Laptop Recording Studio - Tell me what you think

Polaris20 · #1 03-23-2002, 10:25 AM

Alright, so the wife has given me the go ahead, as soon as our last credit card is paid off (couple months) to get a laptop computer. You see, I really do need one for school (I'm a computer programming major), plus I'm getting extremely tired of stand alone recording, especially when it comes to editing.

So here's my possible rig choice, let me know what you guys think. Keep in mind, I don't need a monstrosity, so that's why it's relatively small.

Dell 8100 with 1.2Ghz PIII, 256MB RAM, 40gig HD

A 60gig, 7200rpm Firewire external drive, for song data

Aardvark USB3 24bit recording I/O. The cool thing about this thing is that it has guitar inputs, as well as 1/4" line inputs so i can either just use my POD direct in, or I can connect up my Behringer mixer to record drums.

The Aarvark comes with Guitar Tracks2, but I'd definitely upgrade to Sonar, because Guitar tracks only allows 8 tracks, (yuck) and Sonar also has lower latency.

I still have my AMD desktop for storage, and CD burning. What do you guys think?

jeffrey · #2 03-23-2002, 06:10 PM

Although I've never used a USB recording interface, I'm still a bit weary about using it for recording. The technology of USB is just kind of flakey in general. I mean, I've had problems with a USB port keeping up with a gamepad and a scanner, I'd hate to see it try and push big MB files.

I'd recommend something firewire based. I use a Motu 828 and it's been flawless for me. I've read other people having problems, but so far I've had zero.

Polaris20 · #3 03-23-2002, 10:06 PM

Do you use it with Mac or Windows though? I really don't want to get a Mac, and I haven't heard anything about it being used with a PC too often.

I know it works well with the Mac, but I'd like to see how it works with the PC.

Two hands31 · #4 03-23-2002, 10:10 PM

One more thing you may want: decent speakers. *My brother just got a nice set of Yamaha speakers with sub-woofer for his laptop (just plug in with a normal 1/8th inch stereo jack, can connect to any headphone jack) for like $60-80 Canadian (can't remember exactly). *

jeffrey · #5 03-24-2002, 04:00 AM

PC.

Macs aren't worth it anymore imo.

There's plenty here that disagree though hehe.

Polaris20 · #6 03-24-2002, 07:49 AM

ok cool so it does work ok with PC. I just wanted to make sure, because from what I'm seeing, the computer recording industry seems to have a habit of saying stuff works, when it really doesn't work at all (or very well).

Oh and by the way, what software do you use? I see that the 828 doesn't come with software for Win, so I'd need a multitrack package.

(Edited by Polaris20 at 5:50 am on Mar. 24, 2002)

jeffrey · #7 03-24-2002, 09:28 AM

I use CuBase VST 5.0, although I've wanted to try Sonar just because I've heard good things about it.

But I've had no problems with CuBase, it does everything I need.

babahi · #8 03-24-2002, 12:58 PM

I have the exact same predicament right now... I'm holding off on getting an external audio interface for my laptop (USB or Firewire) because of the new USB 2.0 format. I figure we'll have USB 2.0 interfaces in about a year, lots more in two years. So I'm holding on and doing my recording through my Aardvark DirectPro on the desktop for now. I figure USB 2.0 will replace not only the current USB, but Firewire as well, since it outperforms both.

I looked long and hard at the ProTools M-Box but finally decided against it due to this new USB 2.0 issue. I agree with jeffrey, I don't see how USB 1.1 can push the MBs needed in full-on recording.

30yroldpig · #9 03-25-2002, 12:04 AM

What Jeffrey said. USB is not ready for audio. Find Firewire (MoTU) and look into the MONA. And definately go for PC, cause y'know.....*whispers veeerrrryyyy quietly-mac's suck...- Oppps did I just say that outloud :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin:

?

goldboy · #10 03-25-2002, 12:58 PM

Alright I couldn't resist....

Yes, a mac laptop would be a way to go but in light of how you'll be going PeeCee you can still work just fine.

In fact my laptop is a Dell (C600) and I run a PCMCIA Digigram VX Pocket soundcard (24 Bit resolution). *It runs phenomenally well (24 live shows and counting). *I have tried out a Firewire PCMCIA card and the MOTU Firewire unit and that didn't work out too well more due to PeeCee's unwillingness to configure properly (under Win2K). *However, supposedly, Win2K issues and MOTU have been eliminated. If you have a firewire interface BUILT IN even better (because of lowered latency and drop off caused by PCMCIA bottleneck for FireWire transfer).

