Logic Express Mobile Studio, - Help an Undergrad out Options

[Moostaffa]

Hi all,
I'm off to Uni and I've settled on a Powerbook as my ideal purchase. The thing is, I'm ready to start using pro software, but I've been concerned as to how well Logic Express 7 will run on it.

Lets say, a PB 12" 1.5Ghz with 1.25 GB RAM

... Any ideas on how many tracks/vst's/software instruments I can run effectively in Logic on a single project? I've been scared by Apple's official recommended specs

... G4 or "Dual G5s"

This post has been edited by Moostaffa: Thu 25 Aug 2005, 00:35

[woodworm]

Hi all,
I'm off to Uni and I've settled on a Powerbook as my ideal purchase. The thing is, I'm ready to start using pro software, but I've been concerned as to how well Logic Express 7 will run on it.

Lets say, a PB 12" 1.5Ghz with 1.25 GB RAM

... Any ideas on how many tracks/vst's/software instruments I can run effectively in Logic on a single project? I've been scared by Apple's official recommended specs

... G4 or "Dual G5s"

The answer to that question would be "a fair amount". It all depends on which instruments, as their CPU requirements differ drastically, and which plug-ins - same remark concerning CPU requirements. Another main parameter to consider is wether you will use 16bit/44.1 samples or 24/192 (and in-between).

I run Logic 7 Pro on a Titanium 667. I manage to build my tracks. When the load becomes to heavy, I bounce the individual track to get a "DSP'ed" Audio Track, mute the corresponding instrument track and bypass the instruments and plug-ins. When corrections need to be done, it is just a bit of quick editing, et voila. I found that method to work faster and better than to freeze tracks.

[gdoubleyou]

the current version of Logic Express7 has a freeze function, that allows you to free up CPU. I have a 1GHz powerbook.

Most of my sessions are 32-48 24bit stereo tracks, I'm totally in the box and use soft synths exclusively.
All of my audio is on a 7200rpm firewire drive.

[Moostaffa]

Sounds Encouraging...

40+ 24bit tracks sounds good to me, and if a 667 machine will produce something workable then I am relieved. In fact, I've just read that Logic would *theoretically* work on a G3. I'm amazed.

Still, I wish Apple would sort their portable G5's out...

The seperate, faster hd seems crucial for alot of users. Is the bump up to a 7200rpm drive an important improvement? And given that I was looking at a FW audio interface (M-Audio FW Audiophile) then is a USB alternative a little stale?

thanks for your wisdom...

[woodworm]

I forgot to specify...:

80% of my samples are on my internal HD: 80GB 5400 rpm.
All audio tracks are on an external FW400 disk: 250 GB, 7200 rpm, 8MB cache (2 of'em, actually).

Sure I know about freeze, but I still prefer my method. The main reasons are that I don't have to freeze/unfreeze an entire track to change just a couple of bars, and that when opening a song, I don't have to wait for all tracks to freeze first before I can hear a thing.

In a day to day working situation, I bounce to 16 bit /44.1 I only lay to 24/48 before taking the final tracks to a studio for mixdown and further recording.

But then again, each one has his own working methods, and variety is the spice of life

[gdoubleyou]

that sounds strange, My tracks don't have to re-freeze upon opening, most of my freezing takes place during the mixing process.

[woodworm]

I meant, my tracks don't freeze uplon opening, but as soon as I hit "play". And to make a change, I need to "unfreeze", then edit what I want, and it will "freeze" again as soon as I hit play again.