#Mac mini for home recording studio full version#
#Mac mini for home recording studio install#
#Mac mini for home recording studio pro#
#Mac mini for home recording studio professional#

Multitrack sessions can easily (and quickly) reach sizes of 3GB or more. If you want to save some money, I suggest buying a Wi-Fi-only model, but I strongly encourage that you pick up a 64GB or 128GB model.

#Mac mini for home recording studio professional#

If you’re serious about doing professional work in the field or in your home/project studio, however, go for the latest iPad (iPad Air or mini with retina display) you can never have too much CPU power when it comes to recording and mixing. If you’re on a tight budget, the fourth-generation iPad (also known as the iPad with Retina display) can provide a decent experience, particularly when tracking/recording or for some light mixing. Pick up the iPad: The first and most important piece is Apple’s hardware. As always, having the right tools will make your experience more pleasant and productive. Ready your equipmentīefore you can start using the iPad for a music project, you need the right hardware and software. The same can be said about sessions that require complex editing of audio tracks, or effects-laden projects.

#Mac mini for home recording studio full version#

The track limit alone (the full version of Auria only supports up to 48 tracks) can prove to be an unacceptable compromise, particularly if you’re planning to record large ensembles with individual close microphones.

#Mac mini for home recording studio pro#

If you are used to working with professional digital audio workstation applications (DAW) such as Pro Tools or Logic Pro, you may be frustrated by the iPad’s limitations. When it came to “You’ll Return,” the iPad provided all the necessary horsepower I needed, and due to the project’s limited timeframe, it was a blessing to be able to edit the tracks anywhere I was.Īnd the cons: All of that said, you have to manage your overall expectations. And then there’s the cost: iOS offers the convenience of a touch display and the portability of a laptop but with a much smaller price tag. In addition, if you are planning to record in a space where your sound engineer and performer are in the same room, the iPad has the advantage of being dead-quiet. This constant access gives me more options for working with my music wherever I am. “Yes,” skeptics may interject, “but you can do the same with your laptop!” True, but it’s much more likely that I’ll have my 128GB iPad mini with Retina display on me-whether I’m in the studio, at home, or on the road. The ability to access your multitrack session at any time and anywhere is an incredible advantage when it comes to productivity. The pros: I see the iPad as the obvious choice when portability and space are key issues. iPad pros and consĭepending on the type of music, ensemble, and production you plan to produce, using an iPad can be either a perfect solution or a limiting and frustrating experience. This turned out to be a great opportunity to assess the real potential of the iPad as a reliable ultra-portable recording and production platform. (I’ve posted videos of the sessions and some of the things that went on behind the scenes.) The recording session was split in two days and took place in the new Berklee Production suites in Boston the assistant engineer was the talented Vince Espi.

#Mac mini for home recording studio install#

I am looking at a i7 mac mini and will max out the ram (16gb) and install 2 SSD drives into it, total cost just a little over a grand, now keep in mind this will be this computers ONLY function, no browsing, I tunes or video processing, simply audio recording and mastering.įor this project, I decided to try and use the iPad for each stage of production-from recording and mixing all the way to mastering and SoundCloud distribution. The plan was to record “You’ll Return,” an original song that she co-wrote with Michal Weiner, using a band made up of drums, acoustic and electric guitars, bass, vocals and piano. Recently, that dream became reality: I had the opportunity to produce and record a session for Ella Joy Meir-a very talented up-and-coming songwriter and composer based in the Boston/New York area. Since the introduction of the iPad in 2010, I have dreamed of the day when I could walk into a studio and record, produce, and mix a live band using just my tablet.