Is my computer good enough?

  • Thread starter Thread starter guitar_chris
  • Start date Start date
guitar_chris

guitar_chris

New member
Im starting my home studio and im wondering if my computer will stand up to the task of a home studio? Its a Compaq Presario it has a 2800 + (2.08 GHz) AMD Athlon XP Processor, 512 MB of RAM, 120 GB Hard Drive. And it is being used for the internet.

Im looking to record my solo stuff with acoustic, w/vocals, bass, keyboards, computerized drums, and the occasional electric guitar tracks. but primarily just acoustic and vocals with percussion.

I know nothing about computers or recording so any help would be great thanks in advance.
 
You'll want a good audio interface and it wouldn't hurt to bump the RAM up a bit but otherwise it should be fine.
 
I agree. For a rare solo song writing application it doesn't take much pc power.
Mines a 900Mhz, 325Meg ram and I have no problems with a pci slot/ EMU 1820 running the Kristal software. Not a glitch or anything.
Record a song here and there...very light usage. 12 tracks average.

I always chuckle reading old Mix Magazines..and realize these crappy pc's you can buy now for $100 were "top of the line" pro studio level in 1995!:p

the interface and outboard gear will be the key, the room and monitors etc...
its the old "garbage in=garbage out".

my experience and tests showed the plug-in's crashed it. More memory, more everything if your going to replace the outboard gear for plug-ins.

I shut down every program running, even the wireless internet connection..ALL OFF....or I get pops and digital distortions.

Try some legally free stuff and get a feel for it..imo.

have fun!
 
More Ram at least 1GB more. And a good audio interface. Check out Presonus and M-Audio for good entry level units.
 
I managed to run 13 tracks in cakewalk 9.3 inside a PIII 512meg RAM and a 4 gig HDD with a good recording soundcard under 200 & then XP. I only used a few VSTs though.
It worked fine. Check out the song Sewer Song on my Soundclick page for a suss of the quality (it was also donme at 16bit as I didn't reset the rate) http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=469622
More ram will be really helpful depending on the program you choose - but it'll make things a little faster & more convenient regardless.
It really isn't a matter of fastest, biggest comp anymore. The choice of program isn't even that crucial anymore (I use an old program that I am used to so I get reasonable results due to familiarity) the interface is. I use a recording soundcard but you might opt for a firewire or USB interface so you need to suss out if your machine has a firewire connection or a USB2 port (USB1 is slower but still works OK - just not a preference).
Good luck!
 
yeah the Ram is cool and its cheap now. We bought some 266mhz 1gig sticks at frys and it was $30 each.

another dewd went further, got Frys cheap price online and then said put the order in and I'll just pick it up at the store! He got almost $15 566mhz or whatever 1gig sticks. he bought 4 sticks! for under $100..:eek:

I didn't know it had gotten this cheap.

damn RayC..thats frkn awesome trackin...I still don't know how to mix that love the tune too.. is that a real flute? really original...a lot going on towards the end, A+++.. 5 star !
 
Cool - yeah a real flute & real flautist! Greg's drums really kick it along as do faderbugs distorted guitars & keys. You're very generous in your praise - ta muchly!
 
Don't worry about the PC. It is fine.

Just adding to Rayc's experience, I was recording successfully on a 600mHz PC with 256k ram, 4g hard drive with Windows ME. I used an ISIS soundcard (one of the very early multitracking sound cards) and Logic. Using plug-ins was hazardous, so I tended to do most of my sound treatment in batch, using only reverb interactively.
 
you might want some more ram but besides that it should be fine for only recording 1-2 tracks at once
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top