I'm about to get a computer. I'm clueless and need help.

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track pusha

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Hey ya'll. I've been really searching for a computer to get, but i'm stuck. I thought i knew about computers, but it turns out i'm a idiot when it comes to this. I've heard alot of good things about macs but my budget will not allow me to get one, so i've thinking about an amd 64 based system. It would be greatly appreciated if any of you guys would list what would i need. I'm recording rap and r&b and will be running protools 002 rack. I want the best system i can get for 1,200 dollars, I want it very stable and as fast and quiet as it can possibly be. Thank you all.
 
i just built a new PC for my 002 system, and here's what I put in it:
AMD Athlon XP 3000
1GB of RAM (digi recommends 512 at least)
Dual head video card (which you don't really need...just some video card of some sort. i just like 2 monitors)
One 80GB hard drive for audio and one 40GB for the system (again, digi recommends having a dedicated drive for PT, but i know some people who get away with just using the system drive)
Plextor CDRW
CPU Heatsink/Fan and a case fan (you can find quiet ones at www.endpcnoise.com)

here's a link to check to make sure your computer is compatible with the 002:
http://digidesign.com/compato/xp/002rack/

and one that has specs of a Digi certified computer listed:
http://duc.digidesign.com/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=360675&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=7&fpart=1

Careful of the AMD 64 processors...Digi hasn't qualified them yet, but they also say they haven't had any problems reported yet either. So it's up to you what you want to do.
Hope this helps. :cool:
 
thanks alot man, that info was very helpful. I didn't know digi hadn't passed amd. oh and the 2 digi links are broken
 
it's not AMD they haven't passed yet...it's just the 64.
sorry about the links....not sure why they aren't working. i got the first one to work, but I'm also have trouble with the 2nd one. which is weird, 'cause i used to refer to it a lot when building my computer. the other one you can just go to:
digidesign.com-->click on Support-->Compatibility-->Digi 002 Rack for Win XP

come visit us over here if you have more questions: http://protoolsle.proboards32.com
 
Also, you might want a DVD burner to back your files up... Either that or an external hard drive...
 
With your budget a good Athlon xp system is really all that is needed. A A64bit system is good but I would hold off since thru the grapevine AMD is in the process of getting rid of socket 754 series and just dedicating to the 939 socket systems. As for digi authorizing AMD systems. Digidesign is owned by AVID. AVID is in cahoots with Intel in the past versus not with AMD (Intel's competitor) so therefore they only authorize Pentium systems. That is why Digidesign must do the same. But both AVID and Protools will work on AMD systems it just not authorized on paper. You can get a good Athlon XP CPU just make sure it is a Barton with a 512 cache for it's L2. Also a Nvidia NF2 board like with Dual Channel memory slots is good vs VIA chipsets that don't do Dual channel. A good HSF setup to keep it cool like the Thermalrights SLK's Heatsink and good 92mm fan like the Enermax that is quiet and moves a lot of air to keep your CPU cool. Also a good thermal paste like Arctic Silver 5 is a must to keep your heat transfer to the optimum efficiency. Here is what I have.

Abit NF7-S Version 2.0
Athlon 2500xp Barton Overclocked to 3200xp levels. 200x11
Thermalright SLK-947U with Enermax 92mm fan with Arctic Silver 5
M-Audio 1010 Soundcard and breakout box
Chieftec Mid-size case with 5 fans
Thermaltake 480w PSU
Mushkin LV2's 3500DDR ram Dual Channel at 1 gig
Seagate 40w system HD and 80w Slave drive for Audio and Video.

