KVR Audio

Mikelo · Post by **Mikelo** » Mon Dec 12, 2022 1:33 am

tehlord wrote: Sun Dec 11, 2022 7:57 pm Should be more than enough for your needs. They are incredibly powerful for the money.

Just for reference, I created this project on PC, but after uploading the project to Dropbox I ran it on the Macbook Air with no problems at all. I recall the CPU use being under 40% just using Core Audio and no soundcard at 256 samples. I link the video as it kinda shows what the project consists of.

Awesome!!

machinesworking · Post by **machinesworking** » Mon Dec 12, 2022 5:37 am

Mikelo wrote: Sun Dec 11, 2022 8:00 pm
machinesworking wrote: Sun Dec 11, 2022 7:39 pm
Mikelo wrote: Sun Dec 11, 2022 12:39 pm I'm looking to purchase my first apple laptop for portable recording.
As Apple is expensive, I'm looking at a basic 2020 MacBook Air M1 256GB with 8GB ram.
I'm not looking to create hundreds of virtual instrument tracks and effects, it's mainly for recording my guitars and basses.
I do use EZ drummer, EZ keys, Amplitube and a few softsynths (Synthmaster 1/2 and Bx Oberhausen for instance).
Basically what I'm asking, will an M1 MacBook Air with 8GB ram be enough??
I run an M1 Air 16GB 1TB and it's more than powerful enough. It replaces a 12 core 3.33ghz Mac Pro for most things here.

IMO do what you can to get more RAM and at least 512GB SSD though. The only downside to SSDs is the smaller ones are going to fail quicker, so a 256 is going to fail before a 512. My solution might not work for you, but I bought used, there's enough graphic designers and tech people in my area that it's not uncommon to find 3-9 month old laptops on craigslist for 30-40% off retail, and still eligible for Apple Care.
Thanks for chipping in!
I know this might sound odd and maybe weird, but I don't like buying second hand. Sorry, I know it sounds strange.
Even with guitars, I always buy from new
I see the 8gb MacBook Air m1 for £829 in a local store and similar prices in other stores, but they are all 8gb.
To tailor 16gb ram, it only seems available in the Apple store and that bumps the price to £1199. That's a big difference from £829.

Yeah? I mentioned SSD size being important not RAM.

Mikelo · Post by **Mikelo** » Mon Dec 12, 2022 5:50 am

machinesworking wrote: Mon Dec 12, 2022 5:37 am
Mikelo wrote: Sun Dec 11, 2022 8:00 pm
machinesworking wrote: Sun Dec 11, 2022 7:39 pm
Mikelo wrote: Sun Dec 11, 2022 12:39 pm I'm looking to purchase my first apple laptop for portable recording.
As Apple is expensive, I'm looking at a basic 2020 MacBook Air M1 256GB with 8GB ram.
I'm not looking to create hundreds of virtual instrument tracks and effects, it's mainly for recording my guitars and basses.
I do use EZ drummer, EZ keys, Amplitube and a few softsynths (Synthmaster 1/2 and Bx Oberhausen for instance).
Basically what I'm asking, will an M1 MacBook Air with 8GB ram be enough??
I run an M1 Air 16GB 1TB and it's more than powerful enough. It replaces a 12 core 3.33ghz Mac Pro for most things here.

IMO do what you can to get more RAM and at least 512GB SSD though. The only downside to SSDs is the smaller ones are going to fail quicker, so a 256 is going to fail before a 512. My solution might not work for you, but I bought used, there's enough graphic designers and tech people in my area that it's not uncommon to find 3-9 month old laptops on craigslist for 30-40% off retail, and still eligible for Apple Care.
Thanks for chipping in!
I know this might sound odd and maybe weird, but I don't like buying second hand. Sorry, I know it sounds strange.
Even with guitars, I always buy from new
I see the 8gb MacBook Air m1 for £829 in a local store and similar prices in other stores, but they are all 8gb.
To tailor 16gb ram, it only seems available in the Apple store and that bumps the price to £1199. That's a big difference from £829.
Yeah? I mentioned SSD size being important not RAM.

Sorry, yeah I got you. Sounds like this is how Apple gets your wallet out.
I might have to save up some more.

tehlord · Post by **tehlord** » Mon Dec 12, 2022 8:51 am

The other thing to consider is buying a used Macbook Air now, and then swapping it out every couple of years. The resale on them is so good that you'll lose little to nothing. I bought a MBA a year ago for £650 and it's still worth more or less the same now.

