Laptop components for recording

[ccy333]

I just stumbled on this site and have spent a lot of time reading articles. I am extremely new to recording and have just began to learn about the things needed to make a recording setup.

I am looking at purchasing a new laptop to use lightly at school and to use at home for capturing/editing/encoding/burning video.

I also started thinking that I should include some sort of recording options in my new setup. I am mainly interested in songwriting with acoustic guitar and adding elec to it. I will only be recording vocals, acoustic and electric guitar for now. im not looking to make anything to pitch to anyone, and at this point in my life. i dont have a whole lot of time to learn new insturments and programs, do id like to keep things as fairly simple.

im not really concerned about budget but realize that i donot need anything too expensive for the use i will get out of it.

So the point... Are there certian components or options that i should include when configuring a new system? I have just began learning about recording but would like some suggestions so that i can place the order for my new laptop fairly soon. All help is greatly appriciated

Thanks for your help in learning all of this.

[brandondrury]

I just wrote this article like a week ago. See if it helps. After reading it, ask specific questions.

http://www.recordingreview.com/artic...ngwriters.html

It sounds like you are recording for the fun of recording (which is good enough reason). So with that in mind, you COULD just record the acoustic direct and sing into a 58. That would be okay. I HATE HATE HATE the sound of acoustic DI, so that changes things.

I will only be recording vocals, acoustic and electric guitar for now.

So I guess you don't have any plans of adding drums via midi sequencing?

Brandon

[ccy333]

Thanks for the reply brandon, sorry for the delay in getting back to you... had some serious computer troubles.

So after reading (many) of your articles, I feel like I have a direction in mind but still am in need of help.

I have decided on going with an external sound card/interface, but still have some questions,
Are there advantages of usb or firewire over the other? or is it just a matter of what your computer has to connect to?
Will this interfere in any way of my internal soundcard or playback of audio?
Will I have any problems playing audio without my external soundcard connected?
Is MIDI actually worth the extra $100 for me? I do not know much about midi but realize its capabilites, my concerns are how long it would take me to make use of the midi drums? Is it easy to just add loops of must i create my own?
When going with one of the recommended systems from your article (i.e. m-audio410) will i need to worry about the problems mentioned in your articles with headphone monitoring?

I am also not sure about the use of preamps for picking up audio.
Will i also need to purchase a preamp if i am planning on using similar equipment you mentioned in the above article?

I read your microphone article, but feel that im still not sure how to put the info to use. You have 2 recommended mics SM57 and Audio Technic AT2020. What are the differences/advantages of using one over the other, or using a condenser mic over noncondenser. I realize that the answer is very long so if you could direct me to another article like before, i would appriciate it. I am planning on recording vocals, and acoustic instruments, and electric guitar. I also am not sure the best options to record an electric guitar.

So....
thats a lot. Ill leave it at that for now. Thank for all the help, let me know if i can give you anymore information that will help out.

[brandondrury]

All great questions. You are overthinking this just a bit, which is exactly where you should be. If you underthink, you bite yourself in the ass.

Let's get started:


#1 A soundcard is a soundcard. The technology has made it so that fidelity is about the same in a given price range. I spent $2200 on Mytek converters (not the soundcard, just the analog to digital converter) and the difference in noticeable, but barely to a newbie.
So in the end, it comes down to features. I recommend Firewire because it has plenty of data bandwidth. I've had driver issues with a few friends using USB devices, but I'm sure that's the exception and not the norm. In the whole grand scheme of things, using USB vs Firewire isn't something I'd worry too much about. I've found some USB 1.1 systems to be a little limiting. USB 2.0 is much, much faster and is basically the same, for all practical purposes as Firewire.

or is it just a matter of what your computer has to connect to?
Will this interfere in any way of my internal soundcard or playback of audio?

You can always switch between the two, but I don't know why you would. I'd just one which your recording soundcard all the time. If the need arises, I think it takes about 3 seconds to go into control panels and switch to the other card.

Is MIDI actually worth the extra $100 for me? I do not know much about midi but realize its capabilites, my concerns are how long it would take me to make use of the midi drums? Is it easy to just add loops of must i create my own?

Only you can answer these questions by experimenting. It depends on the software you choose and if you are into sequencing. Some people are not. If you are using Sony Acid or Fruity Loops, you may be content with the loops.
I wanted a real sequencer. It's like driving a stick. It's harder to learn but gives far more control in the end.

