PC vs. Digital Workstations?

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drumgeek

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Hi all. As the newest of newbies, it is fitting that I ask an ultimate newbie question. Right? I play drums, acoustic/electric guitar, keys, and also sing. I have recording experience as a player but not as an engineer, and I would like to record my next CD from home.

I am wondering if it is better to get a digital workstation or look into PC recording. What do you think? A few things that may be helpful: I will be recording all the aforementioned instruments, which includes my drumset (5-8 tracks simultaneously); play pop/rock music; have a budget of $1500-2000; want a quality sounding CD; equipment needs to be user friendly; quality effects are important (gate, compression, etc.); I already have a computer; desire automated mixing; I would like to be able to edit/master after mixdown. Also, does one have an easier learning curve than the other?

I am sure this is an ongoing debate, and probably has been covered in previous threads, but any feedback you could give concerning the pros and cons of each would be much appreciated. Thanks!
 
As far as Learning curve goes the digital workstation will be alot easier to use at first....nevertheless there are plenty of sequencing software programs that don't reguire rocket science and aren't that hard to use for those who are already familiar with using computers.


With you're budget, it's really a tough call that is ultimately up to you.......The PC will give you lots more opportunities as far as I'm concerned.......However, the computer and the sound card alone..could run you $1500 easily......And then the software that could be another 5 bills........If you have lots of stand alone equipment already, compressors limiters etc etc....then the workstation might be your best bet with that budget.....You could do the PC for 2000 grand but it will cut it close.....That said, computers are damn cheap right now and they are also fast...hmmm.......I changed my mind:D......For 2000 you could probably do the PC now.....

Another thing is that with a good PC you can constantly upgrade..and you can't do that with the workstation. In the end the PC is ultimately the way to go as far as I'm concerned..You've got so many more options with it....So, my advice to you is to go with the PC....
 
Thanks for the reply

nave said:
The PC will give you lots more opportunities as far as I'm concerned.......However, the computer and the sound card alone..could run you $1500 easily......And then the software that could be another 5 bills........If you have lots of stand alone equipment already, compressors limiters etc etc....then the workstation might be your best bet with that budget.....
Click to expand...

What opportunities will a PC offer that a workstation cannot?

Also, you mentioned that the computer and sound card combined could run $1500 alone, but I already have a computer. I have no stand alone equipment, except for a few mics, so I would need to have onboard effects. I gather from your comments that it would be cheaper in the long run to record from a computer if I already own one. Right?

I have looked at one sound card (M-Audio Delta 66), but it looks like it only has four inputs. I am not sure this would help me in the drum department. Are there sound cards that have more, or is there some other workaround?

Thanks so much for your reply, nave!
 
Well ofcourse you have a computer...how would you be talking here if you didn't ? :D...... my bad ...


Yah, then I would definately say go pc then......

The benifits of the pc are that you can mess with all different plugins effects, soundfounts and tons of cool proccessing tools that you wouldn't be able to use with the workstation...This way you won't need all that stand alone devices for compression and what not; things that would cost $$$.......Alot of these plugins and what not you can find on the web for relatively cheap compared to buying all separate outboard stand alone stuff; Alot of stuff (effects, sounds patches, proccessing tools etc..etc.) can even be found on the web for free....So you will not need "outboard" stand alone effects proccessors .......This gives you the freedom to try so many different things that you will be amazed......The possibilities for recording with a computer are indeed endless....and in two or three or four years time you can upgrade everything on you're computer to make sure you're on top of the times.....That way you're not just stuck with the workstation you have; in which case you'd need to buy a new one....


So yah....really all you need is some software, the sound card and your mics; the bare essentials............As far as recording drums with the delta 44 you could get it done;

There are other cards that have more inputs...for example the delta 66.....

In general all The delta's are pretty good cards....get on of 'em (look online for discounts)and along with you're mics and some software goodies you should be set to go for the time being.........that is until you discover more stuff you think you need :D
 
workstation

i have only used the workstation, but it has been great for me. i take it between my place, a friend's place & a practice space (so if you need to be portable it's the way to go).

i have also considered using my computer. i'm just afraid that once i start i will be making too many purchases.

