Guitar Gear Forum

Markdude wrote:Also make sure you're running the 64-bit version of your DAW. 32-bit can only utilize 4 GB of RAM, so even if you buy an insanely tricked out machine with like 32 GB of RAM, you'd only be making use of 4 GB of it if you're running the 32-bit version of your DAW.

and with reaper, even THAT's not necessary. reaper will bridge your 64 bit vst's into a separate running program from your DAW, and thusly, no penalty to the 4 gig minimum. i do it all the time, and run 32 bit reaper. it's really fairly magnificent. never a bog down ever.

newholland wrote:really-- if you get a chance to set up a recording system on 7? i will never migrate out to something modern yet.. it's just too daggone stable, and has been a dream compared to xp. it's still microsoft.. but if you don't gum it all up with other junk.. effortless.

I think that's the secret to most computer issues. Avoid installing everything you see and it'll probably be fine.

My father in law brought me his computer because it was running slow. It found 1800+ infected files with malware and there were so many completely useless utilities and programs running on bootup it didn't have any memory left by the time it was done coming up.

I use a 2010 iMac 27" with 8gb RAM and Logic Pro X. It is the balls.

If anything, you guys have made this decision more difficult.

Honestly, Logic was about 50% of the reason I wanted to go Mac. The other fifty is split between my hatred of Windows at the time, and my graphics work.

Here are some of the options...

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/asus-deskto ... Id=2009012
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/asus-deskto ... Id=8447995
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/dell-xps-de ... Id=9792136
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/asus-deskto ... Id=3793186
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/hp-envy-pho ... Id=2789016
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/apple-21-5- ... Id=5851991

With this as a potential front-runner based on price:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/asus-essent ... Id=5818029

Under $1k, 2 TB 7200 RPM drive, 12 GB Ram, i7 Quad Core 3.2 GHz...

Theoretically should be able to handle everything I throw at it...

nightflameauto wrote:Honestly, Logic was about 50% of the reason I wanted to go Mac. The other fifty is split between my hatred of Windows at the time, and my graphics work.

Ah, see I have no desire to switch DAWs right now. Reaper does everything I need and then some...and quite honestly...I'm too lazy to learn a new one.

Another option is to build my own...but I've never been there before, and am not sure I feel like taking on that kind of project.

Ok, that iMAC is out. $1,300 and it has a 5400 RPM HDD? Really?

I really wish Linux supported more audio interfaces as it has been the fastest OS I have used... I have been looking at a desktop PC for recording and I am half tempted to just build one piece by piece. 64-bit 16gb i7 should suffice. I would want 2c hard drives one to run the OS and the other to record to. Preferably a SSD, but at least a 7200 RPM version if I didn't go for the SSD.

Have you considered building one? I also looked on eBay and Amazon and they seem to have decent builds for prices under the Apple stuff.

Cole

colejustesen wrote:I really wish Linux supported more audio interfaces as it has been the fastest OS I have used... I have been looking at a desktop PC for recording and I am half tempted to just build one piece by piece. 64-bit 16gb i7 should suffice. I would want 2c hard drives one to run the OS and the other to record to. Preferably a SSD, but at least a 7200 RPM version if I didn't go for the SSD.

Have you considered building one? I also looked on eBay and Amazon and they seem to have decent builds for prices under the Apple stuff.

Cole

I have, I'm just not sure where to start. I'm sure I could put it together. (I have a hands on technical background and an engineering degree...it would be kind of sad if I couldn't)

I'm thinking the same specs as you...64-bit, 16 GB Ram, i7 Quad Core. I'm just not educated enough on the topic to pick out my own crap...

Gearslutz could probably help you pick the parts: https://www.gearslutz.com/board/music-computers/

Yeah, Gearslutz could definitely help. I looked at benchmark tests for different CPUs to help identify the best CPU for my budget. I think you could get one Hell of a system by building. Also, Fastredponycar seems to have a good knowledge in computer hardware; maybe shoot him a PM.

