computer for recording

oooo · #1 06-29-2002, 02:09 PM

Thought I'd get some ideas...
I'm about to build a PC from the ground up for recording purposes. I've been doing some research on web sites and intend to run a very simple Cake Walk type program just to put ideas down. What I need is suggestions on what I should get in regards to size and suggest brands for hard drive , processor, RAM, even cases.
I've been price hunting on sites like www.pricewatch.com and while I don't want to spend an arm and a leg... I want something I can build on later.
Any ideas? Suggestions?

(no I don't really want a mac...

)

Two hands31 · #2 06-29-2002, 02:16 PM

As fast and as big as you can afford.

ripl3y · #3 06-29-2002, 07:22 PM

Although the CPU is important, it's not really the be-all-and-end-all when recording, and a 1gig CPU will be plenty enough for your needs, (although they are so cheap nowadays you can probably afford much faster)

Focus your money on a large hard drive, RAM and a decent soundcard.
Obviously you need and OS that can take advantage of that RAM so go for win2k or XP.

For a CPU I am a staunch AMD supporter, but that's for my overall system performance, if you are focusing just on recording then grab an Intel.
HDD, I've always used IBM's, but Maxtor, Western Digital and Seagate are just as good. Just look for lots of storage if you're recording. Find a drive with a decent cache and at least 7200rpm (also see my last point before you do this, you need to pick a board before you pick a drive....it's a real mix and match world of good value and great performance)

For RAM I always buy Crucial although the last PC I built was back when PC133 was leading the way so I'm a little out of touch nowadays, RAM is dirt cheap at the mo', I recall when it used to fluctuate horribly week by week, but it's steady now and boards that utilise PC2100/1600/800 are what you should be looking at.

Your most important buy will be the Motherboard.
Like a house you need good foundations, so choosing the right M/B is most important.
When you buy a system pre-made by the big retail companies you mainly get lots of free add-on's...i.e. scanner, printer....etc....
The only problem these companies have is the very dodgy OEM parts that make up the backbone of the PC.
Always go for quality base components and your PC will last for years.
I've always favoured ASUS for motherboards, mainly because they tend to be reliable and fast. Other companies offer faster/more feature packed boards (ABIT etc...) and others offer more reliable, but I've always found ASUS strike a happy medium between the two, their support is also very good.

But really, my bag is software, if you want any advice on that front just shoot me an email.

Steve

oooo · #4 06-29-2002, 08:29 PM

Thanks Steve, That's exactly the kind of info I was after. As I get farther into this I'll definitely take you up on the advice offer.

JESTER700 · #5 06-29-2002, 08:56 PM

Win98SE is another option if you don't go above 512MB RAM. I just switched to w2k myself, but had good experience with 98SE for quite a while...

caprile · #6 06-29-2002, 11:35 PM

i think you shold care more about a good soundcard and interfaces than fast processors.

BucketBot · #7 06-30-2002, 12:01 AM

I'll go with having a good sound card at least. When I got my pc I didn't really know what to do so I ended up with a computer that I can't upgrade the soundcard on. So I am stuck with a single 1/8 in. stereo input and one 1/8 in. mic input. I guess it sounds ok. I only do one instrument at a time since I do it all on my own so I guess it works out but I still kick myself for not being smart about getting a better one.

track7 · #8 06-30-2002, 03:34 AM

hey,

i really recommend spending good money on the external factors of computer recording.

Because basically all modern computers today, especially any that you could build with parts will be plenty fast enough to do ideas and demos, especially if as you say are recording one track at a time.

What makes all the difference is a good mixer or/and mic pre-amp and a couple of good microphones. Even a cheapish consumer soundcard ($200) will do an impressive job like a high end soundblaster.

A big problem people fall down with is buying a good computer then not having the means to get a good sound into it. This is where a small mixer is invaluable.

Soundcards come with a mini jack input so you need some way of channeling the guitar/mic input into it. Spirit/soundcraft do a great 6 channel mixer for under 200 dollars.

These are the things that are gonna make the recordings sound cool.

To kind of prove a point think about this...

I have a P3 1 ghz, and old 5400 10 gig hard drive, 384MB RAM....and all this runs upto (and it wasn't maxing out) 24 channels of audio ALL with applied dynamic processing, all had reverb on, most had some other form of effect on, (even auto-tune was cleaning up some crappy femal vocalist performance in there)...oh there was about 10/12 midi tracks going on too. (This was all in VST 5.1)

So as you can see you dont need the latest greatest fastest mo fo of a computer to do music with...but i would recommend a pentium...i dont have much experience with AMD for music, but i think something to do with their architecture (lol i cant spell that word) makes them not have the balls for it.

Anyway hope this helps...

track7

CQ7String · #9 06-30-2002, 04:45 PM

RAM, RAM, RAM.

I record with Cakewalk 9 on a P3 500Mhz dedicated box. It has two gigs of ram, and Cakewalk runs better on it than it does on my 1.5Ghz/512MB machine.