Duce
 
I'm working with a Korg D1600 which I picked up in your price range. The on board effects are plentiful and most sound great. It's user friendly with a touch interface and quick learning curve. I chose it over a computer because I'm into the same type of music that you are and I needed a platform that was more organic, more hands on, less clinical. I'm a musician first and the thought of potential error messages, compatibility issues, hard drive crashes, etc. swayed me to a workstation. I've also heard that if you're going to go with a computer, you're better off using one solely dedicated to your musical endeavors to avoid conflicts with other programs/software.

So, I'll endorse the workstation. Roland makes a great one as well.

Rich
 
I second the Korg D1600. They have a 40 gig hard drive and a built-in CD burner thrown in now for $1600. I think the workstation would be better for a musician recorder. Just plug and play. Easy to learn. You'd probably still want some better mic preamps though. and some condenser mics. and a good compressor. and a good headphone amp. and......
 
Gread advice so far - what you forgot to mention is how bad-ass your existing computer is. If it isn't at least a 1 gHz Pentium 3, or a high end Apple, you wouldn't be happy with the limitations of track count and effects you would be able to run.

"What opportunities will a PC offer that a workstation cannot?" I think Nave answered that pretty completely in the post right above - sometimes it helps to read each post SEVERAL times when you're just starting out, until ALL the info you're getting starts to sink in and make sense. (Common "newbie" syndrome, join the club)

Basically, when you buy a workstation, what you buy is (pretty much, some exceptions) what you're stuck with. If that is more than you'll ever need/want, go for it. There's something to be said for a "fixed quantity" approach, over the complexity of "roll yer own".. However, if you think you'll ever want more than the number of tracks the workstation gives, or the ability to add in capabilities, such as other efx, bigger screen, etc, then the computer makes more sense. The computer will be cheaper, but your learning curve steeper. Heinlein said it best, "TANSTAAFL", which, for the unfamiliar stands for There Aint No Such Thing As A Free Lunch"... Steve
 
Great advice, indeed! Thank you all for your feedback. One thing I was not considering was looking at this from a musician's standpoint rather than as a future engineer. Doh! :o

The "plug and play" and "easier to learn" aspects are definitely attractive.

Steven, you had mentioned getting some better preamps if I got a workstation. Does this mean I would need to get another mixing board, as well? What are the benefits of better preamps?

Thanks again, all!!! :D
 
"Steven, you had mentioned getting some better preamps if I got a workstation. Does this mean I would need to get another mixing board, as well? What are the benefits of better preamps?"

I know you meant this for the other Steven, but thought I'd chip in anyway - No, you wouldn't need another mixer, preamps have line level outputs, either balanced or unbalanced, that could plug directly into the line level inputs on a workstation, bypassing the built in preamps of the workstation. The benefits you would get depend partly on the quality of the ones in the workstation and the ones you would buy. Typically, people buy 1 or 2 channels of high end (as in expensive) preamps to start with, using them for the more critical tracks such as acoustic guitar, vocals, piano, etc - naturally, with only 1 or 2 channels of high end pre's you wouldn't be tracking everything at once. Some of the higher end workstations have pretty good preamps in them already, and to improve on that you would have to spend about as much on two channels of preamp as you spent on the entire workstation.

Probably the best way to do it is to get just the workstation and necessities, such as cables, mics, good monitor speakers, etc, and learn how to use what you have to the best of your abilities. Learn about gain structures and how to optimize your gear step by step, by using it a lot and posting questions when you run into trouble. Then, once you know what questions to ask and what to listen for, you will be better able to decide if more expensive preamps are something you want to go for... Steve
 
Happy to run across this thread because I'm in the same situation. For the past 7 years I've used a Fostex X-55 4-track to do acoustic guitar/vocal work tapes to send to publishers and to give to local bands, etc. I'm now rather reluctantly bowing to the digital trend and am trying to decide between computer-based recording or something like the Boss BR-1180 CD 10-track. It's really more than I need, but then, so are most of the computer-based programs. Based on the discussion here I think I'm leaning toward the Boss unit.

I'm wondering if anyone has anything good or bad to say about the Boss unit and should I be looking at something else instead? The extent of my recording will probably be a couple of vocals with acoustic & electric guitars plus mandolin. Any advice is appreciated.
 
I am only new-ish to this but I've been using a PC / Cubase / Terratec soundcard for 3 years - with some acceptable results.

However - I too have just gone and bought a Korg D1600 as I want to record live music and be able to take it to the studio and bring it home for mixing.