Cole

Well, I'm bitter because os8 totaly fucked up my iPad, so I'm never going to give those cunts another penny, and I would discourage anyone else to not buy any of their products, but then, I'm bitter!















Did I mention Apple are cunts?

i'm tellin ya. gearslutz is kinda unnecessary, and the entire exersize of figuring out 'the best' is totally unnecessary for most people unless you're running a SHITTON of stuff while tracking. if you're tracking a 4 piece band for like 16 track recordings? you don't need the bestest fastest. for real. just don't put excess junk on your hard drive, have a usb3 removable drive for all your masters (DO NOT RECORD ON YOUR SYSTEM DRIVE), chock a fast processor with a ton of ram, and let 'er rip. just remove every scrap of junkware, keep the thing isolated from the internet most times, optimize your system by shutting off all unnecessary stuff, and you can do everything you need to do. it's seriously more about opimization than INSANE SPEEDZorZ OMG 1!!11! at least at the level of not doing it for a living.

it's awesome to HAVE the best stuff, but i'll tell ya, it's not at all necessary. reaper is efficient, and i've not HAD to 'make do' with 8 gigs of ram-- i do whatever i need to do, and don't bog down. no lies.

i mean if you WANT the bestest fastest, by all means... but you just don't NEED it. i put this machine together for $700 from dell in 2011, and it's been hiccup free and as resilient as i can imagine.

newholland wrote:i'm tellin ya. gearslutz is kinda unnecessary, and the entire exersize of figuring out 'the best' is totally unnecessary for most people unless you're running a SHITTON of stuff while tracking. if you're tracking a 4 piece band for like 16 track recordings? you don't need the bestest fastest. for real. just don't put excess junk on your hard drive, have a usb3 removable drive for all your masters (DO NOT RECORD ON YOUR SYSTEM DRIVE), chock a fast processor with a ton of ram, and let 'er rip. just remove every scrap of junkware, keep the thing isolated from the internet most times, optimize your system by shutting off all unnecessary stuff, and you can do everything you need to do. it's seriously more about opimization than INSANE SPEEDZorZ OMG 1!!11! at least at the level of not doing it for a living.

it's awesome to HAVE the best stuff, but i'll tell ya, it's not at all necessary. reaper is efficient, and i've not HAD to 'make do' with 8 gigs of ram-- i do whatever i need to do, and don't bog down. no lies.

i mean if you WANT the bestest fastest, by all means... but you just don't NEED it. i put this machine together for $700 from dell in 2011, and it's been hiccup free and as resilient as i can imagine.

Yeah I know I don't need best of the best...but I also don't want it to be limited...and don't want it to be obsolete in 2-3 years (Maybe asking too much ).

Pricing it out, it looks like I can get everything I need for a build for just a hair over $1k...and that's with 16GB ram, a dual drive (7200 RPM and SSD), a solid MoBo, and a hexacore i7. That should be good enough to throw anything at.

Sex Panther wrote:

newholland wrote:i'm tellin ya. gearslutz is kinda unnecessary, and the entire exersize of figuring out 'the best' is totally unnecessary for most people unless you're running a SHITTON of stuff while tracking. if you're tracking a 4 piece band for like 16 track recordings? you don't need the bestest fastest. for real. just don't put excess junk on your hard drive, have a usb3 removable drive for all your masters (DO NOT RECORD ON YOUR SYSTEM DRIVE), chock a fast processor with a ton of ram, and let 'er rip. just remove every scrap of junkware, keep the thing isolated from the internet most times, optimize your system by shutting off all unnecessary stuff, and you can do everything you need to do. it's seriously more about opimization than INSANE SPEEDZorZ OMG 1!!11! at least at the level of not doing it for a living.

it's awesome to HAVE the best stuff, but i'll tell ya, it's not at all necessary. reaper is efficient, and i've not HAD to 'make do' with 8 gigs of ram-- i do whatever i need to do, and don't bog down. no lies.

i mean if you WANT the bestest fastest, by all means... but you just don't NEED it. i put this machine together for $700 from dell in 2011, and it's been hiccup free and as resilient as i can imagine.

