you know that's exactly the answer. if you want performance directly out of the box, and common components that make things easy to fix; its Mac all day. If you want to hack a ton of stuff, jockey with software, tweak system stuff, install crazy hardware to run protools 12.5, get a pc. If you do that IT shit for a living and want to make music, Get a Mac.

 

Last edited: Apr 12, 2022

The real question should be: Why can't you buy plugins if you have the money to buy a Mac? Those things cost a fortune.

 

a mini and logic are cheap as hell. you get 50+% of the plugins you are trying out for fun out of the way right there

I know. the poor PC users living next to those nearly extinct polar bears. installing falcon and Best Service, etc. on multi terabyte drives, frozen fingers, Sarah Mclaughin playin. working on those commercials. poor guys.

 

Last edited: Apr 12, 2022

gameboy

 

Starting this thread was not clever. Yes, it can catch attention and generate the same old debate about pc vs mac but your initial question is just vague and you could have found the answer on sister site, searching for specific software that you actually intended to use.
Then you would see the right answer there. On which platform does the k'ed version of that software/plugin exist? On which platform does it actually install and run without (or less) bugs? Read the comment section of those release pages!

It doesn't make sense asking for a comparison checklist about every software/plugin related to music on the planet.
Regardless of the specific software, there are facts about issues that probably you already know: about extending RAM, internal storage, having driver support for legacy soundcard, Suffering from fan-noise and heat issues. Each one will take you closer to the better choice specifically for you.
There isn't a general and only right answer.

ps.: btw, I'm quite surprised that the last k'd Finale version for mac is 25.5 when the v27 already exists and k'ed for pc.

 

Last edited: Apr 12, 2022

I disagree. The question is valid.
There is no stupid questions, only the answers can be stupid.

The answers can be stupid if people want to go again in a closed mind war about systems.
But, do people have to refrain from asking about something, just because some people without enough self identity, confuse an OS (or anything) with their own person and thus react like if they were defending their life?

 

If all of a sudden my PC transformed into a MAC it would seriously put a crimp into my work flow.

 

I'm gonna write some shit about this even though it's been discussed so many times, but I'm 166 years old so I guess this is a new topic for some youngsters and also - things have changed in IT a lot last decade or so.

I support several studios around here and they generally use Windows 7 or 10, or MacOS High Sierra or Mojave.

I like to use Linux, really. It's so easy to install plugins without having to worry there's malware or some shitty shit that comes with it. It's usually just a matter of drag and drop the "fuckotron.so" into .vst or .vst3 folder and starting Reaper. Unfortunatelly, some plugins just don't work, and there aren't many that really work nicely in Linux, but those that do are a treat: u-he, Audio Damage, TAL plugins, Vital, VCV rack. I only miss Valhalla and Voxengo plugins in Linux, and I miss great guitar amps like Overloud and Helix. That's what I use 90% of the time in other OSes. I'm not a fan of having a jungle of plugins. This is what it's like in Linux. Having loads of hardware saves the day since I use various hardware compressors and FX from AKAI, Yamaha, and TC Electronic TC6000 in my TC SK48 audio interface that serves like AD/DA for RME HDSP 9652. All the MIDI controllers I use work perfectly with Linux [Debian 10 with MATE desktop in my case].

My setup is a jungle not many people could cope with.

So on my main computer I have Linux and Windows 7 lite for making music. I generally end up finalising stuff in W7 because of lack of quality mastering plugins in Linux and I like to master digitally.

Installing plugins in Windows is pretty straight forward, too. At times you have to resolve some problem but it's generally rather easy. I'm currently testing "PhoenixOS" which is Windows 10 lite version 21H2 LTSC cut down so nicely, perfect for musicians and video editors. At some point I think it's going to become my main OS for finishing projects, just because there are tons of plugins for Windows.

