Composer needs advice from mac gurus asap!! Thanks!

[passenger57]

Hi there - my PC died and I have a big gig coming up. I've been frustrated by my PC DAWS and want to switch to a MAC/Logic 9 setup. But I know little about macs... This is what I want to do - will this system work? - iMac 2.8GHz Intel Core i5 4GB (two 2GB) memory - Vienna Ensemble Pro - Two Slave PC's Windows 7 64bit running Vienna Ensemble Pro (will a host MAC with with 2 slave PCs in VEP?) - Logic Pro 9 - Altiverb (Is Altiverb working with Logic/Mac ok? - UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid firewire/usb interface - NI's Kore 2 and Maschine

[mosso]

I'm running a setup similar to the one you mention. Master machine running Logic 9 with 2 PC slave machines (XP Home & Win 7) over VEP. Altiverb is working fine in OSX - no issues at all. I'm also using the Ultralite mk3 Hybrid and no problems there either.

I'm not sure it's a good idea to change DAWs right before a big gig though.

M

[passenger57]

Oh good I feel relieved. Thanks so much. Yea my PC is on the fritz anyway and I really wanted to upgrade to mac. Worst case I can use my other DAW (Cubase) on a Mac for this gig, but I thought I'd see if I could learn Logic in a weekend - it would make a good story someday..hehe

[BadOrange]

just make sure you have internet access as you will be trying to do something and the way to do it is rather different from cubase. I've had to search some rather embarrassingly basic things when I switched.

[MS]

I don't know if it is much help for you - but from a developers point of view I would recommend Cubase on PC.

[passenger57]

Cubase 5.5 (the latest update) has a fatal score error bug that I had confirmed by the developers on cubase.net. In a nutshell, if you have the score view open (which is essential for me) and toggle between midi tracks, a bug occurs where random midi tracks record enable. That bug almost killed me from stress on my last gig. Literally! Also, in Cubase I don't like having to automate below the lanes for midi - I much prefer automating on them like in Protools or Sonar. I can't get used to that. I'm bummed that Logic does not appear to be able to automate anything other than volume and pan on the lanes. (Protools does this the best) Automating all midi data on lanes is absolutely essential for me for huge midi orchestral templates. It's just my composer brain here. I've scored over 30 films in all the major DAWS (expect Logic) and always have issues with various things. One thing for sure, I need: 1. Stability with all my plugins. 2. Ability to automate on the midi tracks 3. Pro video features 4. Score view. 5. Fast bounce. Simple. All of the DAWS do at least one of these things well. Here is my grip list on DAWS... Protools 9 - No fast bounce / Cubase 5 - buggy and no automation on lanes (automating on lanes is essential for me for huge midi orchestral templates) It is also a little convoluted for me as far as workflow. Two or three steps to do the same things other DAWS do in one step. / Sonar 8.5 - video features very lacking. Cannot import HD quicktime / Digital Performer - No fast bounce... so Logic seems to be the only DAW that does all the things I want. Provided I can get used to some sort of work around for automating CC11 data (like converting PAN to CC11) or something like that. Then again CC7 vs CC11 is another topic all together.

[Karel]

@MS said:

I don't know if it is much help for you - but from a developers point of view I would recommend Cubase on PC. 

I have to agree there.

[musos]

@passenger57 said:

....  I'm bummed that Logic does not appear to be able to automate anything other than volume and pan on the lanes.

You can automate almost anything in Logic's Arrange window - every parameter of every Logic plugin, plus most parameters of 3rd party plugs. It's incredibly powerful....

[passenger57]

Thanks - I just purchased Logic - very happy =)