build my own?

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vaporpark

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Ok, I realize you guys get sick and tired of answering this type of question but I will try anyway. The archived posts have provided me with a wealth of knowledge but I am still seeking some direct advice.

I would like to build a cheap starter DAW system that I can add onto in the near future. I have changed out hard drives, cdrw drives, and various cards before so I think I can do the assembly process.

What do I have now? I have spare 17" CRT monitor. Mic preamp, and mics.

I would like to record 1-4 tracks at one time. I would like to use some synth plugins, via midi, and do some sequencing. I will also be using guitars (acoustic and electric), electric bass, and vocals. Estimated tracks 8-16.

Budget would be around $700. Anything less would be great but that is my top.

So, could any of the expert users here give me a breakdown of what parts (mobo, proc, sound card, hd, software, etc.) you would recommend to assemble something in this price range? I would really appreciate any help with this.

Sincerely,
Vaporpark
 
Need more info. Since you say 1-4 inputs that will make it hard to do for $700 since most of that will be eaten up be a 4 mic pre sound card...
 
Yeah, I think a four input sound card will push your PC over-budget im sure, unless you get a steal on Ebay.

For the computer:

Go with AMD because they are a better value than Intel. I don't specifically know of any good AMD motherboards but look around at PC review places and they will have lots of information on the good motherboards (not necessarily the best of the best but one with good performance and reliabillity), etc.

Athlon Barton CPU (2500+ or so). You can get a lot of chip for a small price.

at least 512MB DDR RAM (make sure the speeds work with your mobo and dont skimp on the quality of this)

AT LEAST 80-100GB HDD (suggest SeaGate Barraccuda for its quiet nature)

Make sure the case is of good construction/design/etc and just go for a video card that will get you by (look for the best deals). Its important that you also get a good quality PSU that has enough power for your components (some cases come with them).

For the sound card... I have an Aardvark Direct Pro 24/96 and I love it. Its the little brother of the Q10 and it works great for me. I was able to get an awesome deal on it on Ebay (used) for $250. I doubt thats a very common price for them though. Retail is more around twice that.

I hope I gave you some place to start.... check pricewatch.com and ebay.
 
DAFFYDRUNK said:
Need more info. Since you say 1-4 inputs that will make it hard to do for $700 since most of that will be eaten up be a 4 mic pre sound card...
Click to expand...

I really could go with less inputs. I mainly record by myself (man that sounds lonely) so two inputs would be sufficient. Will that bring me back within the ball park of my budget? I guess I was upgrading the cart before buying the horse.

Photoresistor, thanks for the input. I hear all the time about how good AMD is and the cost savings. Fear of the unkown I guess makes me hesitant. I will look into it.

Thanks guys, this really helps.

Peace,
vaporpark
 
So do you already have all the software (like XP)? Any studio monitors? As for AMD, I wouldn't worry about it at all. I haven't built an Intel based machine for several years...
 
DAFFYDRUNK said:
So do you already have all the software (like XP)? Any studio monitors? As for AMD, I wouldn't worry about it at all. I haven't built an Intel based machine for several years...
Click to expand...

I will need to get XP for sure. Already have studio monitors, mics, preamps. AMD looks good from what I have checked out. So, what would recommend for the PC build?

Thanks,
vp
 
Well thinking about the budget I'd say something like this:
You can get the parts anywhere but I'm listing new egg prices.

Computer:

$37 400 watt case A+ GPB CA-3688
$88 Biostar M7NCG PRO Nforce2 board with DUAL integrated video
(I really dig this board for the money, and it will be ready for dual monitor)
$96 (pair of Giel Ultra platinum PC3500 CL2.5 256 MB modules for 512MB)
$35 Samsung 52x32x52 CDRW
$14 Mitsumi floppy drive
$82 Seagate ST380013AS 80GB 8MB 7200 RPM HDD
$12 Ortek MCK-800 keyboard (love this thing for the price)
$9.50 Generic silver Optical wheel mouse KOPMPSL905
$90 AMD Athlon XP 2500+ Barton Retail (comes with a reasonably quiet heatsink/fan)
$91 WIn XP Home CD

Input
$200 Tascam US-122


TOTAL Cost = $753.50


About as close to your budget as I can think of and still have a cool setup with expandability. Once setup, set the FSB to 185, and leave the fsb mem ratio at 1:1 set the memory to 6-3-3 CL2. (look at the manual to make sure you have the memory in the right slots for dual channel 128 bit.) You now basically have an XP 3000+ that will be rock solid. Don't even have to adjust the voltage unless you want to push the FSB farther, but this will be enough speed for now.
Other than that, there's not much tricky stuff you have to do other than setting up XP and updating to the latest serivce packs, drivers and updates. You wanna spend a little extra time makling sure you get the heatsink on correctly but that's about it. The little Tascam comes with some recording software to get you started (GigaStudio 24 sampling workstation, and a special version of Steinberg's Cubasis recording/sequencing software)

You can also use the onboard audio and your mic pre for a 3rd input if you wanted. Probably won't be quite as clean as the 122, but I've recorded whole songs with far worse and they still turned out decent...
 
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DaffyDrunk,

Thanks for the list. I will check all these out. Looks like a lot PC for the money. Newegg is cool I have used them in the past with great prices and good service.

Thanks again.

Peace,
vp
 
Yea.. I think that would be a cool setup and I forog to to mention the MB even has firewire. I've only built 1 computer with that board but it's Just as bullet proof as any Asus. The only thing I forgot was you might want to buy an extra IDE cable for the burner but that's about $5 or so.

Here's the info on the Mainboard:
BIOSTAR LINK
 
DAFFYDRUNK,

What would be an alternative to the Tascam US-122? I have heard that the digital converters are a little undesirable in the gain department. I am researching further but I just want to have some alternatives. Of course I am now thinking of upping my budget a little but that is alright if makes a major difference.

Thanks,
vp
 
Yea... I dunno. I'm kinda a newbie when it comes to knowing what would be best. In my search for an affordable cool setup, I've read good and bad things about the 122 as well. I'd prefer PCI, and looking around for something with a couple mic inputs and MIDI, there's probably several. Looking at the big music gear web sites and saw that EMU 1820. PCI with breakout box $400, but looks like it has 2 mic pres, and 6 line inputs so you could add more mic pres to it? Dunno how it sounds or what kind of software it comes with but something like that might be worth reading up on. There's stuff like the Delta 1010LT that has a couple mic pres and midi I/O for $280, but I think something with a break out box might be a little more conveneint to hook stuff too and the 1010LT doesn't appear to come with any recording software so you'd have to buy (or kazaa) a recording app as well...

Almost forgot... what about that Lexicon Omega? That's $350 and looks like a cool gadget with 4 inputs (2 mic inputs). It's another USB device, and I thought people on another thread were critical of Lexicon's support of previous products though...
 
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TigerDirect has the Athlon 2000xp chip on a Shuttle 5 pci slot mb for $110. I just put one in a $30 case here at home.
 
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