Regardless of the current pattern for laptops because the go-to music manufacturing software, for some setups, you will be higher off with among the finest PCs for music manufacturing. A desktop machine will usually be extra highly effective, have extra connectivity, and within the case of Home windows machines, be far simpler to improve in case you determine you want extra RAM or inside storage later down the road.
We have been making music for a very long time, so we have got loads of expertise utilizing desktops for music manufacturing at dwelling in addition to within the studio. Having examined so many desktop machines, we have got an awesome overview of what is one of the best for every use case. Should you simply need one of the best total, then we might go for the Apple Mac Mini, which mixes energy with a compact dimension and wonderful worth for cash. Should you’re not a fan of the Apple ecosystem, then the Dell XPS 8940 provides loads of horsepower for many who choose a Home windows machine.
Should you’re shopping for for the primary time or simply need to know a bit extra about your choices earlier than you pull the set off, go take a look at our buying advice section. To see one of the best PCs for music manufacturing out there as we speak, hold scrolling for our high picks.
The fast checklist
Best overall
Highly effective but compact, the Apple Mac Mini M2 is our good desktop for music manufacturing. Its discreet design is nice if you don’t need an enormous tower dominating your house and for a properly specced Apple machine, it is comparatively cheap.
Best budget
Price range is a relative time period with regards to music manufacturing, however if you’d like bang on your buck the Geekom Mini PC GT13 is our selection. With loads of CPU energy and RAM, it is an awesome choice for properly beneath the $1k mark.
Best Mac
A strong Home windows machine can just do nearly as good a job as an Apple one, and we love the Dell XPS 8940. It would not seem like a lot, however beneath that plain black shell is loads of heft for the overwhelming majority of music-making duties.
Best Mac
In order for you an all-in-one Mac to cowl your music-making wants, we might go for the Apple iMac M1. The screens on them are completely gorgeous, and there is loads of horsepower for CPU-intensive music duties due to the highly effective M1 chip.
Best pro option
It is overkill for dwelling studios, however in case you’re organising a correct bespoke studio then the Apple Mac Professional will ship the utmost in energy. It comes with a rackmount choice, and you will be future-proofed for at the least the subsequent ten years with this beast.
Best for film
Movie scoring is without doubt one of the extra intense music-making duties you will ask of your pc, and the Apple Mac Studio has loads of capability. Should you’re making movies too, it additionally doubles as an extremely highly effective video and photograph processor as properly.
Finest total
(Picture credit score: Future)
Our favourite desktop for music manufacturing
Specs
CPU: M2
CPU Velocity: 2.42 – 3.48 GHz
RAM: 8 – 16GB
Storage: 256GB – 2TB SSD
Graphics: M2
Causes to purchase+
Good worth for cash
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Highly effective processor is nice for music
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Compact dimension is sweet
Causes to avoid-
Some compatibility points
In order for you a everlasting machine on your studio house, we might go for the Apple Mac Mini. Its small dimension mixed with highly effective processing energy makes it a studio workhorse, and it is wonderful worth for cash too.
It’s nonetheless the identical gray sq. that it’s been for quite a few years, however therein lies its magnificence. It’s sufficiently small that it may be tucked away from view, however highly effective sufficient that it’ll fulfill the wants of many producers and musicians.
It runs ultra-quiet, making it nice for dwelling studio customers who’re recording in the identical house they’re mixing, and in case you improve to the Professional model you get loads of connectivity.
Learn our full Apple Mac Mini M2 overview
Finest finances
(Picture credit score: Geekom)
2. Geekom Mini PC GT13
It might be small, however it will possibly ship the products
Specs
CPU: Thirteenth-gen i7-13620H
CPU Velocity: 4.9 GHz
RAM: 32GB DDR4
Storage: 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD
Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics
Causes to purchase+
Nice spec for the cash
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Small footprint
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A number of connectivity choices
Causes to avoid-
Fan can get loud beneath strenuous duties
At across the dimension of roughly 5 items of bread stacked on high of each other, the Geekom Mini PC GT13 has a near-perfect spec for any budget-conscious producer. It isn’t the most cost effective after all, however for music manufacturing, you need loads of CPU energy and this has received it.
Outfitted with a Thirteenth-gen i7-13620H it is received loads of oomph for working a number of VSTs with loads of plugins stacked on their channels. 32GB of DDR4 provides to the speedy really feel of utilizing the Geekom Mini, making it an awesome selection for Home windows customers who do not need to go down the Mac Mini route.
