reluctantly thinking of taking the dive into comp rec

  • Thread starter Thread starter ACIDBANDIT
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ACIDBANDIT

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hey all, at first I was just thinking of buying a self-contained DAW box but now after a little more research I am considering otherwise. I already have a half built box just sitting around, I figure maybe why not kill 2 birds with one stone and turn this next comp into a DAW machine. I guess what concerns me most is actual noise coming from the comp itself, this will be a microATX machine. I like them because the are relatively small and portable. Here are parts that I currently own:

Chenbro Hornet microATX case
AMD Athlon 2400+ XP
Shuttle MN13N /w following features:
--dual channel DDR 333 supports 3 184 pin SDRAM DIMM upto 3 gig
--nForce 2 IGP
--firewire
--3 PCI slots
--supports AMD/athlon/duron/xp cpu's with 200/266/333 FSB

Since all mastering, mixing and recording will be done in the same room I want to make sure that the system will run fairly quiet. What factors do I have to worry about besides the hard drive? I can pick up a 250g WD HD for $140 but I have no idea how quiet it would be. Since I don't own a full-fledged studio, I'm only using sm57's for most recording as a condenser would pick up everything under the sun in my apt. As far as software goes, I haven't really looked to far into it except for Protools LE. It seems like a decent full package, does anyone have any reccomendations on the software end? What else should be my concerns? Thankyou for your help!
 
if you want quiet

PSU: Antec

CPU cooling: Zalman

Hard drives: Seagate

Case fans: Acoustifan


Get searching ;)
 
as a computer engineer let me tell you DONT get one BIg drive. get two smaller ones. each on their own channel. i dont want to repeat so read
the posts below this one on other recommendations. on software i will recommend what i use powertracks plus magix music studio.
together they will set you back less than 100 bucks and you will have more audio and midi features/tracks and effects and eq and mastering/editing options that will last you for anything you want to do now or in the future.
others ....sound card....try various ones to see which is best in your pc.
preamp for mics...rane ms1b or try a new alto mixer
monitors ....yorkvilles run by a cheap home hi fi receiver
peace.
 
Right on Manning1 two smaller drives is the ticket, but you won't get two inside that shuttle case, Computergeeks.com sells some cheap drive cases, and having a second drive on the outside won't add to your heat issues. Does your shuttle have the heatpipe system in it, newer ones do. If you want to get crazy take all the guts out of your case and put it all into Antec's new Aria case. it's about 100 bucks and holds 3 HD's and only slightly larger than your shuttle case and has a 300 watt P/S to boot.
J.
 
jeffrydada said:
Right on Manning1 two smaller drives is the ticket, but you won't get two inside that shuttle case, Computergeeks.com sells some cheap drive cases, and having a second drive on the outside won't add to your heat issues. Does your shuttle have the heatpipe system in it, newer ones do. If you want to get crazy take all the guts out of your case and put it all into Antec's new Aria case. it's about 100 bucks and holds 3 HD's and only slightly larger than your shuttle case and has a 300 watt P/S to boot.
J.
Click to expand...

no no it's a chenbro hornet case. it has 2 internal screwless 3.5 HD cages, both of which swing out for easy access. Amazing they can cram so much into one of these little microATX cases. What kind of gear do I need to hook up let's say, some kind of mixer to a computer with pre's and stuff? I know nothing when it comes to sound boards. I can already tell that when it come to the actual tracking software, it's really a matter of personal preference. Are there any good all-in-one solutions for tracking, mastering, mixing etc. ? So much to learn..
 
For your daw get the fastest cpu you can afford; get at least 512MB ddr333 ram, preferably 1GB; a couple of 120GB Seagate Barracuda HDs with 8MB cache.

Now decide how many simultaneous tracks you want to record. If 2 is enough, have a look at an M-Audio Audiophile 2496 ($150). If you want 4, check out the M Audio Delta 44 ($200); if you think you'll need more have a look at the Delta 1010LT ($250-$280).

Same with the mixer. If 2 concurrent tracks is sufficient, just get something like a Yamaha MG10/2 for $100. 10 inputs, 2 outputs, 4 preamps. For more outputs look at the MG12/4 for $200
 
LemonTree said:
if you want quiet

PSU: Antec

CPU cooling: Zalman

Hard drives: Seagate

Case fans: Acoustifan


Get searching ;)
Click to expand...

Any specific Antec model of PSU that is fairly noise free? I need one for the microATX form factor. Same with the fans, those Acoustifans looks nice but I need some kind of adapter to attach a 80mm fan to a 60mm =\
 
Just get this:

Antec Aria case (same size approx. as the Hornet)
Asus A7N8X-VM-400
AMD Athlon 2500+
2 Hitachi 120gig 7.2k rpm HD's
Kingston 256MB DDR333 x 2
Pioneer DVRA07 DVD-R/W 8x burner

Total $661

The Aria has the Antec PS, and it uses a big 120mm fan. If this case is anything like my Sonata, it's quiet. And it can be made quieter with the addition of a Zalman or Nexus heatsink/fan for the CPU. I'd also get the round cables for the EIDE's, it's better for airflow. You should be able to overclock the 2500+ even in that case to about 3200+ without any trouble. Mine didn't really gain any heat when I OC'd it, and I didn't add any additional cooling provisions. Just the stock fans and heatsink.

I am thinking of getting the Nexus heatsink to quiet that down a bit.
 
I use a Tascam US-224 as "soundcard" input device. it is usb powered offers 2 xlr's & 2 line in's. No phantom power though. this is a good unit if you are recording 1 or 2 tracks at a time. I am very seriously looking at the Mackie Onyx line of mixers the 1220 is around $500, it has an optional firewire card you can install later for about $400 that gives you 18 ins's directly into your DAW software. If you are looking for an all in one solution for recording look at Ableton Live, I compose 90% of my stuff in Live 3. Version 4 is coming out at the end of July and offers full Midi support and vst, it also will ship with a drum machine. http://www.ableton.com check it out
J.
 
jeffrydada said:
Version 4 is coming out at the end of July and offers full Midi support and vst, it also will ship with a drum machine. http://www.ableton.com check it out
J.
Click to expand...

Software Drum machine? naaaah. I like my hardware boxes with knobs and buttons, thanks anyways though :) I was also looking into a firewire/usb digital mixers, they seem pretty nifty for the price. Seems like everyone is making them now too.
 
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