Apple Logic Pro 9 - Manual (Page 28)

• External MIDI control surfaces and keyboards. Even external MIDI-controlled lighting
can be driven by Logic Pro.
• Amplification and speakers for stereo or multi-channel surround mixes
• Additional software that runs alongside, and integrates with, Logic Pro. This includes
a range of ReWire applications and audio or MIDI software.
• Additional effect and instrument plug-ins, including those that are DSP-accelerated,
such as PowerCore
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 You Install document included with Logic Pro
updates.
How Fast Should Your Computer 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 processors of your Mac, 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 Mac as the basis for your Logic Pro
system, or perhaps considering the viability of a portable computer for on-the-road
composition. The good news is that portable Mac 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.
Tip: If you have both a portable and desktop Mac, 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.
28 Chapter 2 Setting Up Your System