Please help newb with DAW build
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Posted on Jun 11, 2007 04:26 pm
megacam
Megacam
Member Since: Jun 11, 2007
Hi all. I am newbified when it comes to DAW systems. I would really like to convert my old Dell 1.5 GHZ. P4 with 400 FSB, 512 gig. RAM,80 gig. HDD for WIN. XP Pro. I will be doing mainly live recording of instruments and vocals, and then mixing them together. Will this system work ok as a dedicated DAW? I could upgrade the CPU to a 2.0 GHZ. P4 but that is it for this MotherBoard. I will also have a 128 MB video card and a seperate HDD for music recordings. Please Help as all my research has found only "newer" DAW builds.
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Jun 11, 2007 05:31 pm Hi megacam, welcome to HRC.
I would sooner spend money on getting another 512 of RAM before the CPU upgrade. With that you should be able to do some decent recording, I have with what you have now, more RAM just makes things a bit easier.
Jun 11, 2007 10:57 pm I agree, you just need more ram.
What do you plan on using for an interface, I would suggest acid pro 6 if you want simple and effective recording with an easy learning curve.
Im learning Sonar 6 PE right now so I dont really have an opinion on it yet..
Good luck bro.
LokiCone PokerMember
Since: Apr 07, 2002
Jun 12, 2007 02:13 am yeah that system would be fine, it's about what I use, more ram is the next logical step, a s well as looking at the DAWs out there to decide which software is right for you.
for what it's worth i'm a cubase fan.
megacamMegacamMember
Since: Jun 11, 2007
Jun 12, 2007 12:30 pm Awesome! Thanks Guys! Hmm, well now I'm stuck trying to decide on the sound card/interface, the recording software, and an MIDI/Mixer (not sure if I need one), and a good general mic. Just for some background...I plan on recording all live stuff, mostly seperatly, and then mixing it all together. I'm just starting out with recording so I'd like to start as cheap as possible, but I also want some decent features and a good quality end product. I play drums, percussion, trumpet, and sing. I'll prolly have friends come over and record the guitar and bass, but, I will also be recording entire Jam sessions with a full band. Any and All suggestions are welcome!
Jun 12, 2007 02:10 pm You will find most interfaces come bundled with a lite version of some DAW software, might be worth playing with whatever comes with it, seeing if you like it.
Jun 13, 2007 12:36 pm If you want a great sounding audio interface that comes easy to use and with awesome presets for guitar, bass and vocals, go with the line6 toneport ux2.
Ask anyone here that has one they will highly recommend it.
It's got ASIO (audio streaming input output), amp models out the wazzooo, and its sexy!
Jun 13, 2007 12:51 pm i had no idea that's what ASIO meant...
ya learn somethin' new every day
megacamMegacamMember
Since: Jun 11, 2007
Jun 13, 2007 12:55 pm hmm, i'll be doing most of my recording through mics. Just a very small amount will actually be guitars(or other source) going directly into the audio device. So, would that still be good? I'd like to be able to record multiple mics at once, as well as multiple mics and guitars or other sources at once. I hope I'm not looking at a butt ton of money here as I'm just starting to record. There are so many options out there! Thanks in advance for any help.
Jun 13, 2007 01:29 pm Well, now that changes things a bit...if you want to record multiples at once, then you need an interface that has an input for each individual mic you want to be recorded on it's own track. If you want to record more than 4 at once, the cost grows rapidly.
That said, up the RAM and a decent interface and that PC should still work decent for ya.
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Jun 13, 2007 01:33 pm The UX2 is 2 channel, so you can get two individual signals into your PC and keep them separate.
To do more, you'll need a bigger hammer, er , audio interface, with more channels.
Each mic, direct in, etc will take up an input.
Quote:
Just for some background...I plan on recording all live stuff, mostly seperatly, and then mixing it all together
Looking back at that, you'll probably want at least 8, with preamps. The firewire mixer/boards would fit this need, as would the firepod.
I'm using a analog mixer (mg16/4) with an ESP1010 (8 analog ins, PCI) into my tower desktop.
For my laptop, I'm using a tascam 122 (2 channels)
Jun 13, 2007 01:43 pm Alesis 26i/o
i love the little, cheap thing
megacamMegacamMember
Since: Jun 11, 2007
Jun 14, 2007 10:18 am Ok, so I'm starting to figure this out. Now with mics and guitars I need analog inputs, right? So would I need digital inputs? What are the digital inputs primarily used for? Also, is a USB connection a no-no? Are PCI cards just as good as other devices (they seem to be less money). Sorry for all the questions but I'd like to get real users input. I'd like to have at least 4 inputs for now, and then I could add another device to that to add more lines in the future right? I hate to be a newb but the local music stores usually push the products that they sell.
Jun 14, 2007 10:26 am Digital connection are used for digital devices...some devices have digital outputs like the POD and such...
USB is fine, PCI is fine, PCI is cheaper because it's an internal device, and it's a mature technology. It is my personal preference. USB and Firewire are workable external device options.
