Aug 31, 2020. A tech news video about the new 2020 MacBook Pro 13'. Is it good for music production? Well, my answer would be 'yes' if you don't rely on certain plugin (li. The power of Mac. Taken further. Dedicated apps for music, TV, and podcasts. Smart new features like Sidecar, powerful technologies for developers, and your favorite iPad apps, now on Mac. MacOS is the operating system that powers every Mac. It lets you do things you simply can’t with other computers. Mar 03, 2020.
What Is the Best Mac for Music Production?
Music production requires high-quality equipment, including a high-quality computer that can handle modern, high-power recording and production software. Fortunately, most music production software is compatible with Mac computers.
The best Mac for audio production overall might be the Mac Pro, simply because it has the most powerful processor, but, in the end, it all depends on the music producer’s needs. People in this business need a reliable computer with plenty of memory and storage. Doing a little research before purchasing ensures the user gets a laptop to fit their specific needs.
Lightweight Mac computers for everyday use
Some music careers require portability, and MacBooks are the perfect match in this case, though they are less powerful than desktop computers. DJs and events coordinators may find MacBooks ideal since they are lightweight and easy to carry around.
MacBook Pro
The MacBook Pro boasts a powerful processor for a laptop, giving it the ability to power bigger programs reliably. Users can lay multiple tracks fast and run large programs without losing speed. This MacBook comes with:
- 4-, 9-, or 8-core Intel processors;
- up to 32GB of memory;
- Retina display with True Tone technology;
- Touch Bar and Touch ID for more productivity.
The Touch Bar sits at the top of the keyboard and automatically adapts to whatever program is running. This means that the user will have more control over audio production apps, like Logic Pro X, and it could eliminate the need for a wireless mouse. With the Touch Bar, music producers can jump to a location, fine-tune sounds, and turn the Touch Bar into an instrument they need.
The MacBook Pro also comes in two sizes — a 13-inch and a 15-inch — and starts at $1,299. Both sizes come with solid-state drives (SSDs) for secure storage while traveling — something that will come in handy for music producers on-the-go.
MacBook Air
Being the lightest MacBook, this laptop is a great portable device to have. It weighs 2.75 pounds and is made from 100% recycled aluminum, making it eco-friendly. The MacBook Air starts at $1,099 and features:
- high-resolution Retina display with True Tone technology;
- Touch ID;
- up to 16GB of memory;
- an eighth-generation Intel Core i5 processor.
Though it is one of the lightest laptops you can get, the MacBook Air lacks screen space and may not be powerful enough for the music programs needed. It comes with 1TB of SSD storage, which allows for fast app launches and plenty of room for documents and pictures, but might not be enough for music programs and associated files.
But, even the most powerful laptops may get slower over time. We recommend using optimization software, like CleanMyMac X, to easily manage massive files and data on your machine and increase its performance. It will clear up old, unused files, hidden/background apps, and other memory-hogs can also help preserve peak performance over the life of any Mac.
Powerful laptops for amazing performance
High-end audio work requires a high-powered central processing unit (CPU). CPUs do a lot of the “heavy lifting” on a computer, as its main job is to execute programs. In correlation, the bigger the processor, the better the music programs will run.
iMac Pro
The iMac Pro is an all-in-one and starts at $4,999. It also provides a variety of ports to connect any equipment needed, like microphones, extra monitors, and USB instruments. The iMac Pro comes with:
- 8-,10-, 14-, or 18-core processor;
- Radeon Pro Vega graphics;
- up to 256GB of memory;
- 4TB of SSD.
With a 27-inch screen, a music producer can open several programs without having to flip between screens. Plus, with 4TB of all-flash storage, multiple music projects can be saved and loaded without the worry of the computer slowing down.
In case you have some issues with memory due to the excessive amount of apps, you could use CleanMyMac X’s Uninstaller module. It will remove unused apps from your Mac and delete leftovers that are usually hidden in your machine’s memory. Here’s how to use the Uninstaller module:
- Download CleanMyMac X for free here.
- Launch the app and select Uninstaller.
- Check the boxes next to apps you want to remove and click Uninstall.
- After CleanMyMac X removed the apps, check the Leftovers tab to delete the remaining data.
CleanMyMac will then get rid of unnecessary apps and their data.
But, what if you cleaning your Mac doesn’t make it more powerful? Then our next option will be great for you.
Mac Pro
The Mac Pro is available with a 28-core processor, which means it’s the most powerful Mac to date. This Mac is made for professionals who need the best CPU performance. Music producers are able to play hundreds of virtual instruments with this Mac and can store tons of files without the risk of running out. It also features:
- up to 1.5TB of memory;
- 360-degree access to customize and expand;
- Apple Afterburner which allows the user to work with 4K and 8K files;
- Mac Pro Expansion Model which allows for high-performance graphics.
The Mac Pro also comes with an additional 4TB of SSD storage, so music producers can save and download multiple files in any size. It has various ports to plug into to connect any equipment needed. This is useful for those who are studio recording or mixing and mastering.
Affordable Macbooks for all-purpose use
Price can be a factor in decision making like this. However, music producers shouldn’t let price stand in the way of performance. Mac has affordable options for people in this line of work.
iMac
The original iMac is an all-in-one that has an updated processor that allows for speed and high performance. It comes in two screen sizes, with a 21.5-inch and 27-inch screen. This computer’s processor boasts speeds of up to 5.0GHz, which means running applications like Logic X Pro will be effortless. The iMac also features:
- up to 5K retina display;
- up to 3TB of Fusion Drive;
- multiple USB ports.
