In my career, I havent seen many pcs in the professional studios i have had the opportunity to work in, most of them still have old quicksilvers with protools or logic audio.
Newer places have g5s with a similar setup. cubase is still around but i hardly see it today.
i would suggest if you want a professional audio rig to choose the OS X platform, nowadays however the hardware is ambiguous with intel based macs.
I will be investing in logic pro very soon, its native to my other applications in regards to video and composition, a blessing for timing dolby and music to your music and video score.
[href]http://www.apple.com/au/logic/[href]
http://www.apple.com/logicpro/musicstudio.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logic_Pro
lets see who uses logic.
The Chemical Brothers
Deep Dish
Christina Aguilera
Pet Shop Boys
Depeche Mode
Vince Clarke from Erasure
Aaron Walton
'N Sync
Linkin Park
Roger Waters
Nine Inch Nails
Peter Gabriel
John McLaughlin
Gwen Stefani.
not to shabby there...
lets take it a step further
Depeche Mode Artist Live
Nine Inch Nails Artist
Herbie Hancock Artist
BT (Brian Transeau) Artist, Composer, Producer 'N Sync
Peter Gabriel Artist, Producer Genesis, Phil Collins, Sinead O'Connor
Gwen Stefani Artist
Chemical Brothers Artist "Surrender"
Christina Aguilera Artist
Guns N Roses Artist "Use Your Illusion"
Blumpy Producer/Engineer/Programmer Madonna, Eric Clapton, Marilyn Manson, Sheryl Crow, Depeche Mode, Kid Rock...
Charlie Clouser Composer, Producer, Programmer Nine Inch Nails, "Saw", "Saw II", "Deepwater"...
Marilyn Manson Artist
Teddy Riley Producer/Artist Whitney Houston, Blackstreet, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson
Chick Corea Producer/Composer Miles Davis, Donald Byrd, Wayne Shorter
Rick Rubin Producer Beastie Boys, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Melanie C
Reggie Griffin Writer Boyz II Men, Babyface, Isley Brothers
Tony Shepard Engineer Barbara Streisand, Stephen Bray, Randy Waldman
David Newman Film Composer 102 Dalmatians, Bedazzled, Nutty Professor I & II
'N SYNC Artist
Stanley Clarke Producer/Composer George Duke, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock
Barenaked Ladies Artist
Kay Gee Producer Next, One In a Million, Queen Latifah
Danny Lux TV Composer Ally McBeal, Boston Public
Mary J. Blige Artist
Mark Isham Film composer Rules of Engagement, Men of Honor, Save the Last Dance
Skinny Puppy Platinum Artist "The Process"
Chris Ting Producer/TV Composer Futurama, The Job
Dave Pensado Mixer Brian McKnight, Black Eyed Peas, Jermaine Dupri
David Frank Platinum Producer 98°, Dream, Christina Aguilera
Hiram Bullock Guitarist David Sanborn, Roberta Flack, Idris Muhammad
Gen Rubin Platinum Producer Baby Face, Mary J. Blige, Toni Braxton
DJ Spinbad DJ Moby
Big bad Voodoo Daddy Platinum Artist The Beautiful Life
Michael Wagner Platinum Producer Janet Jackson, Motley Crue, Ozzy Osborne
Curt Bisquera Drummer Mick Jagger, Seal, Elton John, Nelly Furtado, Tom Petty
Bill Gould Bassist Faith No More
Ndugu ChanclerNdugu Chancler Drummer Weather Report, George Duke, Joe Cocker
Peter McCabe Platinum Producer/Engineer Ricky Martin, Krayzie Bone, Tracie Spencer, Jennifer Lopez
MDFMK Platinum Group "MDFMK"
Randy Waldman Platinum Writer/Composer Kenny G,, Madonna, K-Ci- and Jo-Jo
Mark Bell Platinum Producer/Remixer Bjork, LFO, BBD
Organized Noize Platinum Producers Outkast, Goodie Mob, Kurupt
Dave Weckl Artist, Drummer "Transition", Paul Simon, Madonna, George Benson, Michel Camilo
Del Atkins Bassist Dr. Dre, DJ Quick, Warren G
Justin Meldal Johnson Remixer/Bassist Beck, Tori Amos, Amnesia
Ian Boxill Platinum Producer Jon B., Aaron Neville, 2 Pac
Michael Shrieve Drummer Santana, Mick Jagger, David Torn
Ramone Huggins Programmer Whitney Houston, Eminem, Dr. Dre
Bassy Bob Brockman Mixer Babyface, Faith Evans, Toni Braxton
Mark Rivera Saxophone Player Billy Joel, Foreigner, Peter Gabriel
Jonathan Sola Sound Designer The Simpson’s, Futurama
James 'Mad Ball' Canade Remixer/On Air Personality 103.1 New York
Mark Plati Platinum Producer David Bowie, Deee-lite, Will Downing
Tony Maserati Mixer Black Rob, Puff Daddy, Ruff Ryders
