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Frank F · Posted: Tue May 26, 2009 9:48 pm Post subject: Mac Mini Suggestions Wanted

For the technically Mac challenged - me, I have decided to buy a personal Apple playtoy. I do not want a laptop, but I do want something quiet and robust and if necessary semi portable - in other words, small enough to take along when a monitor or two is not going to be an obstacle.

I have been looking at the Mac Mini for use as an audio workstation with BootCamp, this is so I do not lose my current knowledge and use of software for the "dark side". I am also looking into the possibility of learning Final Cut Studio and a few other Apple only products. I have a couple of SATA external drives I can dedicate to this new device and audio interfaces which work to my advantage.

So here is the deal for any Mac aficionados, what are your suggestions and why?

Is anyone using a Mini for audio recording/editing? How much RAM? Speed? Core Duo? OS? You name it, I do not know it.

Your suggestions are welcome.

Toodles

F2
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CarynClark · Posted: Wed May 27, 2009 6:01 am Post subject:

Oh yay, something I can kinda sorta help with.

I posted questions here about the MacMini and other Macs a while back.

See this thread:
http://www.vo-bb.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=6319&start=0

And this thread was started by Rob Ellis, but I chimed in at the end. You'll want to read that, as it's about upgrading the RAM in the Mac Mini. It can be done... it's like surgery, but it can be done. There are videos online to show you the steps. It's upgradeable to 3GB. Read all about it here...

http://www.vo-bb.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=7500&start=15
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jasbart · Posted: Wed May 27, 2009 6:06 am Post subject:

Frank:

I use a Mac Mini for voice recording on a daily basis. I bought it back in 2007 when I moved to Philly and it became evident that I could no longer use my Mac G4 ("The Wind Tunnel") in my small studio. The Mini has worked perfectly, is the quietest computer I've ever used. A few months ago I maxed out the memory to 4 Gigs just to see if the already good performance could be goosed a little.

As I mentioned, mine's a little older so the Processor is 1.83 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4 gigs memory, Mac OS X v10.4.11 (didn't want to upgrade to Leopard due to Pro Tools issues).

I use Pro Tools with a first generation Mbox.

Jim
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Rob Ellis · M&M Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2385 Location: Detroit

2.4 gigs of memory here on a Mac Mini, Frank.

I tried running Windows XP in a virtual machine, but never did figure out how to get it to recognize my hardware (MOTU Ultralite).

Decided to go completely Mac and started migrating my contacts from Outlook Express to Mac Mail and Address Book. It gave me an excuse to recontact my database.

I use Amadeus Pro, and don't miss Audition at all. Amadeus has all the basic stuff and multi-tracking ability.(and only $40)

Plus going Mac allowed me to use my Apogee Duet as in interface, which previously could only be deployed on my laptop(my first Mac)

Warning:Once you go Mac, you will quickly lose your "patience" for Windows
but you won't be sorry! cool

Frank F · Posted: Wed May 27, 2009 5:47 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the pointer to the other post "iCaryn" and everyone else.

From what I can tell the features I need/want are more RAM and if I can get it more RAM.

How about hooking up dual monitors? Bigger hard drives? Justin Kaiser offered some tips, but I am so much a Mac neophyte that it all escapes me and my little mind.

Anyone editing video on a Mini?

Toodles

F2
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georgethetech · Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 12:16 am Post subject:

F2:
If you are going to run dual monitors and edit video on the Mac Mini, buy the latest incarnation of the Mac Mini 2009. It can support 2 monitors (with appropriate MiniDVI and display port adapters), and has better video horsepower than past models. CPU wise the Mini is the weakest of the Apple line, but it is still quite capable with the Core 2 Duo 2 Ghz CPU. You should have no problem editing video in iMovie or FCP, as long as you aren't doing anything too complex in HD, and don't mind waiting longer to export and transcode video. Heavy video users opt for the fastest Mac possible to for encoding purposes. H.264 is an amazing codec but requires mucho horsepower!

You can crack the case if you aren't worried about warranty and upgrade RAM and Disk, but I say buy it with the most RAM possible and just use external drives for your scratch disks and offline storage. $750 gets you 4GB RAM and 120GB disk. I always HIGHLY recommend purchasing Apple Care for ANY Apple product because they are very expensive to fix. You can buy it anytime before the initial 1 year warranty ends. FYI, you can use any DVI monitor, Windows USB keyboard and mouse with a Mac, just know that the Command=Windows key, and you're pretty much all set!
Have fun!
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Frank F · Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 2:30 am Post subject:

Thank you Sir, that is what I needed. I am looking to play at this point with an entry level Mac only.

