Bunch of questions for a new setup...

[elenore19]

And here they are. Some of these questions might be useful in other forums. But I figure I could save making a couple other threads..
Questions:
1. Should I go with Mac or PC? Why?
2. Could someone explain what are the most important components for my comp to have?(for recording purposes of course) Like, make a list of most important to least important with these components(and whatever extras that I might overlook)
-->speed of processor, amount of ram, type of graphics card, hard drive RPM, sound card.
3.Is recording with a laptop a good idea? mac or pc? Any suggestions for brands? Apple?Dell?Hp?etc.etc.

Other types of questions...new recording setup.
I've been recording with a Alesis Multimix 16 Firewire mixer for sometime now. I think it's time to upgrade to a more advanced setup.
Anyone have any suggestions? I would like to be able to record with my laptop, so the more portable the better.
I already have plenty of mic's and cables and what not. Just the rig is what I need.

Preamps?
New Mixer?
Equalizers?
etc.

Oh yeah, and what recording program? I have Cubase LE(came with my mixer) and that seems to work pretty swell right now. Think I should upgrade? How important would that be?


Thanks so much in advance. If you need any more info, let me know.

Let me know if I should post the second part of questions somewhere else due to content. I will do so promptly upon command.

Thanks again!

-Elliot

[TimOBrien]

The length of that replay would take a book:

Surprise, surprise.... somebodys already written one (spend $20 before spending hundred$/thousand$) that shows you what you need to get started and how to hook everything up in your studio:
Home Recording for Musicians by Jeff Strong - $15
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/076...books&v=glance
(Wish I'd had that when I started; would have saved me lots of money and time and grief)

Another good Newbie guides that also explains all the basics:
http://www.tweakheadz.com/guide.htm

[elenore19]

Originally Posted by TimOBrien

The length of that replay would take a book:

Surprise, surprise.... somebodys already written one (spend $20 before spending hundred$/thousand$) that shows you what you need to get started and how to hook everything up in your studio:
Home Recording for Musicians by Jeff Strong - $15
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/076...books&v=glance
(Wish I'd had that when I started; would have saved me lots of money and time and grief)

Another good Newbie guides that also explains all the basics:
http://www.tweakheadz.com/guide.htm

Yeah, I've read through the tweakheadz stuff but don't remember seeing anything having to do with PC or Mac. I'll check again though. I also don't remember anything about laptop procedures. I'll also check for that again.

But thanks.

Edit:Found the mac vs pc stuff on tweakheadz. Thanks.

Couldn't find anything on recording with a laptop.

[TerraMortim]

Originally Posted by elenore19

And here they are. Some of these questions might be useful in other forums. But I figure I could save making a couple other threads..
Questions:
1. Should I go with Mac or PC? Why?
2. Could someone explain what are the most important components for my comp to have?(for recording purposes of course) Like, make a list of most important to least important with these components(and whatever extras that I might overlook)
-->speed of processor, amount of ram, type of graphics card, hard drive RPM, sound card.
3.Is recording with a laptop a good idea? mac or pc? Any suggestions for brands? Apple?Dell?Hp?etc.etc.

Other types of questions...new recording setup.
I've been recording with a Alesis Multimix 16 Firewire mixer for sometime now. I think it's time to upgrade to a more advanced setup.
Anyone have any suggestions? I would like to be able to record with my laptop, so the more portable the better.
I already have plenty of mic's and cables and what not. Just the rig is what I need.

Preamps?
New Mixer?
Equalizers?
etc.

Oh yeah, and what recording program? I have Cubase LE(came with my mixer) and that seems to work pretty swell right now. Think I should upgrade? How important would that be?


Thanks so much in advance. If you need any more info, let me know.

Let me know if I should post the second part of questions somewhere else due to content. I will do so promptly upon command.

Thanks again!

-Elliot

1. It depends on your needs. I prefer mac, because I don't like to spend lots of time configuring and fixing problems with the OS... plus it's very streamlined for doing creative work, and the software I prefer is for Mac... Those are really the factors to look at... If you don't mind tweaking, dealing with viruses and you want to use a certain piece of software that is for PC, go that way, and if you want it a bit more secure (OS X is UNIX now) and streamlined and the software you want to use is Mac, then go that way. THe price thing is always brought up, but honestly, it's not AS big of a difference when you figure in the type of hardware and the price equivalent of the exact same hardware for a PC...

