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Murdersgalore
New member
Pure satire. That's funny stuff.
Pure satire. That's funny stuff.
JimmyS1969
MOODerator
PCs of MACaroni!
arcadeko
Illuminatius Overlordious
- Ok well let me stop you right there. If you are really building a home studio then why would you want a laptop? Are you planning on taking your home studio to Starbucks? If you want a laptop buy a laptop - if you are building a home studio - buy a desktop computer that stays in the home studio. You will get better equipment at a better price when you don't have to cram it all in to a 4 lb. plastic case that fits in your book bag.
From my experience buy what you are familiar with. "even better" is pretty subjective. It doesn't take a super computer to record music well. Although an old piece of crap machine may well have problems, nothing on the shelf today should have any issues. At least not any big brand computers that I know of. I currently own about 16 computers - HP, Compaq, Dell, Gateway, Toshiba, Sony, Mac and probably a few more. If anything I would say do not get a Dell or Gateway. Get an off the shelf machine.
Latency issues are almost always solved by driver updates. And you only hear about them because people do not post threads saying:
- I hooked up new DAW interface and recorded some music and there was no latency issue - please discuss...
If you just ask around about the set up you are wanting, then you should find someone who is using a similar setup and can verify that it works, or check with the manufacturer before you buy it. I happen to run Cubase LE 4 on Vista 64bit without a problem (using an Alesis Multimix 16 USB2 with 16 dedicated channels) no latency issues no problems at all - I do not like Vista, but I don't really care because I only use the machine to run Cubase - so Vista isn't really much of an issue -
As far as Macs having better performance, I think that is quite up for debate. Not that I care to debate it - I have owned about 8 Macintosh Computers - they all work great - I have owned countless PC's "most" of them worked great - all the major brand stuff worked pretty well - once a system is set up and you are recording and it works how do you measure performance? How fast you can apply a sound process to a wave sample? Figure out what you will be doing a lot of and then buy a machine based on that - the basic rule of thumb I use is
1) Get a machine with a stable operating system (not the first release)
2) Get as fast and as many processors/cores you can afford
3) Get a LOT of ram
- these three basic things will almost always assure you the best power/performance for the money - just like 90% of all computer problems can be fixed by rebooting (unless you run linux in which case you are probably on the wrong forum).
As far as the errors on PC's its like was already stated - there are 742,000 independent PC hardware manufacturers versus 1 Mac hardware manufacturer - its simple logistics.
I would say that is definitely the root of the problem. Defining "the problem" is the real problem. As to the root of that I can not speculate.
The issues you speak of are about 3rd party applications and hardware so all machines are susceptible regardless of make or model. This includes Macs.
Would you use the same computer you use to monitor a patients vital signs and run their oxygen for downloading bit-torrent movies? Ok I know this isn't life and death its just MUSIC. This really just boils down to how much time you will spend recording and mixing music. How much do you care about it? If its just something you want to do occasionally then it wouldn't make sense to dedicate a machine to it. If you are going to be upset when some virus deletes all the songs you recorded over the last 6 months, get a dedicated machine, get a backup HD, keep the machine isolated and the Antivirus up to date and don't use it for ****.
Best of luck and ROCK ON!
- Wes
guitaristic
prophet of Dave
R
rimisrandma
Guest
Thanks for this in depth answer. It probably took a hell of a lot of time to type out and answer and I deeply appreciate your effort.
I don't have an internet connection and I want the ability to use wifi or an internet cafe to get online stuff I may need to add. That is why I am looking at a portable laptop solution.
I bought some videos where I could see some DAW's in action. I looked at Cubase, Pro Tools, Sonar, Logic, and Garageband. Garageband is the only one I could see learning my way thruogh without getting so frustrated that I would just quit. I can do some computer stuff, but not a super computer geek by any means. I could for example, pull up a template on a word program and put together a nice pamphlet. I could NOT figure out how to "mirror" two hard drives to be used as a back-up. Since I like the pc platform a little better, I found mixcraft, which is nicknamed garageband for windows or I looked at some videos of Reaper and it does not look that daunting either.
What I could foresee;
Mixcraft or Reaper
Motu BPM 1.5 (drum machine program that I like)
Amplitube 3
Using my currently owned Pod XT sometimes with A3 just for "more sounds"
maybe Izotope Ozone for mastering
putting digital photos on
putting my CD collection (about 100 standard 10 or so track count CD's) on a file and then use the laptop like a stereo preamp to listen to music
a word processor of some sort
A program that you can design a set of speakers with, box, crossover etc.
