Ableton running on windows on a mac

[nrg-records]

Hi,

Right now I m using ableton on a regular pc. But I m thinking of moving to mac. But still I use a lot of VSTs which only work on windows. So I thought about running windows parallel on a mac to still use those VSTs.
So mac as a computer - running windows with ableton.

Do you think that there are or might be some problems ?

Okay now people could ask why I don't stay with windows. But right now I produce on 2 systems (windows and mac), as I m also into the apple producer software. And it really bugs me to work on two seperate systems. And in the future I want to keep just one system.


thanks for you help...

[synnack]

You'll have performance problems with any DAW inside a virtual machine like that.

If you use bootcamp and boot windows natively on the mac it should work fine though.

[fiz]

I'm on a MacBook and currently have Live running on both systems. It works fine on Windows for the most part, though I have to run it straight from Boot Camp and avoid Parallels, because Parallels creates a huge drag in overall responsiveness. VMWare Fusion might be better for that -- I've heard it is.

Also, for me, I can't get my FireWire audio interface (Edirol FA-66) to be picked up as a new hardware device in BootCamp. I'm running Windows XP (Service Pack 2), and have researched the wonky audio issues associated with it, but I haven't been able to fix it. Maybe a different interface would work...I'm not sure.

Even so, it's awesome to have access to Windows-only VST's when I really want them.

[nrg-records]

Oh good to hear.

Well the audio interface should work at least. I usually use the regular USB conection for mine.

thanks a lot

[robbmasters]

If you use bootcamp and boot windows natively on the mac it should work fine though.

I do this all the time and it works fine.

[duluxdog]

I got Parallels but haven't got around to setting up Windows with it yet. I might just go the bootcamp route instead if there are too many performance issues running Live in Parallels.

[dysanfel]

But I m thinking of moving to mac. But still I use a lot of VSTs which only work on windows.

The strategies mentioned above are great, but part two of the strategy should be to slowly begin moving to OSX. I did it. It was difficult at times, but now my work flow is much better.

[duluxdog]

I'm on a MacBook and currently have Live running on both systems. It works fine on Windows for the most part, though I have to run it straight from Boot Camp and avoid Parallels, because Parallels creates a huge drag in overall responsiveness. VMWare Fusion might be better for that -- I've heard it is.

Also, for me, I can't get my FireWire audio interface (Edirol FA-66) to be picked up as a new hardware device in BootCamp. I'm running Windows XP (Service Pack 2), and have researched the wonky audio issues associated with it, but I haven't been able to fix it. Maybe a different interface would work...I'm not sure.

Even so, it's awesome to have access to Windows-only VST's when I really want them.

What specifications of computer are you using? I wonder if I max out my RAM then I can get Parallels to run smoothly with some things. I only want one or two windows-only things and it's going to be a pain rebooting when I want them.

[fiz]

What specifications of computer are you using? I wonder if I max out my RAM then I can get Parallels to run smoothly with some things. I only want one or two windows-only things and it's going to be a pain rebooting when I want them.

Intel C2D MacBook, 4GB RAM, 2.0 GHz, Parallel's 3.0

Parallel's 3.0 works great for running MS Office, but it sucks for running Live. The mouse drags noticeably.

Parallel's 4.0 might run better. But at this point I'm kind of burned out on Parallel's. I wish I'd gone with VMWare's Fusion. For now I'll just use BootCamp. But if you go for Parallel's 4.0 and have good luck, please report back.

[duluxdog]

Ok - tell you what, i'll get VMWare Fusion and find out if it runs any better on that. It might be worth it. I have a friend who has tried both Parallels and VMWare and advised VMWare to be a lot better.