logicnewbie123 Posted July 30, 2020 Share Posted July 30, 2020 Hi everyone! I'm looking into getting a MacBook for when I'm out of town and need to record vocals (I have a pretty powerful iMac at home). I mostly record vocals, and occasionally do use Logic's built-in software instruments. My vocal tracks usually have EQ, compression, a de-esser, and reverb. I'm quite the amateur when it comes to this stuff. I might use it for Final Cut as well for some more amateur 1080p level video editing. I like the portability of the MacBook Air, but I know it's generally more meant for people who browse the net and what not, and that the fan can get loud. Would it be worth getting a higher spec MacBook Air, or should I ignore the Air altogether based on what I'd use it for? If the MacBook Pro is worth it for my needs, what specs would you suggest? Thanks everyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triplets Posted July 31, 2020 Share Posted July 31, 2020 How much are you willing to spend? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
logicnewbie123 Posted July 31, 2020 Author Share Posted July 31, 2020 How much are you willing to spend? As much as I'd need—I could say I'd afford a higher tier MacBook Pro, but I wouldn't want to spend that much if it never gets used for my purposes. I do have a maxed out iMac at home, and I don't travel too much, but it would be nice to have the option to work on my recordings when I do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triplets Posted July 31, 2020 Share Posted July 31, 2020 Then I would definitely suggest a 15-inch macbook pro with a quad-core CPU. You can decide what year from 2012 onwards, based on the ports you need. The 2012 non-retina were the last models where you could still change HD and Ram. After that everything became fixed and/or soldered. In 2016 they switched over to Thunderbolt 3/USB-C, so you're in adapter-land. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JakobP Posted July 31, 2020 Share Posted July 31, 2020 One other thing to consider is that those 2012 machines will not go higher than Catalina, same goes for both my macs... Big Sur is only for late 2013 and newer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
facej Posted July 31, 2020 Share Posted July 31, 2020 A MacBook Air should be able to record without ever lighting up the fans...unless you are monitoring your vocal at the output side of Logic (running all the processors live while you sing). Mixing? all depends on how many tracks and how many software instruments, etc. I would certainly bounce the software instruments to an audio file and work with that once the parts are "complete". But recording? I've recorded 16 tracks live from an XR18 to Logic running on a rev 2 MacBook (of course no fans) and not melted it down Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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