Do you think music production is something you are good at? Then you need to ensure that you have all the equipment that you need. From the keyboards to the speakers to the microphones you need high-quality equipment so as to make high-quality music. Most importantly, you will need a good computer that will integrate all these equipment and enable you to produce music. The big question is; which Mac should you choose? Here is a guide that will help you choose the best Mac for music production.
Mac vs PC
The truth is that you can actually choose either. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Consider what you are used to and who it is that you are collaborating with.
Mac’s hardware is robust and if you are familiar with the system you will find a Mac easy to use. The main reason why many people prefer Mac is because of some music production software that is only available for Mac operating systems. Examples are GarageBand and Apple Logic Pro X.
- GarageBand will allow you to create music as an expert. It has a complete sound library that has presets for voice and guitar, instruments, percussionists and session drummers. The design is very simple and easy to use. Within a short while of using the Touch bar you will be able to learn, create, record and share music with the world from your MacBook Pro.
- The Logic Pro X is an app by Apple that is meant for the professional music producer. This app will cost you $199.99. This price is more affordable than the competition with the likes of Cubase retailing at about $500 and the Pro Tools 11 on PC being even more expensive.
- In the new MacBook Pro, the Touch Bar provides a better way to interact with the computer. You will work in particular like the multi-touch dial that will give you the studio feel. The computer can be easily customized and is powerful enough to handle all the tasks involved in music production
How to choose the Best Mac for Music Production
The guidelines below will help you make the right decision when it comes to choosing an appropriate Mac for music production.
Macbook Air M1 vs Macbook Pro M1 vs Mac Mini M1 vs iMac ?
These are not just different in sizes but in capabilities as well. When buying the best Mac for music production, consider the kind of work you do. Do you work from one point where all the musicians come to you? Or do you move from place to place creating musi? The latter situation requires a Mac that is portable while the prior can do with a desktop.
Other than portability, consider what other equipment you will be using with the Mac and ensure that the one you get has all the necessary connectivity options. When it comes to making music, these connections are necessary. You will need ports to connect microphones, USB instruments, monitors and other equipment as necessary as you make music. This need automatically disqualifies some Macs like the MacBook which despite being underpowered it has only one USB-C port. The MacBook Air lacks enough screen space and power and is hence not an ideal music production computer.
What are the hardware specifications of the Mac?
The hardware is what determines how powerful the Mac will be. Here are the most important hardware components to look at:
| 1. MacBook Air M1 | 2. MacBook Pro M1 | 3. Mac Mini M1 | 3. iMac Retina 4k | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |
|
| Screen | 13 inches | 13 inches & Touch Bar | No | 21.5 inches & 4K Display |
| Processor | Apple M1 Chip | Apple M1 Chip | Apple M1 Chip | 3GHz Intel Core i5 |
| Memory | 8 GB | 8 GB | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Hard Disk | 256 GB SSD | 256 GB SSD | 256 GB SSD | 256 GB SSD |
| Graphics | M1 GPU | M1 GPU | M1 GPU | AMD Radeon Pro 560X 4GB |
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RAM: Music editing software requires lots of RAM so be sure to buy a Mac that has lots of it. Since most Macs will not allow you to upgrade the RAM, later on, you have to get it right from the first time as you buy it. Ensure that the RAM of the computer you buy is 8GB or above because anything less than this will give you trouble when doing professional work.
CPU: This is the heart of the Mac and the more powerful the CPU is the better the computer is. High-end audio and video work are particularly processor intensive. Go for a Mac that is fitted with the best processor at the time. Avoid low priced Macs that are fitted with weak CPUs if you will be using professional plugins and effects in producing your music.
Hard drive: This is where all the music you create will be stored and since you will want to make lots of music you need a large hard drive. But size is not everything. Consider choosing Macs that have SSD drives over those that have HDD drives. Note that SSDs are more expensive than HDDs and they usually start out smaller. SSDs are fast and quiet in operation. Since getting high capacity SSDs fitted laptops can be very expensive consider using external storage to store sample libraries. This option however may not be appropriate for you if you keep moving from place to place because carrying everything may be a challenge. If you can afford it, buy the best laptop for music production that has a high capacity SSD.
Screen: From writing to mixing you will need to fit many things on one screen. Trying to fit these on a small screen will prove challenging. So, buy a Mac that comes with a large screen. Ideally, the screen should be more than 15 inches long. The iMac 27 inch is perfect.
Your Budget?
Since you cannot spend money that you do not have, get the best Mac you can with the money that you have. Do not expect the best MacBook Pro for music production at a cheap price. Generally, the more expensive the computer is, the better it will perform. This is not to mean that you cannot get cheap laptops for music production. You actually can. The Mac Mini is one of the best budget Mac. It is small and quiet while having the same connectivity as the iMac and comes with audio in port.
When it comes to music production, you need to ensure that you get the best Mac. Ensure that it has lots of storage space, a powerful RAM and CPU while the screen remains large enough to allow you to do all the activities you need. Remember that a powerful Mac will allow you to produce great music.
“The Mac Mini is one of the best budget laptops”… It is one of the best indeed, but it aint no laptop…
Sorry! Thank Miguel!