Recording Limitations with Netbook

[Piecycle]

I know there are some other discussions about recording with netbooks, but I was looking for some specific advice. I have a new Toshiba NB305 Netbook with 1.6GHz processor and upgraded to 2GB of RAM. My main concern is not jsut the processor but that I have Windows 7 Starter (kind of bitter about that being the default OS).

What I'm trying to do is get a pretty low budget but decent audio interface like the EMU 0404 or Tascam 122 to record from my keyboard, some vocals and to do some MIDI manipulation with a controller. And I'm also wanting to work with my drum machine, and maybe get a Kaossilator or MiniKP running through there. It's pretty simple stuff, but I don't want to buy the equipment to realize that the computer or OS just can't handle it.

I read that the EMU 0404 requires 2GHz processing speed. Does anyone know if this true? And do I need to upgrade to Windows 7 Home Premium? I feel like that probably wouldn't make a difference, but I don't know. I also worry that the bundled software that comes with the interfaces wouldn't run to full capacity on my computer. Like Cubase LE. Any advice?

Thanks a ton!

 

[TimOBrien]

I've been running Reaper on my Toshiba NB205 (2gb of ram and XPHome)
and the default demo song with a dozen tracks with some fx
runs at 35-40% cpu use.

You dont need Win Pro.... just like XP that'll only give you more networking capability.
All the programs will run just fine.
(I have yet to find anything that WONT run on my NB205 and that includes
Photoshop and 3d programs like Blender....)

Dont worry about the 2ghz warning, that's just what they figure most people with need to deal with vsti's and fx. Keep things simple, dont go overboard with fx (or print them to disk).

Here's a good guide and tested suggestions that work well: http://www.tweakheadz.com/soundcards_for_the_home_studio.htm

(you'll want to bookmark and read through all of Tweak's Guide while you're there...)

 

[Piecycle]

Thanks. Really. I had reservations about buying a computer only weeks after its release since I knew there could be problems with software and hardware compatibility. But I do feel better now. I think that I'll probably just go for the E-MU 0404 or something similar. I've heard various issues with all of the low-end interfaces, so I'll just deal with whatever I get.
And man, I've ended up on the Tweakheadz website for lots of things lately. That is one comprehensive site!