Setup for recording on laptop

[link01]

Hi,
Ive been recording with my band on an MR-8Hd Fostex recorder, the quality is good for the price but were not fully happy with it. Ive been advised the next level would be recording onto a laptop. Just wondering weather any laptop with enough memeory would do, as i do not have much mony to spend. Also if it would need a good soundcard already built in, or would it be better to get an external soundcard?
Also, i will be recording drums, i have a mixer with 8 mic inputs which i used before, could i still just use that to mic the drums and connect it to the laptop?
Thanks.

 

[ermghoti]

I picked up a MOTU 8 Pre for like $400 or something, if you have a Firewire port, or can use an expansion card slot to add one, you have 8 pres (oddly enough), a handful of audio outs, SPDIF i/o, pretty much what you'd need. Eight tracks at once doesn't take much computer, a 2g processor and 2g RAM will do fine. You'll run into trouble with a 5400 drive long before something else limits you.

 

[link01]

ok thanks,
just wondering if one of those is actualy needed as i have a a mixer with enough inputs already which i could connect to the laptop.
Thanks

 

[BeniRose]

I'm running Logic Studio on my macbook with a firepod and I haven't experience any problems. I downgraded to a macbook from my macbook pro, originally planning to put the 500 dollar difference towards an iMac, but ended up having to use it to pay bills I'd recommend getting a Mac for recording, but if you really want to stay with windows, I'd recommend Sony.

 

[TimOBrien]

...as i do not have much money to spend.

Laptops are always going to be pricier than desktops. You really MUST get an outboard soundcard and and external hard drive (the internal drives are usually slower and you really MUST record to a separate dedicated drive on any DAW.)

Also if it would need a good soundcard already built in, or would it be better to get an external soundcard?
Also, i will be recording drums, i have a mixer with 8 mic inputs which i used before, could i still just use that to mic the drums and connect it to the laptop?
Thanks.

Built-in soundcards are made with about 50cents worth of chips. They're made for manufacturing cheapness, beeps, boops and light gaming. Quality is marginal at best and you'll run into timing problems like latency that will make you pull your hair out.
#1 Rule of Recording: You MUST replace the built-in soundcard.

Here is a good guide and good units:
http://www.tweakheadz.com/soundcards_for_the_home_studio.htm

You can send a stereo mix from your mixer to a 2-channel soundcard but you will be combining ALL the drums into one stereo track and that makes further processing impossible. Save your pennies and get an interface like the Motu8Pre ($550 new) and you can record 8 independent channels simultaneously.

 

[robnewton]

My system is great, but getting a bit behind. I run a Powerbook G4 with a Digi002 and an external HD with no probs at all. I do use an RNP and RNC for my front end cuz the 002s pres aren't that great, plus it gives me 2 more pres (the 002 has 4 pres and 4 line-ins). I would like to get 8 more channels through the 002s lightpipe ins soon, though. Can't have enough ins (or mics for that matter).