A whole new setup!

[pewing33ny]

Hi everyone,

I'm only a high school student but I'm really into this home recording stuff because pro studios are just too expensive for me and I want to have the ability to record whenever I need to.
I'm going to get a new computer very soon and I want to dedicate it to audio recording but I also want to be able to do some video editing and other basic functions for it.
I already have a moniter and I have about $1500 on a new cpu and speakers(moniters) and have some questions.
1. Should I make it myself (i can do this) or buy from a company like dell? I can't find a large company (dell, compaq) except for gateway (which are terrible) that will allow 2x hard drives. If i order one of these cpu's is there enough room to add the 2nd Hard drive? I know it depends on the case but is there USUALLY enough space
2. If I don't get one from a dell or compaq should I go to a mom and pop shop. I've heard that they are sometimes asses and cheat you out of money by overclocking and such.
3. What moniters should I get? I've heard great thing about Yorkville but how much are they? I have about $200 to spend.
4. Any suggestions on programs? Money is no option for the software.
5. Last question. I'm going to sell my old tascam MKIII. I'll have about $200-250 after I sell it. What does everyone think about the carvin studio mate
http://www.carvin.com/cgi-bin/Isearch.exe?PAGE=mdetail&CFG=2&P2=SM162&P1=MX
I have some carvin stuff like amps and I love them but I haven't tried their pro audio.
I've heard mackies are amazing but they are usually more expensive with less channels. I am going to need about 6-8 xlr inputs not 4 like the mackie that everyone recommends on this message board.

I would like to say thank you all who read and super thanks to anyone who responds.

 

[Emeric]

1. Should I make it myself (i can do this) or buy from a company like dell? I can't find a large company (dell, compaq) except for gateway (which are terrible) that will allow 2x hard drives. If i order one of these cpu's is there enough room to add the 2nd Hard drive? I know it depends on the case but is there USUALLY enough space

If you can build it yourself, do so. It isn't rocket science but there are lots of little details involved that you may miss if your new to building computers. Propriatary computers by Dell, IBM whoever, usually are a pain to upgrade or modify in anyway. I had to upgrade the memory in a Dell once, easy job? Had to practically dismantle the entire computer. Lots 'o' fun. Not all the Dells are like that though.


2. If I don't get one from a dell or compaq should I go to a mom and pop shop. I've heard that they are sometimes asses and cheat you out of money by overclocking and such.

Yes those mom & pop shops are EVIL, take you for every penny you have! No seriously, that is a good option. For one, service is close by and you are supporting your local economy. But - You have to find a store with a good reputation. This is not difficult to do - do a bit of research.


3. What moniters should I get? I've heard great thing about Yorkville but how much are they? I have about $200 to spend.

Do a search for 'monitors' on this BBS

4. Any suggestions on programs? Money is no option for the software.

From least to more expensive:

-Ntrack www.fasoft.com
-Cubase www.steinberg.net
-Nuendo www.nuendo.com

There are others, those are the ones I've used and thought were ok. Others are:

Cakewalk/Sonar - www.cakewalk.com
"Logic" - www.emagic.de



5. Last question. I'm going to sell my old tascam MKIII. I'll have about $200-250 after I sell it. What does everyone think about the carvin studio mate
http://www.carvin.com/cgi-bin/Isearch.exe?PAGE=mdetail&CFG=2&P2=SM162&P1=MX
I have some carvin stuff like amps and I love them but I haven't tried their pro audio.
I've heard mackies are amazing but they are usually more expensive with less channels. I am going to need about 6-8 xlr inputs not 4 like the mackie that everyone recommends on this message board.

Not familiar with Carvin for recording equipment. Keep in mind that maybe you can get 8 crummy pre's for X $ or 4 decent pre's for X$ or 8 decent pre's for X$.

I don't know if the Carvin's are bad or not, just speculating.

I would like to say thank you all who read and super thanks to anyone who responds. [/B][/QUOTE]

Your welcome, hope this helps.

 

[DavidK]

Hi everyone,

4. Any suggestions on programs? Money is no option for the software.

Since you are new here, some friendly advice:

Dont advertise the fact that you are pirating software.

 

[Emeric]

I thought he meant to say 'money is no object' rather than option.

But, who knows.

 

[pewing33ny]

oopsies

Oops. I don't pirate. I see what your saying now. I can spend about $200-$300 on software. I didn't know there was $700 programs out there. I assumed they were at most $150.
I don't do any dj or hip hop stuff. I just record a basic rock band setup
2 guitars
1 bass
vocalist
drum kit (3 toms) (4 cymbals)
Also I don't use midi (yet)

 

[regebro]

If money is an object for everything else, but not for software, that probably means he will pirate it anyway.

I would like to say that not only should you not admit to pirate software, you shouldn't pirate it at all! You see, there is somebody that has slaved their ass off behind that software, and if you pay them, they can develop the software further and make new features.



"Money is no option" sounds more like freeware. Check out n-tracks. Ridicously cheap and supposedly very good.

DON'T STEAL! It's not nice.

 

[Emeric]

Regbro, welcome back BTW - Thought you left for good?

He said he doesn't pirate.

Why the big lecture?

Get off the podium. Read, the context is out there.

 

[DavidK]

Re: oopsies

Oops. I don't pirate. I see what your saying now.

Good Man Sorry for jumping to a conclusion.

I suggest making sure your software has midi, for down the road. Take a look at Cakewalk home studio, might be just your ticket.

 

[regebro]

Originally posted by Emeric
Regbro, welcome back BTW - Thought you left for good?

Well, you thought wrong.

He said he doesn't pirate.

Yes. One minute before my post. It wasn't there when I replied.

Why the big lecture?

Because it's important.

Get off the podium.

No. I have things to say, and although I cna't make you listen, by golly, I will say them anyway!

 

[Barometer]

Welcome to the board

Hi everyone,

1. Should I make it myself (i can do this) or buy from a company like dell? I can't find a large company (dell, compaq) except for gateway (which are terrible) that will allow 2x hard drives. If i order one of these cpu's is there enough room to add the 2nd Hard drive? I know it depends on the case but is there USUALLY enough space

BUILD YOUR OWN! Never question that for any computer. you will have all the control you need over power, speed, space, components, etc. and if you already know you can do it you should know it's fairly easy and MUCH cheaper and reliable.

2. If I don't get one from a dell or compaq should I go to a mom and pop shop. I've heard that they are sometimes asses and cheat you out of money by overclocking and such.

I order almost everything online to get good prices (Mom and Pops have good service but can't always compete price-wise). Be sure you order from a vendor that has a good reputation.

3. What moniters should I get? I've heard great thing about Yorkville but how much are they? I have about $200 to spend.

For around $200 you can get Alesis monitors, they're not bad.

4. Any suggestions on programs? Money is no option for the software.

Cakewalk (Sonar) is good for newbies, nice GUI driven interface.

I would like to say thank you all who read and super thanks to anyone who responds.

You're welcome