Computer recording must suck

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tjohnston

tjohnston

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Every time I view new post practically the whole first page is problems with computer recording. "Help me with cakewalk, sonar, plug-ins, no sound, will not record, will not play" What’s the deal? Seems like its a lot of trouble. I’m not overly thrilled with my Adat but its problem free and user-friendly. Hope i never get in to computer recording!
 
I had a 6 hour session last night and my pc never acted up once. not one lock up, and never had to restart. I think the posts you are reading are from beginners. Recording with a computer you need to not only have engineering/musical skills, but you also need computer knowledge.
Computers dont suck at all. I use adats as well (sync). They are great, but the level that I can edit at is much better on a pc.
If you have a system that works for you then use it. If you have a solid pc and you know how to configure it, then it will be problem free.
 
I agree with iceberg, at least half of those posts you mention would be nearly equivalent if they were using an ADAT or tape recorder.
 
TJ,

Computers are a great way to record. The problem, as always, is you have to know what you're doing.

Years ago, to be a recording engineer you had to know how to align an analog tape deck, solder cables, repair circuit boards or at least be able to open the case and swap in a replacement, and so forth. Now that anyone can buy very high quality gear for very little money, a lot of people have home studios. But you still have to know your tools. Even if you buy a Mac. :D

--Ethan
 
Plus, most people aren't inclined to come post on the boards just to let everybody know that they aren't having any troubles :)
 
It's usually a problem with the user instead of the machine being used.
 
if i came on this board and had bought an adat and some other stuff I'd be on the board for 4 days straight asking questions. dont say the wagon sucks when the horse has arthritis
 
I think the problem with computer it's a problem of "interface"...
You can have 8-16-24-32 tracks with sends, inserts, EQs, etc, all on the same screen, and a mouse as a two hands substitute.
Then you have problems with hd speed, cpu usage, latency, click & pops, software bugs... :(

I' m using a DAW in my home studio and I'm not happy at all... :''(
 
i'm totally happy

with my amd computer. no problems whatsoever.
just a breeze.
 
I'm in the process of switching formats from a stand-alone hard disk recorder (Fostex vf-16) to computer recording using a combination of Mac, Motu, Cubase, AudioDesk, Live, etc. My experience has been positive enough that I'm contemplating getting rid of the Fostex. I would agree with you on one aspect of computer-based music--software and hardware support sucks. I've had bad experiences with Steinberg, Apple, MOTU, and just about anyone I've dealt with. The prevailing wisdom seems to be that customers don't deserve timely support on the phone or through e-mail. In fact, a VP at Steinberg USA once told me that a 20-30 minute wait time was "the industry standard" when it comes to technical assistance on the phone. And forget any technical help until you have registered. I have also come to realize that to use a computer-based setup you typically rely on products from multiple manufactures--hardware developers, software develpers, computer companies, etc. When something does not work, there is almost a universal cry that "its not our product." Harware developers blame software, software developers blame hardware companies, and everybody blames Apple! It seems as if these products were all developed in some sort of a vacum with no coordination. Oh well.
 
MaxB said:
problems with hd speed, cpu usage, latency, click & pops, software bugs...
Click to expand...

I would agree with this that there are alot more wild cards when it comes to recording on computer. But all of the software marketers are screaming:

"NEVER BEFORE HAS IT BEEN THIS EASY!!! TO RECORD PRO TRACKS IN YOUR OWN HOME ON THE COMPUTER YOU ALREADY OWN!!" (ECHO...ECHO...ECHO...)

and i think this is causing alot of people to jump in with both feet and say "hell it sounds so easy i probably wont even need the manual".

And of course there are the newbs that show up going "i want the cheapest easiest to use best most professionalist software/hardware/mixer etc."

So we've got a ton of people who don't know what they're getting into with recording, not to mention may not be familiar with the ins and outs of their computer in the first place.
 
The more you know, the less things suck!

