The Mac is an apparent candidate should you’re searching for a pc with which to make music. The selection might be overwhelming, although, with units starting from a couple of hundred {dollars} or kilos to 1000’s greater than you may spend on a automotive. On this article we evaluate all of them and clarify which Mac is best for you.
There was a time when music manufacturing required hiring a studio, however expertise strikes quick. In the course of the Nineteen Eighties, there was a revolution in analog dwelling recording equipment; then the Nineties noticed dwelling computer systems step by step take over. Immediately, you are able to do every part from recording pop songs to mastering film soundtracks on a Mac. However which Mac? That’s the query we’re right here to reply!
Why use a Mac for music manufacturing
Whether or not you select a Mac or PC for music manufacturing is basically right down to the platform you favor and who you’re collaborating with. Nevertheless, there are a couple of the reason why musicians who select to make use of Macs achieve this.
One cause is the straightforward undeniable fact that Macs are extremely straightforward to make use of, so musicians don’t get sidetracked making an attempt to set issues up or repair issues. The current addition of the M-series of Apple-made chips additionally implies that they’re very highly effective, usually outperforming Intel-equipped PC equivalents. Mac laptops are additionally slim and lightweight, with excellent construct high quality – a profit in case you are carrying them round to gigs in addition to utilizing them in a studio.
Greatest Mac configuration for music manufacturing
If you’re going to make music with a Mac then there are a selection of issues that that you must take into account. We’ll run by way of every of those under that can assist you make your last choice.
Software program
The software program you employ – your Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) – is as arguably as vital as the pc you select. There are many choices obtainable on macOS, which you’ll examine in our round-up of one of the best music recording software program for Mac.
Two spectacular packages you may solely discover on Macs are Apple’s personal Logic Professional and its enthusiast-focused cousin GarageBand. (Learn our Logic Professional and Garageband evaluations.)
GarageBand is actually an audio sketchbook, albeit a robust one in the appropriate palms. It’s nice for shortly getting down the bones of songs or compositions, with loads of assist for plug-ins. We all know of a number of skilled musicians that use it for creating demos of concepts, which they’ll then share with different musicians within the early stage of writing. Better of all, GarageBand comes free with each Mac, simply one other good cause for utilizing Apple’s computer systems to create your music.
Once they wish to get severe although, there’s an excellent probability they’ll change to Logic Professional X, which is the much more highly effective and feature-rich DAW.
RAM
Music software program is notoriously hungry for reminiscence. A scarcity of RAM (in Apple phrases that is known as Unified Reminiscence) turns into a severe bottleneck in any pro-level undertaking. You’ll have the ability to run fewer devices and fewer results; you’ll spend extra time rendering and fewer time doing issues stay.
Take into account 16GB your minimal. This shouldn’t be troublesome, all Macs and MacBooks might be geared up with 16GB RAM – and we suggest that you just do configure your Mac to at the very least this degree, if no more. Be aware that M3, M2 and M1 Macs ship with 8GB RAM as commonplace. The M2 and M3 Macs might be up to date to 16GB RAM and prime out at 24GB, whereas M1 Macs might solely assist as much as 16GB RAM. If you happen to suppose you may want 32GB RAM then you have to to improve to the Professional model (e.g. M3 Professional) which is an choice within the MacBook Professional or Mac mini and comes with 16GB as commonplace and helps 32GB. For 64GB or 96GB RAM, you want the Max (e.g. M3 Max) an choice for the MacBook Professional or Mac Studio. And for 128GB or 192GB RAM you’ll want to have a look at the Extremely (e.g. M2 Extremely) within the Mac Studio or Mac Professional.
Storage
Storage is more likely to be an vital consider your choice. All Apple Macs use SSDs and have completed so for a few years now. This can be a profit as a result of laborious drives is usually a bottleneck resulting from their comparatively low pace in comparison with SSDs, and they are often noisy.
