Advice - How many cores for Logic?

1. Make sure the graphics adapter is robust, you will probably using a second monitor, yes?

2. A Logic channel strip uses a single core, however, that core is not limited to supplying CPU power to a single channel strip.

This is an older support document regarding core performance. (still valid)

Logic Pro/Express: Tips for balancing multi-core performance - Apple Support

3. The recent Mac operating systems and Logic are less efficient than 5 years ago, go for as much as everything as you can afford. CPU speed is important for virtual instruments but I wouldn't skimp on cores.

4. Generally speaking Mac Pros have a more robust architecture, physical dimensions do make a difference. Not sure how this plays out with new Mac Pros but having everything crammed into a small area (iMac) used to mean less bus or a less wide data path. Probably no longer a concern.

5. There have been reports of Logic not using the virtual cores to their advantage and occasionally causing problems. Don't know if it's the OS or Logic. A 16 core Mac has 8 physical cores and 8 virtual cores. It's the virtual cores that have occasionally produced glitches. Which now comes to audio hardware and the type of connection you will be using.

What are you using now? What operating system, version of Logic, audio hardware...etc.

Another support document worth reading. ("Playback and Live tracks" is less efficient than "Playback Tracks"

About the Multithreading setting in Logic Pro X - Apple Support

p.s. Probably not a good idea to compare Reason to Logic regarding Core/CPU use, Logic uses both in a unique way.

Hi

More cores better

but for logic or any music program jst 4 physical cores right now is enuff (with hyper threading that's actually 8)

the mac pro will start off with 8 physical cores! so the base model should be more than enough for just music production. I use Reason 9.5 which is more demanding on a mac and i have the i7 4ghz CPU and i get by fine enough , and i also do video editing with final cut and its buttery smooth so yes the bass model CPU should be just fine

NOW if you want to do SFX with programs like Autocads mya or Blender then MAX out the imac since you will have to render with the CPU as to date (For some reason unbeknown to man) AMDs GPUs are not used to there fullest with most programs as in the are little or no integration with AMD GPUs and all Softwares in general most softwares Like blender love Cuda cores (Nvidia) but its up 2 you , the base 8core CPU should be just fine for Music and video production , and ok for SFX the 18 core version would be suited best for SFX production

Hope this helped

and Rumor has it that a modular mac will be coming (as in you will be able to change the ram a GPU and Hopefully - fingers crossed although i dont think its going to happen - the CPU as well) out soon (as soon as 1st quarter next year) the i mac pro is set for release this december

Ok... just checked out the iMac Pro, it's a beast... get the fastest CPU and the most cores you can afford. Future proof.