Need Help & Opinions For New Desktop PC

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lde47

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I am going to buy a new Desktop PC and I want to be able to set up a Home Recording Studio. I would appreciate anyone's help and opinion about this system. I am wary of the new Vista after reading many reviews. Is it possible to dump Vista and load XP on this new machine? I own a legitimate copy of MS Windows SP Home. I am an experienced musician (45 years guitar) but new at Home Computer Recording. I really appreciate all the help and advice I can get. From my research on software, I am planning on using either Audacity or n-Track Studio. Thanks, Dave

HP AMD Athlon™ Desktop 2.80GHz, 640GB HD, 22" LCD
# Model: A6347C-B AMD LIVE!TM Smarter Digital Entertainment
# AMD AthlonTM 64 X2 Dual-Core Processor 5600+ for true multi-tasking
# Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium 64-bit edition - delivers premier performance, reliability and enhanced security
# 4096MB memory for powerful PC performance
# HP W2207h 22" diagonal widescreen LCD flat panel monitor with BrightView technology with adjustable tilt and integrated speakers
# 640GB storage with dual (2x320GB) hard drives store 283,000 photos
# SuperMulti DVD Burner with LightScribe Technology
# Wireless HP keyboard and mouse
# Built-in drive bay for an optional HP Pocket Media Drive
# Front-panel 15-in-1 memory card reader
# 24 x 7 toll-free phone support and 1-year HP limited warranty

Specifications
# Processor and Memory: AMD AthlonTM 64 X2 Dual-Core Processor 5600+ for true multi-tasking
# 2.80GHz processor speed
# 1MB + 1MB L2 Cache
# NVIDIA nForce 430 Chipset
# 2000MT/s System Bus
# 4096MB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM memory (4x1GB) (expandable to 8GB)
# 4 DIMM (240-pin, DDR2) (occupied) Memory Slots

Hard Drive and Multimedia Drives:
# 640GB (2x320GB) 7200RPM SATA hard drive
# SuperMulti DVD Burner with LightScribe Technology 16x DVD±R, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 8x DVD+R DL, 8x DVD-R DL, 12x DVD-RAM, 16x DVD-ROM, 40x CDR, 32x CDRW, 40x CD-ROM

Audio, Video and Graphics:
# High Definition Audio, 8 speaker configurable
# NVIDIA GeForce 6150 SE Graphics with TurboCache with 128MB dedicated graphics memory; up to 1599MB Total Available Graphics Memory as allocated by Windows Vista®

Connectivity:
# Integrated 10/100BaseT network interface
# 56k modem

Ports/Slots:
# 2 external 5.25" bays (one available)
# 1 external 3.5" bay (occupied)
# 2 internal 3.5" bay (one available)
# 2 PCI (one available)
# 1 PCI Express x1 (available)
# 1 PCI Express x16 (available)
# Front panel 15-in-1 memory card reader: supports SmartMedia, xD, MultiMedia Card, Secure Digital (SD), Mini Secure Digital, Compact Flash I, Compact Compact Flash II, IBM Microdrive, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, Memory Stick Stick Duo, Memory Stick Pro Duo, RSMMC, MMC Mobile, MMC+
# 6 USB 2.0 ports (2 front, 4 back)
# 2 FireWire® (IEEE 1394) ports (1 front, 1 back)
# Headphone; Microphone (front)
# 2 PS/2; Digital Audio Out; LAN; Microphone/Line-in/Line-out; Rear speaker-out; Side speaker out; Center (subwoofer); VGA-out (back)

Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, Remote Control:
# HP wireless keyboard with extended range (up to 30 feet)
# HP wireless optical mouse
# HP W2207 22" Widescreen LCD flat panel monitor with BrightView technology with adjustable tilt and integrated speakers

Dimensions and Weight:
# Dimensions: 16.28"L x 6.89"W x 15.24"H/D approx.
# Weight: 22 lbs approx.

Additional Software and Information:
# HP Photosmart Essential
# Muvee autoProducer Basic
# Cyberlink DVD Suite Deluxe
# Microsoft® Works 9
# Adobe® Reader 8.0
# Norton Internet Security 2007: Protect your PC out of the box (60 days of complimentary live updates)

Operating System:
# Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium 64-bit edition
 
This is a pretty fast computer, and will be fine for home recording.

1. Yes, you can easily wipe vista off the system and load your copy of Windows XP onto it (no problem at all!). I would highly reccommend this. After you load XP and get it working, search the net for ways to optimize XP for recording!
2. What sound card will you be using to record?
3. What kind of music will you be recording (how many tracks at once)? This will help you choose your sound card.
4. I started out with n-track studio. Haven't seen it in 4 years, but since you must be looking at cheap programs, let me suggest REAPER. It's great, and cheap, and constatly updated!
5. What is the price of this PC? I am guessing that you could get a better computer for less money, and still from a big name PC maker...I would be happy to make some suggestions and link you.
 
actually just messing around with my favorite main-stream computers (the dell Vostro series):

$950
Intel® Core™2 Quad Proc Q6600 (2.40GHz,8MB L2Cache,1066FSB) edit
Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition edit
1 Year Basic Limited Warranty and 1 Year NBD On-Site Service edit
Dell 22 inch Widescreen E228WFP Analog Flat Panel Display edit
3GB DDR2 SDRAM 800MHZ - 2X1GB+2X512MB edit
Single Drive: 16X (DVD+/-RW) Burner Drive edit
500GB Serial ATA 3Gb/s Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™ edit
128MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8300GS edit
IEEE 1394 Adapter with Cable edit

Dell Vostro's come with little/no spyware, bloatware, adware, etc. If you're not great with computers, this is the best thing that could ever happen to you. haha.
Also, this comes with XP (not vista!), so you don't have to bother trying to reformat...