Nevertheless, SSDs are far costlier per GB than laborious drives. Entry-level Apple notebooks have 256GB SSDs, however professional instrument and results collections when put in can require a whole lot of GB, and that’s earlier than you even begin to add your personal music information. So that you most likely need a minimal of 512GB SSD together with your Mac. Another excuse to keep away from the lower-capacity Macs is that previously we’ve discovered the smaller SSDs to be slower than their larger-capacity counterparts – although it seems Apple has addressed this now: the 256GB MacBook Air doesn’t undergo from the gradual storage downside.
You could work out what you’ll want, and whether or not belongings might be saved internally or externally. Exterior drives might be superb for giant pattern libraries and the like, particularly when related utilizing Thunderbolt, however you then want to find out methods to take every part with you should you’re a musician who works with individuals in many various places. Cloud storage is perhaps an excellent choice right here: try our Greatest Cloud Storage Companies for Mac.
Portability
Talking of being at totally different places, it’s essential to determine whether or not you want the Mac to be transportable or not. If you happen to’re at all times transferring round, working with numerous musicians in numerous nations, a Mac Studio most likely received’t slot in your hand baggage. However should you’re a solo musician who solely ever creates music in a house studio, you would get extra bang on your buck with a desktop machine such because the M2 Professional Mac mini.
In case you are studio based mostly you might suppose that you just want an iMac so to make the most of the big show, however you may plug in an exterior show to any Mac, so even should you had a laptop computer Mac you would fortunately use it with a 30-inch display screen if you find yourself at your desk.
Ports
You additionally want to think about the opposite equipment you wish to use. If you happen to don’t have any additional equipment (if all your music-making occurs inside a Mac) then this received’t be a priority, and, in concept, any Mac may do. However when you have a pile of audio interfaces, USB devices, headphones, screens, and different important {hardware}, making an attempt to get by the 2 USB-C ports discovered on the MacBook Air and entry-level MacBook Professional fashions will drive you to despair. (Through which case you may want a USB hub to make use of together with your new Mac).
Fortunately in current instances, Apple has added extra ports to its latest Mac laptops, so you can find SDXC, Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, and extra on the aspect of the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Professional. The Mac mini and Mac Studio even have a pleasant collection of ports.
Apple
Apple
Apple
Processor
Excessive-end audio work might be extraordinarily processor-intensive, particularly when utilizing skilled plug-ins and results. In case your calls for are nice, you’re going to wish a Mac with pretty severe processing energy. Ergo, whichever Mac you determine to purchase, keep away from low-end fashions that appear to lurk within the line-up to allow Apple to say ‘from’ and use a lower cost tag in advertising materials. That stated, the present crop of entry-level Macs with their M3 chips are proving to be fairly formidable.
For the last word choice flip to the MacBook Professional with the M3 Professional or M3 Max, or anticipate these chips to reach within the Mac mini or Mac Studio. The M2 Extremely within the Mac Studio and Mac Professional may also attraction, however would possible be overkill.
Graphics
There’s additionally the query of the GPU. Traditionally, recording and enhancing audio didn’t make the most of many graphics card assets, in contrast to 3D design and video enhancing. Issues are extra difficult nowadays as some audio software program is GPU-accelerated. It’s additionally an element do you have to require further shows. Apple’s M2 Macs supply 8 or 10-core GPUS and will suffice generally.
If you happen to suppose you’ll profit from extra graphics prowess then look to the 14-inch or 16-inch MacBook Professional with the M3 Professional (14 or 18 graphics cores) or the M3 Max (30 or 40 graphics cores). The Mac Studio and Mac Professional go additional providing the M2 Extremely with 60- or 76-core GPU (we’re nonetheless awaiting the M3 Extremely, however count on to see enhancements there).
Show assist
Talking of exterior shows, be aware that if you wish to plug in a couple of further show the usual M1 and M2 MacBooks received’t formally assist a couple of further show (though there are methods round this, see: How you can join two or extra exterior shows to Apple M1 or M2 Macs). The Mac mini, Mac Studio and all different MacBooks assist various exterior shows. This might matter should you want to use graphics with the music you play.
