do i really need a computer?

[papasauls]

hey y'all. i posted this under computers and soundcards too. i'm just getting into the whole digital recording thing and i just want to know, do i have to have a computer? i'm not the most computer litterate person in the world, and i really don't trust computers (ok so i don't trust myself with computers) to store my recordings on that i've worked so hard to make. can't i just get one of those virtual studios that yamaha or roland makes, or is the computer the way to go for digital? little help please. thanks guys.

papasauls

 

[VTgreen81]

I'm no expert by any means, but this is just my expeience so far:

As we're working on setting up our PC based studio we're being used as guinea pigs for a project studio that's just starting up based around a Roland VS-1880. Although we're getting a good sound we're running into limitations we don't expect in our own studio such as number of tracks and some editing functions. It's gonna depend somewhat on what you are trying to acheive.

 

[seryozha]

Well,

Im no expert either
<-----(thus the "newbie")

But If your afraid of losing your music on a computer, what makes you think that a digital multitrack recorder is anything but a computer?

Perhaps im being to literal here but, no medium is safe from destruction, ADAT,Tape,& 1's n 0's. If you want to stay away from digital catastrophy, go analog (tapes).

One upside to using a computer is that you can record onto a DVD that stores way more then a silly CD. Its upgradable too(for the most part) ,if you get a good one,and Its easily repaired if it breaks.

Yeah well just my ramblings

 

[Kevin Deschwazi]

The bottom line is NO. If you don't feel comfortable doing everything through a computer then don't.

I was recently in a similar situation to yourself and opted for the 'studio in a box'. These are great for learning the basics but I have to admit that I'm now looking at standalone multi track recorder-mixer-CD-R.

Seryozha is quite right because these things ARE basically computers so they're no less likely to lose your stuff.

Computers have lots of upsides tho so it's worth thinking about what it is you want to do and what would be important to you when you record.

 

[noisedude]

the main problem with computers stems from their main benefits. you can't fit everything from a computer into a standalone device, yet you can fit most of a studio virtually into a computer.

i would say computers are the way to go, but for very legitimate reasons Kevin prefers the standalone route.

the only thing with standlone is, buy very well or you could find yourself with something inflexible in the future that you can't just upgrade bits of. other than that, who wouldn't prefer not to have to do it all on a damn screen!?

 

[Toki987]

by burning your projects, individual tracks, or completed tunes to cd you can store them usually for many more yrs than you`ll have a use for them, and not have to worry about a computer or standalone machine crashing and losing all your stuff. I have first hand experience in this....The ones I put on cd I still have, the ones I didnt put on cd... the netherworld has possesion of them now...

 

[DJFILLAinclined]

um. its pricy but better

just go out and buy a multi track recording studio. look it up from there. thats the way to go. its all hardwere. www.zzounds.com/a--2676837 there will be all your hardware for your studio.

 

[noisedude]

by burning your projects, individual tracks, or completed tunes to cd you can store them usually for many more yrs than you`ll have a use for them, and not have to worry about a computer or standalone machine crashing and losing all your stuff. I have first hand experience in this....The ones I put on cd I still have, the ones I didnt put on cd... the netherworld has possesion of them now...

no way man .... the evidence is coming out now that CD-Rs can last as little as two years in real life. Businesses all over the world are finding now that their backups are unreadable cos the discs have collapsed. Get a couple of spare hard drives and use them simply for copies, keep them disconnected the whole time you're not using them.

 

[GhettoWayz]

then they used crappy cd-r.s

I have well used cd-r's, some even kept wiothout covers, one is over 7 years old, AND STILL PLAYS WITHOUT SKIPPING.


dont buy the 50 for a buck blank cd's,

buy the good ones, and youll be cranking them tunes ten years from now.

 

[Jotosuds]

the computer has more possibilites for expansion and stuff than a stand alone unit. i just like the fact i don't have to worry about filling up a 256mb card... got like 60 gigs to work with.

the fostex mr-8 is 300 bucks. i was going to get that, but got a computer instead.

if you don't have a computer already, i'd recommend getting a computer. where did you write this post from?

 

[Kevin Deschwazi]

the computer has more possibilites for expansion and stuff than a stand alone unit. i just like the fact i don't have to worry about filling up a 256mb card... got like 60 gigs to work with.

the fostex mr-8 is 300 bucks. i was going to get that, but got a computer instead.

if you don't have a computer already, i'd recommend getting a computer. where did you write this post from?

I think you're using spec. for fairly old kit. Any respectable digital multi tracker has at least a 20 gig hard drive these days and the prices for these are falling.

Can't disagree about the Computer's possibilities for expansion though.

It just depends on what you want to do. Remember with expansion comes new kit (or plug-ins) and taking the time to learn how to use it properly.

I personally think it's best to get the hang of the basics and when you know a bit more about the process you'll be in a better position to make your own choices about how you want to record your (or other people's?) music.

All in one units are best for this (IMHO).

Good luck with it anyway and enjoy.

 

[Jotosuds]

yeah those 20 gig models are usually like 1000 bucks though, right? like the korgs, fostex, boss, etc.

for $1000 you can get a good enough computer, preamp (DMP3), and soundcard (Delta audiophile, 44, 66) , maybe a mic (sm57).

but yeah for 1000, it might be better to get an all in one. whatever, they all work