Geting a system with windows 7.

[yankeelaw]

I decided to take the plunge and get a new computer and will arrive thursday. It's a PC with i7 processor, 1 terrabyte drive and 9 gigs ram.
It also will have Windows 7 pre-installed.

I would like to have a complete package to where I can record, have pre-loaded sampled drum loops (much like garage band) and some keyboard samples as well. Also I will need an interface so I can record vocals and acoustic guitar.

I looked at Sonar Producer but confused on whether or not it could run on Windows 7.

Any advice on gear/software would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[jlewis]

Sounds like your question has little to do with windows 7, more about getting started recording. Do some research, if you google "Cakewalk Windows 7" the second link clearly answers your question about sonar, google is your friend. you can find lots of info about interfaces and such if you read around the forums here.
I use 7 on a computer with way less power than the one you describe and it works fine with Reason, FL Studio, and Reaper. For a while I had problems with my Tascam US-144 interface, but they just updated the drivers so it is working better now (but is still buggy). If it weren't for this, I would recommend the Tascam mainly because it's the only interface I have experience with, but also because it sounds like you want an interface with a few XLR inputs as well as midi and the Tascam is a well priced option

 

[floorpuncher]

Sonar 8 works flawlessly on 7. I just recently started using it over Sony Acid and I've had no problems. As for an interface, there are plenty of options and it comes down to what you have to spend and what you prefer. I use a Line 6 UX2 personally and I have no issues with it. Many people prefer the M Audio Fast Track interfaces or even some of the PreSonus interfaces. Do your research, read reviews.As for drums, I use EZ Drummer DrumKit From Hell. I like it. It's easy to use and in addition to programming your own drums it comes packaged with a shit ton of samples you can tweak and customize or leave as is. I've also used Addictive Drums before which is better than easy drummer and features E Drum support.

When you say "keyboard samples" are you referring to sound libraries to use with a midi controller?

 

[philbagg]

Another suggestion I'd make is getting another hard drive (internal is better, but external is also good - preferably firewire and NOT formatted FAT32, Windows uses NTFS).

If you only have one drive, it's running the operating system, background processes, your audio software, and trying to pull the audio from the drive to play back aswell. If you have another drive, you can put all your session files (audio etc.) onto that, and that way one drive is running the software while the other is running the audio. Much less work for the drive heads to do.

Not a necessity, but it is preferable.

 

[moresound]

Philbagg to the rescue again! listen to what PB has said about getting an outboard hard drive you may think you have a lot or more than you need but as time goes by you'll wish you had. I think you can get a terrabyte for about $100. and it's well worth the investment.

 

[newcomputeruser]

ask them

I decided to take the plunge and get a new computer and will arrive thursday. It's a PC with i7 processor, 1 terrabyte drive and 9 gigs ram.
It also will have Windows 7 pre-installed.

I would like to have a complete package to where I can record, have pre-loaded sampled drum loops (much like garage band) and some keyboard samples as well. Also I will need an interface so I can record vocals and acoustic guitar.

I looked at Sonar Producer but confused on whether or not it could run on Windows 7.

Any advice on gear/software would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

the key is whether you can get sonar written drivers for win7
you need to ask sonar about that. generic win drivers are not as good as that pc and you should avoid them.

win 7 is also touchy with audio so be prepared to fiddle with settings to get it all to work.

i would look at an interface bundled with some sonar version instead of a mix/match attempt.

 

[floorpuncher]

i would look at an interface bundled with some sonar version instead of a mix/match attempt.

Why?

 

[newcomputeruser]

because

Why?

you will know that it will work with sonar
and potential to buy upgraded version cheaper (no guarantee)
than if you got an interface that came with reaper ableton cubase etc.

 

[floorpuncher]

you will know that it will work with sonar
and potential to buy upgraded version cheaper (no guarantee)
than if you got an interface that came with reaper ableton cubase etc.

OK... but with a little research he could find an interface that he wants from just about any manufacturer instead of limiting his options to a second rate piece of gear that comes packaged with the software that he wants. Most interfaces are compatible with most DAWs with few exceptions.

This is just bad advice.

 

[newcomputeruser]

good advice

OK... but with a little research he could find an interface that he wants from just about any manufacturer instead of limiting his options to a second rate piece of gear that comes packaged with the software that he wants. Most interfaces are compatible with most DAWs with few exceptions.

This is just bad advice.

its good advice
for him

he wanted to avoid problems
you want to take risks to have more choices

i answered his question
not yours

 

[philbagg]

its good advice
for him

he wanted to avoid problems
you want to take risks to have more choices

i answered his question
not yours

No, it is bad advice. Just because you have some paranoid phobia against digital recording, doesn't mean the OP can't do a little research and get what he/she wants. Don't drag other people into your way of thinking.

 

[newcomputeruser]

his way

No, it is bad advice. Just because you have some paranoid phobia against digital recording, doesn't mean the OP can't do a little research and get what he/she wants. Don't drag other people into your way of thinking.

not dragging anybody
his way was clearly to find an interface he was sure would work

if sonar comes with it then he can be sure it works
otherwise he can run into many problems
even if "research" might indicate it should work

it was perfect advice for him

 

[philbagg]

not dragging anybody
his way was clearly to find an interface he was sure would work

if sonar comes with it then he can be sure it works
otherwise he can run into many problems
even if "research" might indicate it should work

it was perfect advice for him

If it doesn't work he can return it. "Research" might indicate it should work but it might not. The fact that they come in the same box doesn't mean it'll work with his setup either. I wouldn't limit myself to interfaces that simply just come with the DAW, because I'm not extremely paranoid. If it doesn't work, I'd return it. I'd choose an interface based on: Research (to see if it worked with the DAW), price, inputs/outputs, and other capabilities such as sample rate etc. - not because of what's in the same box.

 

[floorpuncher]

If it doesn't work he can return it. "Research" might indicate it should work but it might not. The fact that they come in the same box doesn't mean it'll work with his setup either. I wouldn't limit myself to interfaces that simply just come with the DAW, because I'm not extremely paranoid. If it doesn't work, I'd return it. I'd choose an interface based on: Research (to see if it worked with the DAW), price, inputs/outputs, and other capabilities such as sample rate etc. - not because of what's in the same box.

Well said.

This aside, the fact of the matter is that typically interfaces and DAWs that are packaged together are shit. You get get second rate hardware and second rate software because both hardware and softare are scaled back so much that you might as well have burned the money you spent on the package. This is not always the case obviously but typical. In the few instances you do find a good package it is typically ridiculously priced compared to what you can put together piece by piece. For example, Cakewalk does have the V Studio 700 which is really nice but it's ridiculously priced at $4,000.

EVEN IF YOU WERE GOING TO PURCHASE A PACKAGE DEAL YOU WOULD BE A FUCKING MORON NOT TO DO YOUR RESEARCH!! So if you're already doing the work, why limit yourself to package deals.

Again, this is bad advice and a bad habit to form if you're planning on staying with this hobby long term.

 

[Supercreep]

I had issues with Sonar 8 and Windows 7.

Migrated back to XP, problems disappeared.

YMMV