For a Audio Interface I found a model made by MOTU called Audio Express that I like
An external hard drive
One thing that comes up is firewire. Are both the external hard drive AND audio interface supposed to be FW? The only FW that seems good is 800 and most interfaces do not have 800 connections, only fw400 and that is where you would be stuck at?? Look for usb 3.0 then instead?? mix usb and fw400??
My basic idea is to buy a really decked out laptop. That way I could at least avoid errors linked to a crappy computer performance that you would get buy buying crap. Now, based on that, I was looking into the Rain, PCaudiolab, and ADK custom audio computers. I have a couple of computer tech buddies and they brought up something that made me think--> Are the custom pc guys simply putting a good spec system together and then making money off the package OR are they putting something "special" together that you really couldn't find/get anywhere else?? This leads to another question, would I really be doing the wrong thing if I looked at their specs and tried to find a similar spec model in a Toshiba or Asus like I originally was thinking and with a budget in mind of something like 1500 to 2000 dollars (or would I be hard pressed to do the same thing in an ASUS or Toshiba as the Rain, PCaudiolabs, and ADK offer??)??
I don't have an internet connection and I want the ability to use wifi or an internet cafe to get online stuff I may need to add. That is why I am looking at a portable laptop solution.
I bought some videos where I could see some DAW's in action. I looked at Cubase, Pro Tools, Sonar, Logic, and Garageband. Garageband is the only one I could see learning my way thruogh without getting so frustrated that I would just quit. I can do some computer stuff, but not a super computer geek by any means. I could for example, pull up a template on a word program and put together a nice pamphlet. I could NOT figure out how to "mirror" two hard drives to be used as a back-up. Since I like the pc platform a little better, I found mixcraft, which is nicknamed garageband for windows or I looked at some videos of Reaper and it does not look that daunting either.
What I could foresee;
Mixcraft or Reaper
Motu BPM 1.5 (drum machine program that I like)
Amplitube 3
Using my currently owned Pod XT sometimes with A3 just for "more sounds"
maybe Izotope Ozone for mastering
putting digital photos on
putting my CD collection (about 100 standard 10 or so track count CD's) on a file and then use the laptop like a stereo preamp to listen to music
a word processor of some sort
A program that you can design a set of speakers with, box, crossover etc.
For a Audio Interface I found a model made by MOTU called Audio Express that I like
An external hard drive
One thing that comes up is firewire. Are both the external hard drive AND audio interface supposed to be FW? The only FW that seems good is 800 and most interfaces do not have 800 connections, only fw400 and that is where you would be stuck at?? Look for usb 3.0 then instead?? mix usb and fw400??
My basic idea is to buy a really decked out laptop. That way I could at least avoid errors linked to a crappy computer performance that you would get buy buying crap. Now, based on that, I was looking into the Rain, PCaudiolab, and ADK custom audio computers. I have a couple of computer tech buddies and they brought up something that made me think--> Are the custom pc guys simply putting a good spec system together and then making money off the package OR are they putting something "special" together that you really couldn't find/get anywhere else?? This leads to another question, would I really be doing the wrong thing if I looked at their specs and tried to find a similar spec model in a Toshiba or Asus like I originally was thinking and with a budget in mind of something like 1500 to 2000 dollars (or would I be hard pressed to do the same thing in an ASUS or Toshiba as the Rain, PCaudiolabs, and ADK offer??)??
shortedaman
Avid Audio Analyst
JimmyS1969
MOODerator
I have a crappy computer. It works perfectly! It's how well you use it! Whoa, that's what sho has in his sig.
Somebody pass me some popcorn!
Somebody pass me some popcorn!
guitaristic
prophet of Dave
I have a crappy computer. It works perfectly! It's how well you use it! Whoa, that's what sho has in his sig.
Somebody pass me some popcorn!
Here ya go!
JimmyS1969
MOODerator
MMMMMMM........Popcorn...........
Thx!
Wait a minute? I think my crappy PC won't let me use the popcorn smiley!
It must be Microsoft's fault because I know everything! I'll bet if I had a MAC laptop I could use sexy smileys!
Errrr.....
Thx!
Wait a minute? I think my crappy PC won't let me use the popcorn smiley!
