Advice on hackintosh for music production

[yfzmaniac]

I need advice on a hackintosh for music production/photography/graphic design/video editing.

Before anyone says anything...I am aware there are a few posts about it on here already, but I dont know how current those specs are and im looking to make a machine that is completely up to date with high specs, and also accommodates photo and video editing as well.

I have a budget of about 1500-2000.

I run Logic, Pro Tools 10, Reason 5 mainly. As well as adobe suite.

I'd like to put the OS and software on a SSD and put the media on another HD. Good idea?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[shibirian]

Well, the question is if on-board sound will do the trick for you?

I only know there are drivers for a Soundblaster http://www.tonymacx86.com/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=36818 and also for on-board soundcards... so it depends.

I am no expert on music production but I reckon you could do easily with a i3-core processor, or does any professional music software require more than 4 cores?

 

[GeLiG]

Currently, I assemble list of hardware for same purposes.
This is what I'm planning to buy.

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3
CPU: Intel 2600K
GPU: XFX Radeon 6870 (with double fans - people write it's much more silent, than with one fan)
RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL

Haven't decided about case and power supply. Might get something like in this build:
viewtopic.php?f=54&t=32313

I am no expert on music production but I reckon you could do easily with a i3-core processor, or does any professional music software require more than 4 cores?

Yes, particularly, Logic uses all cores. The more the better.

 

[jimdrake]

i can't, and i don't think anyone else can get PT running in Lion.

i'm happy with staying on 10.6.8

i really like the seasonic fanless PSU.

i have this case on the way:
http://www.chenbro.eu/corporatesite/pro ... hp?sku=156
i hope it's good.

no suggestion for graphics card, i think they're all ****.

you will have to make sure that firewire is solid for music, i have yet to get a firewire card.

anything with an i7 2600k seems pretty cheap for how powerful it is! pretty sure i paid more for the pentium 4 rig i built when i was at school!

 

[GeLiG]

you will have to make sure that firewire is solid for music, i have yet to get a firewire card.

What do you think of onboard Gigabyte's FireWire?

 

[jimdrake]

you will have to make sure that firewire is solid for music, i have yet to get a firewire card.

What do you think of onboard Gigabyte's FireWire?

don't know!

my board has no firewire!

 

[yfzmaniac]

Hey guys! thanks for the responses. Sorry, school has been crazy. I'm going to look through the suggestions and get back after work. Thanks again.

 

[yfzmaniac]

Ok. After a ton if thought I think I came up with something.

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6811119068

Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813128498

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6819115070

Monitors: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6824236049

Graphics: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814150563

Power Supply: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6817139006

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820231315

CD/DVD drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6827106346

I went with bluray drive cause ill also have windows and linux on this machine so i can take advantage of bluray that way. The CD/DVD part will still work in OSX right?

SSD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820171545


I intend on putting my operating systems(snow leopard, windows 7, ubuntu) and software on the SSD and buying a 1 TB internal when prices go back down haha.

Will all of this work together? please anyone who knows haha. Thanks again guys. Seriously.

 

[Greg A-M]

To weigh in on the Firewire issue. I used to be Firewire only when I got started but I've come to think USB 2.0, 3.0 is just fine.

no suggestion for graphics card, i think they're all ****.

How so? Do explain.


yfzmaniac

What audio/hardware interface are you using for recording? If you're running protools I assume you're using some M-audio rig for that.

 

[yfzmaniac]

Greg - I have a Focusrite saffire Pro 40 which is a firewire interface. It works perfectly with Pro tools 9/10.

I would also like to hear about why all graphics cards are bad.

Can anyone weigh in on if all of these parts will work together for snow leopard build?