My New Laptop Recording Studio! Help!

[unobus20]

Hello everyone!!

I just bought a 12" Apple Powerbook and I'm itching to start recording. I am a newbie but I'm very willing to learn from all of you and I've done some research on what I think I need so I don't waste your time.
I will be recording for myself and by myself so I'm thinking 2 ins and 2 outs should be adequate for what I what to do. Also, I like things simple and I'm on a budget. I already have monitors, mics and all that jazz. Bear with me as I explain...

First of all, here is my proposed setup:

USB Audio Interface (one of the following): M-Audio MobilePre, M-Audio Duo, Tascam US-122 or Edirol USB interface, Digidesign M-Box...

External Firewire harddrive (60 or 80 gig): LaCie, Western Digital, Seagate Barracuda, Maxtor, Glyph Companion...

Software: Logic Big Box, Pro Tools LE, Cubasis, Metro Track 5...

One item of each of the above would get me started I believe. I play mostly guitar but will add bass, piano and vocals.

What would you guys recommend? Since the Powerbook only has one Firewire port I'd like to keep that for an external dedicated harddrive, thus forcing me to get a USB audio interface.

I don't need midi right now although in the future I might dabble in it.
The Tascam US-122 seems like a good deal since it comes with Cubasis and Gigastudio.
The M-Box, although more pricey seems nice since it comes with Pro Tools LE.
I've heard a lot of good things about M-Audio USB interfaces and I'd like to know if the Duo is much better than the MobilePre and the reasons why.

As far as software goes, have you guys ever played with Metro Track 5 for mac? It's cheaper than Logic, MOTU, Cubase or Pro Tools. Would it do a good job?
Also, would there be compatibility issues with having, for example, the Logic software with the USB M-Audio interface or any other type of combination like this?

Remember, I want to keep things simple and not spend an arm and a leg. So the MOTU 828 and all those fancy rackmounted units are out of the question.

If any of you would be able to help me with these combinations, I would very much appreciate it. I look forward to hearing your advice on the subject. I've tried to be as clear as possible so let me know if there is anything I'm missing. Thanks a million.

 

[unobus20]

Anyone??

 

[Richard Monroe]

Unobus, I would recommend that you stop worrying about the ass-end of your signal chain, and start at the front end. You're listing all these great components for processing a signal that you don't have. What I would do is forget all of that stuff except the M box, and invest in some top of the line mics, a kickass preamp, and the finest guitar you can find. As far as the interface goes, a Digi 002 would be better, but only if your Mac meets the fairly brutal system requirements. Most laptops don't. -Richie

 

[unobus20]

Thanks for your reply Richard! I understand what you're saying but like I said before I already have the stuff you mentioned. I have a few killer guitars and amps, good condenser and dynamic mics, good cables and I'm saving up for a good preamp. This is why I'm asking about the other stuff...Thanks again for your reply.

 

[Richard Monroe]

Well, if you have all that stuff, consider Digi 002. If your lap top meets the system requirements, it will do all the stuff you want, and be a portable digital mixer. In the meantime, the 4 channels with pres will meet your basic preamp requirement, and it comes with enough plugins to keep you busy for a while. When you add up all the other stuff you would be buying, it's not that expensive. And if you already have a good mixer, the rack mount unit will do everything you need for a grand or so. I apologize if I appered to be lecturing you. It's just that I read posts every day from geeks that are totally caught up in audio processing software that have no front end.-Richie

 

[unobus20]

I understand...Thanks a lot for all the info!!

 

[Chris Shaeffer]

Unobus,

Ah, the laptop studio! One of my favorite subjects!

I've owned tascam's US-428, a M-audio Duo, the mbox and the Digi002. Used Pro Tools LE, Cubasis, Cubase VST, Cubase SX, and n-track for software.

My impressions:
I ended up on the Digi stuff- but not because the other stuff didn't work. I just have to work with a couple studios that use ProTools now and decided to invest in that format for my home studio. So far, I haven't regretted it at all- I love pro tools, and both the mbox and the 002 are solid, classy devices. Right now, they both come basic versions of Reason and Live, too.

