jmorris
New member
Im loooking at these.A bit pricey but tired od issues with my present setup. Anyone had experience with them?
buckkillr8
David Gilmour's clone
They seem to be really good, but quite expensive compared to when you add it all up and do it yourself.
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Smogger
New member
Creation Stations Rock
They are a great value though. Everything you buy at Sweetwater comes with a two year warranty. You will also get free tech support for as long as you have the product. You won't get that with ANY computer elsewhere. Plus, these things are built specifically for audio production, you won't come across any compatibility issues within the hardware.
They are a great value though. Everything you buy at Sweetwater comes with a two year warranty. You will also get free tech support for as long as you have the product. You won't get that with ANY computer elsewhere. Plus, these things are built specifically for audio production, you won't come across any compatibility issues within the hardware.
K
kator
New member
ADK, Sonica, Rain Recording....
Check these guys out too.
Check these guys out too.
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Walter Tore
Well-known member
my 7 year old pc just died and I ordered a sweetwater tower LE computer tonight. I know you can get ones cheaper but I am not at all into the putting together, tinkering end of computers. I record 4 tracks live with 2 UAD 1 cards and a delta 1010 soundcard. All three are PCI cards and this computer comes with 3 PCI slots and 2 PCIe slots if I want to upgrade someday to UAD2 cards. I have had nothing but good experiences with sweetwater and am looking forward to getting this computer later this week. Walter
recordman
New member
IMHO, very very overpriced. I think the last time I looked I could build a better PC in a server case (rack mount) for $1000 than their highest end $2500 rackmount pc. Yikes
Also one of my buddies bought one of their laptops for $1500 which at the time had the specs of a $500 laptop. Absolutely nothing special about it that makes it more suitable for recording, doesn't even have a faster hard drive and he's had nothing but problems.
Also one of my buddies bought one of their laptops for $1500 which at the time had the specs of a $500 laptop. Absolutely nothing special about it that makes it more suitable for recording, doesn't even have a faster hard drive and he's had nothing but problems.
dastrick
huh???
The newest TapeOp has a review of a Sweetwater Creation Station. The reviewer seemed to be pleased with it.
And you could build one for cheaper, but you won't get the 2 year warranty or tech support.
And you could build one for cheaper, but you won't get the 2 year warranty or tech support.
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dintymoore
Guest
I wouldn't have anything to do with Sweetwater. Fuck those guys they are identical to car salesmen. The last thing you want is a warranty from those clowns- then you're stuck with dealing with them. Really, that's a fuckin' horrible company.
dastrick
huh???
I think I sense some bitterness. 
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dintymoore
Guest
I think I sense some bitterness.
Yes, I have had some real problems with Sweatwater, and then some jerk will phone me up and basically act like we're long lost blood brothers - it just is a sleazy operation.
Zzounds has been great with me, Sweatwater and Musician's Friend are on my shit list.
altitude909
Best Advice Ever: RTFM
+1. I mean wtf is that? Calling me up to see if I need anything?
If you are looking for a good audio machine that will work, go to ADK
frederic
New member
It may be too late, but Dell's offer a longer and optional on-site warranty which can be very handy for those who are not into fixing their own PC.
One of the problems we all are likely to have whether we buy a dell or a compaq or a sweetwater PC is what we ask them to do - music editing both raw audio and midi.
For my studio, I have a lot of older gear thus older software, and some of that combines in an annoying way, causing issues here and there. Motu 24-ch audio interfaces, Unitor8 midi interfaces, semi-proprietary serial interface for automation of the Tascam TM-D4000 mixer, then add to that the software I've cobbled together that serves a specific purpose but is not written well by any means - all working on Vista.
Some of you have co-processor DSP board and the drivers for those are incredibly complicated.
If we were to just use our PC's to do office stuff we'd probably be okay with almost any PC but for what we do, we're always going to have some problems.
One of the problems we all are likely to have whether we buy a dell or a compaq or a sweetwater PC is what we ask them to do - music editing both raw audio and midi.
For my studio, I have a lot of older gear thus older software, and some of that combines in an annoying way, causing issues here and there. Motu 24-ch audio interfaces, Unitor8 midi interfaces, semi-proprietary serial interface for automation of the Tascam TM-D4000 mixer, then add to that the software I've cobbled together that serves a specific purpose but is not written well by any means - all working on Vista.
Some of you have co-processor DSP board and the drivers for those are incredibly complicated.
If we were to just use our PC's to do office stuff we'd probably be okay with almost any PC but for what we do, we're always going to have some problems.
