My DAW PC hates me though I shower it with nothing but love..time to switch to a Mac?

[dellboy]

Overpriced is bombastic. On a spec for spec basis Apple products cost more. Clearly.

You and others don't value some aspects maybe the aesthetics, material usage, the build quality, software design and implementation, design ethos or whatever it is enough to justify the increase in RRP. That's fair enough.

Your money means you dictate the value of products TO YOU by what you decide to purchase with your money. However that doesn't automatically make it "overpriced".

Yet I warrant you couldn't' build an 27" all in one aluminium bodied PC with similar specs and a 5k screen equal to or less than the price of a iMac. So go figure.

But whatever, this apple / PC debate goes round in circles ad nauseam. Beyond peoples general ignorance on unexplainably emotive subjects like Apple, which is mildly frustrating I don't generally care.

LOL.

Believe.

[Zexila]

"It just works" and I applaud Apple for that.

It just works... until it doesn't. And when it doesn't, you are f*cked!

It's not like PCs, where you can replace about everything, for a couple of dollars. You almost always have to trash the entire computer and replace for a new (overpriced) unit.

Overpriced is bombastic. On a spec for spec basis Apple products cost more. Clearly.

You and others don't value some aspects maybe the aesthetics, material usage, the build quality, software design and implementation, design ethos or whatever it is enough to justify the increase in RRP. That's fair enough.

Your money means you dictate the value of products TO YOU by what you decide to purchase with your money. However that doesn't automatically make it "overpriced".

Yet I warrant you couldn't' build an 27" all in one aluminium bodied PC with similar specs and a 5k screen equal to or less than the price of a iMac. So go figure.

But whatever, this apple / PC debate goes round in circles ad nauseam. Beyond peoples general ignorance on unexplainably emotive subjects like Apple, which is mildly frustrating I don't generally care.

Spot on.

[cryophonik]

I've been using both OSs since I bought my first Apple computer (MacBook Air) in 2013 and I'm currently at the crossroads of needing to either replace my custom-built desktop (currently running W10) or just dumping it and going with a high-end MBP (strongly leaning that way). I'm encountering many of the same issues as the OP and have just hit a point where I'm sick of the constant troubleshooting, constant rebooting, and performance issues (especially with video, OMFG, kill me already!). My 2013 MBA outperforms my quadcore/W10 desktop and, yes, "just works" and has with very little troubleshooting in the 5+ years I've owned it (I use it every single day for photography and some video and music)! Conversely, I'm to the point where I dread even firing up my PC for music or video anymore because I know how likely it is that I'll spend more time troubleshooting than I will being productive.

[dellboy]

I've been using both OSs since I bought my first Apple computer (MacBook Air) in 2013 and I'm currently at the crossroads of needing to either replace my custom-built desktop (currently running W10) or just dumping it and going with a high-end MBP (strongly leaning that way). I'm encountering many of the same issues as the OP and have just hit a point where I'm sick of the constant troubleshooting, constant rebooting, and performance issues (especially with video, OMFG, kill me already!). My 2013 MBA outperforms my quadcore/W10 desktop and, yes, "just works" and has with very little troubleshooting in the 5+ years I've owned it (I use it every single day for photography and some video and music)! Conversely, I'm to the point where I dread even firing up my PC for music or video anymore because I know how likely it is that I'll spend more time troubleshooting than I will being productive.

Semi believer - a foot in both camps.

Not fully assimilated yet

[chk071]

I've been using both OSs since I bought my first Apple computer (MacBook Air) in 2013 and I'm currently at the crossroads of needing to either replace my custom-built desktop (currently running W10) or just dumping it and going with a high-end MBP (strongly leaning that way). I'm encountering many of the same issues as the OP and have just hit a point where I'm sick of the constant troubleshooting, constant rebooting, and performance issues (especially with video, OMFG, kill me already!). My 2013 MBA outperforms my quadcore/W10 desktop and, yes, "just works" and has with very little troubleshooting in the 5+ years I've owned it (I use it every single day for photography and some video and music)! Conversely, I'm to the point where I dread even firing up my PC for music or video anymore because I know how likely it is that I'll spend more time troubleshooting than I will being productive.