It is received a 1TB SSD which is loads of house for a DAW and a myriad of devices and plugins, and masses tremendous quick. We love having 4 USB-A slots and two USB-Cs for connectivity. The fan does get a bit noisy when it is beneath intensive duties, so one thing to keep in mind in case you file in the identical room that you just combine.
Finest PC
(Picture credit score: Dell)
3. Dell XPS 8940
Deceptively highly effective desktop from Dell
Specs
CPU: Intel i7 to i9
RAM: 16 – 32GB
Storage: 500GB to 1TB
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 – 3080
Causes to purchase+
Highly effective sufficient for music manufacturing
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Glorious guarantee and assist
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Baggage of connectivity
Causes to avoid-
Not essentially the most inspiring visually
It was that Apple dominated the world of music-making machines however an increasing number of customers are returning to Home windows machines, due to their software program flexibility and talent to improve. The Dell XPS 8940 is a good choice for those who need to go the PC route, however do not need a garish wanting gaming PC.
Sitting above its Inspiron tier of everyman desktops, the Dell XPS 8940 may look pretty unassuming however beneath the hood is a really properly spec’d desktop PC which is able to excel at music manufacturing. We significantly just like the excessive variety of connectivity choices, with 4 USB 3 slots on the entrance of the machine, which means there’s much less reliance on dongles and hubs than you may usually encounter.
Should you’re searching for a flashy machine you possibly can showcase in your YouTube movies, this isn’t it. But when it’s a strong, reliable beast of a desktop PC that can devour renders, plugins and different processes, then the Dell XPS 8940 is a really secure guess certainly.
Finest Mac
(Picture credit score: Future)
4. Apple iMac M1
A distinct form of energy, however is it appropriate for music?
Specs
CPU: M1
RAM: 8 – 16GB
Storage: 256GB – 2TB SSD
Graphics: M1
Causes to purchase+
Very good design
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Highly effective (however with caveats)
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Snappy response occasions
Causes to avoid-
Can’t be upgraded after buy
Apple’s well-known all-in-one sequence has historical past within the color stakes, with the outdated iMac G3 vary introducing the concept computer systems didn’t need to be black or beige. With the Apple iMac M1 line-up, it’s gone again to that playful angle, solely this time there have been some severe adjustments beneath the hood. That is right down to the M1 structure employed by Apple, which is each good and (probably) not-so-good information for music manufacturing.
The excellent news is in case you’re a Logic Professional X consumer; Logic and the M1 chip have been optimised to kingdom come, so the consumer expertise there’s flawless. The place we’d usually frown at attempting to provide tracks utilizing solely 8GB of RAM, with the M1 vary it really works in addition to any 16GB+ system we’ve used previously.
The draw back is a few DAWs and plugins have not but been absolutely optimised and with each OS replace, there is a potential that you will nerf your favorite software program. We might advocate turning off automated updates for this type of machine, and ready til you already know for certain your software program is suitable earlier than putting in.
Finest professional choice
(Picture credit score: Apple)
5. Apple Mac Professional
This desktop pc is Professional by title, professional by nature
Specs
CPU: as much as 28-core Intel Xeon W
Graphics: as much as two Radeon Professional Vega II Do with 2x32GB HBM2 reminiscence every
RAM: as much as 1.5 TB (12x128GB)
Storage: as much as 8TB SSD
Causes to purchase+
Unprecedented ranges of energy
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Rack-mount choice
Causes to avoid-
None, in case you can afford it
It appears churlish when speaking in regards to the new Apple Mac Professional, this excessive peak of shopper computing excellence, to consult with it because the ‘cheese grater’. It’s a must to admit there’s a resemblance although.
Put that to 1 facet, nonetheless, and marvel at that potential spec sheet. It’s, frankly, nuts. Enjoyable sport; go to the Apple web site and max out the potential specs. We did, and received a closing price of over $64,000. For a pc. What a pc although!
This can be a machine strictly for professional-level music makers, full of sufficient energy to deal with any music-making job you possibly can throw at it. Secure to say the brand new Mac Professional will probably be greater than you’ll ever want, and that assertion will in all probability nonetheless be legitimate in 10 years’ time. Good to dream although, proper?
Finest for movie
(Picture credit score: Future)
6. Apple Mac Studio
Monstrous energy with a price ticket to match
Specs
CPU: Apple M2 Extremely or M2 Max
Graphics: Built-in
RAM: Configurable as much as 192GB
Storage: Configurable as much as 8TB
Causes to purchase+
Insanely succesful
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Small footprint
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Configurable
For the intense (and the semi-serious) music producer, a well-specced Apple machine has at all times been a stable choice. And, whereas it hasn’t formally killed the veteran Mac Professional, Apple has launched a smaller, extra studio-focused machine for audio, video, design and different inventive pursuits.
