same question again?

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frogfroggg

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I am a pretty inexperienced GTpro user but avid reader of this forum. I have owned analogue multi-trackers for years and have been playing the guitar for 27 years.

I have a low powered P.C. but decided to get into computer recording with the intention of upgrading my machine if I could cope with the new techniques.

Got to say I am now completely hooked and can comfortably record on about 14 tracks with a few effects before any problems occur.

My main problem has been ' audio dropout ' so I went back through the forum and followed some advice which was posted on July 29th. Windows start up was stuttering (Win 98) so have disabled 'wave device for voice modem' and also disabled 'USB controllers' (as not using any USB devices) and the problem has cleared. I have got loads of useful tips from you guy's. Thanks for that.

I have now decided to buy a new P.C. rather than upgrade and
my main question, which, I know, has been asked loads of times, is what spec should I be looking for?

Every time this query has been posted before there has been differences of opinion. ie) some think fast cpu's are the thing, some say loads of memory is the way. If money was no object obviously I would buy the fastest processor with the biggest memory/hard disk etc.

But whats a good balance bearing in mind I am on a budget. I want the best P.C. I can get for computer recording at the cheapest price?

Should I be using different software to GTpro? All my music is guitar biased, and I doubt I will ever make millions from it, but will I get better sound reproduction from a different programme?

Also what's the best value soundcard? I was going to post this on the newbie section but I definitely want to stick with CAKEWALK software and didn't want loads of conflicting advice on 'best' software......

Cheers.
 
Hi Frog.
Welcome to the HR.com bbs.

You'll definatly find life more bareable with a newer computer.
What you get should depend on your budget.

I'd concentrate on CPU power, Sound Card, lots of memory and good hard drives.

I'm using an 820 MHz with 384 MB ram and two forty gig drives.
I'm using win98 and my machine works great using Sonar.

Some things I do though probably help out.
After recording, I defrag my drive where Sonar is.
That's most important.

As for software. Since you have a decent piece of software I'd stick with it for the time being and concentrate on a computer dedicated and designed for recording music.
You can get upgrade your software later. It really isn't all that important if you have the newest and the biggest piece of recording software, it's learning to use it that's the key.

As for opinions, everyone has them. They very as much as individual personal choice. The final decision is yours, Frog. Shop around, plan your computers design and try several different kinds of software demos before you decide.

Goodluck.
 
Froggie, Hey up laad, whats a Scunthorpe Lad doin ere? Bah Gum:D Apologies, but I don't get many fellow brits here. Welcome to the best forum on the planet and the most polite.

I have now decided to buy a new P.C. rather than upgrade and my main question, which, I know, has been asked loads of times, is what spec should I be looking for?
Click to expand...

We have all been in the same position you are now at some stage in our home recording career and are only too pleased to help.

First of all, you need the biggest CPU you can get. Why? Because the minute you start putting decent fx on your tracks, this will eat into your cpu. And as you progress up the learning curve, believe me when I say that you will be immensely frustrated when you find that for a few ££'s more you could have resolved that problem from the start. A good CPU size now would be minimum 2.0 Gig, preferably 2.4Gig.
Make sure you get an Intel processor, they are thoroughly tested with everyone's software/hardware first, so you will minimise potential compatibility issues.
Minimum 512 Meg Ram, preferably more. Decent semi-pro soundcard, i.e. M-audio, Echo, Terratec etc. The Audiophile 2496 is a good one to start off with. No midi but ideal for a guitarist using GT Pro. But you will need a d/I box to drive the input, guitars need a high impedence input to operate correctly. Alternatively, a guitar processor would do the job, like a Zoom etc.
A Decent CD Writer, dual hard disks preferably or at least a single 40meg HD minimum.
If I were you I would buy a PC from the likes of Digital Viallge in the UK:

http://www.digitalvillage.co.uk/
They specialise in PC's configured for music and have a great advice line, just call em up and speak to them. Buy Sound On Sound Magazine (December's issue out now) and read the adverts... there are a few other suppliers around too. As AcidRock posted, folk here who have built their own DAW would next time buy from a music specialist. Whatever you do don't buy from PC World, Tiny or Time...they just don't understand the application enough and you will have loads of hassle. Acid rock learnt the hard way some years back and won't go there again;)

One more thing, get Windows XP, all software coming out now is configured for that operating System and it is extremely stable.

