pc+win xp based home studio setup...suggestions?
 

I'm in the market for a decent/bang for the bucks machine to work with, nothing superspecial, just something that can handle multitrack stuff "extracted" from my digital hard disk recorder, some mixing, some fruity loops etc. etc.
I figured I'd be better off with a pc + decent sound card because I never used a mac and I think it's a bit harder to fetch a good one at good prices, while I can build a pc piece by piece taking stuff from different stores etc etc...I'm dead tired, hope it's all clear enough...

SO, if anyone has suggestions ( "ideal" setup + suggested software, freeware or not), I'll be grateful. In the meantime I'll keep on googlin' for infos and stuff.

1) keep it xp. avoid vista. im switching on the next round yo.

2) alternative, linux has some interesting offers

3) protools?

4) i like adobe audition, it's sufficient

5) ask terminal pharmacy. he'll tell you to go mac though.

6) redheads rule

oops

go cubase, protools, or try reaper.fm. with the xp setup make sure you turn all unecessary functions off, like all of the internet stuff for example and calenders etc... you will get far better performance. you can definately build a good pc for cheap. stick away from vista as alot of the companies haven't as yet upgraded there software to work on it properly. i would recommend a motu pci sound card for the pc, these have very good mic preamps, i think motu may even be doing digital performer for pc now, the mac version is my multi track software of choice.... however i would build the machine for what you may want to do in the future than what you want to do in the immediate time ...

so this redhead that walked by in front of my window distracted me

what was the story-- for xp consider perhaps AMD processors. i know AVID which makes protools is now supporting opterons, which they didn't use to. i just upgraded my AVID and it came in the brochure. you might wanna build a nice future-proof 64-bit workstation...

Thanks a lot guys, I need to go to sleep and I don't have time to comment your replies right now, but tomorrow I'll post some more/some component ideas, some more annoying questions ah ah :D!
(I had a feeling you 2 would be among the first ones posting here he he!)

Just use Cakewalk or Adobe Audition. Line in from your instrument or microphone into the back of the computer. You don't need a studio. Just good speakers. Maybe get Fruity Loops if you want to add layers of drums or keys or noises or something.

guys he's not planning to jack mics into the puter at all but move data from an HD recorder as he states.

if good monitor speakers are out of reach start w/ a pair of sony monitor headphones for about $100 -- i like the mdr 7506

as i recommended nicfit should build something for things he may want to do in the future rather than in the immediate time frame.

yes, but-- for system builders that's more of having a good upgrade path rather than getting it all today though. that's why i suggested the 64 bit platform. i've had the same "continuous" computer since 1999-- not a single original part remains except maybe a floppy cable.

im thinking a good used soundcard like an m audio should be sufficient to get him started? all he'll need to do at first is output to monitor speaker/headphones with sufficient fidelity after all. i'd put the $ on good monitors first.

reason i mention this is i know he's working on a shoestring & might not be able to do future purchases now-- all he'd need is to allow room for them later though-- a good motherboard should take care of that, and when he's got the money, insert in the appropriate slot.

if it is a hard disk recorder he doesn't need a sound card, the HD recroder should record everything in .wav format and be able to do a data dump via usb or firewire. and to that end noone needs an m-audio sound card i highly recommend against any m-audio products as they are in general flimsy and poor sounding. for cheap i would go edirol.

!@#$%! nothing against what you are saying though, just not m-audio, lol

^^ yeah i knew you'd provide a good alternative to fit his $$. thanks!

i must run now but i'll post more later.

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103212
$85

Motherboard:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813130119
$78

Harddrive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136149
$105

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820134488
$47

CD Drive:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827118002
$29

That'll get you pretty much started. Find a box and you're good.

But yeah. Go Mac.

Already done :D, I bought a pair of lovely Yamaha hs50 m that I guess I'll keep till death.


Yes, the HD recorder can transfer WAVs to pc via USB.
Actually I can record stuff, edit it, run it through the mixer, fiddle with the recorder and mixer eq/pan/effects -> monitors and "get the work done" even without a pc, for simple things.

The HD can record up to 4 tracks simultaneously (which is more than enough since I do things solo or as a duo with a guitarist)-> bounce them in a single stereo track (I keep backups of the original tracks ;) )->add another 4 tracks->bounce 4+5/6->7/8 and so on, but I'd like to have the pc to work better with the files ("seeing" them on a screen and working with decent software when/if needed), and since I plan to add some electronic stuff+midi keyboard and so on, I'd like a soundcard+software that can handle a bunch of stuff with no problems.

My main concern as of now (since I don't have enough money to buy all the components together) Is to get the "suggested system requirements" and choose every piece accordingly. Obviously, the faster the better, more ram is good etc etc, but what's actually needed?

A good amd X2 with 2gb ram and a fast, reliable HD would be ok to work with for a few years? In the meantime it's unlikely that I will hire a simphony orchestra, so the required stuff won't dramatically increase anytime soon (not sure about the 64bit thing...)...