Yeah I know I don't need best of the best...but I also don't want it to be limited...and don't want it to be obsolete in 2-3 years (Maybe asking too much ).

Pricing it out, it looks like I can get everything I need for a build for just a hair over $1k...and that's with 16GB ram, a dual drive (7200 RPM and SSD), a solid MoBo, and a hexacore i7. That should be good enough to throw anything at.

i think you've got it right then. that was my thinking when i built my current record-o machine. long as you use it exclusively for music and leave it unmolested, it oughta serve you well. only reason i say- is 'cause there's a lot of blab about building the BEST THING EVAR... and shit, most guys could get along with about anything standard issue. studios making a living on that machine? that's different-- but normal joes-- even project studio normal joes like me and probably like yourself-- man-- the abilities of most machines is unreal given enough front side bus and ram. a 6 core? holy moses... yeah.. future proof for a LONG time. i doubt youd even come close to what it could do under most circumstances.. but headroom isn't a bad thing

i can scarcely believe what my wifes i3 laptop can do without flinching. and it all sure beats the pants off an ADAT machine

newholland wrote:i think you've got it right then. that was my thinking when i built my current record-o machine. long as you use it exclusively for music and leave it unmolested, it oughta serve you well. only reason i say- is 'cause there's a lot of blab about building the BEST THING EVAR... and shit, most guys could get along with about anything standard issue. studios making a living on that machine? that's different-- but normal joes-- even project studio normal joes like me and probably like yourself-- man-- the abilities of most machines is unreal given enough front side bus and ram. a 6 core? holy moses... yeah.. future proof for a LONG time. i doubt youd even come close to what it could do under most circumstances.. but headroom isn't a bad thing

i can scarcely believe what my wifes i3 laptop can do without flinching. and it all sure beats the pants off an ADAT machine

Right, the wife is looking for a new laptop...and I'm thinking a cheap i3 machine is plenty for her.

Next step is figuring out which audio interface to use...I know that can be even more important than the PC itself.

Sex Panther wrote:

newholland wrote:i think you've got it right then. that was my thinking when i built my current record-o machine. long as you use it exclusively for music and leave it unmolested, it oughta serve you well. only reason i say- is 'cause there's a lot of blab about building the BEST THING EVAR... and shit, most guys could get along with about anything standard issue. studios making a living on that machine? that's different-- but normal joes-- even project studio normal joes like me and probably like yourself-- man-- the abilities of most machines is unreal given enough front side bus and ram. a 6 core? holy moses... yeah.. future proof for a LONG time. i doubt youd even come close to what it could do under most circumstances.. but headroom isn't a bad thing

i can scarcely believe what my wifes i3 laptop can do without flinching. and it all sure beats the pants off an ADAT machine

Right, the wife is looking for a new laptop...and I'm thinking a cheap i3 machine is plenty for her.

Next step is figuring out which audio interface to use...I know that can be even more important than the PC itself.

any leads yet? how many channels you need, and are you thinking of expanding it?

newholland wrote:any leads yet? how many channels you need, and are you thinking of expanding it?

I'm still not 100% sure. I most likely could get away with 8 inputs in all reality...but do I want to limit myself to that?

As of right now, I'm just using it for my band...so we have 4 vocals, bass, 2 guitars, and the drums are just midi/USB. So 7 channels is fine. And if I wanted to record acoustic drums down there, I probably wouldn't use more than 8 mics anyway.

Right now something like this might work: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/FireStuProj

I've even thought about the 16.0.2 and using it live as well. Since 16 inputs would cover anything I'd ever need. I just hate the iPad only options...

i know some guys have okay luck with presonus, but every time i touch those things the drivers are, in the vernacular of HCAF, TEH SUCK.

any chance of spending $100 extry and going focusrite? solid drivers, good functionality, no firewire card, and expandable via lightpipe.

newholland wrote:i know some guys have okay luck with presonus, but every time i touch those things the drivers are, in the vernacular of HCAF, TEH SUCK.

any chance of spending $100 extry and going focusrite? solid drivers, good functionality, no firewire card, and expandable via lightpipe.

