PC Multi-tracking

  • Thread starter Thread starter Cel
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Cel

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ok here goes. I want to multi-track music using my current setup but i know i need some upgrades. heres where you guys come in. this is my current setup


Pentium 120 processor
Soundblaster sound card
32 megs of ram


now basically i really need to know if the processor speed matters as much as the amount of memory that u have. on my mother-board i can only upgrade to a max of 128 megs of ram, is that enough for mult-tracking or do i also need a processor upgrade. I've been testing multi-tracking and i get good quality but i just need some help on the upgrades. oh, one more thing, should i Monitor my recordings with headphones or use my computer speakers until i can get some real studio monitors. THANKS
 
Your system is running on fumes. You are lucky that it throws dots up on your screen. You will be able to do a limited amount of multi tracking - maybe. You can download the echo reporter from echoaudio.com and it may give you a basic idea of sys capabilities. Also search recording software sites to see if your system will meet min requirements try n-track.com. With the prices of new pc's dropping all the time , if you are serious - you might shop around for an upgrade. For monitoring you are best to have both headphones and speakers. Sonar now requires 400 meg processor min.
 
With such an old system, don't bother with upgrades. Get a new computer insted. Search the computer forum for tips on components or if you want to buy an out-of-the-box computer, stay away from VIA chipset on the motherboard and built-in audio and you should be fine. Also, make sure it a has a 7200rpm hard disc.
 
Depending on which software you are or will be using, check their websites for the minimum requirements and what they recommend.
 
two words: NEW COMPUTER. oh and listen to C7 about the monitor, I went cheap and got a 15 inch and man I am upgrading asap. It is such a bitch to have to scroll up and down just to see all of the console.
 
Cel, how many tracks can you get now, and how many would you like to get?......
 
# of tracks

right now i use a simple tracking program by the name of DDClip and that allows me to record on up to 4 audio tracks at a time. When those 4 tracks are filled i bounce or mix the tracks into a single wav file so i guess i can get a great number of tracks, right now i'm just concerned with the amount of memory. See when i record multiple tracks on my computer sometimes the recording skips I guess from a lack of memory, but when the computer skips it just throws my recordings off. So i'm wondering if a simple memory upgrade would be useful.
 
Skip to my lou . . .

You sound like your spending some time at your pc & not just wollyhoffin' . . .doin recordings and dubs and such . . .

Any memory upgrade will just be a tempororary "band aid" fix and might last for another song or 2 and . . .when that thing crashes it's gonna crash hard ... everything will be gone - don't push it !

save yourself some grief

take the big step now !
 
If you get last year's "super computer", you'll get lots of power at a fairly low price. An 800MHz PIII on a good Asus or Abit motherboard (no built-in audio), one or two 20-30GB 7200rpm IDE discs, a CDR-W and a huge whopping monitor and you'll be a happy camper. A camper with slightly less money but nontheless a happy one.

As for soundcards - that's another story.
 
You should definitely buy a new computer (as everyone else has already stated).

Your best bet (as already stated) is to go to the Dell site.

http://www.dell.com

Go to the REFURBISHED SECTION. Most of these computers are new, cancelled, etc.

Also, go to the Viewsonic/Opticode website to buy a video monitor (refurbished).

Please, heed this warning...GET THE 19" MONITOR!

It is only $219.00 to $259.00.

Now.....

At the Dell site you should be able to purchase a PIII 866mhz, with 256 ram, 7200rpm 30gig HD, CDRW, 133bus, and a SB soundcard for about $700.00

So, the computer and monitor can be acquired for under or about $1,000.00.

The only extras you will need to still purchase would be a better soundcard (more analogue, midi, digital INS/OUTS) and some good reference monitors.

You could try to purchase the EVENT 20/20's (reference monitors), for about $299.00.

As for the soundcard, you could try the Delta 66 (4INS/OUTS plus, 1 SPDIFIN/OUT). I'm not sure about how much the Delta 66 costs (I think it is under $400.00).

For MIDI, you could purchase a Midiman Midisport 2X2 (for under $80.00).

Everything tallied up will still hit you for $2,000.00 (including cables, blank CD's, adapters, etc.), but you will still have to factor in the tax and shipping. :D

peace.

spin form PSYLAB INC.
 
I agree with Ola about not bothering with upgrades....Id look into another computer, but if you are just a home recording hobbyist, dont buy into the rap that u need all this computing power to do multitracking....sometimes I play around on my wifes $399 433mhz emachines with 64mb ram and onboard sound and 5400rpm hard drive and let me tell you I can get quite a few tracks going on it with no hiccups.....

I would sell that one you have and put that with the money you would have used to upgrade with and wait on one of these E-Machine deals to come up (Circuit City runs them alot)....

In the meantime, try closing out all of the background programs that are running while you are recording....Hit control-alt-delete and then highlight what you want to close and then hit end task on everything except Explore, Systray, and your multitrack program....this may free up some memory for recording.....
 
$2000 plus the $$ for a reference amp to power those passive event 20/20's.

Jake
 
You guys never cease to amaze me.....hes running a 120mhz computer and DDClip software...what makes you think hes ready to plunk out $2000+ to upgrade....as far as I can read, hes happy with the quality but wants more tracks or tracks that dont stutter...I agree upgrading is not cost effective, but $2000...cmon guys...
 
I'm hoping that guys don't refer to me. I totally agree with you. The tone of my post was supposed to be of disbelief. And to also recognize the fact that he left a reference amp out of the equation.

Jake
 
No, jrlemonz, that wasnt directed at you.....

First , Spin says do a search...the search really isnt working right now and if it was, what does that say to a newbie?..we dont have time for you.....

the rest of the guys I wont list ...you know who you are....

PIII 800mhz?....19" monitor?....256mb ram? 2-7200rpm hard drives?...cd-rw?.....the list frickin goes on.....

You know people, there are guys out there who just do this as a hobby....the sound from that $399 E-machines computer with onboard sound kicks the fat ass off any 4 track cassette.......

Too many times questions are being answered based on what is best for the person answering the question and not whats best for the person asking it...

If we are gonna take the time to answer a post, cant we at least give them what they are looking for?

How would you like it (not you jrlemonz) if you went to a website for hobbyist-photography and they told you that you needed a $2000 camera?....

Shame on you guys...SHAME,SHAME,SHAME.....
 
(Cel's probably dusting off his old portastudio about now).

Hang with it guy.

My $0.02 (cdn) worth:

Cel:

Upgrade your RAM to 128 mg and download ntrack. Those two things alone should get you more than four tracks (unless you go very nutty with effects). If it doesn't, there's something else wrong. When/if you evolve to the point where you feel you need more "resources". then buy accordingly. Better to lay the big $$$ egg in a year versus the present. Also, keep hanging around this BBS.

From one newbie to another.

(P.S. Downloaded Fruity Loops 3.01 last night - it's a gas! Full string orchestra in an hour! Dubbed a bunch of heavy guitar tracks over the top and voila!)
 
Ok guys, relax... :):):):)

Cel, you could do this...

Purchase a used PII, 400mhz, 64ram, 5400rpm hd, 100bus, with a 4 gig hd.

It should hit you for no more than $400.00.

Buy a some more RAM (you want at least 128mb).

That should hit you for about $50.

You could put a SB64 soundcard in there for about $50.

(Actually, you could take the one out of your old computer)

And you could hook it all up to your home stereo system or a nice boom box.

So, you can still be where you need to be for under $500.00. :)

Is that a little better? :D

peace...

spin from PSYLAB INC.
 
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