Taking My First DAW Plunge, Please Review Listed Components

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ivorykeys
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Ivorykeys

New member
Hello,

Being a recording novice, I am about to make the plunge for my first DAW, hopefully capable of recording at least 16 simultaneous tracks with plugins & stand-alone box effects. I have a Mackie Onyx with Firewire that will be the interface. I'll be recording 3 vocals (layered, probably), many midi'ed & sequenced virtual instrument tracks through a Fantom X, and maybe a couple of guitars.

Based on the following items, have I left anything out, or are there any other suggestions based on your experience? For those familiar with the components, or have already purchased them, any input would be appreciated. Also, in your humble opinions, do I need to buy another CPU fan that is quieter than the stock one, and any suggestions?

I would appreciate your comments on the following components, compatability for those who have them, and if you think I can save money somewhere else.

Motherboard-$249.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/CustratingReview.asp?Item=N82E16813131025

Processor-$312.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?DEPA=0&type=&Description=E6600&Submit=ENE&N=0&Ntk=all

Memory-$109.99 x 2 = $219.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...67D2N5&Submit=ENE&N=0&Ntk=all&Go.x=10&Go.y=33

Hard Drives
Primary-$146.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822136033
Secondary-$99.00 x 2 = 198.00 (one internal & one external w/enclosure)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822136003

Case-$114.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129154

Power Supply-$104.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/CustratingReview.asp?Item=N82E16817712003

Dual Video Card-$88.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814121021 (NOTE: IF ANYONE HAS A BETTER SUGGESTION, I'M OPEN TO IT)

Optical Drive-$79
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827151134

Sound Card-$130
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00064ABSG/pricerunner4-20/ref=nosim

Windows XP Pro-$179

Linksus WiFi Card-$69

Total:~$1,893.92

Much Thanks,
Ivorykeys
 
Looks good.

You really dont need the audiophile if you have the onyx firewire, you wont be able to use both. I run the 6600 and its quiet with the stock fan and it runs really cool so a beefier heatsink may be overkill. Stick with the video card with the passive heatsink. I would also buy an IDE to sata convertor for the optical drive:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16812206002

That way you dont even have to have your IDE controller on and no big IDE cable to clutter the case (I run 2 of those)

I actually opted for the cheaper 965 chipset since it offerd the slimer ICH8 southbridge and more PCI and PCI-E 1x slots (you dont need SLI for a DAW). You really dont need all the bells and whistles, just a solid fast board

Since you have the onyx, it should have come with a full version of tracktion, mackies DAW software. I highly recommend you check it out since it is quite good and has a exceptional software bundle
 
Yeah that will be a nice rig.

The P5W board is probably a little overkill as the main difference between it & the cheaper P5B boards is the 975 chipset and the ability to run crossfire graphics, which you won't be doing if you're using it as a daw.

With the memory you may as well go for the faster pc6400 ram instead of the pc5300 - won't cost that much more.

Like altitude says you don't need the audiophile if you've got the Onyx.


What's the Linksys wifi card - is that your router?
 
Congratulations.

You're the first one to make my 'ignore' list.

Posting back and forth with you is like having my time, knowledge and effort sucked into a black hole.

.
 
Congratulations.

You're the first one to make my 'ignore' list.

Posting back and forth with you is like having my time, knowledge and effort sucked into a black hole.
Click to expand...

??

uh did i miss something?
 
if you going to spend that amount of money on those RAM sticks, I would suggest getting a lot better ones for around that price give or take $10....

These would be MUCH better than those sticks...

Crucial 2GB (1gb x 2)
Latency 3, Timing 3-3-3-12
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820148017

or

Mushkin
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820146438

Also PERSONALLY I wouldn't go for the 7300GT. At least the 7600GT or GS would be a better choice. I think the 7600GS's range around $100... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814125028
Newegg has a 7600GT on sale that has a mailin rebate if you willing to wait, the price goes down to $109.99, it's a evga brand http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130062
 
I've used only Crucial and Mushkin ram in self-built PC's, and they've both always been stellar performers. Both brands just work and work well.
 
altitude909 said:
Looks good.

You really dont need the audiophile if you have the onyx firewire, you wont be able to use both. I run the 6600 and its quiet with the stock fan and it runs really cool so a beefier heatsink may be overkill. Stick with the video card with the passive heatsink. I would also buy an IDE to sata convertor for the optical drive:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16812206002

That way you dont even have to have your IDE controller on and no big IDE cable to clutter the case (I run 2 of those)

I actually opted for the cheaper 965 chipset since it offerd the slimer ICH8 southbridge and more PCI and PCI-E 1x slots (you dont need SLI for a DAW). You really dont need all the bells and whistles, just a solid fast board

Since you have the onyx, it should have come with a full version of tracktion, mackies DAW software. I highly recommend you check it out since it is quite good and has a exceptional software bundle
Click to expand...

altitude909,

Thanks for the reply. And I was under the wrong impression that I needed a sound card with all sorts of I/O's, MIDI, balanced, etc..., to link to the ONYX, but now realize that I do not. I'm assuming that everything I need is on the box, please correct me if I'm wrong. And thanks for the info on the IDE to SATA converter, I'll check it out tonite. And it appears that many like the Traction software, so being brand new to editing, I think it's the logical place to start.

PS: What I think sscientist is refering to is my initial confusion/indecision & thoughts to go with an all-in-one box over a DAW computer (or both for that matter), like the Yamaha that he has & I believe a quality rebuilt computer, which is what I thought I needed at the time, but my needs have changed since I've linked up with some others making music. He's so sensitive.

