The most important components
Before talking about each of the Macs that are recommended to be able to make a music edition, we must review the most important components. This is crucial to take into account, since it is an internal configuration that in most models cannot be modified. The points that must be taken into account, therefore, are the following:
- CPU: This is the most important thing to consider when choosing a Mac to edit music. In this case, it must be taken into account that all the information will be processed right here, making the file mixes quickly. Obviously, the number of cores they bet on is essential to gain in performance and render all the edits you make. Furthermore, if multiple instruments are used it is also important that performance is prioritized.
- RAM: a fundamental section to be able to have different programs open simultaneously, as well as to open several tabs. Without a doubt, the more RAM, the more recommended for professional music editing. In this way, you will not notice delays when editing the music files.
- Storage: it is always important to have a good storage capacity on a Mac. Obviously in music publishing there will be many files that will be generated and they will have a considerable weight. In this case it is logical that it should be stored in a suitable storage unit, which should be at least 1 TB. You can always opt for external storage systems, although this way you will not enjoy the same speed of reading and writing.
Macs for the most basic musicians
Keep in mind that particular needs are always really important in order to finally be able to choose the best possible Mac and its configuration. In this case we begin by talking about those people who edit audio or make music sporadically and do not do it professionally. In these cases, it is obviously not necessary to purchase the product with the best benefits and the highest price on the market.
That is why, below, we are going to talk about the most recommended Macs for those people who do not do a professional edition, but it can be a simple hobby. We are also going to refer to the necessary equipment when you must have a large number of effects in your creations or combine different instruments in a single musical file, since in these cases a great hardware power will be needed.
Mac mini
The Mac mini has almost always passed by in the minds of many users due to its historically limited power. Although, in recent years with the renewal with the M1 chip everything has ended up changing. It has become the ideal equipment to be able to work in a fixed office due to its desktop computer design. It is really interesting especially because anyone who needs to work with music editing programs needs a suitable screen and measures that are comfortable. In the case of the Mac mini, the user will be able to independently choose the screen that best suits him on his Mac, without having to limit himself to one offered by Apple as if it happens in the rest of Macs.
The M1 chip has undoubtedly brought great joy to the community at large in recent generations. The Mac mini has been able to put itself at the forefront of performance, making it ideal for any entry-level person who wants to create their own music. Compatible with all programs designed by Apple and can also have different accessories to gain connectivity. In this way, in order to have a good ability to create your music, you should assess the following configuration:
- Chip: M1 with 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU and 16-core Neural Engine.
- RAM: 8 GB.
- Storage: 512GB SSD.
MacBook Air
One of the most recommended equipment for home use due to its value for money. It is true that it does not offer the maximum power, but having the M1 chip it undoubtedly becomes a team capable of performing music editing at a basic level without any problem. Keep in mind that on many occasions you can see that the distance has been shortened with respect to the MacBook Pro, with its differences. It should even be noted that it does not have any type of fan making it totally silent.
Obviously, if you want to edit with mobility, without a doubt this is the best equipment that can work in this case. Likewise, you will also be able to transform it into a fixed computer, since with the M1 chip recommendation you can connect several screens and also external peripherals. In this way you can get an experience that is complete in all these cases, and that is why the configuration that we recommend is the following:
- Chip: M1 with 8-core CPU, 7-core GPU and 16-core Neural Engine.
- RAM: 8 GB.
- Storage: 512GB SSD.
Models for the most professional
But in many cases a greater power is required, to do more professional tasks. In this case, we are always talking about very specific people who work with these types of files constantly. Although Apple may offer higher quality computers, it should also be noted that the price will also be higher.
13-inch MacBook Pro
The 13-inch MacBook Pro may have been dwarfed by having “only” an M1 chip inside. And although there are more advanced hardware models, this can be considered a more than suitable equipment to perform these tasks. On a day-to-day basis, it offers more than good graphic power, as well as a processing capacity that will make the rendering of your projects immediate. Obviously, when talking about a laptop, its portability should be highlighted, and especially its autonomy. In these cases we recommend the following configuration:
- Chip: M1 with 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU and 16-core Neural Engine.
- RAM: 16 GB.
- Storage: 1 TB SSD.
If you are seeing a configuration very similar to that of the MacBook Air, you should know that there are differences. In this case, the MacBook Pro has an active ventilation system and not only passive. This makes it possible to fully develop its power in all the editing tasks that it will face.
MacBook Pro 14 and 16 inches
With these MacBook Pros you go to the next level of power. And not only because of its screen size, but also because of the hardware that they integrate. In short, it is a computer that has been designed from scratch to be used by professionals, by offering hardware that provides great performance to the user. In this specific model, the configuration can be made with different chips: M1 Pro and M1 Max. Depending on which one you are going to choose, we have the following recommended configurations:
- M1 Pro:
- Chip: M1 Pro with 10-core CPU, 16-core GPU and 16-core Neural Engine.
- RAM: 32 GB.
- Storage: 1 TB SSD.
- M1 Max:
- Chip: M1 Max with 10-core CPU, 24-core GPU and 16-core Neural Engine.
- RAM: 32 GB.
- Storage: 1 TB SSD.
For practical purposes, it must be borne in mind that the model that has an M1 Max will have a greater capacity. This is due to the fact that it has a 24-core GPU and not a 16-core one as is the case with the M1 Pro. In the day-to-day life of a professional, this is something that you can end up noticing when making very specific layouts. Also when you want to use several screens simultaneously it is important to have a good GPU system.
24-inch iMac
The iMac is a really versatile computer thanks to the configurations that can be made in the Apple Store. One of the desktop devices par excellence that stands out for having a more than adequate screen size. Although it is capable of adding many other screens in case you need to have a much broader vision in your workspace. If we talk about advanced settings, we recommend the following:
- Chip: M1 with 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU and 16-core Neural Engine.
- RAM: 16 GB.
- Storage: 1 TB SSD.
It provides the necessary comfort to work from home, in a fixed place with a spectacular design. But in addition to this, you can also connect peripherals that suit your personal experience, and also have different accessories permanently connected.
Mac pro
This is undoubtedly the quintessential Mac for professionals. Obviously, it is priced really high on the market, but the power it offers is definitely worth it. It is designed for a really specific audience that is dedicated to making music at a professional level only. In this case we refer to people who are in the world of cinema above all, or producers of professional singers. In these cases, it is worth making this investment. The configuration that we recommend is the following:
- Chip: Intel Xeon W 8-core 3.5 GHz and Turbo Boost up to 4 GHz.
- RAM: 48 GB (6 x 8) of ECC DDR4 memory.
- Storage: 1 TB SSD.
Obviously, one of the benefits of this equipment above all is the possibility of changing the components depending on the needs. That is, the RAM or the storage are not completely fixed. In the event that it is necessary to have more storage, a change can be made in a comfortable way. That is why it becomes the team par excellence for top-of-the-range professionals.
