It’s easier to recommend Macs, since there are far fewer models. In terms of laptops, if you can afford it, a MacBook Pro is the best Mac for music production. The 15” MacBook Pro is our top pick, but we realize it’s a bit expensive. The less expensive MacBook or MacBook Air could certainly work, but the consensus amongst music producers is they are not the most optimized machines for making music on.
I got the 2016 13' MBP (non touch-bar, i5 6360u, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) primarily for music production. I wanted something small and light enough to carry around, but powerful enough to use as my desktop - it has ticked both of those boxes. USB C is very handy (ignore the #donglelife clickbait articles that have been floating about).
With just 2 cables, I can connect my MBP to:. USB Mouse. USB Keyboard. M-Audio USB soundcard. Akai MPK Mini (also via USB). 32' Samsung 1440P monitor.
Power adapter This saves a lot of time plugging everything back in. As for performance, I am mainly using Ableton Live (on MacOS), which runs very well, even with all my instances of Serum and a ton of audio samples.
I have had Ableton crash 2 times (in the past month), but that is an issue with Ableton as opposed to the MBP. I also have Windows 10 installed via Bootcamp, and have FL Studio 12 installed. This runs well, although there are some scaling issues, which can be fixed a bit by tweaking the options (although some older VSTs instruments don't scale well at all) - this is an issue with all small (12-13') high DPI screens (i.e. Dell XPS 13, Razer Blade Stealth etc) One 'tweak' I have done is to download to increase the fan speeds. Apple are a bit conservative with their default speeds, so it would often reach 80C with the fans barely spinning up. Whereas I would prefer it to run in the 50-60C region, and have some audible fan noise (although I use headphones so it doesn't affect me).
For anyone concerned about the limited storage, I also use a Samsung T3 external USB SSD (256GB) to store a lot of my audio samples. It has read speeds of up to 430MB/s, so is very quick for an external drive, and it is super small and light. So yeah, hope that helps (and sorry for the wall of text). Happy to answer any other questions TLDR; the new 13' MBP is perfect for my use case.
Using the same old mouse for music production? Frustrated that you are unable to work productively or even peacefully?
Well, that’s no surprise. While mice seem to have universal application, we cannot use the same device for every single function.
In fact, there are mice for specific purposes such as, work, and music production. We recommend that you could models based on purpose because otherwise, your projects will suffer. Purpose-based models are built to satisfy your requirements, making your job easy. Surely, that’s what you want!
Now, without much ado let’s talk about the best mice for music production out there. Contents. Best Mouse for Music Production 1. Kensington Expert Trackball Mouse for Music Production (K64325) Even though it is a little on the more expensive end, the Kensington Expert Trackball Mouse is one of the most sought-after options. It comes with a variety of features that entice users to no end. Let’s see what these features are:. It has a large ball, designed for precision and superior control.
The scroll is simply a delight. The mouse has, in fact, been recognized far and wide for its. Whether you are a left-hander or a right-hander, you can use the mouse conveniently because its design is ambidextrous. It has an auto-sleep feature. It is compatible with Mac and Windows, both. You can buy the wired version or the wireless version based on your preferences. It has a detachable wrist rest.
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You can use the Trackball Works software to customize all the buttons on the mouse so that it is a perfect extension of your arm. Kensington SlimBlade Trackball Mouse for Audio Editing Another masterpiece from Kensington, the SlimBlade Trackball Mouse is an Amazon’s Choice product. It is sleek, stylish, and purpose-built to make your work a breeze. Let’s explore its features now:. It has a silver metallic finish that makes it very aesthetic.
The design makes it compact. It occupies less space but delivers exceedingly well. It works on laser technology to give you high accuracy and precision. It is ambidextrous. It has responsible cursor scrolling and tracking. It doesn’t matter if you use a Mac or a Windows computer.
It works just fine with both. It is a wired mouse.
Logitech MX Master Wireless Mouse for Audio Editing In a discussion about the best mouse for audio editing and music production, how can we leave Logitech behind? The company is a leader when it comes to mice, and its products tell us why. Let’s explore this particular wireless mouse now:. The build is like a normal mouse but with extra functionalities, of course. One unique feature is the thumb scroll wheel. This helps with horizontal navigation and other advanced gestures.
If you are using multiple monitors, you can switch from one to the other very easily. You can use the mouse just about anywhere.
The surface does not matter at all! It apparently works well even on glass thanks to its darkfield laser sensor. It comes with a unifying receiver and is equipped with Bluetooth Smart Wireless Technology. Charge it just once and forget about it for more than 40 days! Also, it charges super-fast. Install the required software and enter the world of amazing music production and audio editing with this mouse!.
It is only suitable for right-handers. Keep in mind, though, that this is an expensive mouse! Logitech Wireless Trackball M570 If you want a wireless option from Logitech, you should check the. It is one of the best sellers out there and comes with a plethora of features, which we shall throw light on now:. It has a sensor resolution of 540. It has a great design and shape, specifically to ensure that you move the cursor without moving your hand at all.
The unifying receiver lets you connect up to 6 devices at once. It is compatible with Mac and Windows computers. It requires AA batteries, and you can possibly go 18 months without the need to replace!. It has programmable buttons that you can customize based on your wishes.
This is a right-handed mouse. Nakabayashi Digio 2 Bluetooth Wireless Trackball For those of you who cannot shell out a lot of money on the mouse, Nakabayashi has come up with a great solution. This mouse is comparatively affordable and reliable at the same time. Let’s see what it offers:. It is a that is easy to carry and use.
You will note that the others are actually quite large, but this one is designed to be small. You can get rid of all the button noise with this mouse. You can use the mouse without making a sound!. It may not be compatible with Mac.
It has buttons on the side for advanced gestures. It is a wireless mouse. The trackball adjusts to itself so that the pointer speed is optimized for convenience. Kensington Orbit Wireless Trackball Mouse (K72352US) Don’t want to spend a lot but still want to go with a well-known brand? Kensington solves the problem by giving you its Orbit Wireless Trackball Mouse. It is affordable and loaded with features! Here they are:.
It is precise and comfortable thanks to its distinctive design. It has a center ball for various gestures. It allows touch scrolling, which is a unique experience in itself. The wireless mouse comes with a USB dongle. The buttons are customizable with the Trackball Works software. It is ambidextrous!. You do not need to go through a tedious setup process with this one.
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Just plug it in and start using. It works well with Mac and Windows. Logitech Trackman Marble Mouse for Music Production Programmable with 4 buttons, this mouse is another marvel from Logitech.
It is also among the most affordable mice on this list! Here are its distinguished features:.
It is a wired mouse. It has patented marble optical technology, making tracking a great experience. It works on optical sensor technology. It has a sensor resolution of 300, which we think is good. It supports Windows and Mac computers. It provides finger-tip based control.
Users cannot stop talking about its precision and smoothness. We are positive that this list will help you make the right choice in minutes! If you have any queries or suggestions about the best mouse for music production, we would love to hear from you!