Darren Lighty Platinum Producer Next, LL Cool J, TLC
Jermaine Dupri Platinum Producer/Artist Mariah Carey, Da Brat, Jagged Edge, Destiny’s Child, Dru Hill
Mirwais Platinum Producer Madonna
Jamiroquai Platinum Artist "Return of the Space Cowboy"
Josh Abraham Platinum Producer Limp Bizkit, Orgy, Korn
James Poyser Platinum Producer D’Angelo, Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill
Mutt Lang Platinum Producer Backstreet Boys, Shania Twain, Foreigner
Danny Saber Platinum Producer Marilyn Manson, Seal, Garbage
Keith Thomas Platinum Producer Amy Grant, 98°, Vanessa Williams
Ben Grosse Platinum Producer B52’s, Filter, Rollins Band
Eddie F. Platinum Producer Mary J. Blige, Donell Jones, 98°
Raymond Jones Platinum Producer Whitney Houston, Chic, , Lisa Fischer
Sylvia Bennett Smith Platinum Producer Destiny’s Child, Wild Orchid
Kenny Luck Bassist Boyz II Men
Brian Kierulf Platinum Producer Britney Spears
G. Thomas Furgerson Video Producer Sisqo, Dru Hill, Daz Dillinger
Roger Sanchez Platinum Producer Michael Jackson, Jamiroquai, Kathy Sledge
George Duke Producer/Composer Miles Davis, Stanley Clarke, Billy Cobham
Donell Jones Platinum Artist "Where I Wanna Be"
Big Chucky Thompson Platinum Producer Mary J. Blige, Puff Daddy, Faith Evans
Patrick Leonard Platinum Producer Madonna, Enrique Inglesias, Jewel
Bob Power Platinum Producer D’Angelo, The ROOTS, Erykah Badu
Jazzy Jeff Platinum Producer Will smith, Jill Scott, James Poyser
Chris Maxwell Producer/TV Composer Malcom In the Middle
Russ Landau TV Composer Survivor
The Crystal Method Platinum Artist "Comin Back"
Frank Serafine Sound Designer Star Trek III: the Search for Spock
Aimee Mann Platinum Artist "Whatever"
Eric Williams Platinum Artist/Producer Blackstreet
Marcus Miller Bassist/Film Composer "The Ladies Man"
The Roots Platinum Artist "Things Fall Apart"
Steve Kipner Platinum Producer 98°, Christina Aguilera, LFO
Jean Marie Horvat Mixer Destiny’s Child, Dave Hollister, Michael Jackson
Jed Lieber Platinum Producer/Composer Ozzy Osborne, Darryl Hall, Keith Richards
Rhett Lawrence Platinum Producer David Foster, Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones
Omar Hakim Drummer David Bowie, Mariah Carey, Miles Davis
Gary Carolla Platinum Producer 'N SYNC, 98°, Aaron Carter
Paul Foley Programmer/Editor Dr. Dre, Daz Dillinger, Nate Dogg
Bryce Wilson Platinum Producer Groove Theory, Mary J. Blige, Toni Braxton
Freddie Washington Platinum Writer/Bassist Will Smith, George Duke, Aaron Hall
Christian B. Remixer/On Air Personality KIIS FM Los Angeles
Tony Hoffer Programmer Beck
Underworld Platinum Artist
X-ecutioners Producers/DJ’s World Champion DJ’s
Jeff Bernstein Programmer Jennifer Lopez, Brian Mcnight, Cher
Jack Kugell Platinum Writer/Producer Martina Mcbride, Victoria Beckham (Posh Spice), O-Town, All 4 One
Gary Grant Trumpet David Foster, Fourplay, Julio Inglesias
Dave Wilder Bass Player Macy Gray’s band
Simon Franglen Producer/Programmer Titanic, Michael Jackson, En Vogue
Brian Middleton Remixer/On Air Personality B96 Chicago
Joey Waronker Drummer Smashing Pumpkins, Suburbia, Beck
Tom Salta Producer/Programmer Junior Vasquez, Cher, Primer 55
Julian Beeston Remixer Santana, Anita Ward, Die Krupps
Darrel Diaz Producer/Keyboardist Maxwell, Cherokee, Herbie Hancock
Lee Ritenour Producer/Guitarist George Benson, Stanley Clarke, The Brothers Johnson
Mickey Petralia Producer/Engineer Jude, Beck, Luscious Jackson
Guliano Franco Platinum Writer Babyface, Mary J Blige, Toni Braxton
Steve Vai Guitarist Frank Zappa, P.I.L., David Lee Roth, Whitesnake, Al Di Meola
Ashley Ingram Platinum Producer Des’ree, Josie, Jesse Powell
Keith Shocklee Platinum Producer Sinead O’Connor, Public Enemy, Ice Cube
QDIII Platinum Producer 2 Pac, Ice Cube, West Side Connection
Duncan Sheik Platinum Artist "Humming"
Amber Platinum Artist "Amber"
Cameron Frankly Music Supervisor Paramount pictures
Alan Pasqua Producer/Composer Santana, Sammy Hagar, Film: "The Water Boy"
Peter Erskine Drummer Christina Aguilera, John Patitucci, Carlos Santana
David Torn Guitarist GTR OBLQ
DJ Hidao Remixer/DJ KKBT 100.3 Los Angeles
Sasha Producer/Remixer Pet Shop Boys, M-People, BT, Junkie XL
