| When I was living in Detroit, it was no shock
to anyone there that I opted to build a PC system geared for
both graphics and digital music creation. Companies that primarily
used Macs for creative purposes were already converting over
to PC setups for a variety of reasons- cost effectiveness a
major factor. Nobody raised an eyebrow, waved a finger, or denied
me employment because of my affinity for PC products. |
|
But when I moved to L.A., things were different. EVERYONE used
a Mac for any project that had a smidgen of graphics or music involved.
I found many people in California that had classic “PC Paranoia”
symptoms (easily diagnosed: Say the word “PC” to someone,
and if they put their hands over their ears and say “La-La-La-La”,
they have the affliction.), and I have been a thorn in the side
of those who wish to remain ignorant of Mac contenders. Don’t
get me wrong, I like Macs, and have bought the Titanium Laptop when
I could have made a down payment on a new BMW. However, the claim
that Macs don’t break is false. The first week I got my titanium,
the screen failed and it had to be shipped back and repaired. But
I digress, and will get back on the subject of the lowly PC…
Nice things to say about a PC:
1. Lots of software
2. Lots of available bootlegs (I didn’t really say that, someone
else did)
3. Cheap
4. Disposable (almost)
5. Swapping parts is easy
Since most of you readers will be musicians and not graphic artists,
I won’t discuss much in the way of graphic software here, except
to say that most Mac graphic software is also available for PCs
and work exceptionally well.
NOW for the statements I will make that will probably cause much
debate…
There is a monopoly on recording software, and that monopoly goes
by the name ProTools. And ProTools works well with Macs, provided
that you buy every bit of hardware that is compatible with that
program. ProTools has also come up with a PC version that works
OK if you designate your computer entirely to that damn program…you
have to reset the PC’s bios to configure with ProTools. When
I realized this, I said “To hell with it! I want to be able
to run my graphics programs and synthesizers as well on one computer!”
(I really did say that). So out went ProTools. I found Sonar, Cakewalk’s
latest sequencer.
Sonar rivals ProTools in several areas. You can use dual monitors
with it, it’s MIDI precision is 960 PPQN for accurate recordings,
it has multi-processor support, real-time MIDI plug-ins, unlimited
tracks, you can import and sync AVI movies to audio, export video
and audio to AVI, you can create control panels and if you’re
a real geek, you can program CAL files to create your own “macros”,
great audio-loop capabilities, and the list goes on. You Mac people
can read about it until you start feeling ill at www.calkwalk.com
. On top of all this, the XL version comes with some neat soft-synths.
And like with most graphics program, most music programs are now
available for PC use.
One of my die-hard Mac buddies got his mitts on Virtual PC and
was able to get an idea of what a PC was like and try out some PC
software that way. Mind you, this guy had a confirmed diagnosis
of PC Paranoia and was often seen running away anytime I would utter
the word “PC”… three days after jockeying around
with Virtual PC, he grabbed me at work, closed the door behind us
in his office, and whispered “Don’t tell ANYBODY…I
bought a PC! It rocks!”
I promised not to tell…
Uh, well, with the exception of Roadogz E-Zine…
-cranky
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