The Apple Mac Studio is small, for a desktop, and may be configured to some fairly mind-blowing numbers – does anyone but want 192GB of RAM? In case your scoring for movie then it will be our primary selection as it can simply deal with an enormous quantity of tracks with digital devices, in addition to being a implausible video-processor in its personal proper if you wish to up your YouTube or social media sport.
It’s price declaring that the upgrades and enhancements can solely be ordered upfront – every little thing is soldered down the minute it leaves the manufacturing unit line so select your spec properly – however there’s sufficient energy right here to fulfill even essentially the most process-hungry producer for an excellent whereas but.
Learn our full Apple Mac Studio overview
Extra choices…
(Picture credit score: HP)
7. HP Envy TE02
Nice worth and straightforward to configure
Specs
CPU: Configurable as much as Intel i9
Graphics: Configurable as much as NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070
RAM: Configurable as much as 64GB
Storage: Configurable as much as 1TB Hybrid
Causes to purchase+
Good bang for buck
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Enticing case
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Upgradeable
Causes to avoid-
Prime-mounted USB slots aren’t to everybody’s style
A terrific choice for budget-conscious studio house owners who aren’t concerned with something tremendous advanced or technical is to decide on one of many large PC names and go from there. The HP Envy TE02 would make a perfect first dwelling studio PC and is configurable up in direction of some fairly spectacular specs.
Whereas the bottom unit could be completely succesful for lots, we’d advise pushing the boat out and upping the RAM in direction of 32GB and, in case you can, take into account using the hybrid storage for a pleasant mixture of dimension and velocity.
(Picture credit score: Microsoft)
8. Microsoft Floor Studio 2
Among the best PCs for music manufacturing – however energy and efficiency prices
Specs
CPU: Intel i7
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 8GB
RAM: 32 GB
Storage: 2TB SSD
Causes to purchase+
Enormous energy on faucet
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Constructed for creativity
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Touchscreen
Causes to avoid-
Higher suited to design than audio
As if to show it isn’t Apple that has the monopoly over elegant computer systems that price the identical as some automobiles, Microsoft provides up the Floor Studio 2. Now in its second iteration, that is some machine.
Centre stage is the 28” PixelSense show, which may be titled downwards so it turns into like an infinite, vastly highly effective pill. We are able to see the advantages for DAW customers of getting successfully their complete session specified by entrance of them, able to be tweaked intuitively by hand, moderately than mouse and keyboard. It’s all moderately futuristic, we expect.
That stated, innovation like that is going to price you. That blow is softened when you think about the facility this factor is packing – 32GB of RAM provides you with confidence working big multitrack periods, whereas the 2TB SSD ensures buttery easy entry to your pattern libraries.
(Picture credit score: Beelink)
9. Beelink SEi11 Professional Mini PC r
A desktop mini PC with extra energy than you may anticipate
Specs
CPU: Intel Core i5-11320H
Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
RAM: 16GB expandable to 64GB
Storage: 500GB SSD
Causes to purchase+
Mini PC with good energy
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Very transportable
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Upgradable
Causes to avoid-
Laptop computer may ship extra clout with portability
Intel’s NUC (Subsequent Unit of Computing) spec has resulted in smaller PCs however that does not imply much less energy as this Beelink SEi11 Professional Mini PC proves. It may possibly do all of the duties {that a} common desktop machine can deal with because it provides the complete four-core and eight-thread energy of a Core i5 processor. With loads of reminiscence and an NVMe foremost drive, the result’s a extremely responsive machine that runs like one thing a lot bigger, so will deal with many music duties.
The SEi11 can have its RAM expanded to 64GB and a number of USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports additionally permit the attachment of loads of exterior {hardware}, together with music peripherals. The asking value is increased than some mini PC choices, however there’s extra energy right here too. An excellent compact selection.
Shopping for recommendation
(Picture credit score: Loopmasters)
What makes an awesome music manufacturing PC?
Desktop PCs are an awesome selection for music manufacturing as a result of they’ll provide, pound for pound, extra efficiency than laptops. What they lack in portability they greater than make up for in sheer efficiency and future-proofing. Extra on that later. Normally, the three most essential specs try to be looking for when selecting a music manufacturing PC are the processor, RAM, and storage.
