Computer as a synth. Please advise

  • Thread starter Thread starter zbert
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zbert

zbert

In the swamps of Jersey
I use 2 DA38's for my recording set up. I want a computer to be my synth controler. I will run Sonar as my host and I want to use a couple of soft synth programs. This way I can also use Sonar as my "sequencer" and then drop the tracks on to my DA38's. What I need advise on, is can I use a "basic' computer? What I mean is someting around 1 to 1.5 gig speed with 256 mb ram and a 7200 HD about 40 gig. Without spending a fortune I will need a card that will allow me a low latency rate so I can plug my Korg X3 into the midi port. Maybe something like a 2496. I sure many times I will want to use the computer to play live into the DA38's. I've read many threads and I think this is what I can use but I'll take the advise of you experts.
Thanks for any help you can give me.
 
If you want to use a computer as a synth, will stereo outs satisfy you?

If you want to use SONAR as the host, and have low-latency realtime performance, you will want the computer to be running WIndows XP or Windows 2000 so you can use the WDM drivers effectively.

Most people suggest that 256 MB of RAM is inadequate for XP. But memory's cheap, I just rebuilt my machine and put in 512 MB for about $120.

You also can probably get a 2.4 GHz CPU for not too much more these days...
 
zbert said:
What I need advise on, is can I use a "basic' computer? What I mean is someting around 1 to 1.5 gig speed with 256 mb ram and a 7200 HD about 40 gig. Without spending a fortune
Click to expand...

it should work, maybe 512 ram, i guess, 3/4 possible questions in one, humm..
 
Wasn't trying to make 3 or 4 questions as much as describe what I consider a basic computer config. Mainly will I be OK with a 2496 soundcard?
Thanks
 
If you're okay with stereo outs.

Any new box with 512mb ram and a P4 and a pro-ish soundcard oughta give you low enough latency. Since you're recording on to DA-38s, though, you may prefer one of the live player apps to a sequencer. There are a couple floating around, names escape me. Steinberg successor (Pinnacle?) is the mfr on one...

Daf
 
Thanks for that info. I'll look it up and see what I can put together. Oh yeah, stereo out are fine
 
AlChuck said:
yadda yadda yadda.....

You also can probably get a 2.4 GHz CPU for not too much more these days...
Click to expand...

In other words if you wanna go the softsynth route- bring some *huevos* to the table or expect funky timing problems.
 
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