Crosspost from Newbies: $1000 computer?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Shepherd
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Shepherd

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Sorry about the cross-post, but I'm a newbie (more or less) and this seems equally applicable in both forums...


I'm looking to produce one-hour radio shows that would consist largely of interviews and pre-recorded background music, much of the interviews gathered in the field on a MD Recorder.
I want to set up a computer system to put this together. I already have an external CD burner (USB) for my laptop, but I don't want to gut all the neat stuff on my laptop (a Pentium II 233) to make room for audio software and HD storage. I'm also given to understand that I'll need a kick-ass sound card, which would be best on a desktop.

Please understand: the last time I worked with sound editing on computers was in 1994. Back then the 386 was ROCKET SCIENCE.

In today's world, could I get set up decently for $1000 for the whole kit and caboodle? What should I set my minimum processor speed, RAM, and hard drive space at when I'm shopping around?
Please remember that I already have a great mobile recording MD unit and a perfectly adequate external USB CD burner.
At the moment, I'm only really familiar with Windows platforms, but would be willing to learn a little about Linux if it's far superior.

Thanks a million!
 
Hmmm....

Probably couldn't do it for 1000 bucks, but maybe 1500.

Here are a few guides:

Pentium 2 at least 650 mghz
2 Hard drives 20GB and 7200RPM - 1 for OS and 1 for audio
256 RAM at least

Yes, you'll need a good soundcard. I've had good luck w/ Echo cards.

You'll also need software. Try SONAR.

Computer = $850
Soundcard = $350
Software = $300

Of course this assumes you already have mic's and some kind of pre-amp.

Good luck.

Aaron
http://www.aaroncheney.com
 
Aaron is right but you could skimp on some of the stuff.

For software Ntracks or CoolEdit would do the job for much less.

Since you only need 2 tracks of input at a time (right?) you could get an Audiphile card or any of the cheaper 2x2 cards.

If you are sure you only need about 4 tracks at a time you could even get by with just about any Pentium 3 system and a single 7200rpm HD.
 
If you are into building it yourself, you should be able to easily set something up for under $1000... for example (all prices taken from newegg.com) :

Pentium 4 1.6A GHZ processor (retail) - $137
Gigabyte 8IRX socket 478 motherboard - $118
Enlight Mid tower 300W PS/Case (EN7327) - $46
512 MB PC2100 DDR Kingston ram - $138
Matrox G450 dual head 32 mb - $79
Mitsumi Floppy drive - $9
Seagate 80 GB 7200 rpm (fluid bearings) Hard drive - $134
Creative Labs 16x DVD drive - $45

Total - $706 + probably $30 or so in shipping charges.

This would leave you roughly $250 for a quality audio card. For what you appear to want to be doing, I would suggest:

M-Audio Delta 410 (4 24/96 ports) - around $200 (8thstreet is $195)

N-Track studio - $42 (www.n-track.com)

This also assumes you already have an OS you want to use (I recommend Windows 2000 with service pack 2) as well as a monitor/keyboard/mouse to use.

All this would be under or right around $1000, and give you room to grow by (probably) giving you more power and choices than you would initially need. Hope this helps!

- Brian
 
Heserosfer said:
If you are into building it yourself, you should be able to easily set something up for under $1000... for example (all prices taken from newegg.com)...
Click to expand...

Wow! Thanks! That was really great. I'm gonna get on it (I live in Canada, and will need to find a good Canadian parts supplier, pref. here in Quebec -- I have friends who can help me put this together) and no doubt I'll be back and whimpering for help on the Newbies board in no time. :-)
 
Canada???

Next question:

I live in Canada -- and not in a part of Canada with easy access to good computer stores. Any suggestions on Canadian online computer parts retailers so I can get to buildin'? It's pretty important that they be located in the country, as customs brokerage fees and tacked-on taxes, along with the exchange rate, make it impossible to get anything from the States.
 
Hmm.... I am not really sure about any online stores that are located in Canada - you may want to try to find a local shop that will price match and see if they will match some of the prices you find online (in Canadian dollars of course ;).

I haven't been online much in the past week or so, but if I find out a good Canadian online retailer I'll jump back here and post it. You may want to check out Anandtech's Forums (www.anandtech.com - click on "Community"). I search around there sometimes when I have questions, theres alot of knowledgable people who post there. Good Luck!

- Brian
 
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