With mics you'll need a preamp, either as part of your interface or in front of it in a mixer or standalone preamp.
megacamMegacamMember
Since: Jun 11, 2007
Jun 18, 2007 10:41 am Great thanks! I'm thinking of going with the Lexicon Omega. Looks like it'll have most everything I'll need and it comes with cubase! I found it on sale for under $200!
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Jun 18, 2007 10:46 am I hate to throw a wrinkle in your good ideas, but if you're going to possibly be adding devices in the future, make sure the Omega can stack, like have 2 omegas running and sync'ed together without problem.
The maudio devices can all play together in the same pc (pci devices). Like having a delta 44, and add a delta 66, or delta 1010lt later. They'll all show up in the delta control panel.
It'd be worth researching to make sure the omega can do something like this.
Jun 18, 2007 11:01 am From the FAQ:
Q: Is it possible to use more than one Omega on my computer at the same time?
A: The answer to this depends on what software you are using. On a Windows based machine, there are two different driver modes available for the Omega, standard WDM mode and ASIO mode. If you are using software that is compatible with the standard windows WDM driver mode you should be able to use more than one Omega (granted the software supports multiple devices and or simultaneous inputs). With ASIO mode and software that requires ASIO mode drivers, it is not possible to use more than one Omega at a time. The ASIO mode will only allow for one device to be addressed at a time. On the MAC, this limitation can be avoided by using the utility program available in OS X called Audio/MIDI setup. If you have more than one device (such as more than one Omega) you should be able to combine them in the Audio/MIDI setup as one "aggregate" device so that the software recognizes all the inputs and outputs as one device rather than separate ones.
megacamMegacamMember
Since: Jun 11, 2007
Jun 25, 2007 04:47 pm so is it possible to say, use an omega and a delta card at the same time? anyone done this?
JoshidoSound NinjaMember
Since: May 29, 2007
Jul 05, 2007 01:14 am I know you can always add and add to your setup, but some things that you should look into purchasing once you choose your DAW and mixer is investing into monitors or some decent headphones. Anything that emphizes on range of tone, no need for super thumping bass. Also a good investment (and that can be cheap)Is investing in a SLAVE drive. Preferably an external USB 2.0/firewire interface. You shouldnt need too much memory to start 120+ Gigs is a lot of space and are pretty cheap. This will help protect your data nad keep your projects safe if something happens to your PC. And never forget (especially when you are adding a bunch of drivers and software) ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN WITH WINDOWS!! lol. Be safe and invest in an additonal Hard drive to store your projects. As for your omega and delta card question not too sure im no pro, I use a Multimix 8 input mixer and it handels everything and is recognized by Cubase and is easy to use. that ran me $300 and it was all I needed to start recording. It also contains Cubase LE for free. Have fun!
megacamMegacamMember
Since: Jun 11, 2007
Jul 10, 2007 09:20 am great thanks! I already have a 250 Gig. external usb drive. I was gonna use that as a backup drive. I thought I had my mind made up on the Omega...but I'm still overwhelmed by all the choices out there. I'd like to buy something that I could add onto in the future, and will last for many years to come. All ideas are still welcome! Does anyone have any recordings from their preferred devices that I could listen to?
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Jul 10, 2007 10:17 am You can use different type cards with WDM drivers, which are pretty decent, most of the time. Some have problems running their systems with WDM drivers, some have problems using ASIO drivers.
The catch, is that asio usually is lower latency, but you can only use 1 device at a time. Maudio gets around this by writing their driver to use multiple devices as one asio device. A little bit of slight-of-hand, but it works well. Also, you can only use one asio-dependent software at one time.
Fer instance, on my rig, I'm using Reaper, which is using asio for it's low latency. For me to open FL studio (as a separate app), I have to have FL studio use WDM drivers, because FL studio can't use the ASIO interface when something else is already using it (reaper).
But back to your question, you can have different devices running at the same time (using WDM drivers), but, you may run into clock issues. The recording clock for one device may be slightly faster or slower than another device. They also may be very, very close, so it may work just grand. It's worth a try, but I'd try to get things that will stack inherently, or a device with lots of options right away. I'd hate to see someone buy a 1010 to add to their system, but then find out it isn't very happy playing together.
An example of this, is the motu stuff. They can input 8 analog signals at one time, but also, they can input 8 channels lightpipe. So in the future, you can add a 8 channel preamp, that outputs lightpipe, and plug this right into the motu. The traveler comes to mind, but I think the 8pre does this as well.
Course, you're getting into higher $$$ going the motu way, but it is a very nice solution.
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Jul 10, 2007 10:20 am I've got some tracks in my rig right now, of my esp1010, using my mg16/4 preamps. It's 2 tracks mandolin, and 2 tracks acoustic guitar, with 1 track bass.
I'm using my Rode NT5 pair, one on mand, one on git, and the others direct.
I'll try to remember to post it up here tonight (i'm at work now).