Marley Marl Platinum Producer Capone and Noriega, Rahzel, Funk Master Flex
Chico Freeman Artist/Saxophonist McCoy Tyner, Arthur Blythe, Norman Hedman
Benjamin Wright Platinum Writer/composer Lucy Pearl, DJ Quick, Toni Braxton
Tom Fritze Engineer/Mixer Melanie C., Keith Sweat, Laura Branigan
DJ Revolution Producer/Remixer/DJ Wake Up Show
John Wicks Producer/Label Owner Sylk 130, Ovum Records
q-burns abstract message Artist
Thievery Corporation Artist
Stabbing Westward Platinum Artist "Darkest Days"
Wah Wah Watson Platinum Producer/Guitarist Maxwell, Barry White, Michael Jackson
Will Lee Bassist Vanessa Williams, D’Angelo, Peter Erskine
DC Talk Platinum Artist "Supernatural Experience"
Bruce Willis Actor Sixth Sense, The Siege, Pulp Fiction
The Whispers Platinum Artist And the Beat Goes On
Dexter Simmons Mixer Mary J. Blige, Whitney Houston, Brandy
Franky Beverly Platinum Artist "Inspiration /Joy and Pain"
Michael Sembello Platinum Producer Brian McKnight, New Edition, Don Grusin
Sway and Tech Producer/On Air Personality Wake Up Show, MTV, The Anthem
Danny Sembello Platinum Producer Chaka Khan, Tatyana Ali, Julie Brown
Stephen Bray Platinum Producer Madonna, Brian McKnight, London Beat
Citizen King Platinum Artist "Mobile Estates"
Rick Hahn Platinum Producer Celine Dion, Tom Scott, Spies
Genard Parker Platinum Producer K-Ci &, Jo-Jo, SWV, Intro
Josh Wink Producer/Artist "Don’t Laugh"
Carl Wheeler Platinum Producer Tony Toni Tone, Edwin Hawkins, Tramaine Hawkins
Kip Winger Platinum Artist "Songs from the Ocean Floor"
Tony Mangurian Platinum Producer Luscious Jackson, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson
Waylon Jennings Platinum Artist "The Restless Kid"
Michael Delorenzo Actor Resurrection Blvd, New York Undercover
Joe Satriani Guitarist Blue Oyster Cult, Greg Kihn, Alice Cooper
Bill Esses Platinum Writer Maxwell, Macy Gray. Foxy Brown
Nigel Pulsford Guitarist Bush
Tony Berg Platinum Producer Lisa Loeb, Bette Midler, The Neville Brothers
Michael Lattanzi Platinum Producer Billie Meyer, Wyclef Jean, Bebe Winans
Richard Wolf Platinum Producer Madonna, Bell Biv Devoe Ricky Bell
Bill Plummer TV Engineer BET
Jeff Lorber Platinum Artist/Producer "Midnight"
Mad Jeff Platinum Producer New Edition, Solo, Johnny Gill
Chris Henderson Platinum Producer KASE
Andy Cichon Bassist Shania Twain
Andy Snitzer Artist/Saxophonist Some Quiet Place
Lukasz Gottwald Guitarist Saturday Night Live Band
Morris O’Connor Keyboardist Montell Jordan, LV, Warren G.
Serban Ghenea Mixer Jill Scott, Jay Z, Usher
DJ Skribble Producer/ On Air Personality MTV, Cindy Margolis, Wyclef Jean
Poogie Bell Drummer Erykah Badu, Marcus Miller, Robin S.
Percy Bady Platinum Producer/Arranger Winans, R. Kelly, Youth Edition
Bosko Cante Platinum Producer E-40, Kurupt, Master P
David Rosenthal Keyboard Player Billy Joel
Tim Gorman Keyboardist Jefferson Starship, The Who, Rolling Stones
Carlos Warlick Mixer Jon B., E-40, Cypress Hill
Sammy Peralta Producer/Artist Alicia Keys, Ashanti, Craig David, Destiny's Child, Missy Elliot
Geddy Lee Vocalist, Bassist, Keyboardist Rush
Meat Beat Manifesto Artist
Growling Mad Scientists Artist
Kipper Grammy Award-winning Producer Mary J Blige, James Taylor, Stevie Wonder,Jason Rebello, Sting
John McLaughlin Guitarist Live
you would want to couple it with an apogee pci x card
http://www.apogeedigital.com/
this link shows how many musicians have followed the same path
http://www.apogeedigital.com/users/
here is a success story regarding a high end studio in an educational sense
http://www.apple.com/education/profiles/sacramento/
if you wanted to go protools then i would also get an mbox2, looks like a newer v2 is out as well.
http://www.digidesign.com/
there is one great program on the pc called soundforge, akin to photoshop for sound.
however most applications above have all the features soundforge does, a similar program called peak on the mac side covers it as well.
As for windows there's too many success stories from indie developers to full scale studios not to take notice of logic pro.
I do believe one thing tho, raw talent shines through with any program you use.