New PC for rec'n 'Help Wanted'

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Bguzaldo

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I've never had to buy a computer for recording. I've always used my sony Vaio laptop. I still use it for the sole reason that I do my recording in a basement and there are no windows to throw it out out. My computer has crashed 5+ times, always cracks, pops, slows down, or just shit out after like 13 tracks. I can't even add in new plug-ins because my computer just can't handle it. Its 512 as far as RAM goes which is cuttin it way too close, I believe the HD is 80 GB, but i have a 500 GB external hard drive. Enough about that tho. Can someone recommend me a computer brand, model, or whatever info you have to offer. I use a firewire interface for recording. I think I can wrangle up around $700 for everything. I'd like to operate flawlessly with about 25 tracks max.

Thanks, any info is greatly appreciated
-Barrett
 
Computer

I try to stay away from laptop I currently use dell inspriton desk top with additional hard drive . A lot depends if you will be using it for other applications, Memory and hard drive speed are things to look at, The bigger and faster they are the better you are. If it is used strictly for recording you can optimize the computer. Basically this a step by step guide on how to turn everything you don't need off. I would use the other hard drive you have for saving everything and just put the applications on your new computer you should be able to get something in your price range to work Hope this helps
Tim
 
Laptop vs. PC etc.

Hi - you should probably have at least a couple gigs of memory and as much disk space as possible, whether it's internal or external.

I've started using my Toshiba laptop (nothing fancy or specialized) for recording the initial tracks, and then doing the mixing etc. on my PC. (That's why the external HD is a good idea). The reason for this is primarily that the laptop is much quieter than my PC and cuts down the ambient noise. An added benefit is that I can put all I need in a case and do remote recordings.

When I mix down on PC the fan noise doesn't bother me as much. It also has a bit more power, faster processor, etc. so when I start to layer on effects it doesn't get so bogged down. That being said, I think that the previous commenter was correct - get as much memory and processor speed as you can. Disk space can always be added to as you need it.
 
Thanks a lot guys. I was thinking of going with Dell too, but i like the idea of Tracking on a laptop and mixing on a PC I'll have to check out my options in that region as well.

Thanks a ton
-Barrett
 
tpb said:
I try to stay away from laptop I currently use dell inspriton desk top with additional hard drive . A lot depends if you will be using it for other applications, Memory and hard drive speed are things to look at, The bigger and faster they are the better you are. If it is used strictly for recording you can optimize the computer. Basically this a step by step guide on how to turn everything you don't need off. I would use the other hard drive you have for saving everything and just put the applications on your new computer you should be able to get something in your price range to work Hope this helps
Tim
Click to expand...

How do I "optimize" my computer?

Thanks
-Barrett
 
Hi BG,

For $700 you can pretty much forget a decent laptop, at that cost you will be looking very low end.

Also with your budget, I would recommend building your own rather than buying a packaged computer from someone like Dell or HP. You can get 4Gb ram, a dual core AMD processor and a motherboard for around $250. Then you will need a case and power supply (price varies greatly depending in the case but you can get combos for under $100 if you look). Hard drives are dirt cheap. Start with 1TB for around $100 and you should be good for a while. DVD/CD burner adds another $30.

Assuming you are in the US, try newegg.com (I am in canada and have had great experience with their canadian site) or tigerdirect.com.

Best of luck!
 
Im just going to take a stab at it, please any of you correct me, but if you want to optimize your computer you can do a ton of things. most easy probably would be to buy more/better ram. I think that 2g would be fine, but 4g never hurts. Also, you could get new processors and motherboards and stuff.

For my first PC for audio...which im putting together tomorrow since all the parts came in:)...I just bought a case, power supply, processor, ram, and a motherboard. it ended up costing about $600

If you want to buy a PC already built tho, id look for Core 2 Duo processor, 1 or 2g of ram, even though you can upgrade easily.
 
Oops, I posted right after lumstar I guess and didnt see he suggested the same thing I just said.

I agree with him, 1TB hardrive would be awesome

newegg is the best way to go!

