Mac For Production



Ridiculously powerful. Seriously creative.

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The 2018 and 2020 Mac Mini are identical in terms of hardware - but pricing got adjusted. Mac Mini 6-Core i5 - on sale: Mac Mini 6-Co. MAC Productions is a live event production company specializing in sound, video, lighting, stage design and event management. SERVING GREATER CINCINNATI. MAC Productions has served Cincnnati and Northern Kentucky for over 25 years. TOURING & REGIONAL SHOWS.

Live LoopsFor spontaneous composition.

Live Loops is a dynamic way to create and arrange music in real time. Kick off your composition by adding loops, samples, or your recorded performances into a grid of cells. Trigger different cells to play with your ideas without worrying about a timeline or arrangement. Once you find combinations that work well together you can create song sections, then move everything into the Tracks area to continue production and finish your song.

Remix FX

Bring DJ-style effects and transitions to an individual track or an entire mix with a collection of stutters, echoes, filters, and gating effects.

Logic Remote

Control features like Live Loops, Remix FX, and more from your iPad or iPhone using Multi-Touch gestures.

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Step SequencerPure beat poetry.

Step Sequencer is inspired by classic drum machines and synthesizers. Using the Step Sequence editor, quickly build drum beats, bass lines, and melodic parts — and even automate your favorite plug-ins. Add sophisticated variations to your pattern with a wide range of creative playback behaviors. Use Note Repeat to create rolling steps, Chance to randomize step playback, and Tie Steps Together to create longer notes.

Logic RemoteTouch and flow.

Logic Remote lets you use your iPhone or iPad to control Logic Pro X on your Mac. Use Multi-Touch gestures to play software instruments, mix tracks, and control features like Live Loops and Remix FX from anywhere in the room. Swipe and tap to trigger cells in Live Loops. And tilt your iPhone or iPad up and down and use its gyroscope to manipulate filters and repeaters in Remix FX.

Multi-Touch mixing

Control your mix from wherever you are in the room — whether that’s next to your computer or on the couch — with Multi-Touch faders.

Pair and play

Use a variety of onscreen instruments, such as keyboards, guitars, and drum pads, to play any software instrument in Logic Pro X from your iPad or iPhone.

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Sampler

We redesigned and improved our most popular plug-in — the EXS24 Sampler — and renamed it Sampler. The new single-window design makes it easier to create and edit sampler instruments while remaining backward compatible with all EXS24 files. An expanded synthesis section with sound-shaping controls brings more depth and dynamics to your instruments. The reimagined mapping editor adds powerful, time-saving features that speed the creation of complex instruments. Use the zone waveform editor to make precise edits to sample start/end, loop ranges, and crossfades. And save hours of tedious editing with new drag-and-drop hot zones.

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Quick Sampler

Quick Sampler is a fast and easy way to work with a single sample. Drag and drop an audio file from the Finder, Voice Memos, or anywhere within Logic Pro X. Or record audio directly into Quick Sampler using a turntable, microphone, musical instrument, or even channel strips playing in Logic Pro X. In a few steps, you can transform an individual sample into a fully playable instrument. And with Slice Mode, you can split a single sample into multiple slices — perfect for chopping up vocals or breaking up and resequencing drum loops.

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Drum Synth

This powerful but easy-to-use plug-in creates synthesized drum sounds. Choose from a diverse collection of drum models and shape their sound with up to eight simple controls. Drum Synth is also directly integrated into the bottom of the Drum Machine Designer interface — giving you a focused set of sound-shaping controls.

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Drum Machine Designer

Redesigned to be more intuitive and integrated, Drum Machine Designer lets you effortlessly build electronic drum kits. Apply individual effects and plug-ins on each discrete drum pad to experiment with sound design and beat-making in new ways. You can also create a unique layered sound by assigning the same trigger note to two different pads. To help you quickly edit sounds, Quick Sampler and Drum Synth are directly integrated into the Drum Machine Designer interface.

DrummerCompose to the beat of a different percussionist.

Using Drummer is like hiring a session drummer or collaborating with a highly skilled beat programmer. Create organic-sounding acoustic drum tracks or electronic beats with the intelligent technology of Drummer. Choose from dozens of drummers who each play in a different musical genre, and direct their performances using simple controls.

Compositions and PerformancesYour studio is always in session.

Logic Pro X turns your Mac into a professional recording studio able to handle even the most demanding projects. Capture your compositions and performances — from tracking a live band to a solo software-instrument session — and flow them into your songs.

The ultimate way to record.

