laptop for audio/video

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jskrillamomilla

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I’ve been producing audio and video work for about 5 years now, so I’m no stranger to new technology and software. I always used a pc when recording or mastering instrumentals (Sonar, Soundforge, Reason) and also with video (Pinnacle Studio). When it came to recording vocals, I usually relied on a portable studio type unit such as a digital 8 track (Fostex, Korg). I am now making plans to go “completely PC” because its just easier that way (for me at least). If possible, I would like to abandon my desktop for a laptop but I’m unsure that I can do this without losing quality/performance. I wish to use a Firewire mixer/control interface (Tascam FW-1884) and need to set up a hd storage system somehow for all the video/audio overflow and backup. If anyone uses a laptop for these purposes, please tell me what sort of options and accessories you have or would recommend.
 
You could go with one of the Intel Core Duo based laptops... The performance seemed to stack up against the AMD X2 chips, so it would definately get the job done. I'm actually looking into one myself so I can have a mobile studio setup. Although I have heard that there will be a newer intel and amd dual core laptop chip in September, so it may be worth holding off.
 
I think you'll be very hard pressed to buy something that couldn't get the job done... though when I shot a DV feature last year I hauled my PC around and bought some marine batteries to run it... laptop would be easier :)

We recorded video directly to an iBook G4.

The one thing I learned the hard way is that harddisks are not reliable... so atleast the video should be done in some sort of RAID setup for redundnacy... and buy the ones with the longest warrenty
 
Try & get a 5400 rpm hard drive, 1GB ram, fastest chip you can afford...
 
thanx for the info. Im mostly worried about not being able to add new hardware after purchasing a laptop(not much room for upgrading). What sort of soundcards and videocards ?
 
I just bought an HP dv5000z...its pretty sweet. Should have all the features you need.

You could go with the DV9000z, its the great big brother of the one I have....two harddrives, 17in monitor...more processor options and etc.

6
 
Have you considered building a Rackmounted computer?

That way you could get everything you need in the one case, and just connect the 1884 to it via firewire. The only Card you would need in it would be a videocard, as long as you choose a motherboard with Firewire built into it.


I'm just against Laptops and notebooks for Audio recording, the idea is great but it just never seems to work right for me.






Tim
 
Tim Brown said:
I'm just against Laptops and notebooks for Audio recording, the idea is great but it just never seems to work right for me.


Tim

My experience with 8 track recording on a laptop has been fine. The constraints make themselves evident when editing/mixing, adding effects etc. as the track count rises. My laptop starts to max out once I hit 16-18 tracks, courtesy of the wheezy 4200rpm HD. For this reason I tend to track on the laptop & mix on the desktop.

As far as new hardware, I'd say firewire for audio, usb for additional hard disk, and you're pretty much stuck with whatever video it comes with. With a laptop, it pays to load it up as much as you can when new, as upgrades aren't as easy as they are with a desktop
 
thanks for the speedy responses! Could some laptop users post their soundcard and videocard makes/models? I know whats out there, i just would like to see what people are happy using. Thanks again
 
I've been using a Toshiba M45-265 model laptop for several months now. It's a Pentium M 1.60 Ghz with 1 gig of ram and a 150gb hard drive. I usually use a 200 gig external USB drive for backup with it for both music and video. I've done several music video projects using it running Adobe Audition 1.5 for audio and Premier Pro 7 for video. It came with a dbl layer DVD drive installed and Adobe Encore DVD does well running that for building DVD menus and burning.

As for getting stuff into it, I use the integrated firewire and a Phonic Helix 18 for audio input and soundcard and I use a JVC mini DV camcorder.

I just do the audio totally in my home studio first, with a click track up front. Then I shoot all the video work in the field and come back to the studio and wipe out the audio from the video tape and replace it with what's done ln house. I feel you'll get much more perfect quality that way. I have not tried doing the audio in the field because I think there would just be too many outside noises with that.

I have a desktop in the studio with Sonar 5 Studio on it and Pinacle Studio 10. They work well toghether on that, but I seem to get better integration on the laptop by using all adobe products.
 
Would a standard sound card on a great and fast laptop get the job done? Or would you need a better sound card?


Peter
 
Bloodsoaked said:
Would a standard sound card on a great and fast laptop get the job done? Or would you need a better sound card?


Peter

In a word...NO. You would still need to buy an audio interface, firewire is the most preferred method for mobile recording.

I use a Dell Inspiron 8600, w/ a Pentium M-2.0GHz, 512MB of RAM, internal 60Gig 7200 RPM HD, External USB2.0 80Gig HD, and I record to a presonus Firepod, and have had really no problems.
 
vogukedr said:
I've been using a Toshiba M45-265 model laptop for several months now. It's a Pentium M 1.60 Ghz with 1 gig of ram and a 150gb hard drive. I usually use a 200 gig external USB drive for backup with it for both music and video. I've done several music video projects using it running Adobe Audition 1.5 for audio and Premier Pro 7 for video. It came with a dbl layer DVD drive installed and Adobe Encore DVD does well running that for building DVD menus and burning.

As for getting stuff into it, I use the integrated firewire and a Phonic Helix 18 for audio input and soundcard and I use a JVC mini DV camcorder.

I just do the audio totally in my home studio first, with a click track up front. Then I shoot all the video work in the field and come back to the studio and wipe out the audio from the video tape and replace it with what's done ln house. I feel you'll get much more perfect quality that way. I have not tried doing the audio in the field because I think there would just be too many outside noises with that.

I have a desktop in the studio with Sonar 5 Studio on it and Pinacle Studio 10. They work well toghether on that, but I seem to get better integration on the laptop by using all adobe products.

I'm considering the helix, how's it working out for you? I'm stuck between the phonic helix and the tascam fw1084. The tascam is much more $$$ but it is also a midi controller. Is it annoying not being able to control the onscreen sliders via the helix or am i just spoiled? Also, why do you use the Echo Gina 3G PCI card if you use the helix? Isn't that overkill?
 
I've had no problems with the Helix. It has worked for me right out of the box, but I don't try to get it to do anything but get sound into the computer.

The only thing that board controls as far as firewire input is done by the gain control on the mic channel preamps. After that, it's all computer......but I just mix in the box if need be and have no problems with that.

I bought it because of the price for the amount of firewire ins and outs, keeping in mind that for my purposes.....all I need audio on the video for is to help me sync the lips to the sound later in the studio anyway. So, I was looking for something inexpensive that I could put in a case and drag out when I need it that won't break my bank if it gets killed in the field. I also use it as an on stage monitor mixer occasionally for little country club playing jobs, etc. so I was "killing two birds with one stone" when I bought it.

I do also own a Tascam FW 1082 in the studio that is connected to one of my desktops and the automation is really nice there. With what I'm doing........I do almost all of my audio in the studio and then sync it with the video in Premiere at the finishing stage anyway.

So, I guess it really depends on how you are going to work with it. Don't know what your video intentions are. If you don't mind hooking and unhooking a Tascam to use both in house and in the field....it would be a good way to go.

As for the the Gina 3G.......I have 4 computers in the studio, plus an older Fostex D160. I do this stuff for a living as well as an old, old hobby. I teach guitar, keyboards, drums, voice, etc. I have some high school and college age students who are also learning to do some sequencing and arranging, etc. So.......my place is kind of like a studio for lab work for the students too. Alot of the music video work that I do is with the students. They write and produce a song as a project and then we make a music video of it. I have a Masters in Music and got tired of teaching school years ago, so I combined an old music studio hobby with a teaching job that's fun and creates an income at the same time.

Probably more info than you wanted, but explains what I do.
 
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