You pretty much can't go wrong with the pro tools stuff IF (and that's a very big IF) your computer meets their compatibility specs. Yours does.

The next closest program is Cubase SX, which kicks butt. Its also pretty pricey- the cost of an mbox (which includes PT software.) I used it with the Tascam US-428 and it worked really well- but Cubasis, which is bundled with the tascam stuff is limited to only 8 tracks.

The Duo works really well and can double as a standalone preamp- a nice feature if you ever upgrade to a new audio interface. I didn't get to use it much before I jumped ship to pro tools, so I can't really tell you much about it. Works great, sounds good, nothing over the top.

My recommendation is to go with the mbox- its fairly inexpesive since you don't have to buy the software as well, its reliable and its *really* simple. For the price, it comes with great pres, too. PT LE is track limited to 32 voices, unlike Cubase SX or VST, but I have yet to hit that limit. Still, some people do so its good to know about. You can add a few more tracks (8 or 10, I think) using Rewire and Live, but you'll probably max out your harddrive at that point, anyway.

Firewire drives: not all FW drives are created equal! To my knowledge, the ones with the Oxford 911 chipset are the best for audio (or any high bandwidth task.) Check out wiebetech for some options there.

Enjoy!
Chris

 

[unobus20]

Thanks for all the info Chris!! I like the MBox a lot and especially the fact that it comes with PT LE. I also just discovered the M-Audio Firewire 410 which looks and sounds like it could do a great job (not to mention it's Firewire instead of USB). Of course it doesn't come with software but I think the Logic Audio Bix Box would fill that need. What do you think? Also, about the external Firewire HDD, if I do get the M-Audio 410 I'll have to daisy-chain the 410 and HDD together since the Powerbook only has one Firewire port. Is this okay? I hear some people say to place the interface between the computer and HDD while others say to place the HDD between the computer and interface. How do I know what to do? Thanks again for all your replies.

 

[Chris Shaeffer]

According to the manual for the 002, they recommend that the audio device is between the drive and the computer, but beware that the drive might not work if the device is turned off. I'm not sure what the m-audio device requires.

Its also a *great* idea to avoid having them on the same firewire connection. It may be worth getting an extra firewire PC card for one or the other.

I can't say about any of your other ideas as I haven't used or heard about them.

Take care,
Chris

 

[unobus20]

Sweet!! I've kind of decided on the setup I'm going to get. Tell me if there's anything I should change.

Audio Interface: MBox
Software: Pro Tools LE
Firewire HDD: Glyph Netdrive (since it has the Oxford 911 bridge chip)
DI: Line 6 Pod 2

I figure it's best to get the MBox since it comes with Pro Tools LE so there won't be any compatibility issues as opposed to getting the Firewire 410 and getting Logic which are different companies.
How does this sound? Is there anything I should change, add or remove? Thanks for the help...

 

[Amateur Eric]

You might consider....

Hey Unobus,
If your apple has a pcmcia cardbus slot, you might consider an interface that uses that format and leave your firewire port for the hard drive.
I use an RME multiface interface which uses the pcmcia card and comes with 8 balanced in's/out's of the 1/4" variety along with a few digital in's/out's. It also has midi in and out as well as direct monitoring. My hard drive is a Glyph 80G companion and is seems to be very quiet. I also run Cubase SX.
Additionally, I believe Event/Echo makes a few interfaces which use the pcmcia cardbus method as does Egosystems.

Good shopping
Eric

 

[dmiller91]

new laptop

Thanks for this thread. I just picked up a new laptop myself. Now I'm spent out. What can I get for recording? I think I just need the right card, as I have cakewalk, and I just bought a yamaha 10 channel mixer for my desktop computer at home. I have mics, all set there. Need to get the right laptop card (?) for a reasonable price?

Thanks!
remember, newbie, speak slowly.

Diane

 

[charlesthegreat]

sometimes i wish i had a mac laptop, so one of the only things i could buy would be a mbox. i think your making the best desicion, although some would argue otherwise.

 

[brianboru23]

charlesthegreat, It seems to me that mbox works with either PC or Mac - do you know of some reason why it wouldn't be good for a windows-based laptop?