Just wondering, but... is, in your opinion, the OS responsible for all that? Even when a lot of people would post now that they run a shit load of software on their Windows, and really stress the hardware and the software, and would state that it works alright?

See, i know that a lot of people immediately find it offensive to point out that, again, it's a matter of configuration and software installation whether or not something works fine or not. And, of course, it can also be a matter of drivers, or hardware which isn't properly support by third party. In the least, least, LEAST cases it is really the OS which is at fault. Don't tar, feather, and lynch me alive, please.

And, please don't also tell me that Mac OS "just works", because that's a load of bollocks. No OS "just works", when there is misconfiguration, you install lots of (weird) software, or operate a lot of external hardware with it. And, i've seen enough of Mac OS to be able to tell that it doesn't have any magical ingredients, which makes it work so much better than anything else. In fact, i've witnessed a lot of people claiming it works, or is so much better, just because they paid much money for a shiny device.

[Zexila]

I've been using both OSs since I bought my first Apple computer (MacBook Air) in 2013

How that little thing served you, can score one quite affordable second hand (and my wife went nuts over it, so yeah, definitely more than interested)?

[Topcheese]

I'm fine with outdated. I want a WORKING setup. That's all. Is that too much to ask in 2018?

I smell a troll. I'm sure you also expect them to have Amish support in 2018 as well? You're expecting the engineers of today to look backwards instead of forward, because you're fine with yesterday.

NEWSFLASH! Life doesn't work that way, and it happens to move forward not backwards. Luckily they do try and accommodate people the best they can, but they can only do so much.

Let's face it that you've set limitations in your choice of OS, and that's what the problem is. I'm sure you would probably do better if you were already using a Mac, but if these are your reasons, then they're baseless and biased.

[Topcheese]

And, please don't also tell me that Mac OS "just works", because that's a load of bollocks. No OS "just works", when there is misconfiguration, you install lots of (weird) software, or operate a lot of external hardware with it. And, i've seen enough of Mac OS to be able to tell that it doesn't have any magical ingredients, which makes it work so much better than anything else. In fact, i've witnessed a lot of people claiming it works, or is so much better, just because they paid much money for a shiny device.

They also fail to note that's the primary use for their MAC is audio and video production, so they more than likely don't have a bunch of other cruft on their Mac.

Apple also has a tighter eco-system when it comes to the software, so you can expect more issues with a more open system like Windows. It really depends on what you feel more comfortable with.

[Zexila]

And, please don't also tell me that Mac OS "just works", because that's a load of bollocks. No OS "just works", when there is misconfiguration, you install lots of (weird) software, or operate a lot of external hardware with it. And, i've seen enough of Mac OS to be able to tell that it doesn't have any magical ingredients, which makes it work so much better than anything else. In fact, i've witnessed a lot of people claiming it works, or is so much better, just because they paid much money for a shiny device.

It does actually, I don't know what you want to hear, that it doesn't, SCAN PC just works too when you got it, Apple PC just works too, than it's up to you to screw everything up, installing dodgy software and visiting porn sites and whatever, but I have great experience with 10.6.8 and I don't know what you want to hear really, it works, I disabled Dashboard, Mission Control&Spaces and don't use Energy Saving options, that's it, it works, there's nothing more to tweak, it's stable as rock, Logic 9 too on it, I pick software&hardware that works with my OS and that have good reputation of working with it.

It doesn't work when you are on OS auto-update train that always breaks something or one year cycles that breaks plenty and most can't catch up with, than it doesn't work, being Windows or OS X, it also doesn't work when you have some DIY build.

Having stable system/good kids/whatever is investment and sacrifice, you need to let go some things and invest in some other things, being that your time/money/etc or not having newest shinnies.