Cost isn't a HUGE deterrent as long as it isn't ridiculous.

I'd prefer USB actually, since it's less foreign to me. And the $100 would be negated since I wouldn't have to buy a firewire card. Just not sure I'd get the same latency/performance, but I don't have enough experience to say for sure.

You thinking something along the lines of:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Scarlett18i20

I was looking at that too, and I could eventually add: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/OctoPre2

To give me 16 mic pres.

Sex Panther wrote:

newholland wrote:i know some guys have okay luck with presonus, but every time i touch those things the drivers are, in the vernacular of HCAF, TEH SUCK.

any chance of spending $100 extry and going focusrite? solid drivers, good functionality, no firewire card, and expandable via lightpipe.

Cost isn't a HUGE deterrent as long as it isn't ridiculous.

I'd prefer USB actually, since it's less foreign to me. And the $100 would be negated since I wouldn't have to buy a firewire card. Just not sure I'd get the same latency/performance, but I don't have enough experience to say for sure.

You thinking something along the lines of:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Scarlett18i20

I was looking at that too, and I could eventually add: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/OctoPre2

To give me 16 mic pres.

that's EXACTLY what i was thinkin'

you could also go with the behringer ada 8200 if you can't pull the octopre. http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ ... 7AodXngAQQ

i know focusrite customer service also rocks, and the drivers are absolutely stable. i don't think your latency would be an issue either way, tbh.

newholland wrote:that's EXACTLY what i was thinkin'

you could also go with the behringer ada 8200 if you can't pull the octopre. http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ ... 7AodXngAQQ

i know focusrite customer service also rocks, and the drivers are absolutely stable. i don't think your latency would be an issue either way, tbh.

That might be the route to take. I haven't heard anything bad about Focusrite, and $500 isn't all that much for an interface. If I can build my PC for around $1k, I can get the interface with the rest of my PC budget. Win/Win.

The 18i20 would be a great option, it would give you that flexibility to be able to mic plenty of sources on its own with the addition of the ADAT it is even more expanded... My MR816csx allows me to use either an ADAT extension or to connect other MR816 units via its second FireWire port. I was bitching about FireWire at first, but now that I have my laptop optimized there are no hiccups! I really like the FireWire, but had no issues with the USB based interfaces. Another option for ADAT down the road for you is the ART TubeOpto 8, but that Focusrite Octopre Dynamic looks pretty nice too!

I wouldn't be afraid of FireWire; just make sure you get a Texas Instruments based card and depending on your OS (in my case Windows 8.1) I had to install the legacy FireWire driver, but it was worth the hassle! Super low buffer rates and latency on my setup now!

Cole

colejustesen wrote:The 18i20 would be a great option, it would give you that flexibility to be able to mic plenty of sources on its own with the addition of the ADAT it is even more expanded... My MR816csx allows me to use either an ADAT extension or to connect other MR816 units via its second FireWire port. I was bitching about FireWire at first, but now that I have my laptop optimized there are no hiccups! I really like the FireWire, but had no issues with the USB based interfaces. Another option for ADAT down the road for you is the ART TubeOpto 8, but that Focusrite Octopre Dynamic looks pretty nice too!

I wouldn't be afraid of FireWire; just make sure you get a Texas Instruments based card and depending on your OS (in my case Windows 8.1) I had to install the legacy FireWire driver, but it was worth the hassle! Super low buffer rates and latency on my setup now!

Cole

oh definitely-- no flies on firewire-- it's just a small additional expense, if anything. hell, i run firewire, and it's fantastic-- i just don't think it's necessarily an advantage for latency, and it is just one more thing, when most computers nowadays are usb2 by default and a lotta them come with usb3 onboard (!).