Building software studio: advice needed!

[gregrr]

I'm running a Shuttle XPC SD31P, Pentium D 3GHZ, 1GB RAM.

I recently decided to get into the world of audio recording with Virtual Instruments, after 5 years of leaving it all back when I was using a hardware setup (synths, samplers etc). It's been a while, so forgive the newbie questions!

So, what I'd like to know is:

1. What would be a good sequencer for virtual instruments? Ideally, the sequencer with the most available libraries. Cubase SX seems quite popular, but expensive (im not too keen on the dongle idea either). I dont know what Logics offering is these days. I used to use Cakewalk 5, if only because it was so easy to learn and use (and I was only using it for MIDI).

2. What would be a good firewire sound card would be for use with virtual instruments. I have the option of firewire, USB or PCI 1x as there are no free std PCI slots. I was looking at a M-Audio Audiophile Firewire interface.

3. What about a software sampler? Which do you currently use?

Tomorrow I'm going to buy an interface so I just wanted to get some advice from the more experienced. The idea I want is to have a nice, sturdy and easy to learn setup.

Also, would it be a good idea to create a new partition just for audio work? I was thinking of a clean install of Windows, with non-audio software kept to a minimum.

Thanks for any advice!

[richiebee]

1. For VSTi's, I'd definitely go with Cubase. It's Steinberg's technology. They'll lead it. Cubase 4 is out now. Cubase 4 studio is the cheap version, and although I can't guarantee it, I'm led to believe that it is much more feature packed than the budget versions of previous incarnations of Cubase. I think Sonar handles VSTi's natively now, so if you're used to using Cakewalk, maybe this is the way for you to go. Logic is not available for PC any more.

2. Brandon has this handy dandy soundcard picker http://www.recordingreview.com/soundcard/
Your choice will depend on what you need it to do. If the soundcard picker comes back with a few alternatives, post back and ask for opinions on brand.

3. There are really only two big ones for PC - GigaStudio and Kontakt. They're very different - Giga more aimed at orchestral composers. It has a lower overhead, but is much more fussy - getting it to work on any system can be a real pain and its not as stable as Kontakt. Kontakt is amazing, and although it uses more power from your CPU, is much more tolerant of any system. Kontakt libraries are much easier to come by than Giga libraries.

A separate partition on a drive is not going to help you in the slightest. In fact it might even reduce your capabilities. A second drive will however help. I find two enough, but many people prefer to use one for programs, one for audio and one for samples.

I would think the Shuttle is specifically tuned for audio. I wouldn't think you need to do a clean install of windows.

[richiebee]

Originally Posted by gregrr

2. What would be a good firewire sound card would be for use with virtual instruments. I have the option of firewire, USB or PCI 1x as there are no free std PCI slots. I was looking at a M-Audio Audiophile Firewire interface.

Oh yeah, just checked this interface out - it has no mic preamps, so if you're going to plug a mic in, you'll need one of those separate. If you know you'll be doing that, you'd best buy something with a mic pre built in like the Fast Track Pro for roughly the same money. The fast track pro only has two audio inputs - USB1.1 can handle two inputs no problem.

R.

[brandondrury]

A separate partition on a drive is not going to help you in the slightest.

You don't think so, Richiebee?

I guess it depends on what his current Windows install looks like. If it's like my girlfriend's computer, you'd be lucky to record 3 tracks (even with a 3GHz CPU).

I'm assuming by "seperate partition" that he means that he is going to set up a dual boot system where he can select between booting the normal windows for internet, porn, illegal downloading, etc and booting the super clean windows that has nothing but recording software.

Brandon

[richiebee]

Hmmm... maybe I misunderstood what he was saying. Dual Boot, maybe. I thought he was referring to recording audio to a separate partition... which definitely won't help.

R.

[brandondrury]

Hmmm... maybe I misunderstood what he was saying. Dual Boot, maybe. I thought he was referring to recording audio to a separate partition... which definitely won't help.

Okay, agreed. From our confusion, he should be able to figure it out.

Brandon

[gregrr]

Thanks for your comments!

I used Brandons tool (very helpful by the way!), and the Edirol FA66 looks like the best for features/budget. After a bit of thought, I don't think I'll be using more than 2 inputs and it seems to have better reviews than the MAudio FireWire 410 (with mic inputs). The Edirol has a Hi-z input, which would be useful for recording electric guitars, which i was thinking of doing.

I also came across the M-Audio Ozonic interface and midi controller. I like the idea of an all in one setup. But then again, if I want to upgrade the interface in future I'd be stuck with it.

Or I suppose I could just get an interface, and any old second hand keyboard as a controller, which will also give me some extra sounds.

Yes, I think the dual-boot would be necessary in this case. I do a lot of web development for work, so the pc is littered with all sorts of software. Ideally, i'd like to do an install with the bare minimum windows fluff that tends to come with it. I've also read that regular defragmenting of the HD is necessary, though im not quite sure how often I should do it.

[richiebee]

I'd avoid the Ozonic. Unless they've changed the drivers on it, the latency is wicked high. Someone I know bought one a couple of years ago when he was travelling and wanted something light to compose on. It didn't work out for him. Maybe they've changed it now??? It's easier to keep your sounds on your computer. Software samplers aren't cheap, but you do tend to get a bunch of sounds with them that would blow most synths out of the water.

I get it now with the partition thing... yeah, it'll help for sure. I defrag about once a month... windows usually reports that it doesn't need doing at that time, but I do it anyway.

[gregrr]

So I guess this means going for the Edirol, im not sure what the latency is for it, although for monitoring it says Zero-latency. I've read in other posts of 'pops' and 'clicks' during playback, which I guess is to do with latencies (correct me if im wrong). I've heard they've come down in the last few years quite a bit.

Another thing, for the Edirol it says: Record and playback: 6 channels at 24-bit/96kHz; 4 channels at 24-bit/192kHz. I guess this would have to do with audio chunks replayed simultaniously right? Or would it have anything to do with running virtual instruments? How many virtual instruments can you normally use simultaniously with no problems?

Anyway, I need to make a decision on this in the next few hours as its the last chance to get this before the end of the year! (Im going to put it through my company).

[richiebee]

The Edirol will be fine. Zero latency normally (and I'm pretty sure its the same in this case) refers to direct monitoring - it basically allows you to monitor your input before it gets to the computer, therefore not introducing the latency that your computer adds. It doens't really apply to VSTi's because they start internally. However, latency is usually low enough to play live - as low as a hardware synth in many cases.

Don't worry about the number of channels - when you're playing back, you're just playing back 2 channels (unless you're doing surround). It doesn't matter how many VSTi's you have or audio tracks or anything like that... they'll all route to the two main outputs - a stereo mix. This routing is done by your sequencer.

Rich