I'd avoid recording via USB...it's very limiting and can handle stereo fine...but you lose a lot of capability in recording direct (especially with plug in fx).

IF you were so inclined you could strap yerself up with a G4 TiBook and the MOTU Firewire interface with a firewire HD and AudioDesk (which comes 'free' with the MOTU hardware) and you'd be sailing real fast, real far!!

BUt that is my humble opinion.

mikek · #11 03-25-2002, 01:10 PM

Hey hey,

first of all, the dell is a great choice, also for audio..very stable components which doesn't give problems.

However stay away from the motu 828, it doesn't work very well with pc firewire laptops - (I even think Motu wrote that it had problems with the dell specificly!), and the latency is not very low AFAIK. (but that might not matter to you). *I wouldn't recommend USB either, only for stereo recording. What I WILL recommend is a RME pcmcia soundcard, with the Multiface box (8in/out , midi..adat interface). it has way better converters than the motu, and can give u 3 ms stable on the laptop...

but that might be overkill for u'r needs, unless u want to upgrade later on...then u might aswell, start with the *best solution out there.

that's just my opinion.

michael

jeffrey · #12 03-25-2002, 03:36 PM

It doesn't work with PC laptops?

Tell that to my laptop.

I've been using it flawlessly since the product went retail exclusively on my laptop. I use it twice a week every week to record band practice. Six (6) inputs for 2 hours with zero problems. I also have no problems with latency. I'm not sure where you get your information, from the looks of it I'd say Harmony Central.

There is on thing that everyone should know about firewire: cards with the Texas Instruments chipsets do NOT work for audio recording.

You have to get a card with the Lucent chipset. I use the Matrox firewire PCMCIA card and PCI card for my desktop and have had zero problems with the MOTU 828 using CuBase VST 5.0.

I've done 10 tracks simultaneously with no problems at all.

People that say it doesn't work or can't get it to work are either a) really ignorant or b) too stupid to read the instructions which state their device doesn't work with TI chipset firewire cards. As far as I know, the brand of laptop makes no difference, it's all on the firewire card/chipset. For the record I have a Sony VAIO (don't remember the exact model # and it's at work atm). It's a PIII 1ghz, 256mb ram, 40gb HD. I also have an externa. SCSI HD for it and CDR.

It's not rocket science.

And yes, it works under W2K Pro (on my desktop) and Win XP Pro (on my laptop). Haven't tried any other OS's as of yet.

Kremlin · #13 03-25-2002, 04:12 PM

Nothing wrong with USB. If you're having troubles, you probably need the newest motherboard BIOS, and chipset drivers (especially if you have a VIA chipset).

USB 1.x is not fast enough for good quality audio, but if the device is USB 2.0 and your laptop has USB 2.0 (not many do yet) it should work great. USB 1.x tops out at 12 megabits per second, Firewire at 400 megabits per second, and USB 2.0 at 480 megabits per second. USB 2.0's design is a little more structured and eventually will squash firewire in the PC market, possibly even on Macs. Firewire was developed by Apple, but didn't have a very good set of standards developed. There's now Apple Firewire, Sony iLink 1394, and Creative Labs Firewire, and not all devices are interchangeable. Try using a firewire video camera that was developed for the Mac with the Creative Labs Audigy's onboard Firewire port. It'll be a real struggle to make it work, but it's probably possible. Firewire uses a Peer-to-Peer connection and requires each individual device to have its own controller chip, so they are more expensive than USB 2.0 which uses a Master-Slave configuration. USB 2.0 is also backwards compatible with older USB devices without having to slow down the whole root hub, and is easily daisychained. Don't get me wrong, Firewire is nice, but if you have the choice, take USB 2.0.

If you can get a USB 2.0 audio interface and a laptop that has USB 2.0 integrated (as in you don't need a PCMCIA card) that's by far the best solution.

Polaris20 · #14 03-25-2002, 06:04 PM

USB2.0 would be cool, but no laptops that I've seen have them yet, and I haven't seen any audio devices for the 2.0 spec yet either.

The thing that I don't like about the MOTU that I loved about the Aardvark is the obvious size issue. The Motu's not exactly huge at 1U, but it ain't the USB3 size either, which is kinda what I had my heart set on.

I guess I'm not quite ready for primetime, at least until they come out with a smaller 1394-based unit or a USB2.0 unit that is small.

jeffrey · #15 03-25-2002, 06:57 PM

I just have it in a 6U rackbag. It works out great. I stick whatever processors in I need and I have a Raxxess rack drawer that my laptop and all the cables I need fits in.

Works out pretty good.