Mikelo · Post by **Mikelo** » Mon Dec 12, 2022 3:04 pm

tehlord wrote: Mon Dec 12, 2022 8:51 am The other thing to consider is buying a used Macbook Air now, and then swapping it out every couple of years. The resale on them is so good that you'll lose little to nothing. I bought a MBA a year ago for £650 and it's still worth more or less the same now.

Does sound like a good idea. I'm not a big fan of buying second hand but I've seen a few go on facebay which are still sealed. So could be an option.

Bombadil · Post by **Bombadil** » Fri Dec 16, 2022 7:33 pm

I've been staring at those since they came out. I've almost clicked 'buy' at Amazon a few times. Just can't justify it. Never had a laptop before, either. We have 2 iPads and 2 M1 Minis. BTW, I bought our first M1 Mini, base model, in January, 2021. I was shocked, really. It ran projects that made my 4 ghz 32gb i7 iMac stutter the first time they played. Sold me. My main machine now is the M1 1TB/16GB config. Love it.
I'll be tempted by the 2020 MBA until they've disappeared from the market.

Mikelo · Post by **Mikelo** » Sat Dec 17, 2022 8:44 pm

Bombadil wrote: Fri Dec 16, 2022 7:33 pm I've been staring at those since they came out. I've almost clicked 'buy' at Amazon a few times. Just can't justify it. Never had a laptop before, either. We have 2 iPads and 2 M1 Minis. BTW, I bought our first M1 Mini, base model, in January, 2021. I was shocked, really. It ran projects that made my 4 ghz 32gb i7 iMac stutter the first time they played. Sold me. My main machine now is the M1 1TB/16GB config. Love it.
I'll be tempted by the 2020 MBA until they've disappeared from the market.

Sounds promising!
Looks like I'm gonna have to sell one of my guitars to get one.. damn you Apple!

Bombadil · Post by **Bombadil** » Sat Dec 17, 2022 9:22 pm

Mikelo wrote: Sat Dec 17, 2022 8:44 pm
Bombadil wrote: Fri Dec 16, 2022 7:33 pm I've been staring at those since they came out. I've almost clicked 'buy' at Amazon a few times. Just can't justify it. Never had a laptop before, either. We have 2 iPads and 2 M1 Minis. BTW, I bought our first M1 Mini, base model, in January, 2021. I was shocked, really. It ran projects that made my 4 ghz 32gb i7 iMac stutter the first time they played. Sold me. My main machine now is the M1 1TB/16GB config. Love it.
I'll be tempted by the 2020 MBA until they've disappeared from the market.
Sounds promising!
Looks like I'm gonna have to sell one of my guitars to get one.. damn you Apple!

Wash your mouth out with soap! Don't do that! A guitar is forever, more or less.

A computer is 5 years, tops. Beg your significant other, or parents, or friends.

Mikelo · Post by **Mikelo** » Sat Dec 17, 2022 9:27 pm

I know but ..... Arrggg I might have to sell one of my Ibanez RGs

Bombadil · Post by **Bombadil** » Sat Dec 17, 2022 9:41 pm

One of the main reasons why I abstained (other than my Missus with a rolling pin) is the number of inputs. I need USB A inputs. So, I would make sure your i/o needs are what you require. I also don't know how the 7 core GPU acts, the 8 core on this machine is again far superior to the graphics card in my old iMac.

Mikelo · Post by **Mikelo** » Sat Dec 17, 2022 9:48 pm

Too be honest, I only really need an input for my sound interface (focusrite Scarlet 2i2) for guitars (minus one

) and one for an external hard drive and I'd get a hub for the interface USB connection.
I also have an Irig2

My main concern right now is which Ibanez to let go . The RG421ahm or the RGRT421

Bombadil · Post by **Bombadil** » Sat Dec 17, 2022 10:01 pm

Can't help you there.

Mikelo · Post by **Mikelo** » Sat Dec 17, 2022 10:03 pm

Bombadil wrote: Sat Dec 17, 2022 10:01 pm Can't help you there.

Lol. Just give me a virtual hug... That will do !

Bombadil · Post by **Bombadil** » Sat Dec 17, 2022 10:06 pm

Mikelo · Post by **Mikelo** » Sat Dec 17, 2022 10:30 pm

Bombadil wrote: Sat Dec 17, 2022 10:06 pm

Thank you.

Is the Apple MacBook Air M1 2020 model enough for my needs?