A LOT better.

nvn · #10 06-30-2002, 10:05 PM

Yeah, pretty much what everyone else said. Some thoughts though;

1. As for CPU, it's very much about how much you're willing to pay. If you go for a P4, the whole package is gonna be a lot more expensive than if you choose an Athlon XP. Certainly a P4 system with RAMBUS is going to kick some serious ass, but imho the price difference is a bit too large compared to the performance difference. If you pick the Athlon XP instead, you're gonna save cash, which might be used for getting a real good soundcard with dedicated DSPs.

2. RAM. Yep, that's it. RAM. As others have pointed out, few things can boost the overall performance as much as having a ****load of RAM. In music making on the PC, it's CRITICAL that you have lots of it. Make sure you've picked a good motherboard which supports fast RAM.

3. The HDD used for recording should be SCSI and not IDE. SCSI drives are more expensive but they're a lot faster and more reliable than IDE drives. I also feel that I must warn you for the IBM Deskstar series of IDE drives; mine died after 14 months of use, and others have told me that their lasted for about the same time. Now, my computer is always on, and the Deskstar series is not designed for that (check out IBM's website). Get a good IDE drive for the OS/system, and use a good SCSI drive for recording.

4. Soundcard. This is a more specialized component than the above; you should choose which soundcard to get based on how you work when you make music, what your specific needs are. Make sure you get one with good ASIO (and maybe also EASI) drivers - stay away from anything Soundblaster-isch! (Soundblaster cards are great for gaming, useless when making music. I wish I'd known that before I got my SB Live! Platinum 5.1). Some makers of good soundcards are EMU, M-Audio, Creamware, MOTU, Seasound etc. Check out websites, forums, reviews and so on to broaden your opinion.

5. Software. I've tried most of the leading products - Logic, Cubase, Cakewalk etc - and I always fall back to Cubase. Haven't tried the new Cubase SX yet, but I can speak for the earlier version (Cubase VST) and it's the most streamlined, easily understood piece of music software that I've ever come across. But again, that's only my opinion.

I know you said you just wanted to put the ideas down, but believe me, ideas tend to expand...rapidly.

When you're sitting there, the computer is your band, and it'll do everything you tell it to - sounds like a cliché, but only your imagination sets the limits. :P That is, unless your hardware sets the limits. It's not necessary to be completely overkill and buy the most evil system that ever walked the earth, but don't buy cheap and mediocre for its own sake - you'll probably get frustrated as you get on.

Well, just my 2 cents for what it's worth.

Good luck.

Two hands31 · #11 06-30-2002, 10:12 PM

Make lots of money, and get a big ol' honkin' Pro Tools system.

I swear, one of these days I'll post something serious in this thread, but it's all been said so far.

Kremlin · #12 06-30-2002, 10:47 PM

IBM is also making an exit from the hard drive business.. don't get one if you want a warranty (or if you use it for more than 33 hours a month). If you get a Maxtor, be sure to get a fluid bearing drive, they're much quieter and barely cost any more.

bammbamm · #13 07-01-2002, 02:33 PM

Just like everyone else has said, big ram, big CPU, and I would consider getting a MOBO with USB 2.0 installed on it, you may end up using a USB connected audio system. Check out http://www.googlegear.com for good parts pricing, they have a great selection and pretty much any type of componant you can think of.
One other thing is check for compatability issues with the various sound cards and CPU's, certain cards from Event audio don't mesh well with AMD CPU's. the other thing is I noticed people suggesting SCSI drives, thats all well and good if you can swing the $$$ for a nice 100 Gig drive, but the IDE drives are pretty close anymore with respect to seek time, throughput and overall speed. I would also consider running WIN 98SE as well due to the fact that many of the WDM drivers are still pretty buggy depending on which sw package you go with. I'm running a pIII 700 with 256 Meg and 50 Gig of HD space, running reason for virtual synths and SonarXL with pretty good results For me I have only needed 8 tracks MAYBE 10 but I think I could weasal 24 since I have the MOTU 24I and they make a GREAT system for DAW's
whatever you decide, good luck and enjoy it !

BAMM

oooo · #14 07-01-2002, 05:57 PM

Thanks guys, I'm taking serious notes here. I definitally don't want something that will be limiting. I already have tons of outboard gear (mics, mackie, fx, etc.)
This is going to be a little more research than I first thought... but I'm cool with that.
Keep the advice coming, I'm writing it all down and learning tons of new stuff.

shawn · #15 07-05-2002, 03:33 AM

pc-based recording systems is what i do. . . its all i do. ive built quite a few systems and am very familiar with everything from the specific brand and model mobo to the same in ram that you need to make your system run the best for the dollar and the best settings in your OS to optimize the hardware you have. top to bottom i can steer you in the right direction. shoot me an email and ill go into details based on your budget. i can help you design a system that will smoke for very little cash, and youll have no problem putting it together or running it. geez that sounded like a commercial, didnt it.

--shawn
seven_seven_7@hotmail.com