Upgrade to be able to record. PLEASE HELP!!

[Julian015]

Hey

Okay.. I'm looking to upgrade my computer to a system that is capable of recording/mixing with high quality sound - preferably quality like that of a 4 track recorder. The main system setup currently is as follows :

Celeron 400
64meg ram
4.3gig hard drive (eeewwww!)
Soundcard = built onto the motherboard, so I don't know what kind it is.. but it can use SB16 drivers if thats of any relevance.
And other basic things : crappy AGP graphics card, running Windows 95, 24xCDROM .. etc.

Anyway, I would really appreciate ANY help I can get which would help me decide what system to upgrade to. Remember - I'm after the recording quality of a 4 track (digital) recorder.

If you reply, please list the required items in the order of their importance because I am not sure of the budget yet.
I am also in Australia, and we have a ***SHIT*** economy.. so keep that in mind!

I have all the required instruments and stuff (keyboard/guitars/basses/drum equip)....I just need the recording system.

Thanks for your time.

Seeya.

 

[John Sayers]

Where are you Julian - email me direct and I'll help you out
BTW welcome to HR

cheers
John

 

[Julian015]

Thanks everyone! *sarcastic cough*

(The sarcastic cough excludes John Sayers).

 

[John Sayers]

Julian - no need to be rude - If you search this site you will find heaps of info regarding your question. (Search button upper right)

Your question is so open ended that most of the posters here don't quite know where to start. I thought it was a software problem but if it's a hardware one search the site and I'm sure you can come back with a more specific question which I'm sure will be answered for you.

Cheers
John

 

[DavidK]

Julian, with a few small steps, you should be on your
way to Great recordings on your computer.

1: Increase ram to 128mgs, minimum. (more is better)
2: External Fast hard drive
3: Sound card, if you have PCI slots left.
4: Decent mic, with either phantom power or preamp
5: Software

I dont think this is in order of importance, its
kinda an all or nothing deal.

If I were doing it, I would purchase in order:
1. Software. I use Cakewalk Pro9, and it will
work with 64Ram, maybe not great but it works.
This way you can be learning it while saving
cash.

2 More Ram

3 Hard drive

4. Sound card. A very important decision,based
on your current needs AND future needs. Dont forget
the future, you dont want to be trapped by lack of
inputs, outputs,etc. A soundblaster live is good
for a start, and its cheap.

5 Mic rig. Do your homework, its a hefty purchase,
wont sound good without a decent one, whether
four track or Computer.

By the way, people may not have responded quickly because
we are stuffing ourselves with Thanksgiving food.
Cheers David

 

[Slackmaster2K]

Your 4GB hard drive will be 5400RPM or less. This is not really adequate for anything more than a few tracks. I recenlty heard that Fry's has 20GB 7200RPM 2MB Cache Quantum drives for $99. This would help.

Most recording software writes and reads directly from the disk in 16 to 128KB chunks. So you just need enough memory to load the OS and your applications without any chance of swapping. 64MB will get you by on Win9x and 128MB will get you buy on NT4 or 2000. I'd recommend 128MB minimum on either platform just to be safe...and memory is cheap.

Your 400Mhz celeron is fine as long as you keep the DX effects down to a minimum.

Lemme guess...you have an eMachines or something name brand...you got it for $400 bucks or it was free if you signed up for MSN for 3 years? Those are VERY familiar specs

Your motherboard is most likey absolute crap and will greatly hinder performance and reliability. The built in video will suck too, as will the built in sound. The case will also be small and might not fit another motherboard, and the power supply will be 200W and flakey.

I'm a total bummer, I know. I just hate seeing people toss money at something when they might get a much better deal overall buying a new machine. A new machine loaded well enough for recording should be doable at well under $1000 (without a pro soundcard).

Slackmaster 2000