SOUND ON SOUND

[redlester]

Well it's taken just over six months, but I've now started to find myself - when using my Windows 7 PC at work - going up to the top left with the mouse momentarily when trying to close or minimise a window. ;)

[job]

^^
You may prefer to get used to CTRL/CMD+W to close a window. CMD+H hides the current app. No comparable key combination on Windows.

[blinddrew]

^^
You may prefer to get used to CTRL/CMD+W to close a window. CMD+H hides the current app. No comparable key combination on Windows.

ALT+SPACE>n minimises the current window on PCs.
Which is nearly as quick :)

[job]

ALT+SPACE>n minimises the current window on PCs.
Which is nearly as quick :)

Holy tomatoes Drew! I never knew. That is just fab! :thumbup:

[blinddrew]

alt+F4 to close a window, windows+D to hide all windows and show the desktop.

Oops, I appear to be in the wrong forum. ;)

[JFairweather]

Lots of good advice here. One thing I disagree with. There is never a need to totally shut down your Mac. Use sleep instead. Those with PC backgrounds tend to shut their machines all the way down. It is not necessary on a Mac. The Mac Pro in my studio puts in around 12-18 hours a day, six days a week. I haven't totally shut it down in over a year and that was during a remodeling. Runs great, no corruption, no problems.

[redlester]

Lots of good advice here. One thing I disagree with. There is never a need to totally shut down your Mac. Use sleep instead. Those with PC backgrounds tend to shut their machines all the way down. It is not necessary on a Mac. The Mac Pro in my studio puts in around 12-18 hours a day, six days a week. I haven't totally shut it down in over a year and that was during a remodeling. Runs great, no corruption, no problems.

I’ve tried both shutting down and using sleep, and noticed no difference at all regarding performance. Obviously shutting down totally is a more environmentally friendly choice, but what are the benefits of using sleep instead?

[ConcertinaChap]

You have to consider what else is left on while the machine sleeps. For instance I've got the audio interface, a pair of powered monitors and a second screen sharing the same power socket as the Mac. If I want to shut those off too (which is what I normally do at the end of the day) I have to shut down the Mac. Also USB powered devices continue to be powered while the Mac is sleeping so that is wasteful. Sleeping is great for laptops but on environmental grounds much less so for non-mobile installations.

CC

[ManFromGlass]

I turn off the UPS at the end of day. My computer monitor is instant on so it’s always drawing minimal current when "off". But the UPS when off still charges it’s battery when needed.
As an aside, I have a sneaking suspicion that the new iPad is never really off. To save battery life I usually shut off WiFi and then the iPad (not the hard off). I get a message that WiFi will be shut off for the day or something like that. So this iPad which I think I have shut off now turns itself back on and downloads updates etc. One morning the battery was dead even though I’m sure I shut the bugger off. So perhaps iPad does a form of sleep mode but it’s still doing things while I sleep.

[kingmoot]

Just a quick one regarding specifically new iMac machines....

The current iMac model (unlike the Mac Mini) has no audio line-in option. If you want to record audio, you'll need to buy an external soundcard.

You can use a 2nd monitor with an iMac - you need a thunderbolt lead to do this.

If you're just using MIDI in, you can get away with just using USB - but if you want MIDI out, you'll also need a MIDI interface.

Hope that helps, these are all things I didn't realise until I had the machine.

[bigbabygenius]

Congrats! It’s basically all upside out of the box; my only suggestion would be a Logitech Mx master 3 mouse. 7 buttons and 2 scroll wheels that are all ergonomically accessible and almost completely customizable does wonders for your workflow. It’s enough of a game changer I don’t take my laptop anywhere without it.

[CS70]

^^
You may prefer to get used to CTRL/CMD+W to close a window. CMD+H hides the current app. No comparable key combination on Windows.

You are kidding, right? :lol: