mix in the box that much, I have two Mackies 16 channels for that...) Let me know. Also, I coul always plug two extra Screens in 27" later if I would like to right? sorry for asking but it will be my first Apple....
Sincerely
Last edited by Quai34 on 13 Mar 2018, 04:33, edited 4 times in total.
Stage 2/C2/NL2X+TC Pedals, 2XMatrix, EMU P2K, TX802, DSI P8/Tetra+H9, P12+TC HoF, D50+PG1000, XV5080,AX keytar, Streichfett, Drumbrute.Ibanez SR1200 & 2605 basses, Artstar AS153,G&L L2000,Legacy HSS,Asat Blueboys,Asat Deluxe Savanna.genelec 8040A.
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Re: Mac Mini duo core I5 enough?

Postby PScooter63 » 18 Mar 2018, 18:22

Hey Qual, did you pull the trigger?

This is not your use case, but anecdotally speaking: my Mac Mini (mid 2010, Core 2 Duo) handled a theatrical automation app named Sinfonia (up to 64 distinct tracks (including mixing and on-the-fly tap tempo) without a hiccup. A newer Windows laptop (circa 2015) had no hope of keeping up, the lag rendered it unusable.
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Re: Mac Mini duo core I5 enough?

Postby Quai34 » 18 Mar 2018, 20:32

Yes, I did, I just have to install it but thanks for the info, I think I will just keep my old PC to use it for old software that can be used only with PC, like an editor for my XV5080.....I think I won't be a big user of the mouse with computer...My plan is to buy the Presonus Faderport 8 and to see which plugins or software I could address with it (On top of Cubase of course...), like my software for the voice live rack and the TC Electronic Reverb and Lexicon MX200 and for sure Midiquest and Band in a box but that's it....I do that for fun so, spending 500$ minimum for a plugins seems to be irrelevant for my use....I also s have the UA duo Core that I got for free when I had bought the UA 610 MkII Preamp so, it might be enoughfor my needs...
But thanks a lot again, that gives me a good idea of what I will be able to do with it....
Sincerely
Stage 2/C2/NL2X+TC Pedals, 2XMatrix, EMU P2K, TX802, DSI P8/Tetra+H9, P12+TC HoF, D50+PG1000, XV5080,AX keytar, Streichfett, Drumbrute.Ibanez SR1200 & 2605 basses, Artstar AS153,G&L L2000,Legacy HSS,Asat Blueboys,Asat Deluxe Savanna.genelec 8040A.
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