Basic, But Necessary CPU Requirements for Recording

Now, Im trying to get up into audio engineering/recording and sampling. I only have a Tascam DP-01 w/FX as my main piece of equipment. I plan on getting a MPC1000 and a Roland VS-2400 in the future. First im heading towards the MPC1000. Then I want to get, maybe, a cheap desktop computer. I want it for obviously my gear, but I could use it for internet access and other things I need it for, which is why Im holding out on the Roland VS.


But anyways, my question is, what are the basic, but necessary requirements that a desktop or laptop should have if I want to maybe use it for recording in the future? Im talking about as far as Ram size, HDD size...etc.

Someone please respond. Thanks

welcome to the boards fam.

cpu - as fast as you can get but if budget comes into the picture, pile up the RAM to 2gb+ and you will be 'ok' as long as your CPU is 1-2ghz. Obviously you'll want the CPU to be as fast as possible but I started with a 1ghz cpu and did lots of stuff on that for years. Then, moved to a 1.25 and 2gb of RAM and I was still not able to push the system to the limits unless I stacked up a crapload of VSTi and effects.

If you reach the limit of your system, you can also bounce your tracks which basically means adding all the effects and stuff to one single track and then exporting it to a .wav file and loading that wav into the project. Now, you can turn off all the effects tied to the original. You'll lose the ability to edit the effects that are already on the sound tho, so you may want to backup your project file before doing this and maybe give it a name that includes the date so you know which proect meants what.

HDD: - If you plan to store your samples and your projects and random crap from online into the same drive, you're going to want to get 100gb or more. I run a 250gb drive to capacity all the time. but, when I started on that 1ghz machine i talked about, I was on a 30gb drive and it was a pain in the ass backing up things to CD every couple of days (didn't have a dvd burner at the time).

Ok, I gave you more than you asked for to an extent. But, hope that helps.

ez

Does it matter if a cpu is Pentium 3 or Pentium 4? I was told that you need a Pentium 4...do you know?

Here you go black. I wanted to share with you some of my resources as to what you need to know about the varying degrees of intel processors.I would'nt waste my time hunting down old technology, it's just not worth it. If there's a Micro Center near you, I'd suggest checking them out. Remember...the more, the better. And don't even consider a celeron, it's trash for audio purposes.

What about these laptops at American Musical?

Apple MacBook Laptop Computer with Intel Core 2 Duo
http://www.americanmusical.com/item--i- ... 61LLA.html


Rain Recording Livebook Sketch Laptop Computer
http://www.americanmusical.com/item--i- ... OKSK1.html




Like the first link I posted. At some point, later on, I don't think I would mind making those 5 monthly payments. For someone who doesn't know too much about specs on what is a must and is needed for recording, beat making....would this be a good buy?

Well, from my experiences, you'll get more from a desktop. But don't let me persuade you from what YOU want to get. My preference would be to build a rackmount intel quadcore with at least 4 gb of ddr2 1066 ram, an intel 975X chipset mobo w/ plenty of usb & firewire connections, a dvd r/w & blueray recorder, 2 hd's (one sata @ 250 gb for the os, one sata @ 10k rpm, preferably a 15k for audio & video files) and a real decent pci-x video card. This is just a glimps of what I would do to build a tight @ss DAW from the ground up. As complicated as it may seem, it's fairly easy to piece together a good DAW. The secret is...time and patience.

New information. Apparently I just qualified for a Dell Preferred Account. I have a $1500 credit limit. I dont even want to get close to that. I maybe want to get no higher than the $900 mark.


Any recommendations on Dell laptops or desktop PCs that would be great?


And Im actually leaning towards desktop if you recommend it. They are cheaper, but on the Dell website, I guess they really want everyone to get Vista cpus. Are those good for recording or should I try getting a Windows XP computer?


Sorry for the crazy questions.

XPS 410
Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor E6600 (4MB L2 Cache,2.4GHz,1066 FSB)
Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition with re-installation CD
250GB5 Serial ATA 3Gb/s Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™
2GB6 Dual Channel7 DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz - 2 DIMMs



This is something I was looking at. Its not exactly how much I want to spend. Its $1049, and my limit is $1500. I didn't exactly want to go that much, but they don't have that much options at the site. Its a desktop PC.


Theres a Windows XP laptop for much cheaper.

Inspiron 1501

Mobile AMD Sempron™ 3500+ (1.8GHz/512KB)
Genuine Windows® XP Home
FREE! 1GB2 DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz, 2 Dimm
Size: 60GB3 SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)

Starting at $499.




