HDD Recording or Cubase ?

[Funky1200]

Hi guys..

just getting info on whats best to use - Yamaha AW16G HDD recorder or Cubase and PC ?

About to start my studio setup and the Yamaha is very tempting as its an all in one with CDRW etc - no need for a desk or cubase ?

Was planning to use PC but seen this now whats everyones thoughts ?

Any help appreciated.

G

 

[ssscientist]

For the kind of stuff you're doing I would go the computer route. It will allow you much more flexibility and access to soft synths and FX. I have a AW16G that they will pry from my cold, dead hands but I do a more rock thang.

And please don't post what's basically the same question in 3 different places on this board.

 

[Bass Master "K"]

Uh oh, the cross post no no.... it's frowned upon here...heck it's frowned upon all bbs's. But your new so we will let you off with a warning

The advantage of a HDD system is that it is ready to go and it's all in one. You know it will work well out of the box. The disadvantage is that it is unexpandable. What you have is what you have. It won't change with the times. The bitrate and resolution you have now will be what you have 10 years from now. If you decide to upgrade because of advances in tech, then your unit will not resell for very much because it will be viewed as "behind the times". Also, if your into synths, you will be missing out on loads of soft synths that are out there.

The disadvantage of going PC is that it can be a royal pain to get set up. You have to pick a good soundcard, good software, make sure your system is streamlined, keep up on the newest drivers. It helps to be proficient with computers. You need to be prepared for problems in the start, and be willing to work through them. The advantage of a computer based system is flexability (you can change with the times), power (you are only limited by your computer), loads of plug in's and synths (looking for new sounds...they are out there), expandability (I can run up to 60 to 70 tracks w/effects, but if I need more I could upgrade my computer), and there are a lot of developers who are creating new things for DAW's that make it very appealing to have a computer based system rather than a static desktop system. The future looks brighter for those who have the flexability to advance with the times. The weather stays the same for those locked into a HDD system that can't change with the times.

That said, you will find you are probably more limited by your ability to record, than the source you are recording on. There are good engeineers who on a HDD could blow away my recordings on my DAW.
Good luck in whatever rout you choose.

 

[Funky1200]

Oooops!

Thanks guys for the replies... and sorry about the posts but i realised after posting my synth question that there was a place for it and noticed someone else being told off for posting in the wrong place so went to delete it and couldn't so duplicated it...wont happen again i need this forum : )

i work with computers so no problem about that and i have a 2Ghz machine which i can solely devote to the studio.. can i then ask to get me started what soft synths \ plug ins and which main recording software you would recommend fore the style i am seeking to do? Oh and a decent soundcard - need one of those...

Thanks

 

[Bass Master "K"]

2 ghz is pretty good. You want it to have 2 hard drives, one to host your OS and your recording software, the other to record onto.

RAM is handy for the plugin's and it's good to have as much as you can afford. 512 to 1 gig is good. You'll know if you need more when your recording.

Programs...well there are lots of good ones out there. You mentioned Cubase, which is what I use. But Sonar is also a grea program. I'm not sure how Pro Tools light handles a lot of MIDI so I can't help you much there. One reason I might lean you to Cubase would be that Steinberg (the developers of cubase) are the ones who developed VST (virtual studio technology) and there are a LOT of great softsynths that are out there in VST format. There are even websites that have lists of free soft synths and effect plug in's that you can use. If you want to use Sonar however, they do have wrappers that allow you to use VST and VSTi's. My buddy used to be a Sonar user and he said for the most part the wrappers were stable...sometimes he had some trouble with them though.

As far as a soundcard, I don't really know what you need. How many instruments do you see yourself recording at one time? Are you planning on using mostly midi? You can do a search on cards, based on what you need. There are loads of threads about soundcards here. Ususally people base their decision on how many inputs they need.

 

[manning1]

my recommendation.....
amd 2ghz athlon. someone on here just reported a mp2400 processor is great,512 ram plus 2 hard drives .
as to software before buying cubase check out my favorites...
magix music studio(70 bucks ! and superb), multitrackstudio.com,
(great ease of use, rock solid), powertracks(superb audio/midi sequencer for 29 bucks), and n track, and traktion.
just talk to users on respective forums/try demos if you dont believe.
as to soundcard a delta perhaps ?
frankly i'm tempted to go amd64 after some of the reports i'm hearing.
i dont like these all in one recorders. get obsolete too quick.

 

[ssscientist]

You'll find many free softsynths, effects and a whole bunch of interesting discussion here:

http://www.kvr-vst.com/

 

[Funky1200]

Cheers Guys..

Thanks for the replies.. I am still deciding but was looking at Cubase SL. As for sound card as i am a guitarist and know some great vocalists i am hoping to record guitar and vocals onto many of my tracks...this was my reason for the HDD Computer recording question.

I was looking at a Microkorg, Access Virus C ( poss ), Roland JP8000 and a novation supernova II module - i think that would set me up treat for dance music ! looking second hand to get the most for my money too.

So if i plan to record guitar and vocals what kind of card do you suggest ?

I will search the forum for answers to that too.

G

 

[protein]

I've been recording bands on an AW16G for the last year or so and writing music for adverts/films purely on the PC in Reason. I've got so fed up with them not being integrated (unless I sample the AW16G stuff or try and synch it) - that I've decided to go for a computer based recording system.

I reckon you should learn from my mistake and do the same. Plus there is so much more scope with a computer based system. Even if you only have 8 ins and outs you can submix as many tracks as you want on cubase and take advantage of weird and wonderful plug-ins.

Also, you can work with pop/rap/ acts that are half sequenced/half live.

I can't wait to get my new system running. It's going to rock.

 

[manning1]

funky - if you delve into the powertracks demo you will find some really
funky effects settings for guitarists including the new tc helicon harmonisation feature and vintage "slapbacK" type of effects settings. think "50"s surf music. the 29 bucks alone is worth the price for the comp/limiter built in and the chorusing/eq/flanging effects.
dont overlook it. nothing comes close for the money imho.
just try the fx in powertracks demo and you will be surprised.

 

[Funky1200]

Computer Based it is then !

Well i am very grateful of this forum and no doubt will be on it for a while to come yet

Ok this is my gear list - what i plan to use..

16 Channel Mackie Desk
Alesis MII monitors
Yamaha P2500S Stereo Amp
Akai Z4 - can this be substituted with some software or a rack synth??
Roland JP8000
Novation KS Rack
Delta 1010LT Soundcard
Microkorg
Cubase SL
Line 6 POD
Boss ME6
2Ghz Pentium with 512MB...

possibly..

Motif 6 synth or motif Rack...
Supernova II Rack

obviously i will need extras for recording vocals and connecting it up but need views on this lot first i think it will work a treat. Thanks for the input on the AW16G - protein.. good advice there.



Manning - thanks for that but i used to use a POD which i was going to sell but heard they are great in the studio and as you can see upgraded to the Boss ME6 and the effects on that are astounding for the guitar. Could have saved myself some money though $29 !!