My initial entry into computer recording was a major learning curve so just about everything sucked. Life sucks less now that I think I know what I'm doing. Of course, as soon as THAT bubble pops things will suck once again.
 
i think the majority of people who have computer recording problems are using cracks....there i said it!
 
ha i remember when i used cracks and had no problems...buying legal software conincided with building a new PC and dammit windows xp is just not up to the job! i'm heading back to 2000, at least it was stable, i can play games off another hard disk!

obviously that had nothing to do with cubase's cracked and legal. silly me.
 
man i just re-read that and it's confused! i meant that on my old pc i was using win2000 and a cracked cubase. then i built a new machine and took the opportunity to buy cubase for real and also windows xp. xp keeps crashing and so actually i was better off with my old setup....cracks and all.
 
obviously though crackers are evil and the reason our software costs so bloody much is little kids pirating stuff in their rooms. luckily i grew up.
 
I've been recording with computers for about 4 years. I have never been happier with my recording systems, but I'm also well able to keep the computer running and deal with any technical issues that may come up.

You just have to know your tools and your system. 98% of the trouble comes from 2 things:

1) Getting the system up and running for the first time. After this initial setup is completed most of the trouble subsides and the system performs well with basic maintainence. A major source of headaches at this stage is determining if you have hardware conflicts. A little research before buying system components goes a looooooong way here.

2) Users who have insuficient technical knowledge of how to configure and maintain their systems. The general level of computer saavy is pretty low. Seems like every day I walk into work and someone says "Hey! The printer isn't working!! HELP!!" I say "Try restarting your computer." They come back and say "Wow! It worked! You're a genious!!!" Computer recordists MUST be willing to get into the guts of their systems and learn what goes on there.

As an example, an intern at the studio where I work was baffled when the synth module no longer seemed to function. He told me that the module was recieving MIDI but no audio came through Pro Tools on the tracks where they should have been coming in.

"Did you check the output cables from the module?"
"Yes, they're plugged into the 13 and 14."
"Did you check the routing in Pro Tools?"
"What?"
"Did you check to make sure that the aux inputs for the synth were routed to inputs 13 & 14?"
"Well, the inputs are labeled 'Korg' so it should work, right?!"

A quick look at the internal labeling system reveals that the inputs labeled "Korg" were actually 5 & 6. A quick switch to routing "korg" to 13 & 14 and it worked like a charm. The intern (who has been working with Pro Tools on and off for almost a year) had no idea how to do this.

And that's a pretty mild example. Analog systems have the same kind of trouble shooting. Wires going bad, random noises being introduced somewhere, and whatnot. If you know how to deal with it then its not really a huge problem. Same with computers.

Take care,
Chris
 
some of it seems to come from new setups and new hardware. It always takes a while to work out the kinks.
 
I agree with what Chris says about why people have problems. If you try to get into computer recording with the mindset that "easy as cake" your gonna have plenty of trouble. I should be recording real vocals from my computer starting tommorw (hopefully!! everyone wish me luck). But its not like getting here was a pice of cake!

So far I have done editing and mixing my songs that I had recorded already and I had no problems besacuse I took the time to learn the software and had patience. But when I wanted to set up my computer for recording I had lots of problems. I didnt know the first thing about it. And like the majority of the people I almost did go out and buy things I dont need/dont know how to use and end up losing a ton of money. But luckly I decided to to a lotta research and learn about this stuff before I bought anything.

I still had problems but they were minimal. Like tonight I got my omni studio. It took me 4 hours to take apert my computer and carefully install the delta 66 sound card. And thats after I had done research on how to install a soundcard. So imagine all the people that go out and try to do this stuff with NO KNOWLEDGE. Now finally after all this time and effort spent on setting everything up im almost ready to record. When my Mic arrives tommorw I should finally be able to record my vocals. DO I think I will have porblems? of course. But like chris says if you put in the effort after the initail diffculty it will be smooth sailing.
 
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