Laptop Recording???!
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Posted on May 27, 2009 01:54 am
jazzryandrums
Ryan
Member Since: Oct 01, 2008
Can anyone tell me pros and cons about this method because my drums are downstairs so I find myself lugging my desktop up and down the stairs often just to get a few tracks.
Thank you!
-Ryan
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HippieRockstar Vatican AssassinMember
Since: Mar 20, 2009
May 27, 2009 07:41 am I would actually look at your situation in a different perspective. Since Desktops have more versatility when it comes to soundcards/hard drives and all.... I'd keep the desktop where you record and use the laptop for mixing/mastering. This gives you flexibility to upgrade components for recording if ever needed on the desktop and gives you mobility to mix wherever on the laptop (coffee shop, school, wherever). And since you only need playback for mixing, the laptop's integrated soundcard, even if generic, should still work. Just get a 16-20GB flash drive to transfer WAV/MP3 files between both machines.
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
May 27, 2009 05:44 pm I track on a laptop often for 1 or 2 tracks. Suites me fine. My rig is better equipped for higher trackcount, plus better interface, but at my level (home hobbyist) I don't worry about small, often un-noticable differences between my laptop / interface and my studio rig.
My laptop is a 1.6 centrino / 512mb / 60g with a Tascam US122 (the older version).
For 2 tracks, it's been quite usable.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
May 27, 2009 07:23 pm I use a150 foot 16 channel snake for those situation's. You can find a decent one used. And you can also find smaller ones as well if you only need 8 channels or similar.
May 27, 2009 07:46 pm Thanks you guys for your help!
Just a few questions. I never thought about using a snake
and it sounds like i might go for that, however, how do i control what is happening when so far away? For example if i'm sound checking a sax player, do i just yell down the stairs or call him on a cell phone telling him when to play?? What's the easiest way? And also, how would I go about recording with a jazz combo playing at once including myself? Should I just ask someone to press record? And how would we hear a click track?? headphones, etcetc... I'm most likely over-looking obvious solutions or advantages of recording software, but that's why i'm here asking you guys. Thanks again!
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
May 27, 2009 09:18 pm Some or most snakes come with 1/4 as well so you can run headphones as well. I've re-wired mine to have 4 phones lines on it. Don't usually need 4 but its there if needed. And you can actually set up a talk back with a local mic at the mixer which will go to the headphones and you'll hear them back through the monitor's.
You can also if it isn't easy to get a person to hit record for you. You can set up say 8 bars of count in or however many it takes to get yourself down there.
May 27, 2009 11:46 pm oh cool!
so what setup would i need to make this work?
a new mixer? headphone amp? can you give me a quick little list?
May 28, 2009 12:56 am Jumping back in sideways - If you're using a FireWire interface of some sort (I suppose a few USB 2.0's would fit the suit also), there's no reason not to track on the laptop... The 1's and 0's are the same whether they're on a tower, server, laptop, netbook, etc. As long as the horsepower is in the box, you're good to go.
Dematrixhttp://www.reverbnation.com/2ndgMember
Since: Nov 27, 2007
May 28, 2009 01:08 am mmm, a snake! that's what i been thinking of getting. you just reminded me. cool.
can i ask, i use 2 cords (to make it longer) with a connector to go from my interface to my headphones in another room. i was told that it proly wouldnt work because its so long, but there's no difference in quality at all and works fine.
why does that, and a snake work ok at length, when everyones telling me the extended cord wouldnt. whats the difference?
hopefully this isnt a hijack, its still on the same subject isnt it? maybe some extra info?
CptTrippsCzar of Turd PolishMember
Since: Jun 20, 2006
May 28, 2009 01:20 pm I track with my laptop all the time. My interface is mounted in a small rack that is protable enough and swapping between the two is easy. There is no downside unless your laptop is slower, but really that is not going to make a difference on the quality of the captures.
Now, I would LOVE a snake to extend the reach from my desktop but that is a want vs. need.
May 28, 2009 01:26 pm Quote:
why does that, and a snake work ok at length, when everyones telling me the extended cord wouldnt. whats the difference?
Balanced vs. unbalanced. You can run an unbalanced signal around 15 feet - depending on the situation - before the signal starts to degrade. Balanced signals can run several hundred feet, across and along powered lines in many cases, without appreciable degradation in quality.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
May 28, 2009 03:21 pm Indeed, as Massive stated. If your laptop has the horsepower it would easily work more efficiently for you that way. I can't remember if we talked about your laptop in another thread or if that was someone else.
CptTrippsCzar of Turd PolishMember
Since: Jun 20, 2006
Jun 02, 2009 06:27 pm Oh, forgot something else. I use an external drive so there is also no need to transfer data between PC's.
Record on laptop, unplug interface/HDD, plug into desktop and mix :)
