PC Specs. and Mutli tracks.

[Cult_Status02]

I am curious on any input anyone has on computer resources (ram, processor, OS, HD, etc.) in relation to multi-track recording. Say I want to record 16 multiple tracks, all different tracks simultaneaously (let's pretend a ska band wants to do a live take that I will mix later for them), how powerful of a computer will I need? I'm thinking in advance as I will probably get some ska bands coming in (in relation to that, if anyone has some techniques on recording horns, I'm all ears) that will want to be recorded, and I would be quite emberased(sp) if I were to set up some mics and start recording, only to find out that my computer can only handel about 9 tracks before lagging and skipping. I am currently working with a P4 3.4 processor and 1 gig of ram. The only change I'm really willing to do is add another gig of ram (always helps) but if it's not necessary, I won't do it right away.

So, anyhelp is, as usual, greatly appreciated. And the final question is, will P4 3.3 processor with 1 gig ram be strong enough to push 16 independent tracks?

 

[pipelineaudio]

P4 2.4ghz ( old 400mhz buss version)
512 meg ram
ASUS P4t-e mobo
IDE 7200 RPM 8 meg cache drives
2XRME HDSP 9652

48 channels I/O simultaneous recording no problem here. You should be more than fine. This PC has run the studio for 3 years. I want more mixing power so Im going to step up, but 16 tracks, you will be fine as long as it isnt some really chewy software, and of course, youll have to work out a monitoring scheme

 

[travelin travis]

i don't think adding ram is gonna help with anything. you need a fast hard drive/hard drive's.

 

[amra]

Depending on what kind of hard drive you have, and what software you use it should do the job. Also, don't track with lots if any of VST plugins running.

 

[qb2k5]

A 36gb 10K rpm Raptor would complement your system just fine.

 

[pipelineaudio]

or run dskbench.exe and divide the number of tracks in his current system by 4 and I bet hes still WAYWAYWAY over 16