I find PCs quite limiting in terms of RAM / time allowed for multiple input, long files. They are easier to use though and excellent for manipulation of lops / fx but Ican't wait to get my teeth into the D1600. PS Any help / tips on the Kork would be much appreciated.

TC
 
Forget the workstations. Trust me, in no time at all you'll want to:

1) Make mp3's from your music.
2) Record other bands demos.
3) Record other local musicians midi files with your setup.
4) Get tired of your hardware fx stacking up, you can replace most if not all of your rack with software fx plug ins.

Personally I think the workstations are cool, and are good for what they do. A band situation probably cries out for workstations, but a one man show, always in my opinion cries out for the editing, sequencing features of the pc workstation.

Cakewalk Pro Audio 9 and a good pc with a decent sound card, will set you back at less than $1500.00, perhaps alot less. My sound card only has 2 ins, but I sequence everything "live"* so to speak, and when it comes time to do final mixing, I simply record each audio track seprately and then mix and master.

* I run all sound modules, samplers, etc, to my main mixer, then into the pc's 2 ins. (left,right) I then record each midi track, one at a time. Then I can play it back all at once, live so to speak. Then for a rough demo I just record what's going into the pc. If I want to do a better and time consuming mix, I just "solo" the individual midi track, record it as audio. Repeat as needed until all audio tracks are created. Add some additional layers, effects, mix and then make the master. Granted I have been considerng purchasing a sound card with more inputs, but this would only save me mixing time, nothing else.
 
zoooooooooooommmmmm....I'm back.

Definately PC....


Unlimited number of tracks

Advantage of digital editing....


Unlimited upgrade potential....


Unlimited processing tools and plugins......

..Cheapest way to go...cause you need hardly any outboard gear.....other then a pre or two....


Unlimited possibilities no matter how you slice it..........



Sure...some people say....but.....you can't cart the pc around it's not portable.....hmmmmmm....whatever.....I've moved mine around several times rather easily........
 
PC !!!

No workstation has some "help button" when you need one...

In PC, the "help" button brings you here, in this forum... the hugest help resource available...


Workstation doesn't bring you right here in this forum when you get into some question... In PC... Boof...!!! no time... ( I assume you have pretty good connection speed... :) )
 
Okay, I'll sum it up. Some people have workstations, some have pcs. Both make good sounding music, which is the ultimate criterion. In other words, it doesn't matter that much in terms of sound.

So, which one will allow you to mic your drum kit the way you want? You want 5 channels? Get a soundcard that does that many channels (Delta does that) or a box that does that. In other words, it doesn't matter much.

There's pros and cons for each option, and both sound fine if you know what you're doing (which you will, if you get acquainted with whatever option you go with). See, you can't go wrong really... :D
 
hmm

i was under the impression that the delta only had 4 ins/outs.
the 44 at least
and then the only difference between the 44 and the 66 is the 66 has an spdf in and an spdj out.
soo.. it really doesn't have any more outputs or inputs, it comes with the same breakout box as the 44.
 
Dobro was likely talking about the Delta 1010, which has 8 analog I/O, SPDIF, Word Clock and MIDI... Steve
 
Thanks!!!

You all have offered some great suggestions, and I really appreciate it. :D

While I have not posted too much on this thread, I have been in "sponge mode" (liked the term from another thread) and learning a great deal from many of the forums. If anything else, I am feeling less a newbie than a few days ago. ;)

One question that has surfaced in light of the information soaked: If I were to go with the PC DAW, how would I know what plug-ins to get? As I said before I am new to this, and judging from the sheer number of possibilities, I am feeling a little overwhelmed as to what plug-ins are necessity. Could those of you who are recording recommend the basics? Also, the studios I have been recorded in the past used ProTools. Is it pretty user friendly?

Thanks!
 
beeeeware of latency!!!!

beeeeeware of using your computer connected to the internet for music!!!!

if you are a real computer geek then computer-based recording is just an extension of what your life already is anyways.

be prepared to worry about extra hard drives and partitions seperate bootups and logons latency and software conflicts bugs and mysterious losses and all manner of normal computer frustrations. unless you keep a seperate computer for music only.

if you are a real computer geek then this is your life anyway.

you will be spending so much time with this crap that you will no longer be a musician. you will be a wannabe technician.

beeeeeeware!!!!!!!!
 
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