It must be Microsoft's fault because I know everything! I'll bet if I had a MAC laptop I could use sexy smileys!
Errrr.....
M
moresound
Loud Sun Studios
Rimshot
New member
I'm a Mac user. I own three different Apple computers and one Dell PC. I personally prefer Apple computers but that is a personal choice. Almost all of the studios that I have worked in are using Macs. What does that mean in terms of quality? Nothing really. The reason that I have the three different Macs is because each is devoted to a different duty. I use an old G5 power Mac for audio and I back up with externals and CD's. It has a very good sound card installed with 8 inputs. I do my actual recording on a DAW and import into the Mac and do the final mixing and mastering on ProTools. Most of the audio, video and graphics programs were written with Apple computers in mind and traditionally they have worked faster on a Mac. Now (in the last 5 or so years) this distinction has lessened and the programs run as smoothly on both. The big advantage to a Mac is that if you are a visually oriented person, Macs operate more graphically. If you are a data driven person, PC's are the way to go. Macs operate along with the user's intuition and PC's like to be told what to do every step of the way. I am also a graphic artist and I have a newer dual core mac that is devoted to graphics and an older iMac that I use for video. It's simpler to keep things clean that way. The Dell was for my then wife who was intimidated by Macs. (I am a bit intimidated by PC's). It's a matter of preference, that's all.
G
GreenDayFan2170
New member
Only Apple makes a mac and are the only people who work on them. Microsoft allows anyone to make a PC
Rimshot
New member
But that gets into the whole "My PC is better than your Mac argument" and offers no constructive advice about whether or not Macs or PC's have issues with recording programs.
arcadeko
Illuminatius Overlordious
I just typed a lengthy message for 20 minutes and then clicked the damn blue reply to this thread button and lost the whole thing. so I will sum it up quickly
1) You don't have an internet connection? WTF? get one.
2) All Daws are basically the same and if you can make a pamphlet - you can use any of them - I have used Audacity, Reaper, Cakewalk, Cubase and a couple more I cant remember - they all work essentially the same - download some trials and audacity is free - play with them. They all have a learning curve , learn one and you have learned 80% of all of them.
3) Audio Express interface is OK but spend a little more and get something you will not outgrow in 2 weeks . I started with something similar and upgraded about 5 times until I ended up with this
alesis multimix 16 usb 2 - Google Search
- you wont be disappointed its a good place to spend the extra money the multimix 8 is even cheaper - just make sure you get the USB 2.0 as the old USB one only has stereo out and the USB 2.0 version has 8 or 16 STEREO dedicated tracks respectively
4) For $1500 - $2000 buy two computers and a USB drive to transfer downloads if you really cant get internet at home:
These are more than enough power for what you are doing.
Newegg.com - PCs & Laptops,Laptops / Notebooks,Toshiba,17" - 17.3"
Newegg.com - ZT Affinity 7538Ma Phenom II X4 955(3.2GHz) 4GB DDR3 500GB HDD Capacity NVIDIA GeForce 6150 SE Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
5) Firewire is DEAD - its obsolete - stick with USB 2/3
6) Building speakers is a huge project - buy studio monitors - KRK makes great affordable monitors there are lots of threads here discussing various monitors - you need some experience with professional monitors before you try building your own!
I think thats most of it
HTH
shortedaman
Avid Audio Analyst
firewire is dead? can you elaborate please. ^^^
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moresound
Loud Sun Studios
shortedaman
Avid Audio Analyst
firewire dead??????????????????? isn't firewire supposed to be beter then usb 2.
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Murdersgalore
New member
It was supposed to be in theory, but in practice, no.
Rimshot
New member
This "hot" topic is pretty well explained here: FireWire vs. USB 2.0 - Speed Comparison
Essentially, USB2 is what is championed by MicroSoft and firewire is championed by Apple. In the end, there is very little difference, but firewire seems to be just a bit faster because of formatting.
arcadeko
Illuminatius Overlordious
From a industry standards view USB won. It will be phased out. It may be faster in reality than USB 2 but it just doesn't have the widespread support - And since USB 2.0 is cheaper to implement than firewire (from a manufacturing perspective) it just makes sense that it will fade away.
I don't have anything against firewire and I don't think USB 2.0 is better - I just know it's much more popular.
For video firewire might make a noticeable difference but I don't think it makes much difference in recording audio...
Of course this is just my opinion
I've been known to make mistakes
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