Should I buy 64 vs 128GB RAM For Music Production? Overkill or Necessity

So you're thinking of building a music production computer. You've come to the right place! In this post, we'll take a look at 64gb vs 128gb ram for music production and help you decide which is the best option for you.

Keep in mind that there are other factors to consider when building a music production computer that affects the performance such as the CPU and graphics card (not just RAM!). But first, we're just going to focus on the amount of RAM you should get.

What Is RAM And What Does It Do?

RAM is an essential part of any computer, but what exactly is it? RAM stands for Random Access Memory, and it refers to the type of memory that your computer uses to store temporary data.

When you are working on a music production project, the data that your computer needs to access frequently is stored in RAM. This allows your computer to access the data quickly and easily, which is essential for music production.

Without RAM, your computer would have to constantly read and write data to and from your hard drive, which would slow down music production significantly. So, if you're looking to improve your music production workflow, make sure you have plenty of RAM!

But how much RAM is enough and how much is too much? Let's take a look at 64gb vs 128gb RAM for music production.

64gb vs 128gb RAM for Music Production

As we mentioned before, the amount of RAM you need for music production depends on the type of software you're using. Some music production software is more resource-intensive than others, so you'll need to make sure you have enough RAM to run the software you're using.

64GB Vs. 128GB Price Comparisson

64GB RAM

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128GB RAM

[amazon box=”B0836NNTTM,B097RJ9LXH,B085WQXKM2,B083JVJYMG” template=”table”]

As you can see, if we are going by the price difference alone, it makes more sense to go with the 128gb ram, as it works out cheaper overall. But do you need all of that RAM?

Let's take a look at some of the most popular music production software and see what their system requirements are.

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System Requirements Chart For Top Music Production Software

Here are the minimum and recommended system requirements for some of the most popular music production software:

	Minimum RAM	Recommended RAM
Ableton Live 11	8GB	16GB or more
Ableton Live 10	4GB	8GB or more
FL Studio	4GB	8GB or more
Cubase	8GB	16GB or more
Pro Tools	16GB	32GB or more
Logic Pro	16GB	32GB or more
Garageband	4GB	8GB or more

When it comes to memory for musical composition, 16GB is generally considered the minimum standard. For those working with large sample libraries or other complex audio assets, 32GB or more is recommended to ensure optimal performance.

Some composers even use powerful workstations like the Mac Pro, which comes equipped with dual 12-core Xeon processors and a staggering amount of RAM, sometimes up to 384GB.

While this level of memory is certainly overkill for many applications, it can be especially beneficial when tackling large and complex musical works.

That said, even with just 16GB of RAM, you will still be able to run most sample libraries without any issues.

What to Consider when Building a Music Production Computer

Now that we've looked at 64gb vs 128gb RAM for music production, let's take a look at some other factors you should consider when building a music production computer:

CPU

The processor is the brain of your computer, and it handles all the calculations required to run your software.

For music production, you'll want a CPU that is fast and has multiple cores. The more cores your CPU has, the better it will be able to handle complex music production tasks.

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Graphics Card

A graphics card is not essential for music production, but if you're planning on doing any video editing or other graphics-intensive tasks, you'll need a good one.

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Storage

You'll need a lot of storage for all your music production files. A good rule of thumb is to get at least 500GB of storage, but if you can afford it, get more! You can always pick up one of these later, if not – so, no sweat!

The Importance of Good Hardware for Music Production

For any music producer, good hardware is essential to creating high-quality recordings. The microphones, synthesizers, and other devices that are used in a studio all play a crucial role in determining the sound of the final product.

Of course, having robust hardware is not enough on its own; it is also important to make sure that it is properly maintained and cared for. Maintaining your hardware means keeping it clean and properly calibrated, as well as ensuring that you have all of the necessary cables and equipment for troubleshooting.

Better hardware means you can give yourself the best chance at creating stunning recordings and delivering an excellent product to your clients or your personal portfolio.

How to Choose the Right Components for Your Music Production Computer

I won't bore you will all the nuts and bolts; I am sure you have watched plenty of YouTube videos of people building their own performance beasts! A quick hack, however, is to go with Gaming PC parts or buy a second-hand Gaming PC that you can adjust if need be.

This way, the bare bones are already there (and already quite solid), and you know it will have the capacity to run your DAWs (digital audio workstations) without any issues.

Conclusion

So, should you buy 64GB or 128GB RAM for music production?

The answer is: it depends. If you are just starting out, 32GB ram should be plenty. However, if you are working with large sample libraries or other complex audio assets and plan on expanding, 64GB or more is recommended to ensure optimal performance. You only really need to go as high as 128GB if you are getting a good deal and it makes sense to do so, but your performance will not be stunted without it and you can always upgrade later!

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