Recording on a laptop

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recorder555

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I have a newer but not a mac laptop. I know for most recording purposes laptops aren't reccomended. I was curious if I recorded one track at a time, or even recorded on a stand alone multitrack recorder and transfered the files to the computer and stored everything on an external hard drive, if this would be sufficient. I don't really want to go out and buy a new computer just yet.
 
While laptops may not be the best to record on, newer laptops often have more than enough power to handle basic recording.

I have used my laptop for 2 different approaches and have had no major troubles.

1) I recorded tracks with a Digital 8-track and transfered the files over. I then did all of the mixing on the laptop.

2) I recorded a single track at a time using a USB audio interface. I then mixed everything on the laptop.

The only problem I have ever run into is that when using the USB audio interface (it is fairly cheap and I am looking at upgrading) on a friends laptop (a little older), you could notice a slight lag in the recording. However it is an easy fix if you know what you are doing while mixing. Also his computer would add a tiny bit of noise when the power cable was plugged into the computer (it was fine when running off of the battery).

I however have not had any of these problems when recording into my laptop. The timing always seems on, and I have not had any problems with my power cable.

However fire wire interfaces would be better to go with if that is an option.

Also, know that I am by no means a great sound engineer, but like I said a laptop seemed to work fine for me.
 
I track with a laptop, it's a Dell with a Duo T9500 cpu, 2gb ram, stock 80gb internal hdd. Nothing too fancy. I have tracked 14 tracks at a time over firewire with no problem whatsoever. I never even tweaked the asio settings, latency settings, nothing. This laptop is stock out of the box, with the exception of some added extra memory.
 
I track stereo over firewire, easily, and it is just a T5250 Duo laptop (Duo 1.5Ghz processor). I can put a load of effects while mixing. I also use it as a slave VST player using FxTeleport. Works good there too.
 
honesty

honestly... any laptop with a core2duo has plenty of horsepower for recording music. Unless you get into the 30+ track realm you'll probably be fine
 
what's best

I mean does it matter. I don't know I am in here to get your alls wisdom.
 
Does it matter? not really

you're better off with a new laptop than an old one. That's the biggest factor.

Whether to go pc or mac is really just preference. It's the same hardware either way (now that macs are intel). Also, you pay a premium for the apple name.

So if you can get a newer laptop that's a pc, go for it! It's the speed that matters, not the brand name :)
 
i track all my stuff at home with a lap top, had the 003 expanded and can track 16 things at a time. have never ran into a problem in play back with over 20 tracks

new macbook pro with olny 2 g of ram!!
 
I do all my work on a core2duo 2.5 ghz laptop PC.
tracking through a motu MK2 12 tracks + virtual grand piano.
Full bands, 9 tracks of drums, bass, guitar, keyboard midi triggering vsti
Mixing upwards of 60 tracks on Cubase SX with this laptop with tons of plugs and several convolution reverbs.

I wouldn't think twice about not using a laptop for recording in the future.

:DCore2 rocks!:D
 
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