Apple MB792Z/A User Manual - Page 28

Computer, How Fast Should Your Computer Be?, A Portable or Fixed Studio?

Page 28 highlights

• Additional software that runs alongside, and integrates with, Logic Express. This includes a range of ReWire applications and audio or MIDI software. • Additional effect and instrument plug-ins, including those that are DSP-accelerated, such as PowerCore Computer This section outlines several computing factors that you should consider for your Logic Express system. System requirements are covered in the Before You Install document, found in the Documentation folder of the Logic Express installation discs. Note: System requirements may change between Logic Express releases, so you should always check the Apple website and the latest Before You Install document included with Logic Express updates. How Fast Should Your Computer Be? Audio processing is complex, so the general rule is: the more powerful your computer, the better. This involves not only the speed of the processors of your Mac, but also includes larger main memory sizes, the speed of busses, and the general efficiency of communication with connected devices. A Portable or Fixed Studio? You may be wavering between a desktop or portable Mac as the basis for your Logic Express system, or perhaps considering the viability of a portable computer for on-the-road composition. The good news is that portable Mac computers are ideal for Logic Express use. They offer excellent audio and MIDI hardware expansion capabilities in the form of FireWire and USB connectors, and are fast enough to allow extensive software instrument and effect use. Due to the power-saving nature of portable computers, slower hard disk drives are usually included, resulting in a lower track count than is possible with a desktop equivalent. Obviously, desktop computers offer additional expansion slots, extending the range of MIDI and audio hardware possibilities available to notebook computers, and can incorporate multiple processors. CPU and hard disk speeds are generally higher, thus allowing higher track playback counts, and the simultaneous use of more software instruments and effects. Tip: If you have both a portable and desktop Mac, you can easily transfer projects and other data between them. Hard Disk Drives and Storage Locations Music production generates a huge number of large files. These include samples for audio instruments, loop libraries, audio recordings, video files, and more. Consider buying a separate, large capacity hard disk drive (or several) for your audio files and sample libraries. 28 Chapter 2 Setting Up Your System

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Additional software that runs alongside, and integrates with, Logic Express. This includes
a range of ReWire applications and audio or MIDI software.
• Additional effect and instrument plug-ins, including those that are DSP-accelerated,
such as PowerCore
Computer
This section outlines several computing factors that you should consider for your
Logic Express system. System requirements are covered in the
Before You Install
document,
found in the Documentation folder of the Logic Express installation discs.
Note:
System requirements may change between Logic Express releases, so you should
always check the Apple website and the latest
Before You Install
document included with
Logic Express updates.
How Fast Should Your Computer Be?
Audio processing is complex, so the general rule is:
the more powerful your computer,
the better. This involves not only the speed of the processors of your Mac, but also includes
larger main memory sizes, the speed of busses, and the general efficiency of
communication with connected devices.
A Portable or Fixed Studio?
You may be wavering between a desktop or portable Mac as the basis for your
Logic Express system, or perhaps considering the viability of a portable computer for
on-the-road composition. The good news is that portable Mac computers are ideal for
Logic Express use. They offer excellent audio and MIDI hardware expansion capabilities
in the form of FireWire and USB connectors, and are fast enough to allow extensive
software instrument and effect use. Due to the power-saving nature of portable computers,
slower hard disk drives are usually included, resulting in a lower track count than is possible
with a desktop equivalent.
Obviously, desktop computers offer additional expansion slots, extending the range of
MIDI and audio hardware possibilities available to notebook computers, and can
incorporate multiple processors. CPU and hard disk speeds are generally higher, thus
allowing higher track playback counts, and the simultaneous use of more software
instruments and effects.
Tip:
If you have both a portable and desktop Mac, you can easily transfer projects and
other data between them.
Hard Disk Drives and Storage Locations
Music production generates a huge number of large files. These include samples for audio
instruments, loop libraries, audio recordings, video files, and more.
Consider buying a separate, large capacity hard disk drive (or several) for your audio files
and sample libraries.
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Chapter 2
Setting Up Your System