Mac Mini

Yep - Billy is right, if the audio software you use is available for the PC and you are happy with Windows then stay right there as it can work just as well as the Mac.

On the audio interface side, the preferred options are:

1) PCI Card
2) Firewire
3) USB2

That is in order of efficiency, ie if you have a suitable PC, a PCI sound card will be your best bet, unless you want to also use it with a laptop for example then you would be wise to go Firewire. Have a Google to find one that meets your needs in terms of inputs & outputs then look for some user opinion at audio sites with forums like kvr-audio.com, or indeed here I guess :)

Here are some good manufacturers of audio interfaces to get you started:

http://www.rme-audio.com
http://www.m-audio.com
http://www.presonus.com
http://www.echoaudio.com
http://www.edirol.com

If you are on a budget, m-audio are the place to start, and at the other side of the scale are rme-audio who make amazing but fairly expensive kit.

cheers :)
 
The x-fi has good fidelity but its really a different type of audio card than you would traditionally buy for recording or producing. However if you are getting good performance from it then there is no need to change.. after all - it's you that makes the music, not the equipment ;)
 
I really wouldn't be all over the Mac mini for this. Spending more on the DigiDesign box than the Mac is insane. At least use an iMac.
 
Caged said:
I really wouldn't be all over the Mac mini for this. Spending more on the DigiDesign box than the Mac is insane. At least use an iMac.
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I disagree. The logic behind purchasing a more expensive machine just to pair it with something in the same price bracket is foolish...

In my experience I believe it really is better to get the mini over the iMac in this instance as the real world difference of the Core Duo & Core 2 Duo is not worth the extra cash payout imho.

I've used early G4's with the same Digidesign 002 and it ran great (for what it is - small + portable recording solution).. so, I guess you could say that's another thing to consider with this.. the iMac couldn't be rack mounted ;)

It boils down.. if you need a mobile solution; go mini + rack. otherwise if you consider yourself a pro-sumer and want a fixed solution with a bit more ompfh then go iMac, however if you're a professional then i'd go Mac Pro + Pro Tools control desk (what I have, albeit G5)

All depends on budget.. but I believe the portability of the mini edges it in this instance.
 
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I did miss the portability thing in the OP, so the Mini does make sense. Might want an external hard drive though.
 
Yeah.

Go for a meaty Firewire external hard drive (or 2 if you're worried bout backups) and i think it'd be a killer first setup :cool:
 
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