Ok, I am running Cool Edit Pro 2.1, FL Studio 9, Acoustica Beatcraft, plus some other lesser programs off a 5-year-old Toshiba laptop and it's getting to the point where I can barely run 4 tracks without it lagging. I also have limited outboard gear at the moment.


I am thinking of buying the following beastcake:

• iMac Quad-core 2.8GHz, upgraded to 16GB RAM, and 2TB of space
• with Logic Studio 9
• and Absynth 5

All in all it'll cost me a hefty £3400. I will probably run FL Studio on it if I can, for the sake of posterity. The only problem with all this is that I have never had a Mac before, let alone ever used Logic, other than briefly in an Apple Store. But I've heard wonderful things, and two of my idols (both the Dev and Steve Wilson) confess to using Logic. So I'm kinda relying on this... My questions are:

1. Is this a stupid idea given I've never used the software?

2. I have uptil now been using plugins, a lot of them VSTs, and I know that Logic isn't compatible with VSTs. Is this ever a problem for anyone using Logic? Are it's Audio Units any good? Are there many free ones out there? I'm already spending a fortune on the system, I really don't want to spend a lot on plugins.

3. What are the best drum packages to buy with Logic? Is it's inbuilt drum sampler any good?

4. I am happy with 2TB. But I've never run Logic and want to know, have I gone overkill with the 16GB of memory? Would 8GB suffice, bearing in mind it costs about £640 for the extra 8 gigs (I may be running close to 100 tracks too)?

5. Being a n00b, FL Studio is the most powerful thing I've ever used. For anyone who's used both FL Studio and Logic, how do they compare? I friggin' love FL Studio's synth capabilities (esp. Sytrus), so does Logic have anything comparable?


Thanks a lot! I really don't have the money to spend on this, so I need to make sure it's the right decision...

1. Is this a stupid idea given I've never used the software?

No, but there will be a learning curve.

4. I am happy with 2TB. But I've never run Logic and want to know, have I gone overkill with the 16GB of memory? Would 8GB suffice, bearing in mind it costs about £640 for the extra 8 gigs (I may be running close to 100 tracks too)?

I don't think you'll regret the 16 GB.

5. Being a n00b, FL Studio is the most powerful thing I've ever used. For anyone who's used both FL Studio and Logic, how do they compare? I friggin' love FL Studio's synth capabilities (esp. Sytrus), so does Logic have anything comparable?

The learning curve for Logic is a lot steeper, but I don't own Logic. I had a composition/piano instructor that had it and we did some stuff with it. I'm not totally sure what it's got in the way of synth, but I'd imagine it's at least comparable to FL.

My own thoughts on this are that if you don't really have the money to make such a huge investment, and don't know where you'll come up with it after the fact, it isn't a wise decision. That said, it's a monster of a setup, so it will be badass, and I therefore support it.

Oh, and having a Mac is actually pretty nice (most of the time), despite what a few other forum-goers will no doubt stop by to say.

That said, it's a monster of a setup, so it will be badass, and I therefore support it.

Thanks . I was thinking about the Mac Pro, but really, a stock Mac Pro has the same specs as an iMac with all the upgrade boxes ticked -- it's just more expensive. Unless you want to venture into the distant, strange land of eight processor cores, 32GB Ram and a 4TB hard drive, which is a bit beyond my immediate musical requirements (about £1500 beyond my immediate musical requirements).

When I say I don't have the money.. what I mean is, I have spent £3000 in far, far more idiotic ways.

That said, it's a monster of a setup, so it will be badass, and I therefore support it.

Thanks . I was thinking about the Mac Pro, but really, a stock Mac Pro has the same specs as an iMac with all the upgrade boxes ticked -- it's just more expensive. Unless you want to venture into the distant, strange land of eight processor cores, 32GB Ram and a 4TB hard drive, which is a bit beyond my immediate musical requirements (about £1500 beyond my immediate musical requirements).

When I say I don't have the money.. what I mean is, I have spent £3000 in far, far more idiotic ways.

If I had the money, I'd do it. For preference, I like doing musical stuff on a Mac. Other stuff, PC is grand, but the Mac is really my prefered system for music stuff.

Logic DOES have a learning curve, but it's no worse than other programs. It should come with a manual, and there are plenty really good online tutorials if you get lost. It does have alot of sounds you can use straight off the bat, and plenty more you can download. Works nicely with Reason, too (if you've had a chance to use it).

I would hesitate at the price, but if you feel you can drop that amount of money, then I'd go for it! ^^

There will be loads of tutorials on the internet for all the "big" software... So don't worry about not knowing the software beforehand. It won't take long for you to get comfortable with the basics.