2000 dollars for a pc setup

[tws]

Hey guys. Im switching over from adat and i just wondered what was the best value in computers and also what software and stuff you all would recommend. I know there are a lot of these topics but theres too much info to take in.

Im looking at a desktop but have no idea what interface. Budget is 2000. Thanks

 

[tws]

Well ive figured out the computer part. Im going to build my own.
What is a good hardware/software (package)? i can get for around 500 dollars that can produce really good recordings?

 

[dachay2tnr]

Setting aside talent for the moment, the quality of your recordings will be mostly dependant on your sound card and upstream equipment (mics, preamps, etc.)

Software will is more a matter of convenience, ease of use, and features. For ex., will you need MIDI capability, or are you just strictly recording audio.

I happen to be partial to Sonar. It's what I learned on, and it has all the features I need. However, I don't think you would go too far wrong with any of the NAME packages available out there.

 

[Change of POETS]

Well ive figured out the computer part. Im going to build my own.
What is a good hardware/software (package)? i can get for around 500 dollars that can produce really good recordings?

What Hardware/Equipment do you have already?

Are you just plugging in a mixer, a pre, and a mic? Do you need MIDI?

As for the PC, I wouldn't go less than a Pentium 3, 1.0 with at least 512 of RAM. If you're building your own, I hope you're building new, and not from old parts.

I'd recomend a P4 2.8ghz with at least a 533mhz FSB, and 1gb of DDR. Hard drive size is up to you... At those specs, your PC should be able to handle multiple software platforms for your recording needs.

 

[photoresistor]

Save yourself some money and go with AMD. If you are lucky you can find a 2500+ Barton for $90 that is unlocked and will easily run at 3200+ speeds.

 

[tws]

its from new quality stuff. its plenty of computer to record with.

 

[cellardweller]

Save yourself some money and go with AMD. If you are lucky you can find a 2500+ Barton for $90 that is unlocked and will easily run at 3200+ speeds.

What do you mean by "unlocked"?

 

[jazzrich9]

as a side thought...

you could kick around going with a hammerfall card, and leave the option available to move to linux... then... you get to play with ardour, which is a fairly impressive program, that if you're comfortable with computers will stay out of your way.

otherwise, I think Cool Edit can be had for around 500, and you could check out samplitude, though I think it's around 700

or, Ardour, which is free, and actively being developed.

just some thoughts

Rich
Radium Reactor

 

[Change of POETS]

Actually Rich, I'm a Cool Edit User, and it's available for about $200.00 through Adobe's website.

It's now called Adobe Audition, but the pricing hasn't changed... maybe it's $250.00... I don't remember off hand.

 

[jazzrich9]

even better.... than get two of those

 

[piem]

so at the end, how much will you spend on software at the end ? with windows xp pro (500$) and audition (200$) only, it sounds like a pretty boring machine. adding more software and you don't have enough money left to make it run...

i personnally would go spend my money on hardware, and go share software on linux....

piem

 

[charger]

If you spend your money on Digidesign hardware (Mbox, 001 or 002) the software is included. Alternately, you can get a slightly limited version of Cubase (Cubase SL) for $300. I did a comparison and the reduction of features was minimal. It's a darn good package for half the price of the full SX version. And there are many cheaper packages.

 

[DAFFYDRUNK]

Unlocked XP 2500 means that the CPU is not mulitplier locked. While cool it's not huge deal since you can still up the speed via FSB. For $2k you could get a very cool setup I'd think. Especialy since you probably already have other outboard gear like monitors ect...
I've recently been wondering about that Roland Studio Package Pro although there's almost no real world information about it anywhere. It comes with Logic software and looks really cool for $800.

I guess the other thing you could do is get a PCI light pipe card for each of your ADATs and use your existing ADAT/mixer gear as an input device to the DAW. Not sure about the logistics of doing that, but if it did work, it would interface the ADATs with the computer for even more usefulness, while still allowing you to record directly to the computer with 8+ simultanious channels. If you have more than 1 ADAT there's several choices of audio/lightpipe cards that support more than 1 ADAT. Makes more sense than buying more than 1 card, but it still looks like you're gonna spend ~$200 for every ADAT you wanna interface to the computer.

Obviously, I'm pretty ADAT cluless, but a friend has 2 Alesis ADATs and my old Fostex RD-8 ADAT, and uses them with 2 computers running Digi 001 and an audigy "acid pro" machine. The whole thing syncs together and he can mix ADATs in with the digi and audigy all at the same time. I just dunno the specifics. Probably more info in the ADAT forum

 

[cellardweller]

I've recently been wondering about that Roland Studio Package Pro although there's almost no real world information about it anywhere. It comes with Logic software and looks really cool for $800.

I saw a review on this in "Recording" magazine. Though I know this is probably not what you meant by real world, they explained a bit about it.

It looks nice, and they certainly made it sound so!

 

[13th_Omen]

So, how many tracks will you be doing at once?

If you plan on mixing in the computer then I would suggest a card with ADAT lightpipe. If you have multiple ADATs Terratec makes a card with 3 Lightpipe inputs. I was thinking about going this route but I don't like mixing in the computer so I need 16 i/o soundcard. This way I will be using the computer as the recording medium as well as a way to add effects and automation, then route it back to my mixer for final eq mix.