Greatest Mac for musicians
1. MacBook Professional, 14-inch, M3 Professional (2023)
Worth When Reviewed:
$1,999
If you would like a good-sized display screen, loads of ports, and loads of energy the 14-inch MacBook Professional is an effective choice. There’s a M3 model of the 14-inch MacBook Professional, however we suggest the M3 Professional, or M3 Max fashions.
This Mac was up to date in October 2023 with the M3 Professional and M3 Max. There’s additionally a 16-inch MacBook Professional if you’d like a good larger display screen, which additionally presents the identical M3 Professional chip and 16GB Unified Reminiscence (aka RAM) as commonplace. This will, in fact, be upgraded on the level of sale, maxing out at 36GB for the M3 Professional (you may rise up to 128GB within the costlier M3 Max fashions).
You’ll get 512GB or 1TB storage as commonplace, with the choice to extend that to a 8TB. There isn’t any 256GB SSD choice for the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Professional, which avoids the problem with slower SSDs that plagues the 256GB SSDs (though for the reason that introduction of the M3 MacBook Air Apple seems to have addressed this challenge).
The M3 Professional brings 14 or 18 GPU cores that can be utilized to crunch the numbers wanted when utilizing a great deal of plug-ins, VSTs or rendering multi-channel compositions onscreen. Must you need probably the most highly effective MacBook Professional you should buy, then take a look at the M3 Max, which maxes out at 40 GPU cores.
That is an costly Mac, however we regularly see huge reductions so we strongly suggest that you just store round to avoid wasting. Try these MacBook Professional offers for one of the best costs.
Learn our full
Apple 14-inch MacBook Professional (M3 Professional, 2023) assessment
2. MacBook Professional, 14-inch, M3 (2023)
Worth When Reviewed:
$1,599
The Professional or Max fashions are our first selection, however not each musician has the finances for Apple’s M3 Professional-powered MacBook Professional. The excellent news is the 14-inch M3-powered MacBook Professional is worthy of consideration for music-making.
The 14-inch MacBook Professional with M3 was launched in October 2023. It changed the 13-inch MacBook Professional with M2 chip. The M3 is highly effective sufficient to supply nice efficiency and make brief work of tasks with loads of layered tracks, results, VSTs, and provides clean playback with out stuttering or overloading. True, the baseline mannequin does solely include 8GB of RAM, so we’d advise upgrading this to both 16GB or 24GB on the time of buy, as you may’t make any changes in a while because of the non-upgradable approach these are constructed.
If you would like energy and portability, then the 14-inch MacBook Professional with M3 is kind of the workhorse.
Learn our full
Apple 14-inch MacBook Professional (M3, 2023) assessment
3. MacBook Air, 13-inch, M3 (2024)
Worth When Reviewed:
$1,099 (base)
The 13-inch MacBook Air with M3 is one other Mac laptop computer that could possibly be thought-about on your DAW. When it comes to weight, it’s the lightest of the present crop at 2.7 kilos/1.24kg, however that doesn’t imply it’s a light-weight within the efficiency stakes.
As a consequence of Air’s energy effectivity, the laptop computer additionally comes with out a fan, which could possibly be a godsend should you report close to the laptop computer. As with all Macs, there’s a 3.5mm headphone jack so you may edit on the go with out worrying about latency.
With a decrease beginning value than the MacBook Professional with M3, the MacBook Air with M3 is a horny choice. You possibly can up storage and RAM and nonetheless lower your expenses in comparison with the equal MacBook Professional. The 512GB MacBook Air with 16GB of RAM prices $1,499/£1,499 from Apple, in comparison with $1,899/£1,899 for a similar spec within the MacBook Professional.