Elsewhere, you’ve received a little bit of freedom to decide on. You may favour one thing with flashy RGB lighting, otherwise you may search for one thing with a small footprint. What’s essential, nonetheless, is to take a look at the machine’s long-term potential. Whereas a flashy all-in-one machine may look unbelievable on paper, it may not be simple to improve sooner or later which implies you may end up again on the drafting board in a couple of years. The good cash is at all times on shopping for a machine that may develop with you.
With the best specs for the quick time period, and the potential to extend its efficiency sooner or later with a couple of key upgrades, a desktop PC could be a nice funding for music manufacturing.
What CPU do I need in a music manufacturing PC?
The processor (or CPU) is the mind of the pc and, for non-Apple patrons, try to be looking for at the least an Intel i5 or AMD Ryzen 5. A slower processor will make every little thing take longer, similar to freezing tracks, rendering mixes, and utilizing advanced plugins. Low-cost out with the processor and you may anticipate to spend many an hour gazing a progress bar. RAM is essential for music manufacturing, significantly in case you’re using sample-based digital devices. As an absolute minimal search for 8GB, however ideally, you need 16GB or upwards. Fortunately, this is without doubt one of the easiest elements of a PC to improve your self, so in case you discover your periods are spluttering down the road you possibly can rapidly add some additional RAM and see an immediate enhance in efficiency.
(Picture credit score: Future)
Is cooling essential with a music manufacturing PC?
Additionally of significance concerning CPUs is the problem of cooling. Desktop PCs are usually bigger in dimension than laptops, and subsequently have superior choices for cooling. Processors give off loads of warmth, in spite of everything. A selection you might have to make is between fan or water cooling. Each have benefits and drawbacks; nonetheless, the lowered noise from water cooling provides it an edge in environments the place quantity ranges are an element, e.g. recording cubicles.
How a lot RAM do I want?
RAM can be vastly essential. It’s right here that the pc holds related knowledge and makes it out there to entry rapidly. For audio manufacturing meaning pattern recordsdata, bounces and different essential knowledge. Fortunately, most desktop pc builds are able to being upgraded – greatest to examine before you purchase – as this does at the least can help you enhance its functionality sooner or later. It’s normally pretty cheap to do that too. At the least, nonetheless, we wouldn’t advise beginning out with lower than 8GB of RAM put in, even 16GB in case you can afford it.
What kind of storage do I want?
Storage is the opposite key ingredient. For audio work, we’d advocate a hybrid strategy. Common onerous disk drives (HDDs) provide big quantities of storage, however lack within the velocity division. Stable state drives (SSDs), alternatively, are a lot faster at accessing knowledge making them excellent for storing pattern libraries however are normally costlier. Combining the 2 is usually an excellent answer.
You might have seen we haven’t talked about audio functionality in a desktop pc – fairly elementary, you’d suppose? The straightforward cause is that music and audio manufacturing necessities – i.e. plugging in recording microphones or guitar cables – are higher dealt with by exterior audio interfaces and that’s a completely totally different dialog which we cannot cowl right here.
Whichever choice you select, from pre-made to customized builds, desktop PCs are nonetheless very a lot a horny proposition for music manufacturing. Offering you already know the specs try to be looking for, you’ll you should definitely discover a machine that can hold tempo with you for years to come back.
How we take a look at
Music manufacturing PCs require a sure diploma of efficiency in the event that they’re getting used for music manufacturing. You possibly can look on a spec-sheet, or a construct checklist, if you’d like a theoretical metric for the way a machine will carry out however in the true world, it’s solely when a PC is put beneath duress that you will note the way it will cope along with your musical initiatives.
We stock out quite a lot of assessments after we’re evaluating one of the best PCs for music manufacturing, together with normal trials to see velocity and efficiency capabilities if you’re recording, mixing, tweaking and usually navigating your manner round a big DAW session. We’ll examine the connectivity choices, to see if customers with massive pattern libraries on exterior storage will probably be glad. And we examine the general snappiness of the PCs actions, from its preliminary boot-up time by to how rapidly and simply it copes with altering exterior {hardware} like audio interfaces.
An excellent machine ought to be capable to breeze by these checks, or it gained’t make the checklist. Lastly, we attempt to get an understanding of the PC’s potential longevity; can it’s upgraded with new elements and, if that’s the case, is that course of easy sufficient? Then, and solely then, can we take into account a PC appropriate for our checklist.
Discover out extra about how we take a look at music gear and companies at MusicRadar.
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