Seamless punch recording. Automatic take management. Support for pristine 24-bit/192kHz audio. Logic Pro X makes it all easy to do — and undo. You can create projects with up to 1000 stereo or surround audio tracks and up to 1000 software instrument tracks, and run hundreds of plug-ins. It’s all you need to complete any project.

Get the most out of MIDI.

Logic Pro X goes beyond the average sequencer with an advanced set of options that let you record, edit, and manipulate MIDI performances. Transform a loose performance into one that locks tight into the groove using region-based parameters for note velocity, timing, and dynamics. Or tighten up your MIDI performances while preserving musical details like flams or chord rolls with Smart Quantize.

Industry-leading tools

As your song develops, Logic Pro X helps organize all your ideas and select the best ones. Group related tracks, audition alternate versions, and consolidate multiple tracks. Lightning-fast click-and-drag comping helps you build your best performance from multiple takes.

Smart Tempo

Go off-script and stay on beat with Smart Tempo, a way to effortlessly mix and match music and beats without worrying about the original tempo. Record freely without a click track. And easily combine and edit MIDI and audio tracks — from vinyl samples to live instruments to multitrack audio stems — with constant or variable tempo.

Flex Time

Quickly manipulate the timing and tempo of your recording with Flex Time. Easily move the individual beats within a waveform to correct drum, vocal, guitar, or any other kind of track without slicing and moving regions.

Flex Pitch

Edit the level and pitch of individual notes quickly and easily with Flex Pitch. Roll over any note and all parameters are available for tweaking.

Track Alternatives

Create alternate versions of a track or multiple grouped tracks, and switch between them at any time to audition different options. Create, store, and select from different edits and arrangements of track regions to make it easier to experiment with various creative ideas.

Takes and Quick Swipe Comping

Click and drag to choose the best sections of each take to create a seamless comp, complete with transition-smoothing crossfades. Save multiple comps and switch among them to pick the one you like best.

Track Stacks

Consolidate multiple related tracks into a single track. Use a Summing Stack as a quick way to create submixes. Or create layered and split instruments.

Project Alternatives

Create as many alternate versions of a project as you’d like, each with its own name and settings but sharing the same assets — efficiently saving storage space. Load any version to make changes without compromising your original.

Track Groups and VCA Faders

Manage large mixes with Track Groups and VCA faders. Assign any selection of channels to a track group, then control the levels or other parameters of all tracks in the group from any single channel in the group.

Automation

Easily capture changes to any channel strip or plug-in parameter. Just enable automation, press Play, and make your changes.

Even more pro features in the mix.

Logic Pro X is packed with incredible tools and resources to enhance your creativity and workflow as you sharpen your craft — even if you’re a seasoned pro.

Graduate from GarageBand.

Logic Remote. Touch and flow.

Which Mac For Music Production

MainStage 3

Sound as great onstage as you do in the studio.

Education Bundle

Five amazing apps. One powerful collection.

What is the best Mac for music production?

Music production requires high-quality equipment, including a high-quality computer that can handle modern, high-power recording and production software. Fortunately, most music production software is compatible with Mac computers.

The best Mac for audio production overall might be the Mac Pro, simply because it has the most powerful processor, but, in the end, it all depends on the music producer’s needs. People in this business need a reliable computer with plenty of memory and storage. Doing a little research before purchasing ensures the user gets a laptop to fit their specific needs.

Lightweight Mac computers for everyday use

Some music careers require portability, and MacBooks are the perfect match in this case, though they are less powerful than desktop computers. DJs and events coordinators may find MacBooks ideal since they are lightweight and easy to carry around.

MacBook Pro

The MacBook Pro boasts a powerful processor for a laptop, giving it the ability to power bigger programs reliably. Users can lay multiple tracks fast and run large programs without losing speed. This MacBook comes with:

  • 4-, 9-, or 8-core Intel processors;
  • up to 32GB of memory;
  • Retina display with True Tone technology;
  • Touch Bar and Touch ID for more productivity.

Mac Productions Covington Ky

The Touch Bar sits at the top of the keyboard and automatically adapts to whatever program is running. This means that the user will have more control over audio production apps, like Logic Pro X, and it could eliminate the need for a wireless mouse. With the Touch Bar, music producers can jump to a location, fine-tune sounds, and turn the Touch Bar into an instrument they need.

The MacBook Pro also comes in two sizes — a 13-inch and a 15-inch — and starts at $1,299. Both sizes come with solid-state drives (SSDs) for secure storage while traveling — something that will come in handy for music producers on-the-go.