Ah, another thing, those fancy condenser-usb mic do actually work well enough?

Now I'll check jakeonguitar's links (thanks for your input too), even if living in italy could make those prices change quite a bit :D.

Oh, atsonicpark, I already "worked" that way back in the days, I know what you mean, and I can assure you that's not the thing I'm going for this time.

ha ha! same stuff :D

buy a mac

use garage band

done

omfg no dont buy sony buy sennheiser.

Keep it simple muthafuckaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaz

awwwwwcomeonnnn!!
have a look at the place where boredoms work!!!
http://www.sanwavc.co.jp/site_recording/index.html

i heard something about some EU law that allows european companies to import computers from the US without paying taxes as a way to promote IT development, anyone knows anything about this?

otherwise, i would appreciate if some new mexico slut smuggled computer parts to europe.

sounds good to me. Dunno what would local customs do, actually... ha hah ha aa

omfg yo have no clue... school time :D

the mdr 7506 are good. sennheiser makes great products but they cost more. he's not buying headphones for his stereo, but monitors. what does that mean?

a monitor headphone gives you a flat response with minimum coloration. it's not about sounding "great" but sounding accurate. those sonys i mentioned are a great, great value, and you'll find a pair in every studio, radio station, etc. sure you can have others (i have 2 of these and a pair of AKGs) but these are great for the price very comfortable for long hours and easy to find and some places will have them for just a bit over $50.

I <3 my sennheisers.


nazi pig.

missing the point

. <------ see here

oh, I saw yr point, and I chose to blatantly ignore it, mein fuhrer.

ew, dont get all lovy dovy with me like that.

would you prefer Il Douche'?

[emoticon]

doh.

monitors. you hear.

stop fu*kin' around in my thread you immature aged men! :D

yeah, !@#$%!, quit fucking up nic's thread!

I'm sorry nic. I'm really sorry.

but you know !@#$%! just loves to hijack.

that rat bastard.

make sure your hard drive is 7200rpm at least. don't buy a usb microphone. start with an sm58, sm57, beta58, beta57, rodes NT1A (large diaphragm condenser), Rodes NT3 (condenser), or Sennheiser E855 (my live vocal mic of choice over an sm58, is basically Sennheiser's equivalent of an sm 58 but sounds a lot warmer.) Soundcard on a budget I would recommend Edirol UA25, UA101, FA66 or FA101. If you want to spend a bit more money then MOTU Ultralite or traveller, Presonus Firepod, RME Fireface, or any metric halo card. monitors i would suggest yamaha hsm50s or hsm 80s, these are both cheaper than most of the other brands but have a flatter frequency response. headphone if you want the cheap ones that are flattish go with the sonys that !@#$% recommended, otherwise if you want to spend some good money on headphones then i suggest sennheiser hd25mkII or hd280 pro or beyer dynamic dt770 in 80ohm rather than the 250ohm model although the 80ohm would be fine for what you want, i only you the 80ohm model for front of house mixing.

garage band is more processor intensive than anything i have ever used not to mention it is highly limited in its capabilities. i can get 56 channels with around 20 plugins on digital performer compared to about 15 channels in garage band before my laptop starts to choke. garage band is for corporations and tv programmes who don't want to pay musicians to write music. it is a bad prog and should be slaughtered in the street for everyone to see.

I already have the hs 50 m :) !
Today I checked a bunch of reviews/sites/shops and the motu ultralite looks like a great device that could serve me well for a loooong time...costs a bit more than I hoped to spend :D , but looks like it would be well worth saving and then buying it.. I'll check those edirol models soon, and see how I like them.. also that presonus firepod....
As of now I don't really need vocal mics (I play instrumental stuff), and I don't even need mics for drums since we'll use electronic beats...a good one for acoustic guitar should do, along with the couple sm57 I already ordered. Obviously your suggestions will be kept for the future, in any case, much appreciated.
RME and Metric Halo stuff is waaaaay over my budget...
How bad are the """"classic""""" AKG K 141?

the K141's aren't too bad i have a colleague who uses them, i find them uncomfortable to wear though as i wear glasses and they don't seem to work with those particular headphones

the rode nt1a will give you a great sound on accoustic guitar.

also the ultralite is much much better than the edirol cards, i was trying to fit into a smallish buget though. with the ultralite you get audiodesk which is a scaled down version of digital performer so you get a multitracker with it.

I sounded like I own a pair of sennheiser and so do all the audio techs I know.

you sound like you work for sony.

omfg shcool doesnt start for another month yo.

and sony are a multi technology company you pay extra dollars for the 'branding'

sennheiser make audio equipment. thats what they do. its expensive because its good.

i have no idea I dont personally make audio. it was more that setting up a pc and making it actually work these days is fucking labour intensive and boring.

BUT I DO USE HEADPHONES HOWEVER

hahaha.

. im going to edit myself.