For those looking for a big screen and an affordable price, the iMac could likely be the best of both worlds, starting at $1,799.
Mac Mini
The Mac Mini is powerful, fast, and relatively inexpensive compared to the MacBooks and iMacs. At $799, the Mini comes with new eighth-generation 6- and quad-core processors as well as up to 64GB of memory. It also has the same connectivity as an iMac so that music producers can hook up multiple instruments and microphones. Other features include:
- up to 2TB SSD storage;
- four Thunderbolt 3 ports;
- up to 4.6GHz Turbo Boost.
With the added SSD storage, music producers are able to save, download, and upload multiple large files, like a live concert sound engine.
In general, it’s important to look at memory and storage when considering an ideal computer, since music producers will handle a numerous amount of large files that need to be accessed quickly. Though music producers might think they need a computer with a powerful processor, the best type of computer really depends on the user’s needs. Whether you are a DJ traveling to gigs or a sound technician with a studio, Macs are a reliable choice for your future career.
Last Updated: March 5th, 2019
Music player software has been in trend soon after the launch of smartphones several years ago. Mobile operating systems including Android, iOS etc along with the PC supported OS such as Windows, Mac and others have provided a provision to launch in-built music player software along with the launch of the operating systems. The basic idea behind thinking to give the importance to the music players by the biggest IT companies only lies in the fact that the music players are one of the most used software installed frequently by the users in all the kinds of devices including mobile, tablets, PCs and even others. So far as the matter of best music players for Mac is concerned, Apple’s iTunes has already been launched as per the Apple’s provision, however, it is not at all suitable for the music lovers who want to use their individual selected music library and operates them as per their desire. Unlike Apple’s iTunes, a music player must be extremely lighter and faster and should have the ability to get easily organized with custom playlists, audio profiles, music library, multiple formats of the audio etc to name a few.
Best Mac For Music Production Reddit
Best Music Players For Mac (2019)
1. VOX Music Player
It is one of the best music players developed exclusively for Mac which holds all the best properties inside it being loved by the music lover community. Playlists can be created with quality to properly organize the music lists. One of the major features of the software is that it allows you directly drag and drop the songs into the playlist to without any issue. In addition, the SoundCloud account can also be connected and our own music can also be synced with both the accounts very easily. Several formats of the audio are instantly supported without any problematic issues.
2. Audirvana Plus 3
The software has been developed exclusively for the audiophiles and delivers a best quality audio output to the music lovers of Mac platform. The software is made equipped with surprising syncing as well as the structural ability and therefore, soon after the queuing or deleting up the music files from the concerned destination, it automatically reflects inside the software’s app. Top rated and high-resolution music formats are exclusively supported as well as the users can sync TIDAL as well as the Qobuz account simultaneously in case the music is not locally stored on the Mac.
3. Clementine
Clementine is one of the most renowned open source music players all over the world acting more than just our simple music player. In comparison to the other players, syncing, the facility has been made more enhanced with instant syncing with several sources such as Dropbox, Google Drive, SoundCloud etc. The best-loved feature about the software is that, in addition to frequently playing the music, it provides added information about the song being played via the software. It also handles remote app for the android supported mobile phones for controlling distantly played music.
4. Tomahawk
This music player supports several platforms including Linux, Windows and even Android in addition to the Mac OS. The app has the capacity to scan the hard disk drive of the Mac OS and add the music files itself inside the music library for instant play. The software also supports plug-ins for music streaming service providers. Being an open source music playing platform, it is also compatible with extracting and playing music from YouTube as well as other video platforms totally for free.
5. Swinsian
The software is compatible with several audio formats and thereby almost all the music of all the formats can be played without any issues. Music libraries with the biggest collection of music files can also be managed with comfort. Podcast player is made inbuilt inside the app of the software which is highly appreciated by podcast lovers. Smart playlists can also be created based on the filters of several categories.
6. Musique
It is one of the extremely light weighted software and thereby the OS does not have to bother about the functionalities and the space taken by the software on the device. The software has also been made available with Linux and Windows platform with an extremely simple user interface. The software mentions several other useful information about the song and it is also completely free for downloading and can also be donated to developers as per the user’s desire.
7. Pine Player
This music player app is made available to download completely for free and use supporting multiple audio formats and exclusive features and specifications such as crossfade and even the gapless playback. Drag and drop facility has also been introduced which helps to add the music files instantly to the library to get them played without any hassles. It also reflects the file type being played can quickly be downloaded from the Mac store for instant use.
8. Nightingale
It is a lightweight open source music player whose updates are yet provided by the developers with the best user interface. The music software provides an advanced kind of library management facility along with the frequent and gapless playback features and soft to feel interface. DRM audio can also be along with Windows media supports.
Best Mac For Music Producing
9. Quod Libet
Quod Libet is a Latin name meaning thereby “Whatever you wish”. It is also one of the most famously used open source music player which was designed and developed as a cross-functional and exclusive platform from the get-go firstly in the year 2004 with best functionalities. The software interface is extremely easy and handy to use and is therefore been placed under the best music players for Mac category.
10. Elmedia Player
Highest standards of audio files are exclusively played with the interface support of this top end and quality rich software. iTunes content is smoothly operated on the environment except for the kind of support for the DRM contents. Music can be effectively streamed from one Mac environment to another Mac environment and the software also works fine as an exclusive music assistant to keep track and records of all the music files with the best organizational structure inside the playlists.
Listed above are the best Music Players for Mac OS X and an alternative to iTunes. Which is your favorite Music Player for Mac OS X? Share your views in the comment below!