Help Me Choose Computer!

[Ollie74]

Hello Everyone,

Just wanted to ask a question regarding my computer purchase. I don't want to spend loads of money, but I want a quality product. The Mac G5 looks good, but is really expensive. Once I get this computer, I'm going to buy some quality home recording equipment to start recording. Initially I want to use the software to record guitar tracks to improvise to for practice. Eventually I want to move into recording full demos by myself which I imagine will require buying a MIDI keyboard. But all this is in the future. What I need now is a computer with the right components. If anyone has any advice regarding this, please respond. Thanks for reading.

Ollie

 

[ChristopherM]

Welcome to the board.

Do a search and you'll find many suggestions for "what to buy." Also, you'll find many (myself included) who will tell you that a homebuilt rig is best.

Really, pretty much anything sold new today will work. Choose your soundcard well, though (you'll most likely need to buy this separate and install it yourself).

 

[97reb]

I'm learning myself, but what I have noticed is that most higher end recording software suggest at least 1.3ghz processors (preferably over 2.0ghz), 512MB DDR SDRAM, 40GB + for memory, a better than normal soundcard and then you would need really good audio monitors. Good luck, if you make a decision let me know and of course I'll pass on what I find.

 

[Cyrokk]

I say look at what your recording needs will be. Do you want to record and mix in the box or do you want to eventually use an analog mixer? If you want to mix to an analog board (which many feel has a better sound than mixing in the computer), then you will want a soundcard with as many multiple ins and outs as tracks you want to mix separately. Look around for the soundcard that best fits your needs, and then build a computer based on the requirements of the soundcard. Going this route will save you the hassle of trying to find a soundcard which will fit a computer you have already purchased. Typically, most soundcards will support computers with intel processors, but many will not currently support other types of configurations.

Also, you will be much happier building your own, or having a custom pc built to your specs than blowing money on a pc at a retail store that has a bunch of bells and whistles that you won't need but will take up processing power and hard drive space.

Cy