analog or digital?

  • Thread starter Thread starter monica
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Farview said:
Those studio-in-a-box things like the Tascam or the Roland VS-series are nothing more than computers with a mixer built into it. The downside to those things is that they can't grow with you.
1. You can't replace the preamps without throwing the whole thing away and getting something else. (you can't bypass them either)
2. you can't get more tracks without throwing the whole thing away and getting something else
3. If you decide you don't like recording, you can't turn it into a gaming machine.

That Tascam thing will always only be what it is, computers are upgradable and a lot more flexible.
Click to expand...
those are great points. never thought about it that way.


i'm convinced, i'm going to use a computer. one more question for the time being: would you guys recommend a fresh computer for recording? and if so, what do you recommend? mac, pc...?
 
I would recommend a dedicated machine personally. It is not mandatory, but very nice. I am a PC guy myself as the options and costs involved with a Mac are nothing I want to screw with. Macs are more expensive all around, have far fewer good freebies out there, and are no more stable than Windows XP in my experience. Check ou tsome of those DAWs I linked to above. If money is really no object, check our Saw Studio or Samplitude. Great stuff there. However, if you were to get into a ProTools rig, I would probably go Mac as you're spending the dough anyway on all of their proprietary hardware, so you might as well get the platform that is preferred for PT.
 
Hello, Monica.

You may want to consider a Yamaha AW1600 16 track workstation. It has usb capability for loading tracks to PC for post editing.

Just a thought.
 
I'm PC all the way. A few years ago there was a big performance difference, but not now.

The biggest thing to consider when choosing between mac and pc is the software you are going to use on it. Protools will probably always work better on a mac because it is designed on one and ported over to PC.

I run Nuendo, which is exactly like Cubase if you don't need to do video and 7.1 surround. I have a dedicated audio computer (PC) and I have been glitch free for years.

I used to have only one computer for both internet and audio. Things would get a little goofy every once in a while when zone alarm would update itself or the antivirus would get in a fight with some plugin. It worked flawlessly about 95% of the time, the other 5% was tough to go through.

The only problem I see with 60's Guys suggestion is that you are buying a lot of redundancy. The Yamaha is just a computer with a built-in interface, some poorly laid out editing tools, and limitations on how many effects you can use at once. An 8 input computer interface and cubase on the computer you already have would be 100 times more powerful and less expensive than the Yamaha.
 
yeah i'm gonna go PC. what interface do you recommend? and will a really basic computer be enough? such as a $600 Dell? or do you recommend a model/brand?



sorry about all the dumb questions
 
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The choice of interface is completely dependant on your needs. If you only need 2 or 4 inputs, you can get away with a firewire interface.

The thing you have to watch out for with the computer is the configuration. Any computer that you get now will have enough horsepower to do the work, but if you need 3 PCI slots and you don't have them, you're screwed.

You will want no less than 1 gig of ram.
 
Really basic? Well, you don't need bells and whistles, but you do need horse power. Don't skimp on processor (this will limit how you can use effects and to a lesser extent tracks), RAM (>1Gb at least... make sure you can add more), or hard drive (higher RPM = better). The rest, who cares? You don't need a super video card. IMO, the older the technology and more mature the drivers the better. You don't want some stupid Norton deluxe Internet protection software suite, Office, or any of that other crap. Keep the machine off the net. I have used Dell myself for many years. Be careful on their cheapo Dimensions line. That is their consumer line that comes with all the home software crap installed like AOL, 90 day trials on this that and the other, "self diagnosis" utilities and other worthless stuff to gum up your system. Look at their Optiplex line as they are built for business with an eye on reliability and performance without all the shiney junk you get on the Dimensions.

As for an interface, I am an EMU fan myself in the mid range (1820M or 1616M). Best bang for the buck out there in my opinion. Look for their models with the M series mastering convertors. Great stuff. M-Audio also makes a good interface. I think EMU beats them, but M-Audio isn't junk.
 
monica said:
yeah i'm gonna go PC. what interface do you recommend? and will a really basic computer be enough? such as a $600 Dell? or do you recommend a model/brand?
Click to expand...

Take your time. Whatever you decide, if you’re that new to recording you need weeks (at least) to make an informed purchase.

If I were in your situation – starting out, I would give this thread some time to develop. While there are members that have a lot of experience, many others know little more than you do. It’s primarily an anonymous forum consisting of members with a broad range of experience and inexperience. Hopefully, a poll or vote here will not be the end of your quest, but just the beginning. ;)
 
monica said:
i can't thank you enough for all your help guys
Click to expand...

Give me a while. I'll think of something. Giggity giggity, awright.

Try to figure out what you want to use for your recording software (aka DAW or sequencer). Then, do some homework on what motherboard/processor/interface combos run flawlessly with this software. This is MUCH less hassle than cobbling together a computer, and then trying to feed it whatever software it will run on. There are plenty of absolutely bulletproof combos, especially if you have a dedicated computer that doesn't see the web, or 10,000 different entertainment/productivity programs.
 
hahaha, what IS a sequencer? and whats the difference between a DAW and a sequencer? is a DAW just a program?
 
People around here use the terms interchangably. There is really only a subtle difference any more. A sequencer used to be a midi editor that might have some audio support. A DAW was an audio editor that might have midi support. Now everything does everything, so the difference between the two has blurred.
 
Beck said:
Take your time. Whatever you decide, if you’re that new to recording you need weeks (at least) to make an informed purchase.

If I were in your situation – starting out, I would give this thread some time to develop. While there are members that have a lot of experience, many others know little more than you do. It’s primarily an anonymous forum consisting of members with a broad range of experience and inexperience. Hopefully, a poll or vote here will not be the end of your quest, but just the beginning. ;)
Click to expand...
I agree with Beck. You really do need to take your time to make an informed decision.

Better yet, seek out people in your area who record digitally or analog.

I'm very fortunate to have the equipment to record to either medium. Analog can be tedious and expensive (tape). Digital is quick and easy.

Actually.....I struggle with both. ;)

Seriously, take your time.
 
Farview said:
You might have missed my point, there is no difference.
Click to expand...
oh, ok.......so, say the Tracktion 2 (that bubbagump mentioned) is a DAW/sequencer? i don't know the jargon so...yeah




yeah i sure as hell am gonna take my time
 
Monica,

If you want to ask questions about the Yamaha AW16G or AW1600, here's a link to a very informative user site.....

http://forum.dijonstock.com/

Just don't say that I sent you! ;) It'd be bad for my reputation. :D
 
ok thanks.....but i think i made up my mind about using a computer. thanks though anyways
 
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