Laptop Set-Up Help please : )

  • Thread starter Thread starter odog
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odog

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I have the following laptop:

Sony VAIO PCG-FX150 Pentium III 750MHz 128MB
20.0GB/8X DVD/56K/NIC/15.0 in TFT/WinME

the sound is listed as:

DIGITAL AUDIO
SoundMAX Sound
Windows® sound system compatible 3D Surround

It is one of those cpu integrated type sound cards.

There are no midi jacks on the laptop, just a microphone in
and speaker out.

I am new to recording and don't need anything too complex. I would like to record my Korg Poly800 Synth (which is midi capable), and acoustic and electric guitar, vocals, drum machines, probably around 4-8 tracks.

I'm on a budget and was hoping for some recommendations on software, mics.

Is there a way to get midi into this laptop?

I was thinking about trying Cubase or Cakewalk, any other recommendations? Which would be the best bang for the buck?

What do I need to do to record through the mic input (a pre-amp? any recommendations?) Can I record midi somehow?

Thanks for your thoughts,
David
 
There are USB soundcards and MIDI interfaces. N-Track would be the best bang for the buck as far as SW goes. There is also some freeware you can che out. Search thi forum and you'll find lots of recommendations.

/Ola
 
There have been a couple discussions in other forums about N-Track and comparable products. Cakewalk Home Studio 2002 always seems to come up as the winner. You can pick it up for $69 at any Guitar Center. It is basically Sonar without some of the more professional features. Very capable audio recording/multitrack playback with effects, etc...


The MIDIMAN Midisport 1x1 USB (my recommendation) currently goes for around $59.

USB audio is a little more expensive and not as reliable when dealing with 24-bit audio - if you're working with 16bit, you should be ok. Midiman, Yamaha and Edirol all make USB audio interfaces.
 
i have a gina 24 setup in a tower setup, but i'm looking to go mobile w/ a laptop so can perform live...

a poster above said there were USB sound cards? like a breakoutbox soundcard attached via USB? can anybody shed some light on this cos i wouldn't want cheap sound w/ an onboard laptop soundcard...

any help would be greatly appreciated...

thanks!
 
Regarding USB Audio cards

I recently got something called USB3. It's a 24-bit audio card made by Aardvark that can record both vocals AND guitar. I found that after getting a firewire hard drive, and doing some MAJOR tweaking, the thing recorded just fine.

I did a little consumer write up on this over here:

http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/love.music?p=p.AARUSB3&x=4&z=1221412960673

I also use a MDIMAN USB 2x2 port. It suits me just fine.

For use with a condenser mic, I bought an ART Studio M/P for $109, plugged my condenser mic in, plugged some wires in, and went to town.

Hope this helps.
 
I have also been looking for an external soundcard for my HP laptop. After looking at a billion options, it seems that the new Roland/Edirol UA-5 is looking good. I have not had an opportunity to try one, but they just came out and have pretty much everything you could want including mic pre's, phantom power for your condenser, 1/4 and XLR inputs, and is 24bit. Edirol has them for $300, but you can find them on the net for $266 delivered. Check out the Edirol site for more info. If anyone has any more info on the UA-5 let me know.
 
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