1 PC or 2 ?

[TaxiCab]

I am new to recording and I would like a little advice on what I have picked out to be my first recording rig.

I already have a PC.

Processor AMD 3000+
Ram 1 gig
Primary hard drive 7200 rpm 120 gig
2nd hard dire 7200 rpm 40 gig
video card nvidia 6200 128 meg

I plan on buying the Focusrite Saffire and Sure 57 and Sure 58 at the first of the year. I will use the supplied Cubase software at first. I will slowly upgrade as I get more experience and funds.

I was just curus if I will have any issues with recording on my pc because my pc is a do everything pc. I have an office suit, video games 2 firewalls, anti virus, pda software, and other common pc apps. Will I eventually need a dedicated pc will any of the stuff on my pc interfere with the audio software. Do you guys have a dedicated pc or a all in one pc?

 

[seryozha]

I have a dedicated PC. AKA - DAW


But as long as you turn off all the stuff your computer is normally running, you should not have a problem with your computer.

I have a DAW because, well the practice/record area is in the basement, and well, i have no other need for a computer in the basement other then to record.

But i am also recording up to 14 tracks at a time so, well...thats also why i need a DAW.

Just dont run all of your, "office suit, video games 2 firewalls, anti virus, pda software, and other common pc apps." at the same tiem your recording.
I would recommend creating a new User and only give them user privledges (assuming you run XP). and use that account to do only recording.

Just my opine

 

[notCardio]

give it a shot

it'll probably take a little tweaking, but it'll probably work. I don't know anything about Cubase, but some audio programs don't get along well with certain video cards, so check the Cubase site to see if there's any information there. Should have system requirements etc and probably a users forum where they can give you more specific answers. You want to make sure, though, that when you're using it as a DAW, you remember to turn off the antivirus software beforehand. It periodically scans your memory and hard drive, which will totally screw with the recording process. Then remember to turn it back on again before you connect to the internet, otherwise, well, you know what can happen.

Good luck and have fun.

 

[TaxiCab]

Thanks

Thanks for the anti virus info. I will just have to load the software and see. If I have any trouble I will just have to build a separate system later or get hard drive selector and have a general everyday use drive and then put the other drive in with nothing but the OS and the recording software to use when recording

 

[punkin]

You'll just have to give it a try and see. You should be able to set up different profiles if you find that you need to scale back on some of the extra applications. It's going to depend on system loading and other variables like plug-ins, number of tracks...stuff like that.

I think it's a good rule of thumb that when ever you're working seriously on recording, you should have the computer disconnected from the network, all the goodies turned off (screen saver, PC sound effects-n-such), disable/turn-off virus protection...in other words, get bare bones about it except for the stuff that's needed to get the job done. But, if you machine has the horsepower, you might find that you get away with more or less.

Bottom line...two PC's...probably over-kill for the time being anyways.

 

[Erockrazor]

I work with only one computer. I try to not run any other programs while I have my software on and ready to record. I have 1 GB memory like you and even if i do have something else running i havent noticed anything going wrong. No matter what , its still worth a try instead of going out for another computer. and also that idea for a new user is a good one. I might actually think about doing that. Good Luck