KVR Audio

Sjefke · Post by **Sjefke** » Mon Dec 12, 2016 1:03 pm

I have a 2012 macbook that i want to upgrade, for mainstage use...
Currently running on a core i7 with only 8GB of memmory...
But it just does not cut it anymore since i started leaning heavilly on omnisphere 2 and NI komplete as main sound sources in mainstage..

My question is about high end macbooks and mainstage, will a quad core i7 with 16 GB of memmory cut it, when using several layers of high end sounds, mostly sample based and a huge amount of VST effects...

Its espescially the 16GB of memmory worying me, since everyone using kontakt or omnisphere seems to say that 32GB or more is the way to go...

Since a fullfledged mac pro is out of my league, i am also considering going for a hackingtosh setup, build it yourself system(which should be not a real problem hardware wise with my hardware expertise, i build dozens of windows systems in the past).

But i am worried about my appstore account and how long it will keep working with the hackintosh hardware...

jdnz · Post by **jdnz** » Mon Dec 12, 2016 6:13 pm

If a new macpro is out of the question price-wise have a look around for the previous model macpro used - easy to expand memory/drives and the 12-cores ones are seriously grunty

waltercruz · Post by **waltercruz** » Mon Dec 12, 2016 7:32 pm

I played with a Mac older than your for 5 years (core 2 duo mid 2010) - used it from 2011 until some months ago, playing in a Pink Floyd band with Mainstage and a lot of other synths. It was replaced by a macbook i7 - 2013. The only drawback it's my harddrive space, only 256, so I have to be very picky about what to keep on it.

What about a SSD upgrade? With big sample libraries, like the ones from Komplete, having a SSD will make your machine fly.

surferman · Post by **surferman** » Mon Dec 12, 2016 7:43 pm

I am using a Older Probook 6470b as a hackintosh along with my i7 mac mini. Can you increase you ram to 16gb on your current machine and use an SSD. That would do wonders. But yes, as long as you choose a compatible PC you can build a nice hackintosh that works well. No effect what so ever with your applestore account. Most updates work normally, though in some cases system updates take a few extra steps.

jancivil · Post by **jancivil** » Mon Dec 12, 2016 8:10 pm

I recently got a 7.1 MacBook Pro in new condition for $300. My 5.1 MB Pro died after 7 1/2 yrs.
I donno, but the Apple boxes seem pretty sturdy.
Absolutely not my real DAW machine, but it's a very snappy thing. 8GB RAM, SSD. Guy I bought it from is a computer professional.

Winstontaneous · Post by **Winstontaneous** » Mon Dec 12, 2016 8:30 pm

I have a 2012 quad i7 MBP with 16GB of RAM. Compared to Logic Pro X, MainStage uses WAAAY more CPU/RAM for a given preset, I often get processor overload popups even on very basic channel/synth presets from Logic Library at reasonable buffer settings.

Looking at logicprohelp.com my experience is not uncommon (for MainStage in general, not my particular machine). I have Ableton Live so it's not a big deal.

Sjefke · Post by **Sjefke** » Tue Dec 13, 2016 5:00 pm

I rechecked my macbook, its actually a 2011 (early) model with a 2.0 ghz quadcore i7... 8 GB ram...

I did some checks, and while apple does not support it, many people have upgraded to 16GB memmory

Maybe spending 100€ on the memmory might be worth a shot? Espescially if i combine it with an SSD upgrade?

surferman · Post by **surferman** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 12:27 am

I was able to upgrade some earlier macbook pros above the "apple approved" limit. I would think if you are finding others had success you could too. Just buy the right Ram. The SSD will make an amazing difference in how the computer feels.

rp314 · Post by **rp314** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 3:26 am

jancivil wrote:I recently got a 7.1 MacBook Pro in new condition for $300. My 5.1 MB Pro died after 7 1/2 yrs.
I donno, but the Apple boxes seem pretty sturdy.
Absolutely not my real DAW machine, but it's a very snappy thing. 8GB RAM, SSD. Guy I bought it from is a computer professional.

Is that a 13" 2010 model? I still have one and recently saw this about it:

Any mid-2010 MacBook Pro i5 or i7 is limited to a maximum of 8GB RAM. If you have a 2010 MacBook Pro Core2Duo (13"), then you are in luck and you can upgrade to 16GB RAM. The type of RAM needed is DDR3 PC3-8500 1066.

Life is full of wonderful trade-offs...

surferman · Post by **surferman** » Sat Dec 17, 2016 4:14 pm

If you are at least a little bit techy with computers you can fairly easily follow one of the guides at Tonymac and build a nice hackintosh for much less. My hp probook is one of the easiest to hack. the 4XXX and 6XXX are comparable to a 2012 model i5 macbook pro that was still for sale at Apple for about $1000 up until last summer. I bought a refurb HP for $279 with 8gb ram, and 2.6 i5 and a 128 gb SSD drive. 20 bucks for a new wifi card and I have the equivalent to the 2012 macbook pro.

Mainstage + VST macbook or hackintosh