Apple Logic Pro 8 - Manual (Page 82)

82 Chapter 4 Setting Up Your System
 Additional software that runs alongside, and integrates with, Logic Pro. This includes
a range of ReWired applications and audio or MIDI software
 Additional effect and instrument plug-ins, including those that are DSP-accelerated,
such as PowerCore.
Read this section if considering components that you want to integrate into your
Logic Pro music production system. If you already have all components, and their
integration meets your needs, feel free to skip this section.
Computer
This section outlines several computing factors that you should consider for your
Logic Pro system. System requirements are covered in the Before You Install document,
found in the Documentation folder of the Logic Pro installation discs.
Note: System requirements may change between Logic Pro releases, so you should
always check the Apple website and the latest Before Your Install document included
with Logic Pro updates.
How Fast Your Computer Should Be
Audio processing is complex, so the general rule is: the more powerful your computer,
the better. This involves not only the speed of the CPU(s) of your Macintosh, but also
includes larger main memory sizes, the speed of busses, and the general efficiency of
communication with connected devices.
A Portable or Fixed Studio?
You may be wavering between a desktop or portable Macintosh as the basis for your
Logic Pro system, or perhaps considering the viability of a laptop machine for on-the-
road composition. The good news is that portable Macintosh computers are ideal for
Logic Pro use. They offer excellent audio and MIDI hardware expansion capabilities in
the form of FireWire and USB connectors, and are fast enough to allow extensive
software instrument and effect use. Due to the power-saving nature of portable
computers, slower hard disk drives are usually included, resulting in a lower track count
than is possible with a desktop equivalent.
Obviously, desktop computers offer additional expansion slots, extending the range of
MIDI and audio hardware possibilities available to notebook computers, and can
incorporate multiple processors. CPU and hard disk speeds are generally higher, thus
allowing higher track playback counts, and the simultaneous use of more software
instruments and effects.
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Tip: If you have both a portable and desktop Macintosh, you can easily transfer
projects and other data between them, and take advantage of the Node functionality,
which harnesses the processing power of both computers for your projects.