However, with your comments in mind what would you suggest for a faster, more powerful Mac product for FCP - semi-inexpensively?

F2
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TheVoiceOfBob · Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 7:28 am Post subject:

I use my Mac Mini exclusively for my recording. Dual boot so I can have WinXP and OS X. Mine is an older Intel, 2gig. Maxed out the RAM and she works like a dream. Just be sure to turn off the wireless. Causes headaches with Adobe Audition.

Any Intel chip version will allow Windows. That way you can play with either OS. Dual monitors will require a newer model, as was mentioned earlier. I bought mine used.

If you just want to play Frank, just get any of the Intel models. Give me a ring if you want to chat about it. We support all the different Macs here on campus at my "other" job, so I am familiar and have some experts I can bounce questions off of. We are a certified Apple repair location.
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georgethetech · Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 9:38 am Post subject:

That's good to know, Bob!
Sometimes I just get completely stumped by an Apple problem after scouring the discussions.apple.com forums and would love a Mac geek resource.
I know a lot, but there is still so much I don't know...
Frank, honestly, you aren't going to notice a big jump in performance until you go to a Mac Pro. I would avoid the iMacs, although they are an excellent value, the video card in my 2 year old iMac24 is giving out and the cost of repair is as much as it is worth. If I had bought Apple Care by the end of the first year, I'd be covered.
My 1st gen Intel Mac Mini, however, is still rockin'.
_________________
If it sounds good, it is good.
George Whittam
GeorgeThe.Tech
424-226-8528
VOBS.TV Co-host
TheProAudioSuite.com Co-host
TriBooth.com Co-founder

georgethetech · Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 7:48 pm Post subject:

Fresh batch of Mac Mini goodness on the Apple refurb store. Get em while you can!
In fact, I snagged a Mac Mini 2Ghz, just couldn't pass it up. It will go into home theater duty here.
_________________
If it sounds good, it is good.
George Whittam
GeorgeThe.Tech
424-226-8528
VOBS.TV Co-host
TheProAudioSuite.com Co-host
TriBooth.com Co-founder

Frank F · Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 9:52 pm Post subject:

Way cool! Thank you Sir!

F2
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Be thankful for the bad things in life. They opened your eyes to the good things you weren't paying attention to before. email: thevoice@usa.com

captain54 · Lucky 700 Joined: 30 Jan 2006 Posts: 744 Location: chicago

jrkaiser · Guest

Frank, if you're technically proficient... Here's the Ram upgrade I put into both of mine... This is for the new mini recently released a few months ago. The ram upgrade kit is 2 2 gig sticks. There are 2 slots inside the Mini for ram. Make sure it's seated well. $65

http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=AE7BB1EEA5CA7304

You'll need a wide putty knife and small phillips screwdriver...

The mini comes with a Mini-DVI to DVI adaptor... you're going to need a monitor with DVI or a DVI to VGA adaptor. If you want to run dual monitors the new mini is capable of that with both a mini-dvi port and a mini display port. For dual monitors you'll need a Belkin mini display port to DVI adaptor... $30

I purchased the $599 version... the extra gig of ram and bigger hard drive isn't worth the additional $200 in my opinion. For that cost, I can pick up a ram upgrade and a terabyte FW800 drive.

You can also find a USB2 case or dock for your SATA drives. Transfer won't be as fast as FW800 but it's not so bad.

The Mini has 1 FW800 port and I think 5 USB ports... there are many USB audio "cards" available that will work for you... same for video, etc.

I've dedicated 1 mini to MAC OSX and 1 to XP SP3 on Boot Camp... you could run XP in Parallels as well if you'd like...

OSX uses all 4 gig of RAM... XP will handle 3+ gig...

I bought the first to use as a video editor for video podcasts... I bought the second because I fell in love with the first and love how ultra quiet it was... and how I haven't had ANY problems except a ram seating issue that required a disassembly and re-seating...

I moved from Outlook to Entourage for mail, LOVE IT. Using adobe Soundbooth on the OSX side and Audition 3 on the XP side...

ALSO WITH PARALLELS USB AUDIO SOMETIMES WORKS... DEPENDS ON THE INTERFACE... FIREWIRE DOES NOT WORK THROUGH PARALLELS OR VMWARE...