ok so if someone were planning on buying me a laptop what kind do i want to get that I can do all my schoolwork on but that would mainly be ideal for recording and the like?

well, if you're going to use it for recording, you need something with a good deal of horsepower, or even an iBook or PowerBook (because Logic rules for recording)

if you're like me though and more comfortable on a PC, look into anything with a Pentium 4 (or better) or even some of the new AMD 64's. you'll also want to look into an audio card that can handle multitrack recording (you can get 'em at guitar center, but they're pricey)

as far as brands, I'm not sure, I've got a Dell that's about 3 years old and it's holding up nicely (even after it took the trip down the stairs in the bag but not on my shoulder).

My advice would be to get something with lots of processing balls and memory (obviously), but as far as the sound card goes, you might be better off just getting an external one with plenty of inputs/outputs, something you can leave plugged into your gear and just disconnect from the laptop when you want to take it somewhere. You probably want to make sure it has a firewire jack (the laptop).

something beer proof.

I'm running on some new AMD 64's now. pretty nice.

werd. thanks guys.

KeithMutiny said:

the day they have a beer proof laptop will be the best day ever

a mac powerbook would be ideal; you can upgrade the shit out of it if you end up needing more memory, ram, whatever. plus if by some reason the laptop gets knocked around harshly or falls by accident, the computer will lock itself up so even if you're playing a cd at the time, nothing will be harmed. quite clever. plus built in wireless, so you can get free wireless internet wherever there's a hub.

Christraper said:

Doesn't exist. While some notebooks can be geared up to handle SOME recording functions, none are optimal. If recording is your main concern, buy a desktop PC. It'll be cheaper, and 100 times more functional.

That said, if you're insisting on recording onto a notebook, peruse a few recording software websites like cakewalk, digidesign, etc... and ask people who use laptops what they're using.

Personally, I use a desktop PC for recording, and as a remote control run a notebook with bluetooth wireless, using it to run remote desktop on the main PC. Best part about this setup? My main rig will always be upgradeable and I only need a cheap shitty under $300 used laptop, since none of the actual processing is being done on it. Perfect for recording your own drum sessions! I just throw the laptop onto an extra snare stand and I'm all set.

I would say you are wrong arrowhead. cause you can get USB2.0 and pcmcia cards that are awesome for recording. I have a lyla echo 24 which has 24 inputs and outputs. all 1/4" and the card/box can sample at 32bit 96khz better than DAT.

and DIE, you are wrong. P4's blow in laptops. for laptops a 1.6ghz centrino is faster, drastically faster than a 2GHz P4. trust me I have bought. centrinos have lower power consumption AND the memory mapping and bus speed to the HD is 2x as fast.
there is even a never chip from the centrino that rules harder.

if you want to record things, its the harddrive speed that you need. I would suggest a 1.7GHz centrino with 1gb ram an external firewire drive and a multi-track pcmcia interface card.

the_reverend said:

Yep. But you don't have removable storage. I can pop out and exchange hard drives at the click of a couple buttons on my case. Music files are enourmous, you might be able to get a dvd burner, but even at 4 gig a whack that's shit. I can fill a 80 gig hard drive in about a month, if I'm recording a lot.

Also, with laptops you're extremely limited as far as what you can connect. For example, your soundcard can also be picked up as a pci for a desktop. There's just LESS room for expansion.

Also, with a laptop additional storage becomes neccesary, and expensive. Even a 120gig HD fills up pretty quick. My DFH2 samples alone take up 8gig. The Drumkit From Hell Superior samples take up 35GIG! My audio app folder right now rings in at about 80gig.


By the way, those layla's are crap. If you're going to be getting something new, I'd really reccomend the firepod, or the aardvark q-10. Both in the $500-700 range.

I just like saying you are wrong. I didn't even read you post til after I typed that.

layla are really good for inputs in my studio. but I'm not doing too much with it.

and storage is cheeeeaaaaaapppppp.
300GB hd is about $100 and an external case is $19.99. that is mega cheap. 500GB drives are locatible for around $200 too.

Smaller swappable drives are more sensible.

That way, you buy a 40g drive for every client. Put the whole session on there, and give them the whole drive or keep it inhouse for future reference.

However, you can get a usb harddrive pretty cheap. But now, we're getting past the point of a laptop, aren't we? Just get a nice little shuttle box and throw your bits in there. You can build a FAR more powerful box and still end up carrying around the same amount of crap.

the_reverend said:

But unfortunately for you, I just like never giving you the opportunity.

if you are lucky, your "clients" leave $30 on the nightstand after they toss "40GB" in you salad.

the_reverend said:


Cute, but I'd charge $50 for the HD. You might think that's expensive, but how much do you think I'd charge for my time to mix down all the tracks and burn everything to disk instead so you can mix it on a different system.

the_reverend said:

hence why I said P4 or better, I never knocked the centrinos, I couldn't remember the processor name when I posted earlier lol.

actually, for the most part, my P3 1.3 with Speed Step outperforms a P4 in a laptop

and for recording, I'd recommend at least 1GB of ram, if not more

Ok just so you guys know, I dont know shit about computers so I have no idea what any of you are talking about. I dont know what the difference is between a laptop or a powerbook or any of that crap. I just need something I can record quite a bit with, do schoolwork, and take with me if I absolutely have to.
With that said, speak to me as though I have down syndrome.

"Are you understanding the words that are coming out of my mouth?"

Alright, in simple terms:

You've got two basic choices - recording or portability. With a laptop, you'll always have more portability, but you'll be limited in your recording ability.

With a home PC, you'll have way less portability, but because of the ability to upgrade and specifically select components it's much better for recording.

If you're looking to record, there's certain things you will need.
1)A soundcard that will bring the recorded signal into the computer. The break out boxes like Rev was talking about is great. Usually, a pci card goes into your computer, and on the other end is a patch-bay setup with anywhere from 4-20 1/4 or mic inputs. Quality of the pre-amps, bitrate, etc.. all affect the overall quality of your recordings.

2) Memory. Loading and manipulating audio files requires buffering large chunks of information. Usually you'll need 1-3 gig of ram to be able to effectively record without stutter or seizing your audio engine.

3) Storage. I foget the exact number, but I believe a 1 minute clip of stereo music is something like 10 mb. An albums worth of material can EASILY fill an entire 40-80 gig harddrive. Since most laptops only have room for the one drive, you're limited to external (and expensive) means of storage. With a desktop PC, you'll be able to swap drives. My own system is set up with 3 swappable drives I can change anytime, even while the computer is running!

4) Processor power. The processor does all the work in a computer. The better the processor, the quicker your computer will load files, perform edits, add effects, etc....


There's a lot more, but I'm trying hard to be as simple as possible for you. The biggest advantage to the PC is that if you start learning as you go, and you realize that something in your computer isn't up to par (memory, storage, processor, etc...) you can go replace JUST THAT PART and upgrade cheaply as you go. With a laptop, it's just not so simple and easy to pop it open and replace something.

The other factor is obviously price. A laptop will easily cost you twice as much as a desktop unit for the same exact setup. I built my box at my studio for about $400. That's a 2.7 gig processor, 1 gig of ddr memory, 2 80 gig harddrives, 52X cd-burner, motherboard, box, and power supply. To get the equivalent in a laptop, you'll easily spend $1500 +. The lower end laptops (like the $600 ones they're selling at Wal-Mart) again just won't cut the mustard for recording.

www.alienware.com

my thoughts exactly..
$4K for lappy bliss

alienware?

You're crazy.

Shuttle barebones in a rackmountable server case. You can mount your whole studio in an 8 space SKB case, breakout box and all.