If you need any more help, post back or send me a PM (Private Message). Apologies to the sharp eyed ones if I have missed anything out:)
 
I'd love a dedicated music system like you suggest Paul but I'm going to struggle to come up with that kind of money. I'm hoping to get as much advice as I can (especially from this forum) and get a system built up by a local trader who was a schoolfriend.

I'm currently running my guitars through a Zoom processor and I've got to say I am more than happy with the results. I was thinking of trying to get hold of a J-station but I'm going to wait until I'm more proficient with the techniques of P.C. recording.

Thanks for the tip on running Windows XP, I've seen that cropping up lately in other posts.

I take your point about Pentium processors but I'm slightly baffled. Surely software as popular as 'Cakewalk' is compatible with Athlon processors? I was thinking of Athlon because you seem to get more power for your money.

What are the problems involved when not using Pentiums? there must be loads of guy's who are using other processors. What sort of problems have you had?
 
Okay, so budget is important, therefore, you need to get the biggest bang for your buck. Win xp is a given, go for the home version to save costs, or your friend could get the OEM version and save even more. 512 Meg ram is a must do.
You can get 1.7Gig processor motherboards and chips now at a very reasonable cost too, so this might be the area to save costs. A decent CD-RW, a single 60 Gig Hard Disk and a utility graphics card completes the picture.

You should be able to put this together for about £700-750. But the big issue then is the soundcard. For your purposes as a "lone" guitarist (I'm guessing here) you might need a simple audio input card like the Audiophile 2496 for around £149.

Having said all the above, I run on a win 98 machine, have running on a Pentium II 400Meg processor with 760Meg ram. But it crashes when I put reverb fx on and I can't upgrade to Sonar unless I go to win xp. I also use synths and other "goodies" which make my puter crash so for me, an upgrade is a must. I Invested in a quality semi-pro soundcard which I can use in the new machine along with a lot of software.
Regarding Pentium processors vs Athlon, there is a lot of debate about which delivers the most power, all mostly academic really. Whilst Cakewalk test all their software on as wide a range of machines and hardware as possible, combinations of hardware, software, o/s, soundcards plug-ins, etc. can mean problems ahead. If you are a "hands on techie", then you might decide to take the risk but if you want to ensure you have as stable a platform as possible, then I would advise staying with an Intel processor. Personally, I would not buy anything else, but others here may disagree. I just want to make music, not risk spend my weekends trying to get things working together.

I hope this helps, post back anytime.
 
Ok, so I'm going for as much memory, fastest processor biggest hard disk etc but I still can't get my head round the Pent/Athlon argument. As you say you would stick with Pentium as your a fan, there must be others out there using different processors and it would be interesting to hear their views and what problems, if any, they have had.

Your point about Window's XP is one I have seen cropping up regularly, and I will definitely be going with it. Also I have decided on the Audiophile 2496 card.

You are right with your 'lone guitarist' point but I am definitely no techie. I totally agree it's better to make music than spending time to trying to get things working. Wouldn't life be great if money was no object.

Thanks for taking the time to reply to my questions I have no doubt we will meet again on the forum.

Frog.
 
frogfroggg posted:

I am definitely no techie
Click to expand...
If you are not a techie, then definately do not go the Athlon route. Intel processors are the industry standard; software is designed for that chipset. Just search on this forum and the SOS forums to see how many driver issues come up because of non-Intel mobo's. Why take the risk? The techie jungle is bad enough without introducing more uncertainties.

BTW, I am not a fan of Intel; just don't see any reason not to go for a P4 533 with Hyper threading. Or even a P4 400 mobo.
 
Right, point taken I'm going for Pentium. Certainly nobody is arguing the case for anything else....

My reason for posting in the first place was so I could get the best system I could afford and the most hassle free start up.

I'll post again when I get sorted, no doubt asking for advice.....

Cheers,

Frog.
 
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