Im posting Windows XP desktop PCs because I was just told by someone that Windows Vista sucks. If anyone has experience with Windows Vista, maybe you can tell me if its great or not and if i should just go ahead and get that. (more options which means cheaper price.)

anyone respond...thanks

Your friend was right, there's not enough driver support to use vista at this time.

dabmeister wrote:There's not enough driver support to use vista at this time, thats why.

Thanks for that. Now i'll rule out all of those laptops and desktop PCs at dell.com that use Vista.


Now theres only one option for a laptop that has Windows XP and a couple of desktop PCs that have it also.

For that, Im leaning towards getting the laptop because its cheaper. In the future, i plan on getting a Roland VS-2400(even though everyones cpu based recording is the "now"), so I guess i dont necessarily need a desktop PC anyways.


Its the:

Inspiron 1501

Mobile AMD Sempron™ 3500+ (1.8GHz/512KB)
Genuine Windows® XP Home
FREE! 1GB2 DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz, 2 Dimm
Size: 60GB3 SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)


I know Im going to need to upgrade it because the hard drive is too small. But it appears that is what Im going to need to work with at the dell website with Windows XP. I only wish I knew exactly what is necessary that needs to be upgraded and what I can go by without upgrading, and what I should probably just add anyway.

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/ ... WHA5&s=dhs

Dude, open your mind! F**k dell, smell, or whatever you're seeking in a GD brand name computer! You're being RIPPED the f**k off by going that route. Can you see that? Unless you've got money to burn, why not let me build you a top notch DAW already pre-loaded with XP Pro and all the software needed to get cha going. (And it'll cost you half of what they're offering) All I'm trying to do is lead you to the well, if you get my driff. No harm done, no harm intended.

dabmeister wrote:Well, from my experiences, you'll get more from a desktop. But don't let me persuade you from what YOU want to get. My preference would be to build a rackmount intel quadcore with at least 4 gb of ddr2 1066 ram, an intel 975X chipset mobo w/ plenty of usb & firewire connections, a dvd r/w & blueray recorder, 2 hd's (one sata @ 250 gb for the os, one sata @ 10k rpm, preferably a 15k for audio & video files) and a real decent pci-x video card. This is just a glimps of what I would do to build a tight @ss DAW from the ground up. As complicated as it may seem, it's fairly easy to piece together a good DAW. The secret is...time and patience.

That'll about take care of it.......and run NASA and the Pentagon!

dabmeister wrote:Dude, open your mind! F**k dell, smell, or whatever you're seeking in a GD brand name computer! You're being RIPPED the f**k off by going that route. Can you see that? Unless you've got money to burn, why not let me build you a top notch DAW already pre-loaded with XP Pro and all the software needed to get cha going. (And it'll cost you half of what they're offering) All I'm trying to do is lead you to the well, if you get my driff. No harm done, no harm intended.

Okay, then maybe i'll just listen to you.

The problem is i dont have any money. With the dell, its a payment plan. I dont need any money to get it, atleast not now.


You got any other ideas for me?

All I really got going for me is the Dell plan because I dont have to have the money now. Any money that I save up is/needs to go to my car, because I need a car.....Unless you're willing to make me a cpu and I make a payment plan with you...

if your credit is good enough for a dell account, i'd reason that you could qualify for a regular credit card too, if you're planning to finance.

i use a macbook w/ cubase. but that rackmount setup dub is talkin about would run circles around it 5 times over.

Well, unfortunately, my credit is not good enough for a credit card. I don't have enough credit history. I was actually surprised that Dell.com approved me.


See, I own a Tascam DP-01/fx right now. I need a laptop anyway just for my rooms sake, for internet connection. Now, my plan(or maybe original plan) was to get a laptop, if not to help with recording, but to use it to connect with my tascam and my future MPC 1000. I didnt really plan on doing the whole computer based recording, because eventually, I was going to get a Roland Vs-2400. Thats in the future, and until then, I was just going to work with my tascam recorder, and my future mpc 1000.

You see what im saying? I figured Id maybe take some advice and get a better laptop just incase I do put some programs on it and I dont want to have regrets on the kind of laptop i get.

Now, I know that computer based recording is the popular way to go...but even if I wanted to do it, the only way Im really going to be able to get a laptop or desktop PC is through dell.com....because I dont need the money right now. Payments are easier for me.

So the credit card idea has to go out of the window. Any other ideas, because I know that you guys know your stuff, so thats why im listening to yall.