advice for beginer please

[t2roc]

Im just starting to think about getting ste up to record digital. Could anyone tll me (in English not jargon) what I'll need. I know that I want a USB connectin at the low end of the price range.I have a chance to buy ::
Intel Pentium III 1000 MHz
256Mb RAM
2 Hard Disk 20GB + 30GB
DVD Reader
CD-RW Writer
100MHz Network Card
1.44 Mb FDD
Sony G450 19" Professional Monitor
Keyboard (Either US or Swiss - we have both), Mouse
Soundblaster Live
Manuals, Original Softward, etc
Age about 3 years old

any advice much appreciated. Michel
Is this enough memory?

 

[Dogbreath]

Not to be a smart ass or nothing but there's a huge wealth of info here about this. Just do a Search with some of your key words you think might bring up some hits.

Other fine reading...
http://www.tweakheadz.com/guide.htm

good stuff....

That's about the best advice I can give,,,,read...read....read....
Then experiment....alot.
Nothing is really etched in stone but some of the trial and error doesn't have to be repeated from someone starting out.

Happy Tracking ....

 

[Minion]

Also your PC is a Little Slow to do any Major recording and since it is a P-3 it probably only has USB 1.1 (Unless you have a USB 2.0 PCI Card) which basicly Eliminates the chances of useing a USB Audio device....

For doing any Sort of Multi-Track recording with VST effects you should Probably have a PC in the 2.0GHZ or Faster Range with at the very least 512mb of DDR Ram but 1.0gb would be Ideal....

I rescently Picked up a Brand new 2.6ghz System for under $300 on e-bay...

Also a PCI or Firewire Recording Interface would be a Better option as USB devices seem to be very Limited in what they can do and the Number of tracks they can record.....

If you Leave some more info Like What you are recording and How many Tracks you will be Recording and what software you will ne useing then maybe we can help you better.....

Cheers

 

[ssscientist]

which basicly Eliminates the chances of useing a USB Audio device....

Incorrect.

95% of USB audio devices are USB 1.1 devices.

USB 2.0 has not caught on yet for audio use and the OP's current machine is enough to run Reason, Cubase or Live without expecting too many tracks at a time or any ReWire functionality.

Obviously it's not ideal, and as Minion points out there are fast computers available now for very little money.

 

[TimOBrien]

My obligatory standard reply that I keep in Wordpad:

Immediately get a good beginner recording book (spend $20 before spending hundred$/thousand$) that shows you what you need to get started and how to hook everything up in your studio:
Home Recording for Musicians by Jeff Strong - $15
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/07...ce&n=283155&n=507846&s=books&v=glance
(Wish I'd had that when I started; would have saved me lots of money and time and grief)

Good Newbie guide that also explains all the basics:
http://www.tweakheadz.com/guide.htm

21 Ways To Assemble a Recording Rig:
http://www.tweakheadz.com/rigs.htm

Also Good Info:
http://www.theprojectstudiohandbook.com/directory.htm

Other recording books:
http://musicbooksplus.com/home-recording-c-31.html


Plenty of software around to record for free to start out on:

Audacity: http://audacity.sourceforge.net

Kristal: http://www.kreatives.org/kristal/

Other freebies and shareware: www.hitsquad.com