Of course this may be outside your 1200USD budget I got a lot of my equipment from Ebay. For ram just make sure it is a quality name brand like Kingston, Mushkin, Corsair or OCZ.
 
smithy said:
As for digi authorizing AMD systems. Digidesign is owned by AVID. AVID is in cahoots with Intel in the past versus not with AMD (Intel's competitor) so therefore they only authorize Pentium systems. That is why Digidesign must do the same.
Click to expand...

this is not true. Digi HAS certified AMD systems. they just haven't gotten around to the 64 yet. perhaps because it's still quite new and not used widely yet.
 
pusha. with respect ...i think people are selling you on the fact you must
spend a lot of money. i fear your going to get all this equipment,
and have a hard time mastering it all. then, like so many ive seen become disillusioned. if you dont even have 5 years of making records behind you i wouldnt contemplate the level of investment your contemplating. instead - start off small, and spend several years developing your tracking/engineering skills. also - once youve done a fair amount of tracking with a basic set up you will find your NEEDS CHANGE.
otherwise its like me getting into a F18 jet without knowing how to pilot it and the skill required to do so. so i crash it.
if you want a basic set up that sounds good. heyheymymy (see his posts)
is doing it right. ie..not spending a lot of money, and still getting good
sound quality. learning all the while. Be smart, and dont make the mistake of a lot of newbies i talk to who think all they have to do is spend a bunch of money one week, and the next week be a big radio star.
peace.
 
Very sound advice Manning1, trackpusha- I started out in 1989 with a 4track, a drum machine, and a zoom. No other options, I just figured I could learn how to record better than paying somebody $75/hr for bad results.
So then I grew out of 4 and needed 8, then a few years later I needed 16, then I realized how crappy the gear I had was. But I still had better results than the studios I went to that didn't care what it sounded like. It's up to you to learn the process, and it doesn't happen overnight. Start small, and work your way up. The difference between now and 89 is: there were no ad campaigns telling me to buy this product and all of my audio would sound world class. It takes time, be patient, and most of all- concentrate on the music, not the gear.
J
 
well, he did ask for advice on a system for a 002 rack. i think we were just suggesting ideas so that the system will run smoothly enough so he doesn't freak out when it starts crashing everytime he tries to add a couple plugins.

i don't think he's "going to have problems mastering" normal everyday computer equipment. especially since it's only windows and Microsoft makes it so easy that a baby could learn it. :cool:
 
yes benny. MS makes it easy for a baby to learn IF THE BABY IS WILLING TO SPEND THE TIME LEARNING. i see too many people on here not willing to invest the time to learn. its like they want the pc to write an instant hit without learning about recording or even knowing how to play an instrument.
this is why loop based software sells. its for those who erroneously believe they can paint a hit using samples.
there are no shortcuts to making records and songs.
its just thousands of hours of graft and hard work.
there are no easy routes.
 
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no, but he wasn't asking for new audio hardware to learn...he was asking for a good computer to work with his 002 rack. i'm assuming he knows how to run Microsoft windows if he is typing on this forum...since that means he probably has it already, so there's no learning there. he just was confused as to what is compatible with the DIGI software since he doesn't think he's that savvy to pick out the correct comptuer to work well with his software. there's a big difference between people who know their way around Windows well and those who know their way around the inside of a computer well. now all he needs to do is go to Dell or something and tell them what he wants in it...they build it and he just installs pro tools. no learning curve there. then he can concentrate on the audio stuff instead. that's all. :cool:
 
benny - i disagree with you with respect. imho untill a newbies has at least 5 years of engineering behind him - he shouldnt even be thinking about pro tools. just too much to grasp. i go back to the F18 example i gave.
even what i use is way more than he needs for doing advanced songs.
lets get down to brass tacks. its taken me years and years to get to where i'm at , recording loads of people as well as my own songs....and still i dont consider myself (never will) at the production engineering level i want to be at. imho..a lot of newbies are being oversold by marketing.
the reason why newbies get pro tools is they have false ideas that if they get it, they will suddenly be thrusted into the big leagues.
 
oh okay, i see what you mean. i thought you meant that his asking about a new computer was way too over his head. alls good :cool:
 
All that being said,

BennyChico11's original recommendation was pretty much what I run (with 512MB of RAM) and it runs like a train. A stable setup will allow you to concentrate on learning how to record rather than how to disassemble your computer.
 
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