Anyway you can check that out for yourself on Dell's website. It's under small business.
 
I am all new to digital recording and wide open to your suggestions. I had planned to spend about $1K for a new computer and saw the HP at Sam's the other day for $999. I am retired (due to medical disability) so I am definately looking to to spend wisely. With a "fixed" income I always do fairly extensive research before buying most anything. I play mostly Blues. As far as a soundcard, I am again open to your suggestions. The Dell computer you mentioned looks very nice. Don't be afraid to throw information my way. I am an info junkie of sorts. I really like to do my homework. Thanks, Dave
 
Something I would consider would be instead of wiping Vista completely off your computer, getting a second hard drive and loading XP onto it so that when (if) they get Vista all worked out you don't have to pay for it again. Another way to do this is to make a recovery disc as soon as you get the computer. Definitely do this to save some future cash.

Mike
 
Thanks Mike. That is an excellent suggestion that I will be sure to do. Dave
 
Yah that's probably a good idea if you DO get vista. But then again, I can't see any reason so switch to vista (especiall for recording) anytime in the next 4 years!

You could get away with a cheaper computer that will suit your recording needs... may I suggest this too:
http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/Mega_Special_III/
I've bought 3 PCs from them, good company, and you can customize entirely.
Any core 2 duo will be great for recording. Try to get 2-4 GB of ram. Hard drive space is up to you.


Picking a soundcard is probably going to be much more important. How many tracks do you want to record at once? What kind of mics will you be using? How important is the recording quality to you? etc. etc...
 
I liked the Dell PC for sure. They give me the option of choosing between XP Home, XP Pro or Vista. As far as recording goes, does XP Pro have any advantage over XP Home? I have Shure SM57's and 58's, an array of guitars, amps and effects, and a Yamaha DGX205 Portable Grand (which in itself has more capabilities than I will probably ever utilize). The equipment that I already have from years past is quality stuff and I am not new to recording, just new to digital recording with computers. I would think for the most part I will only be laying down one track at a time with occasional exceptions possible. I will be playing all the instruments myself and I can only play one at a time (lol). At least initially I have no plans of any group recording sessions. At my age I am a total realist. I have no grand plans or illusions of stardom. I just want to record and enjoy my own musical creations. I do want a decent PC (and related equipment) just for my own personal taste and satisfaction. I'm not looking to make absolutely perfect and professional recordings and I am not looking to impress anyone with the quality of my work. I really appreciate all of your input and suggestions. I will check out the PC links that you posted also. Thanks, Dave
 
Yeah - you'll need to wipe the drive & then load XP - a complete install from scratch BUT make sure you have XP drivers for everything you're going to use (recording or otherwise).
Vista is resource hungry, fancy looking, doesn't have certificates for much available music software, doesn't bother with older drivers and as yet not stable. XP has jhad its probs too but is pretty stable now.
Don't bother keeping VISA on a 2nd drive - you'll probably have a restore disc anyway if you decide you want it.
IF the machine's just for recording then XP it.
I've done the wipe from XP to 2000 & even 98 - reinitializing the machine isn't hard - just prolonged & as I said check you have the drivers set aside to install when it's on.
Try to keep it off the net is you can. I suggested this a cople of years ago & was laughed at all over this BBS but many folk have now come along with the idea of isolating such an important machine.
There are plenty of blogs & site about how to tweak XP for best audio performance (search the BBS you'll find a fe here somewhere - i know because I posted a set my self).
The dual core & so much RAM should allow you to run some fancy recording software & a lot of VSTs too.
The LCD screen will mean no interference between guitar & CRT.
The more important things are your interface & monitoring set up.
DON'T use the speakers/soundcard etc it comes with. You'll need a flat response amp & speakers or flat response active speakers.
You'll need an internal soundcard (recording quality specifically with the # of In/Out you want/need) or an external soundcard firewire at what ever spec you're aiming for.
Of late I've had to resort to using a PIII with 512 meg RAM, 4 gig HDD & a santa Cruz gamer soundcard as my recording comp evacuated itself. Surprisingly to some (not me as I used it before I upgraded) it can do a reasonable job. My monitoring set up is OK & my room is set up reasonably well too so I can monitor & listen with some confidence.
The big ones:
talent
room
instrument
Monitor set up
ADDA converters
signal chain
 
Ok Ide...if that's the case then you'll definately be fine with any new desktop PC you get above the $600 price tag - so don't stress the need for an ultra high end PC. I'm still doing all my recording and mixing on an old AMD 64 2800+ from 3 years ago (and it does FINE).


*I've always loved the Mackie Onyx mixers + Firewire card addition (may I suggest the Onyx 1220). They have great pre-amps. You can record up to 4 mics at a time, plus plenty of extra line-level tracks if you ever want to do more than that at one time. If this seems like overkill, which it very well may be, maybe head on over to www.m-audio.com for some smaller rigs (with worse preamps, but perhaps you wouldn't notice the difference anyway!). Or of course a Digidesign MBox would do you fine!
*Again, I'm stressing XP and NOT vista. Home is fine (pro just adds from network/security related stuff...not important at all for recording!).
*I'd grab a condensor mic for your vocals - you don't want to use the SM57/58, it just won't sound NEARLY as good. Depending on your price range and vocal style and tone of your voice, there's a ton of options (post about it in the mic forum, is my suggestion).


So I hope that helps for now again!
 
The main thing to get out of all of this really is that any computer on the market today is more than capable of handling home recording setups. BUT if you do plan on wiping off vista for xp MAKE SURE YOU CAN FIND DRIVERS!! usually it can be quite a challenge but if you don't do it then it'll suck for you in the long run!
 
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