Good luck with everything, let me know if you need anymore help finding parts, or in general!
 
optimizing a computer

Do a quick search and you should come with a guide I originally got mine off the CAKEWalk Site there are different steps according to what you are using XP versus Vista. Let me know if you can not find it and I will scan the document I have
 
Building a computer sounds like an interesting process I might be up for trying. I have little to no experience in that field, what are the odds I can come out with a quality computer? Is it a skill or is it a matter of plugging things together?

Thanks so much for all the help guys!
-Barrett
 
tpb said:
Do a quick search and you should come with a guide I originally got mine off the CAKEWalk Site there are different steps according to what you are using XP versus Vista. Let me know if you can not find it and I will scan the document I have
Click to expand...

Im not finding anything that hits home, if you could dig up that document that would fucking great. If its too big of a fuss don't worry about it.

Thanks
-Barrett
 
It's not terribly difficult to build a pc, but I've done it a million times so I may be biased. I'm going to see if I can find a good guide for you and I'll post the link tonight. I know there are a million of them, I just want to find one for you that will be straight forward and simple with pics showing steps.
 
Large Hard drives...

Just a quick note to offer a contrasting opinion about the 1TB hard drive. When a drive fails, you lose twice as much. I recently lost about 4 years of raw files (I always intended to back up, honest) and when faced with replacing it, decided against a 1TB hard drive. I'd rather have 2 500s and use one to back up on. Just something to keep in mind.
 
lumstar said:
It's not terribly difficult to build a pc, but I've done it a million times so I may be biased. I'm going to see if I can find a good guide for you and I'll post the link tonight. I know there are a million of them, I just want to find one for you that will be straight forward and simple with pics showing steps.
Click to expand...

Oh God that would be fantastic, Thanks so much.

-Barrett
 
I have a friend that put my PC together thankfully, but it didnt look to hard really, just have to know what goes where.

all you need is a screwdriver i belive and a little bit of time. everything is screwed in, and you plug the power chords where they need to go. Im sure there is a little more to it than just that, but I think you could easily do it!
 
Hahah, thanks for the positive reinforcement! Yeah I was hoping for an answer in that area, If i had to solder everything I'd be screwed, I do a pretty slobby job on my bass when I need to fix the jacks/pots.

Thanks again that was actually more helpful than you probably think,
-Barrett
 
Ya definitely Everybody! Sorry I didn't post a link I've been out for the evening and just got in.

Ya for a basic setup, you will need to screw the motherboard into the case and attach the power switch and front audio connectors (little plugs that polug into pin headers on the motherboard). Install the memory (clicks in), install the hard drive (2 cables click in and a couple screws) etc. The motherboard manual explains where everything goes.

For your first time it might be a little tricky, but you can do it for sure! Great way to get the exact specs you're looking for.
 
He summed it up pretty good. It may sound a little confusing, but once you get everything in front of you, youll be like "oh i see what they were saying":D

But, it is tricky so dont think itll be a breeze haha, but at least theres no soldering lol. Im sure the parts you get will have instructions with them so you can always look to those for guidance.

Post a list of links here to stuff your thinking about getting at let us check it out!
 
Here's what I'm building...pricing from newegg.com

Motherboard:
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-DS4P intel p45 chipset ATX form factor 1xPCI-E(x16)/1XPCI-E(x8)/3xPCI-E(x1)/1xpci/4xddr2 w/sata2 raid,lan(gb),1394,usb 2.0 & audio (cpu type:intel - socket 775) - $182.

Memory:
CRUCIAL 4GB KIT BL2KIT25664AA80A - $81.92

CPU:
Intel Core 2 Duo E8600 - $269.00

Case:
Antec Nine Hundred Case - $99
Power Supply: ThermalTake 600Watt - $119.95

I've already got a bazillion video cards..I'll just use one I already have.
 
Hey man Id maybe take a look at these..

motherboard-$55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128357

RAM-$45
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122

CPU-$165
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037

The motherboard is the only thing idk about just because its so cheap, but it got good reviews?

that RAM is a good alternative especially for the price

and I think this CPU will do just fine and the price is almost half of the one you were looking at.

The power supply and case u picked out are beast

but hey man, if you got the money...go with what you picked out, im not trying to bring you down!:)
 
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