Mac laptop - audio interface needed?

[Lancer X]

Hi all. After being away from the Live world for a while, looking to get back to production.

Most of the time I won't be using physical instruments or mics - just the Push 2 and computer. If I go with a new MacBook Pro, will I still need an external audio interface for low latency, or is the MacBook internal audio good enough for digital production?

How about with beefy VSTs like Massive or Serum?

Is it correct to assume that Windows laptops would always require an interface for decent performance?

Thanks in advance! I've always used Live on my Windows desktop with a Focusrite 2i2, but looking to reduce my footprint and increase portability with just a laptop and Push, if possible.

[buzby]

as im travelling a lot i use something pretty small

recently switched from rme babyface to apogee duet - both are brilliant but i am preferring the duet now - to me the pre-amps seemed to be a bit cleaner - at least im finding i ve got less noise on my recordings so whether that is the reason i dont know

gui is super simple and straight forward and it is possible to connect to ipad and iphone for good quality recordings

[Tarekith]

I don't know about Windows computers, but you should be fine with the built in soundcard on a Macbook in terms of latency and performance.

[Stromkraft]

If I go with a new MacBook Pro, will I still need an external audio interface for low latency, or is the MacBook internal audio good enough for digital production?

How about with beefy VSTs like Massive or Serum?

Generally, you'll be OK with the internal audio but a really good interface with great drivers may potentially allow you to set a lower buffer which is nice when you use demanding synths like Serum (Massive is not as demanding I think).

[yur2die4]

My advice, just try it. If it doesn't work out, start looking for an interface.

[jlgrimes]

An audio interface is not required for low latency performance on a Mac or PC.

On a Mac, Core Audio drivers are included with the built-in audio giving you love latency.

ASIO usually don't come with the onboard audio for a PC, however there is a free program called ASIO4ALL that gives your PC built-in audio low latency.

You only really need an audio interface if you plan on recording external signals such as vocals, guitars, or hardware synths.

If you just want to make tracks on the go, I would skip the interface.

[Lancer X]

My advice, just try it. If it doesn't work out, start looking for an interface.

I get what you're saying, but I can't take this route. Trying to decide whether to get a MacBook Pro, or a much less expensive Windows laptop. I've got a nice interface - just don't want to use it with this rig.

[Stefan Jantschek]

On the Windows-Side, maybe this infos can help?

System: Intel Core i7-4712HQ 2.3 GHz
Int. Sound: IDT 92HD91BXX @ Intel Lynx Point PCH - High Definition Audio Controller
Ext. Sound: RME Babyface Pro (loving it!)
OS: Windows 10
DAW: Live 9.7
RAM: 16 GB
SSD: 512 GB

Int. Sound Driver: Asio4All, Output Latency: 6,44ms, Buffer: 64 Samples, no Dropouts until 98% CPU.

Ext. Sound Driver: RME Asio Fireface USB, Input Latency: 3,42ms, Output Latency: 3,81ms, Overall Latency: 7,23ms
Buffer: 128 Samples, no Dropouts until 100% CPU.

All Sample Rates: 44100 Hz

Differences in Sound Quality are measurable but beyond human perception.
The main Difference is the higher Output Level of Babyface.
It is much more Input Gain on connected equipment needed if you work with internal Sound.
That decreases SNR.
Therefore, most important, ALWAYS put your internal Volume to 100% and use passive Attenuators for Volume control.

Hope that might help,
*S.

[Lancer X]

On the Windows-Side, maybe this infos can help?

Thanks everyone - very helpful info!

[EasyWorkflow]

Since you are traveling a lot, you most likely are professional doing OK in life. If that's the case, I would stick with Apple as the majority of music pros who could afford either platform always choose Apple. I was already an Apple user when I purchased Ableton and I was told to go with Logic. Happy I stayed with Ableton. Session view is amazing.

[Lancer X]

Since you are traveling a lot, you most likely are professional doing OK in life. If that's the case, I would stick with Apple as the majority of music pros who could afford either platform always choose Apple.

Thanks for the advice. Since I am only a hobby musician, I do still try to make "reasonable" hardware decisions.

That said, I have just learned that the Kaby Lake processors released so far are only dual core. As such, I am contemplating waiting until Q1, when the quad core i7 processors are due to launch. It's only a few months.

[jlgrimes]

Hi all. After being away from the Live world for a while, looking to get back to production.

Most of the time I won't be using physical instruments or mics - just the Push 2 and computer. If I go with a new MacBook Pro, will I still need an external audio interface for low latency, or is the MacBook internal audio good enough for digital production?

How about with beefy VSTs like Massive or Serum?

Is it correct to assume that Windows laptops would always require an interface for decent performance?

Thanks in advance! I've always used Live on my Windows desktop with a Focusrite 2i2, but looking to reduce my footprint and increase portability with just a laptop and Push, if possible.

You only need an interface if you plan on recording external audio.


You do not need an interface for low latency performance on a Mac.

You generally do not need an interface for low latency performance on a PC as the free ASIO4ALL software creates low latency ASIO drivers for most built in audio on PCs.

[jlgrimes]

Hi all. After being away from the Live world for a while, looking to get back to production.

Most of the time I won't be using physical instruments or mics - just the Push 2 and computer. If I go with a new MacBook Pro, will I still need an external audio interface for low latency, or is the MacBook internal audio good enough for digital production?

How about with beefy VSTs like Massive or Serum?

Is it correct to assume that Windows laptops would always require an interface for decent performance?

Thanks in advance! I've always used Live on my Windows desktop with a Focusrite 2i2, but looking to reduce my footprint and increase portability with just a laptop and Push, if possible.

You only need an interface if you plan on recording external audio (Or if you need multiple audio outputs for some reason).


You do not need an interface for low latency performance on a Mac.

You generally do not need an interface for low latency performance on a PC as the free ASIO4ALL software creates low latency ASIO drivers for most built in audio on PCs.

[EasyWorkflow]

Since you are traveling a lot, you most likely are professional doing OK in life. If that's the case, I would stick with Apple as the majority of music pros who could afford either platform always choose Apple.

Thanks for the advice. Since I am only a hobby musician, I do still try to make "reasonable" hardware decisions.

That said, I have just learned that the Kaby Lake processors released so far are only dual core. As such, I am contemplating waiting until Q1, when the quad core i7 processors are due to launch. It's only a few months.

I did not know the new processors are only dual, not quad. I am not a techie so I do not know how that relates to the performance of the 2015 MBP. You mentioned you would wait until 1Q. I though Apple releases a new MBP every year. So what makes you belive they will release a new model so quickly?

Thanks

[fishmonkey]

Since you are traveling a lot, you most likely are professional doing OK in life. If that's the case, I would stick with Apple as the majority of music pros who could afford either platform always choose Apple.

Thanks for the advice. Since I am only a hobby musician, I do still try to make "reasonable" hardware decisions.

That said, I have just learned that the Kaby Lake processors released so far are only dual core. As such, I am contemplating waiting until Q1, when the quad core i7 processors are due to launch. It's only a few months.

I did not know the new processors are only dual, not quad. I am not a techie so I do not know how that relates to the performance of the 2015 MBP. You mentioned you would wait until 1Q. I though Apple releases a new MBP every year. So what makes you belive they will release a new model so quickly?

Thanks

just to clear up the confusion, the new 13" MBPs have dual-core processors, and the 15" MBPs have quad-core processors.

Kaby Lake is the name of the latest generation of Intel processors, and the quad-core Kaby Lake i7s are not out yet. as a result, the new MBPs use the previous generation Skylake processors.