To avoid wasting extra money you may take into account the M2 MacBook Air, which is offered for $999/£999, it’s an excellent Mac, however the value distinction is so small our recommendation is to spend the small $100/£100 extra for the M3 mannequin, or lower your expenses by buying round for an excellent deal on the M3. See: Greatest MacBook Air offers. You may see how the 2 totally different fashions evaluate by studying our MacBook Air (M3) vs MacBook Air (M2) article.
4. MacBook Air, 15-inch, M3 (2024)
Worth When Reviewed:
$1,299 (base)
Really feel just like the display screen on the 13-inch MacBook Air is perhaps too cramped on your wants? Apple additionally sells a 15-inch MacBook Air. It prices greater than the 13-inch MacBook Air, however truly represents good worth for cash compared to the 14-inch MacBook Professional, which has a similar-sized display screen however prices much more. See: 15-inch MacBook vs 14-inch MacBook Professional for extra data.
Learn our full
Apple 15-inch MacBook Air (M3, 2024) assessment
5. Mac mini, M2 Professional (2023)
Worth When Reviewed:
$1,299
If you happen to don’t want the portability of a laptop computer one of the best worth for cash Mac for musicians is the Mac mini with M2 Professional, which launched in January 2023. For $1,299/£1,399 you may get the identical chip that can price you $1,999/£2,149 within the MacBook Professional. Certain you’ll want a separate display screen, mouse and keyboard, but it surely’s nonetheless going to avoid wasting you a ton of cash.
It’s small, quiet, and has nice connectivity choices, together with a further audio-in port that could possibly be helpful for legacy merchandise. What extra might you ask for?
We simply counsel that you just wait as a result of we count on that Apple will replace the Mac mini with an M3 Professional very quickly.
Learn our full
Apple Mac mini (M2 Professional, 2023) assessment
6. Mac mini, M2 (2023)
Worth When Reviewed:
From $599
If you happen to don’t want the M2 Professional there’s a regular Mac mini with M2 chip, which begins at simply $599/£649. If you have already got a show, keyboard, mouse and are simply searching for an engine on which to make some music, the Mac mini is a strong selection.
It’s small, quiet, and has nice connectivity choices, together with a further audio-in port that could possibly be helpful for legacy merchandise.
The Mac mini is at present obtainable with the M2chip and 256GB SSD for simply $599/£649. There’s additionally a 512GB mannequin for $799/£849. Double the RAM to 16GB, for one more $200/£200.
If funds are low, the Mac mini is a superb selection for making music. Listed here are one of the best costs for the Mac mini. However count on a M3 mannequin to launch quickly.
Learn our full
Apple Mac mini (M2, 2023) assessment
7. Mac Studio, M2 Max (2023)
Worth When Reviewed:
£1,999
These trying to create professional-level music within the dwelling or studio will wish to take a look at the Mac Studio. Aimed on the Professional market, however nonetheless inexpensive, this beefed-up Mac mini boasts the M2 Max SoC, with a 12-Core CPU and 30-Core GPU, or the M2 Extremely for 24-core CPU and as much as 60 or 76-core GPU. Each choices ship enviable ranges of efficiency.
Add to this as much as 64GB RAM for the M2 Max, or 192GB RAM for the M2 Extremely, and as much as 8TB of storage (all of which might be upgraded on the level of sale) and you’ve got an extremely potent Mac that may deal with something you throw at it. There are many ports obtainable, together with 4x Thunderbolt 4 and 2x USB-C and 2x USB-A, so all your outboard equipment ought to have the ability to plug instantly into the Mac Studio. As with the Mac mini, you’ll have to convey your personal show, keyboard, mouse and audio system.
Just like the Mac mini count on this mannequin to be up to date quickly, the Mac Studio with M3 Max will possible be launched across the time of WWDC in June.
Try one of the best offers for the Mac Studio to see if it can save you on the same old value of $1,999/£2,099.
Learn our full
Apple Mac Studio (M2 Max, 2023) assessment