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Walter Tore
Well-known member
I really don't care if I paid too much because for me to go through the learning curve of building a computer, or even learning how to buy another brand with similar features at a lower price, just doesn't work for me. I have no tv, radio, cell phone, video games, ipod, etc. The computer/new technology stuff is of no interest to me. It causes me stress. I view my computer like a car. I use it to get somewhere and don't know or care about how it actually works. We have to pick our battles in life and the older I get the more precious time becomes. I record 4 tracks live, do no video games, and my 7 year old store bought regular computer served me perfectly. My friend told me the sweetwater computer will be a lot more powerful than what I had. As long as it all works, I will be happy. Walter
frederic
New member
Before people harp on you about how "foolish" this thinking is, I happen to agree with you on most things.
For me, not so much with computers because they're so integrated in my life, but my view is based on my circumstances whereas yours is based on yours.
I totally "get" what you're saying.
recordman
New member
I just want to say to anyone that is doubting about putting their own computer together...I've been doing it since age 8 with my uncle. It used to be a slightly bit more complicated back then with jumpers and other little things but anymore it's practically as easy as snapping legos together.
noisewreck
New member
That maybe. However, the complication comes from choosing the components themselves, and choosing wisely here is quite important when dealing with audio.
Although I've built all my music computers myself, and will continue to do so, I totally get Walter Tore and why he doesn't want to bother with it, and trying to pointing out that he's "wrong" in his assumptions or wants is not constructive.
Sweetwater PCs are fine. They do cost a bit more than off-the-shelf generic Dells and such that look the same on the surface spec-wise, however you also have to consider the fact that they do test their equipment with audio interfaces, drivers, choose components for acoustic properties as well as performance (which BTW is one of the reasons they don't use screaming 10k RPM HDDs, as these tend to be louder), same goes for Video cards, etc. Factor in you get good warranty and support, I say the price is justified.
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Walter Tore
Well-known member
thanks for the support on my decision noisewreck and frederic! Things are always easy once you master them 
I probably could sit down, study, research, and struggle through building my own computer. But the time it would take and most importantly, the time it would take me away from recording just doesn't add up. I record my music 3-10 hours a day, 7 days a week. I am kind of eccentric my wife and friends say, but to me I feel normal. I should get the computer in the next day or two. I am really excited to get back to recording. I have been without for a week now and it is wearing on me. Walter
I probably could sit down, study, research, and struggle through building my own computer. But the time it would take and most importantly, the time it would take me away from recording just doesn't add up. I record my music 3-10 hours a day, 7 days a week. I am kind of eccentric my wife and friends say, but to me I feel normal. I should get the computer in the next day or two. I am really excited to get back to recording. I have been without for a week now and it is wearing on me. Walter
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dodgeaspen
New member
I think your on the right path Walt. Sometimes it's better to just order something that has been built and just plug it in and let the good times roll.
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rePete
New member
I am in the middle of building my own 'Creation Station' Rack XT clone. Pretty much the same hardware. When all is said and done I will have about $1400 in hardware alone, but I did upgrade a couple of things. The Sweetwater price is $2500.
Building a computer IS a snap these days. What's not a snap is software configuration and hardware integration if you don't research first. This certainly factors in to the price. The warranty is pretty much moot. If I have a failure I'll fix it, but I don't expect many failures in two years. The support is what I'll be missing but then I have all you guys here in the forum right?
I agree with Walter though, if I had the money I would buy a Creation Station or some other audio-centric computer. Just my $.02
Pete
Building a computer IS a snap these days. What's not a snap is software configuration and hardware integration if you don't research first. This certainly factors in to the price. The warranty is pretty much moot. If I have a failure I'll fix it, but I don't expect many failures in two years. The support is what I'll be missing but then I have all you guys here in the forum right?
I agree with Walter though, if I had the money I would buy a Creation Station or some other audio-centric computer. Just my $.02
Pete
suprstar
It aint ez being green
Myself, I wouldn't but a pre-made PC like that, but that's because that's the kinda stuff I do for a living.. It does take work to research and configure, so that does warrant a few extra bucks. If the average Joe wants to simple buy a DAW, plug it in and go, then he's essentially paying someone else to do all that legwork. Nothing wrong with that.
I'm sure I coulda built myself a deck in my back yard for cheaper than what I paid too, but I don't know what I'm doing and I don't feel like figuring it all out. I'm sure the carpenters thought "Its so simple u dig some post holes and bolt it all together like legos"
I'm sure I coulda built myself a deck in my back yard for cheaper than what I paid too, but I don't know what I'm doing and I don't feel like figuring it all out. I'm sure the carpenters thought "Its so simple u dig some post holes and bolt it all together like legos"