MacBook Air

Being the lightest MacBook, this laptop is a great portable device to have. It weighs 2.75 pounds and is made from 100% recycled aluminum, making it eco-friendly. The MacBook Air starts at $1,099 and features:

  • high-resolution Retina display with True Tone technology;
  • Touch ID;
  • up to 16GB of memory;
  • an eighth-generation Intel Core i5 processor.

Though it is one of the lightest laptops you can get, the MacBook Air lacks screen space and may not be powerful enough for the music programs needed. It comes with 1TB of SSD storage, which allows for fast app launches and plenty of room for documents and pictures, but might not be enough for music programs and associated files.

But, even the most powerful laptops may get slower over time. We recommend using optimization software, like CleanMyMac X, to easily manage massive files and data on your machine and increase its performance. It will clear up old, unused files, hidden/background apps, and other memory-hogs that can also help preserve peak performance over any Mac's life.

Powerful laptops for an amazing performance

High-end audio work requires a high-powered central processing unit (CPU). CPUs do a lot of the “heavy lifting” on a computer, as its main job is to execute programs. In correlation, the bigger the processor, the better the music programs will run.

iMac Pro

The iMac Pro is an all-in-one and starts at $4,999. It also provides a variety of ports to connect any equipment needed, like microphones, extra monitors, and USB instruments. The iMac Pro comes with:

Mac production date
  • 8-,10-, 14-, or 18-core processor;
  • Radeon Pro Vega graphics;
  • up to 256GB of memory;
  • 4TB of SSD.
Production

With a 27-inch screen, a music producer can open several programs without having to flip between screens. Plus, with 4TB of all-flash storage, multiple music projects can be saved and loaded without the worry of the computer slowing down.

In case you have some issues with memory due to the excessive amount of apps, you could use CleanMyMac X’s Uninstaller module. It will remove unused apps from your Mac and delete leftovers that are usually hidden in your machine’s memory. Here’s how to use the Uninstaller module:

  1. Download CleanMyMac X for free here.
  2. Launch the app and select Uninstaller.
  3. Check the boxes next to apps you want to remove and click Uninstall.
  4. After CleanMyMac X removed the apps, check the Leftovers tab to delete the remaining data.

CleanMyMac will then get rid of unnecessary apps and their data.

But, what if you cleaning your Mac doesn’t make it more powerful? Then our next option will be great for you.

Mac Pro

The Mac Pro is available with a 28-core processor, which means it’s the most powerful Mac to date. This Mac is made for professionals who need the best CPU performance. Music producers can play hundreds of virtual instruments with this Mac and store tons of files without the risk of running out. It also features:

  • up to 1.5TB of memory;
  • 360-degree access to customize and expand;
  • Apple Afterburner which allows the user to work with 4K and 8K files;
  • Mac Pro Expansion Model, which allows for high-performance graphics.

The Mac Pro also comes with an additional 4TB of SSD storage, so music producers can save and download multiple files in any size. It has various ports to plug into to connect any equipment needed. This is useful for those who are studio recording or mixing and mastering.

Affordable Macbooks for all-purpose use

Price can be a factor in decision making like this. However, music producers shouldn’t let price stand in the way of performance. Mac has affordable options for people in this line of work.

iMac

The original iMac is an all-in-one that has an updated processor that allows for speed and high performance. It comes in two screen sizes, with a 21.5-inch and 27-inch screen. This computer’s processor boasts speeds of up to 5.0GHz, which means running applications like Logic X Pro will be effortless. The iMac also features:

  • up to 5K retina display;
  • up to 3TB of Fusion Drive;
  • multiple USB ports.

For those looking for a big screen and an affordable price, the iMac could likely be the best of both worlds, starting at $1,799.

Mac Mini

The Mac Mini is powerful, fast, and relatively inexpensive compared to the MacBooks and iMacs. At $799, the Mini comes with new eighth-generation 6- and quad-core processors and up to 64GB of memory. It also has the same connectivity as an iMac so that music producers can hook up multiple instruments and microphones. Other features include:

  • up to 2TB SSD storage;
  • four Thunderbolt 3 ports;
  • up to 4.6GHz Turbo Boost.

With the added SSD storage, music producers are able to save, download, and upload multiple large files, like a live concert sound engine.

Mac

In general, it’s important to look at memory and storage when considering an ideal computer since music producers will handle numerous amount of large files that need to be accessed quickly. Though music producers might think they need a computer with a powerful processor, the best type of computer really depends on the user’s needs. Whether you are a DJ traveling to gigs or a sound technician with a studio, Macs are a reliable choice for your future career.