[ATS]

I don't know why your having so many problems OP. All working great for me. I built my own computer and works great and never has a problem with it.

[funky lime]

Win7 is fine if you aren't running super modern hardware, and is still supported by Microsoft until 2020 (meaning they still do security updates, etc).

It sounds like you might have some other issues. As stated by others, sleep/hibernate is generally bad form. Shut down or stay up. And do a proper reboot now and then.

For Kontakt, have you done any batch resaves of your libraries? Sometimes, even after freshly installing a library, it is good practice to batch resave it so that Kontakt knows your specific file structure, not just the default structure with which the library was shipped. This will give you much faster loading times, and can help sort out those "oh no! we can't find that file even though it's right where it's supposed to be" issues.

VST plugin scans shouldn't really take that long unless your DAW isn't caching the information. In Reaper, for example, you must tell it specifically to clear the cache when you re-scan the plugin folder. Maybe poke around in your DAW settings?

Switching OS entirely seems like overkill, just to deal with the consequences of what seems like a few minor bad computing habits you might not be aware of having (or perhaps, issues that are related more to the specific software you are using, rather than the OS itself). Your mileage may vary, though.

My Win7 machine, knock on wood, has been incredibly lean and stable for years. I've even used it on stage a few times. I know that's purely anecdotal evidence and doesn't help you, but I felt it's worth sharing regardless. On the other hand, I've had a number of headaches with W10 (including the infamous "Hey, stop whatever the f**k you're doing immediately, i'm going to update now," and the also-infamous "Nice NVidia card you got there, it would be a shame if I locked up for a few seconds every time you try to use it" nonsense).

[topaz]

I will do whatever I can to keep my Mac Pro, 2010 12 core with Sierra running for as long as possible.

Amazing machine

[t3toooo]

You did not provide any information which hardware components you are using,after 40 reply's and 922 views this is getting ridiculous.


Ok,let's somehow analyze what's going on.
Let's take this one

4. Kontakt 5, load some sound off Kinetic (Komplete 11). Now layer another sound - MISSING SAMPLES. Had to browse and find. Fine. This is on a fresh install of komplete, but we'll let that slide for now.

If i would have this kind of problem i would think it's driver related,the communication btw. the OS and your motherboard.
It's impossible to remote diagnose without further information but there is maybe a missing or outdated board driver, or simply a driver that is needed.
You could try to install the appropriate Intel RST driver (if you are using Intel of course).
In the device manager is AHCI enabled? Assuming you are using a SSD for the OS.

[Hink]

I'm fine with outdated. I want a WORKING setup. That's all. Is that too much to ask in 2018?

I smell a troll

I dont

[keyman_sam]

I certainly didn't mean to imply that ALL my problems are PC-related. I'm not even sure why this thread turned into a PC vs. Mac. I have both, and I use PC only for music. No gaming on either. I consider both OSes to be platforms to get my job done.

I just meant to say, in the modern era of computer-based music it seems incredibly hard to get a GOOD WORKING SETUP. By that I mean, when I install waves plugins, it should just work. NI's installer shouldn't crash. Kontakt shouldn't say 'File not found'. Maschine shouldn't say 'missing plugins'. E-licenser for Cubase shouldn't crash after waking from sleep. I shouldn't have to increase buffer sizes to 512 to work. Recording shouldn't glitch and stop mid-way. Cubase shouldn't take 2 minutes to load. Saving shouldn't take 30 seconds.

There are a loooong list of "shouldn'ts" that seem to have grown over the years. It seems I'm not alone. First there were plugins. Then plugins needed updates. Then they needed installers, and the installers needed updates. Is there any turnkey solution that works out the box, with all my plugins and sample libraries and recording to my heart's content?

I have a couple hardware workstations and they just work. They are embedded systems that run an OS (software, yes). But because it is a closed system, there are limitations that are set and they work flawlessly within those constraints. I'd be fine with constraints. I'm just fed up with troubleshooting, debugging, and fixing issues especially when creativity strikes me.