home studio basic computer setup question

[takeback]

The last time I did home recording was on a yamaha mtx 4 track, 15 yrs ago. I'm looking to get into a digital system now after many yrs away.
I've read the newbie threads and stickies here which have been very helpful.

Re my computer and the planned software:

I have a coworker who uses pro tools and seems to a be a good standard to start with.
I have a PC- XP, pentium 4, 3 gig, 2.5 RAM.
However I have always heard that Mac was superior for music recording.

I have been looking into buying a new computer recently and would make the switch to a mac book if it was the best way to go for recording.

-computer
-pro tools software and M box
-monitor speakers
-I have a shure 57 mic from back in the day

Any recommendations?
thanks all.

 

[wheelema]

The last time I did home recording was on a yamaha mtx 4 track, 15 yrs ago. I'm looking to get into a digital system now after many yrs away.
I've read the newbie threads and stickies here which have been very helpful.

Re my computer and the planned software:

I have a coworker who uses pro tools and seems to a be a good standard to start with.
I have a PC- XP, pentium 4, 3 gig, 2.5 RAM.
However I have always heard that Mac was superior for music recording.

I have been looking into buying a new computer recently and would make the switch to a mac book if it was the best way to go for recording.

-computer
-pro tools software and M box
-monitor speakers
-I have a shure 57 mic from back in the day

Any recommendations?
thanks all.

It's something of a religious question. Once upon a time the best A/D/A conversion and most trouble-free drivers were only available to the Mac but (IMO) that advantage has largely evaporated. Certainly the price premium of the Macintosh is still in effect... you can buy a LOT of power in the PC world for what you'll lay out for a mediocre Macintosh.

Unless you absolutely require the portability I generally discourage people from purchasing laptops. They're fragile, can't be upgraded, and have a tendency to grow legs and walk away but if you need one, you need one. Just make sure you have an extended warranty and good theft insurance.

For what it's worth I second your choice of ProTools simply because ProTools is the defacto standard in the professional world. Might as well learn it up front.

Going forward people who can help will offer the best advice if they know what you're going to be recording... male vocals, female vocals, electric guitar, violin, piano, flute..., how many inputs you anticipate needing... 2, 4, 8, something ridiculous..., and what you're budget is. I'll follow up shortly with a 'blue sky' recommendation.

Luck.

 

[wheelema]

Wheelema's top drawer bottom dollar 'Blue Sky' recommendation

The PC in this is a one-off configured at www.mwave.com (no affiliation). You could send them the list of components (bottom of page) and for $75 they'd assemble. You'd still need to add on a monitor, keyboard and mouse. Compare this PC to a Sweetwater Creation Station at the same price point.

Workstation

• Intel P55 motherboard w/Intel Core-I7 870 2.93GHz processor, 6GB 1600MHz RAM, in a LianLi mid tower case (w/750W power supply).
• 8 x USB 2.0
• 1 x IEEE 1394a
• 2 x eSATA 3Gb/s
• 160GB Intel Gen 2 solid state disk drive (drive C)
• 1,000GB (1TB) Western Digital SATA hard disk drive (drive D)
• DVD +/-RW (drive E)
• GeForce GTS250 1GB video display adapter

$1,600

A/D/A
Avid MBox 3 Pro
$750

Microphones
Apex Studio Pak 2 modded by OktavaMod

• Large tube condenser
• Large condenser
• Matched pair small condenser
• Shock mounts
• Case

$1,670

... a little aside about the mics. Apex mics are 797 Audio (Chinese) knockoffs of Neumann mics. But by the time OktavaMod finishes with 'em they'll effectively BE Neumann mics. You could spend a whole lot more and get a whole lot less. On the downside most people won't know what they're holding so if you try to sell 'em you may not get your money out of them.

Monitors
Adam A7x
$1200

So, bottom line, for about $5000 you would have... forgive the hyperbole... an absolute kick-ass project studio.

Luck.


INTEL BOXDP55KG LGA1156 Intel P55 ATX motherboard 2xPCI-E(x16)/2xPCI-E(x1)/4xDDR3/SATA2 Raid/Lan
Intel BX80605I7870 Core i7 i7-870 Lynnfield 2.93GHz CPU/Processor, Quad-Core, 45 nm, 1 MB L2 Cache, 8 MB L3 Cache, LGA 1156, 95W, Retail, Boxed w/Cooling Fan
CRUCIAL BL3KIT25664TR1608 Ballistix Tracer 6GB kit (2GB x 3) triple channel 240-pin pc3-12800 DDR3 1600mhz 8-8-8-24 DIMM desktop memory module
LIAN LI Lancool PC-K7B Black Aluminum/ SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
CORSAIR CMPSU-750HX 750W ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Modular Active PFC Power Supply
Intel SSDSA2MH160G2K5 X25-M 2.5" 160GB Gen 2 Solid State Drive - Serial ATA/300 - Internal
WESTERN DIGITAL WD10EALS Caviar Blue 1TB 7200RPM 32MB cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" internal hard drive (Bare Drive)
LITE ON IHAS124-04 Black SATA 24x dvd drives internal DVD+/-RW dual layer drive
Palit NE3TS25EFHD02 GeForce GTS 250 1GB 256-bit GDDR3 pci-e 2.0 x 16 hdcp ready video card Green Edition (Extremely Green Power Saving)

 

[takeback]

Workstation

• Intel P55 motherboard w/Intel Core-I7 870 2.93GHz processor, 6GB 1600MHz RAM, in a LianLi mid tower case (w/750W power supply).
• 8 x USB 2.0
• 1 x IEEE 1394a
• 2 x eSATA 3Gb/s
• 160GB Intel Gen 2 solid state disk drive (drive C)
• 1,000GB (1TB) Western Digital SATA hard disk drive (drive D)
• DVD +/-RW (drive E)
• GeForce GTS250 1GB video display adapter

$1,600

From my current computer setup I initially listed, couldn't I upgrade the RAM and graphics card?
I have an HP 1 TB external and 80 gb hard drive
The desktop has firewire
I don't have 8 USB though but that can be purchased as an external hub, no?

thanks!

 

[wheelema]

From my current computer setup I initially listed, couldn't I upgrade the RAM and graphics card?
I have an HP 1 TB external and 80 gb hard drive
The desktop has firewire
I don't have 8 USB though but that can be purchased as an external hub, no?

thanks!

The USB ports were there for comparison, they're not important for recording. Nor is there any need to upgrade your graphics. Given that you have a 1394 (Firewire) port the only real constraint re: recording is your CPU and the best judge of whether or not it is acceptable is you. Naturally more memory is a good thing if you'll be using plug-ins.