Hackintosh... I have a hackintosh running Mojave. I like MacOS, kinda. It's just that installing plugins can be such PITA, worse than in every OS I use. In Sierra it was better, in High Sierra it was worse, In Mojave it is worse etc. Apple doesn't give two shits about musicians same as Microsoft.

So there you have it, my opinion, from an IT pro who's been doing music since Atari times. I use Debian Linux, W7, W10, and MacOS Mojave.

Cheers! I'm exhausted as I've been working whole day on some shitty computer and I need to play music, sing, and another drink!

It's a miracle I managed to post something like this.

 

$699

$199

Where exactly?

But yeah I agree iPhones are costlier

 

The best platform for any kind of pirated software has always been PC and it's borderline impossible for this to change anytime soon. That said, on both platforms you really have everything you need available pirated, plus an unhealthy amount of what you don't need as well. That said if you absolutely *must* play with the thing that just popped up, and won't accept perfectly capable substitutes, chances are you'll need to do so on Windows.

 

yup. cheap. that little "toy" Mac will easily keep up with a 700$ pc. easily.

computer and a daw for less than someones lifetime of Fruity Loops.

 

Last edited: Apr 12, 2022

I've not tried the cracked ones but so far I've been able to get Supermassive and SPAN working under Wine. I've even managed to install and run some Native Instruments stuff. I'm using Manjaro.

 

The question is do you want a handful of things (Mac) or do you want:

 

Atari 1040 ST

 

It is NOT only a matter of "more or less" : OSX s*cks more and more EACH new version.
Especially with PIRATED softwares (OP question)

And i don't even speak about M1 macs ... a nightmare for warez

Just search this forum

 

Usually I don't reply to these threads but as a mac and win user (not hackintosh) I like to express my experience. No offense to anyone.

1.Don't rely on user comments that don't use macs, Because we can't judge the scene by staying outside.
2.The fact is pc users have more warez to be honest(Mainly "I"lok stuff). But mac scene is not dead and you can find many useful releases for mac. Again if quantity matters to you then...
3.When regarding stability and durability I have to go with Mac(You already know).
4.All users that use warez are not tech savvy, If you need to be surgical with your components then pc + monthly cleanup routine. If you need it just to stay there and continue your work stuff then mac.

5.Then is it easy to install warez on win, Kinda(Specially uninstalling). Is it already impossible to work with newer macos or M1 soc = No. All you need is the proper toolset, Codesigner , App cleaner, osx validate all au(specially for logic), Permission reset or Batchmod. Use these and it'll be much more easier. And most of the plugins are native already.

7.COST: This is the most controversial part about macs. Do they really cost a fortune= No, unless you go crazy with specs. You can find a base model m1 mac mini with discounts around $600 and a macbook air m1 for $1000. And they deliver some serious performance and amazing battery life(Macbook) that you won't find on a windows laptop at the same price.

Final Verdict :

It all depends on you choice, I personally still prefer using a mac for music production(extremely low noise, great performance and can use in a small desk space) and win computer for development stuff.

 

A Windows user will recommend Windows to you - a Mac user will recommend Mac to you.
You should find out if you are a Mac guy or a Windows guy.
It's a little easier to install software in Windows 10.

 

I've had both systems.
There's definately a lot more pirated software on PC (e.g. cracked versions of iLok protected plugins and instruments). If you're willing to spend some extra money on plugins and virtual instruments then go with Mac. If not, then PC is your choice.

 

Mac scene is kind of dead since a few years (dropping 32 bit support, adding annoying shit like gatekeeper, apple trying to sniff user activities, M1 with Rosetta2 for legacy plugins). The last big Mac release was Steinberg plugins (and some DAWs, but no Cubase or Nuendo Pro) a year ago, and maybe Output Arcade if you're into that sort of music. If you still want to try it out then don't buy Mac Hardware, try Hackintosh instead.

My old MBP 2013 cost 1400€, the software I cracked for it cost about ~100 000€ (thank Kontakt)

 

Last edited: Apr 13, 2022