Ivorykeys
 
Bulls Hit said:
Yeah that will be a nice rig.

The P5W board is probably a little overkill as the main difference between it & the cheaper P5B boards is the 975 chipset and the ability to run crossfire graphics, which you won't be doing if you're using it as a daw.

With the memory you may as well go for the faster pc6400 ram instead of the pc5300 - won't cost that much more.

Like altitude says you don't need the audiophile if you've got the Onyx.


What's the Linksys wifi card - is that your router?
Click to expand...

Hey Bulls Hit,

Thanks for the reply. I'll check out the memory, if it's not much more $$, it's probably a good idea. I wanted to go with the latest chipset because of the lack of desire to upgrade frequently (I'm a computer idiot), and at some point I think this will allow me to take advantage of the Quad Chip when it becomres more mainstream. I'm aware that I will not need the Audiophile, thanks. I assume that I would probably need (or want) the capability to go onto the internet with the unit, maybe to download data, etc..., & I have a wireless router on my other computers, which is where the Linksys card came in.

Thanks,
Ivorykeys
 
Mindset said:
if you going to spend that amount of money on those RAM sticks, I would suggest getting a lot better ones for around that price give or take $10....

These would be MUCH better than those sticks...

Crucial 2GB (1gb x 2)
Latency 3, Timing 3-3-3-12
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820148017

or

Mushkin
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820146438

Also PERSONALLY I wouldn't go for the 7300GT. At least the 7600GT or GS would be a better choice. I think the 7600GS's range around $100... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814125028
Newegg has a 7600GT on sale that has a mailin rebate if you willing to wait, the price goes down to $109.99, it's a evga brand http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130062
Click to expand...

Hey Mindset, thanks for your reply.

You are not the first to recommend a different set of RAM sticks. I think I'll take your's & other's advice on this. The 7600GS looks like a passively cooled, & very quiet card. Good deal as well. No other issues with the hardware listed?

Thanks,
Ivorykeys
 
warble2 said:
I've used only Crucial and Mushkin ram in self-built PC's, and they've both always been stellar performers. Both brands just work and work well.
Click to expand...

Thanks warble2 (or just warble), you are among several that have recommended a RAM change, which I'm going to do.

Ivorykeys
 
Ivorykeys said:
..., & I have a wireless router on my other computers, which is where the Linksys card came in.

Thanks,
Ivorykeys
Click to expand...

Doesn't that motherboard come with built-in wireless? If you've got the router already, then you've got all you need, you won't need another card
 
Taking My First DAW Plunge

Bulls Hit said:
Doesn't that motherboard come with built-in wireless? If you've got the router already, then you've got all you need, you won't need another card
Click to expand...

You are correct, my friend, I just saved enough for a quiet CPU fan or upgraded power supply.

Ivorykeys
 
So I guess this thread will now lack ssscientist's vast knowledge? :(
 
Taking My First DAW Plunge

warble2 said:
So I guess this thread will now lack ssscientist's vast knowledge? :(
Click to expand...

You'll have to ask him, since he's ignoring me now. I'm sure he'll answer you after he kicks the dog.
 
whoever gave me the negative comment that says "shut da fuck up u mutha fuckin nigga poser", just cause you dumb as fuck doesn't mean you should act like a little faggot. Get some knowledge and maybe you can get on my level :D :eek: :cool:
 
Ivorykeys said:
Hey Mindset, thanks for your reply.

You are not the first to recommend a different set of RAM sticks. I think I'll take your's & other's advice on this. The 7600GS looks like a passively cooled, & very quiet card. Good deal as well. No other issues with the hardware listed?

Thanks,
Ivorykeys
Click to expand...

No problem. Yeah that card should help keep noise down to a minimum. You also might want to use a fan controller too so that you can turn down the fans whenever recording & mixing.

Also if you want quieter, put your all your HD's in enclosures... I don't know how loud a 10K rpm drive would sound, but I bet it's more louder than slower ones. I kind of like seagate HD's because they real quiet imo.
 
Mindset said:
No problem. Yeah that card should help keep noise down to a minimum. You also might want to use a fan controller too so that you can turn down the fans whenever recording & mixing.

Also if you want quieter, put your all your HD's in enclosures... I don't know how loud a 10K rpm drive would sound, but I bet it's more louder than slower ones. I kind of like seagate HD's because they real quiet imo.
Click to expand...

Hey Mindset,

You are correct in that the 10K drive spins outa control, but it's very fast, and unfortunately, generally louder than the 7200. Since I was going to use it as the primary drive, I just may go with the 7200 since it is quieter, and based on my apps, I probably won't see much of a difference. Sure to save a little $$ as well (for those other goodies, like quiet fans, insulation pads, etc...).

Thanks,
Ivorykeys
 
Mindset said:
You also might want to use a fan controller too so that you can turn down the fans whenever recording & mixing.

Also if you want quieter, put your all your HD's in enclosures... I don't know how loud a 10K rpm drive would sound, but I bet it's more louder than slower ones. I kind of like seagate HD's because they real quiet imo.
Click to expand...

Those asus mobos come with fan speed control built in, they got the heatpipe cooling as well which not only keeps the mobo & northbridge cool, but looks kinda cool too.


Seagates have a reputation for silence, but the 320GB barracuda I bought recently is as loud as buggery
 
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