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raab
New member
I saw the cover of a 2003 issue of EQ Magazine that had the cover story "build an audio PC for $400". Anybody have that issue or know if it's possible to do that???
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Grigorios
New member
I haven't read that issue, but it is possible to build a basic audio production system for around 400-500 without a display. You will have to use the cheapest parts available. As a result, you will face certain limitations and your system (due to the cheaper parts) might give you some stability problems. Be forewarned. If this is the only way you'll be able to get into desktop digital audio recording, then go for it. You must prepare yourself for a few snags along the way though.
I've personally built several audio production PCs for friends who were on a shoestring budget. Despite the limitations, they were quite happy with what they now were able to do. There's alot that's possible with basic equipment.
Usually you can make do with components that aren't the latest and greatest. You might want to invest more of your money into a decent sound card, preamp, and large/fast hard drive.
I've personally built several audio production PCs for friends who were on a shoestring budget. Despite the limitations, they were quite happy with what they now were able to do. There's alot that's possible with basic equipment.
Usually you can make do with components that aren't the latest and greatest. You might want to invest more of your money into a decent sound card, preamp, and large/fast hard drive.
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raab
New member
Yeah, I've been trying to find the article online without success, and EQ's website doesnt have it online...
I'm stuck with an HP right now, and I'm scared of using it with any audio. I don't know if it would be better to go with a self-constructed audio PC or try to modify my HP...
-Raab
I'm stuck with an HP right now, and I'm scared of using it with any audio. I don't know if it would be better to go with a self-constructed audio PC or try to modify my HP...
-Raab
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Phylbee
New member
If your concerned about budget I would get a sound card dedicated for recording and try it in your HP as long as you have a pci slot open it might just work. I have a 900 athalon with 256 megs of ram,30 gig 7200 rpm hard drive and recorded 8 tracks at a time with no problems you just have to watch how many plugins you use when you are mixing down.
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tedluk
New member
You guys sure it was EQ? I remember reading the article, but I don't subscribe to that mag though I might have gotten a free issue or two last year.
As I remember the article, that price did NOT include an OS and some of the other things you would need, you know like applications. Kind of misleading...
sort of like most computer ads now that I think of it.
Ted
As I remember the article, that price did NOT include an OS and some of the other things you would need, you know like applications. Kind of misleading...
sort of like most computer ads now that I think of it.
Ted
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Grigorios
New member
Phylbee, good advice. Start off by investing in a decent sound card such as one of the new E-mu cards (0404,1212M) or an M-Audio Audiophile 2496. Install it in your system and see how far you can go with it. It may just suit your needs. Meanwhile, you can work on collecting the funds for a new machine and then simply install your new card in it. Going this route, you'll really be able to see the benefits of your new computer purchase when the time comes. 
Gidge
Lapdance Test Dummy
id use the monitor,kb,mouse,hard drive,floppy drive, cd rom from the HP and buy a new motherboard and CPU with case and power supply....then get a big 7200rpm hard drive for you audio......
drstawl
Banned
And trying to use the H/P would cost you how much?raab said:
Nothing to fear but fear itself!
Gidge
Lapdance Test Dummy
btw, im waiting for my HP Pavillion to die before i upgrade and knock on wood, it records faithfully without a problemo.....500mhz Celeron......i get good track counts but have to skimp on plugins......
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raab
New member
I'm nervous about using the HP, I hear they are very imcompatible with alot of recording software. I'd like to grab an M-Box w/ProTools LE for my setup. But Digidesign has a HP warning on their site. I'm not sure exactly WHAT about HP's are so bad in conjunction with recording, though. Would upping my RAM to 500mb fix the problems?
distortedrumble
all up in yo grill!
the mainboards with video, audio and lan are a quick consolidation method. the only problem with these are that they usually are the MATX boards so theres only 3 pci slots and sometimes no AGP slot. 1 stick of memory, a cheap 20gb hardrive and a $20 cdrom and thats about it.
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TimOBrien
New member
I built my DAW last year for approx $500-600 using parts from newegg.com
P4 2.4Ghz, Intel i845GEBV2 motherboard with builtin graphics and lan, 512Mb RAM, 52x Lite-On CDRW, two WesternDigital 60Gb drives. With Win2k and an Echo Mia soundcard I can play back 35 24bit/44.1kHz tracks with the CPU meter on my sequncer only hitting 10-15%. Zero problems.
It can be done.
P4 2.4Ghz, Intel i845GEBV2 motherboard with builtin graphics and lan, 512Mb RAM, 52x Lite-On CDRW, two WesternDigital 60Gb drives. With Win2k and an Echo Mia soundcard I can play back 35 24bit/44.1kHz tracks with the CPU meter on my sequncer only hitting 10-15%. Zero problems.
It can be done.