When to get a 'puter for music only....?

[DefenderOfRock]

Hey all.

I was wondering at what point does it make sense to get a standalone computer for music recording only?

So heres the dealeeyo... I dont plan on ever having more than 8-10 tracks at one time, and im gonna keep the internal effects processing to a minimum. So, do yall think that there will be any performance issues with this setup on a college kid laptop that also runs the 'net and the occasional game? At this point, I really dont have the $$$ for another 'puter, nor do my recording needs justify one. But if need be... I can always get an xbox for GTA and do my eBayin' in the computer lab at college...

Right now I am just a hobbyist, recording for fun for myself and friends. I have been using a Tascam 238 and Behringer SignalDestroyerPro... err, 8 channel mixer and getting decent results. Problem is, my current setup is really heavy and not very portable and the cable/patchbay situation is a glorious nightmare of complication. So, I am thinkin of switchin to the computer for my recording needs. Since im rockin' a laptop I'm lookin at the MAudio F/W 410 or the Firebox for my interface, ditching the Behri, gettin a DMP3, keepin my outboard gear (effects, eq, and compooper).

Thanks a ton ton ton (3 tons) for your input!

Carl Anderson

 

[Rstiltskin]

IMO, if you use it for the internet or.........

Hey all.

I was wondering at what point does it make sense to get a standalone computer for music recording only?

So heres the dealeeyo... I dont plan on ever having more than 8-10 tracks at one time, and im gonna keep the internal effects processing to a minimum. So, do yall think that there will be any performance issues with this setup on a college kid laptop that also runs the 'net and the occasional game? At this point, I really dont have the $$$ for another 'puter, nor do my recording needs justify one. But if need be... I can always get an xbox for GTA and do my eBayin' in the computer lab at college...

Right now I am just a hobbyist, recording for fun for myself and friends. I have been using a Tascam 238 and Behringer SignalDestroyerPro... err, 8 channel mixer and getting decent results. Problem is, my current setup is really heavy and not very portable and the cable/patchbay situation is a glorious nightmare of complication. So, I am thinkin of switchin to the computer for my recording needs. Since im rockin' a laptop I'm lookin at the MAudio F/W 410 or the Firebox for my interface, ditching the Behri, gettin a DMP3, keepin my outboard gear (effects, eq, and compooper).

Thanks a ton ton ton (3 tons) for your input!

Carl Anderson

use several different games or ever try out game demos (the worst!) you are going to have problems. However, if you create a system restore point after you clean up all your internet temp files and history and junk, and after you do a defrag, AND (run on sentence) you back up your data to cd or cdrw or dvd after you record anything you probably won't lose anything you would kill over.

when you get really serious, start doing it for money, or are working against a deadline, set up a dedicated system and never let it near a game or the internet.

IMO, YMMV

 

[minofifa]

i ran cool edit pro on my laptop at school with a ton of other crap,no problems at all. That sadi, you will get better performance if you dedicate your system to audio-pruoduction only. My suggestion would be to set up a dual boot system on your computer if you have space. Create one os for your general purpose, then partition the HD and install another os on that empty partiton. Use this for audio only application. Keep this OS clean and small.

 

[DefenderOfRock]

i ran cool edit pro on my laptop at school with a ton of other crap,no problems at all. That sadi, you will get better performance if you dedicate your system to audio-pruoduction only. My suggestion would be to set up a dual boot system on your computer if you have space. Create one os for your general purpose, then partition the HD and install another os on that empty partiton. Use this for audio only application. Keep this OS clean and small.

Hmmm, I think I like that idea Dar. Is this difficult to do? Is it something I could do myself? I have a 30 gig hard drive thats pretty much empty if I uninstall most of my games (Ive learned my demo lesson long ago), and I plan on getting an external firewire harddrive to back stuff up to, so storage wont be a big issue.

Like I said, I record right now for personal enjoyment. Computer recording would be much more simple and convienient and portable than what I have now. If I ever did et more serious, rest assured that I would definitly go to a stanalone G5 or get a nice console and 8/16 track reel machine.

Thanks again!

Carl

 

[minofifa]

Hey Carl,

yes if you wanted to go that route it is super simple to do (way easier than i thought). this is assuming you use windows XP (its what i used so i can't comment onothers, although i did get linux going in my tri-boot as well). basically you just creat a second partition on your had drive. Then put in your windows disk and boot from it (may need to tweak boot settings in bios). Then install windows to that empty partition. the next time you boot, it will ask what OS you want to load, very slick.

as for the G5 comment,that is opinion based. a top of the line dual opteron AMD system would smoke a G5 in performance IMO.