2. most important to least important (outside of a decent computer)
-good speakers
-good interface (go pro, don't mess with the consumer sound cards)
-fastest CPU you can afford
-lots of ram
-fast and large hard drives
-iDefrag (for mac), or similar GOOD defrag program for windows (very important)

However these, I would say are all very important if you want to have a good experience..don't skimp, it'll bite you in the ass, and you'll wish you had spent just a little more for major improvement. You want lots of ram for running effects, fast hard drives with lots of space, they'll fill up fairly quick (plus you want free space on them when working other wise performance will start to tank) and will need to be fast enough to handle all the audio files (my hard drives hit the limit before my ram even does some times, and I have the usual 7800rpm SATA drives)

Again...recording with a laptop is all up to what you'll be needing it for...if you're keeping it all pretty stationary...go with a desktop..you can load it with more drives, ram, peripherals, and a bit more performance gain. I do pretty well with my macbook pro compared to my G5, but for really taxing projects, the G5 still whips the laptop's ass...) BRands, again, it depends on what you want to go for whether mac or pc. I'd suggest mac, and a Macbook pro is where you'd want to be for mac (macbook just wouldn't have enough juice for most audio work) But, with a laptop, it becomes very nice if you perform live with your studio setup a lot (like me), or if you do a lot of location recording.

hmm as far as a mixer, unless you're willing to spend a chunk of money, I'd go without. I don't see much of a point with a lot of these mixer (all in one) deals for fairly cheap. They usually sound kind of like their price (unless you REALLY NEED it) If you really need a mixer, maybe try for decent analog mixer and a good interface for your computer. Just get an interface that has enough inputs/outputs to suit your needs. Upgrading Cubase would be a good idea, sure ..and with Cubase you can choose either mac or pc, so that opens your options up a bit.

preamps mixers eqs and stuff...sure if you have money left over, but I think the best bang for the buck is to make sure you're taken care of in the computer department, then add outboard gear as necessary after your computer is working like a dream. It's possible to do a whole mix with a computer, but if you're computer setup isn't enough a hardware EQ won't do much to help you finish anything. When choosing what to buy to upgrade my system, I always think about what will have the most impact... As long as you're computer, without the aid of any outside equipment can churn out mixes, then it's hard to go wrong. Just always think of what exact uses everything will have vs. the price and prioritize everything in order of usefulness, sometimes the sexiest new toy isn't the most useful thing you could put your money towards.

Hope this helps

[fuzzrhythm]

Originally Posted by TerraMortim

I'd suggest mac, and a Macbook pro is where you'd want to be for mac (macbook just wouldn't have enough juice for most audio work)

I'd say the Macbook is fine for audio work. The only thing the Macbook Pro offers is a tiny processor speed bump and dedicated graphics, which isn't all important for audio. If someone is just starting out, the ~$700 difference could definitely help elsewhere.

Having said that, I'd rather have a Macbook Pro, anyway

[elenore19]

Originally Posted by fuzzrhythm

I'd say the Macbook is fine for audio work. The only thing the Macbook Pro offers is a tiny processor speed bump and dedicated graphics, which isn't all important for audio. If someone is just starting out, the ~$700 difference could definitely help elsewhere.

Having said that, I'd rather have a Macbook Pro, anyway

Yeah, I'm thinking I'll go with the Macbook Pro. I want to be able to take advantage of the boot camp and play games with XP. So the dedicated graphics is a bigger deal for me.

But yeah. They also seem like pretty solid computers, I mean, as expensive as they are, apple products are reliable. Thanks!


-Elliot

EDIT:

Originally Posted by TerraMortim

...

Thanks! Helps a ton! I found out that I will be getting a good amount of money soon. So hopefully that will help fund the Macbook Pro for me. Thanks for the input. Helps a lot, and I greatly appreciate it.