When going with one of the recommended systems from your article (i.e. m-audio410) will i need to worry about the problems mentioned in your articles with headphone monitoring?

I'm pretty sure that the 410 does not make concessions for monitoring so that leaves you with two options. #1 you split the signal before the soundcard or #2 you monitor with your software. I monitor in Cubase SX3 now and it seams to do fine, but I the system with a very small buffer to reduce latency.

I am also not sure about the use of preamps for picking up audio.
Will i also need to purchase a preamp if i am planning on using similar equipment you mentioned in the above article?

You will need a preamp (either external preamps or the "trim" knobs at the top of just about any mixier) if you plan to use a microphone. Microphones almost always have to be boosted a little to become line level. If the soundcard has preamps, you are covered. If you use a mixer to boost up the level, you are covered.

You have 2 recommended mics SM57 and Audio Technic AT2020. What are the differences/advantages of using one over the other, or using a condenser mic over noncondenser. I realize that the answer is very long so if you could direct me to another article like before, i would appriciate it. I am planning on recording vocals, and acoustic instruments, and electric guitar. I also am not sure the best options to record an electric guitar.

Now you are getting into audio engineering issues that you should only trust your studio monitors for. The difference between a 57 and a 2020 is going to be obvious when you start playing with them. I've never even used an AT2020. I recommended it because it is a cheaper version of mics that have served me well in the past.

Honestly, it's WAY too early to begin worrying about mic collections and audio engineering. Get the gear and figure out how to get it all to work. Then go from there.

Keep the questions coming!
Brandon

[ccy333]

Thanks again for the help. it seems the more i learn the more of a dumbass i feel like. i can see how this becomes an obsession very easily!

I think i have decided on the
M-Audio Fast Track Pro
After looking at many different choices, i think this will be best for what i am looking for. Feel free to tell me otherwise. I would love to know if i am missing or misinterpreting something.

I went with it based on these options:
24-bit/96kHz audio interface with dual mic/instrument preamps
2 front-panel mic/line inputs with phantom power
1 x 1 MIDI I/O with activity LEDs
headphone output (?? TRS) with level control
master output level control
It does come with usb and not firewire, but im hoping that will not become and issue.

Nowfor some more questions!!

I currently have a fender G-Dec amp that i use for my Strat. I am wondering what my options are for recording my guitar through this. Other than MIDI its only outputs are a headphone jack. Is there anyway to directly line this into the fast track, or any other interface for that matter?

I am also not sure as to what i should look for in a mic.
ideally i would like to find a mic that would be able to capture vocals and acoustic guitar well. From the little that i have read it seems that i need a condenser mic, and this shouldnt be a problem since the fast trac has phantom power. I guess my question is, is there a mic that i can do both of those with. Im not expecting professional studio quality, but would like to get something that is a good tradoff in price and being able to capture both.

[brandondrury]

The M-Audio Fast Track Pro looks fine, dude. The important thing is to hop in, lock yourself in your room for a weekend or 10, and get a solid grasp of how your rig works. Then you've got to figure out how to actually record / engineer. That's a pandora's box! But that's why this stupid forum exists!


Your topic is starting to go off in all sorts of directions. I'm trying to keep the info organized so others can find it along the way. So if you happen to come up with a question that doesn't fit with the title of the thread, feel free to make a new thread.

I currently have a fender G-Dec amp that i use for my Strat

http://forum.recordingreview.com/showthread.php?p=8406

I am also not sure as to what i should look for in a mic.

What To Look For In A Microphone

Brandon

[phangeaux]

I am not sure if this applies to your question or not, since a laptop is quite portable.

I don't want to confuse you or anyone else but I selected a portable (stand alone) 8 track (64 virtual tracks) digital studio with built in (hands on) studio quality mixer, COSM guitar and bass amp modelling and effects, vocal effects, programmable drums, to make drum tracks or import drum tracks, etc. This I can do all independantly from a computer. (Use it in a remote areas like out in the forest for example). It also interfaces with a computer via USB port so I can upload my mixes or tracks to a computer and further edit. remix etc. on the computer. The tracks are stored on a one gigabyte flash memory card. Uploading them to the computer using a cheap (5 dollars) memory card reader that connects to the USB port is alot faster method of transfer than straight USB


For my intended use that is better than an external sound card style of recorder using computer software to produce everything, although after I upload my mixes onto computer I can still use computer software to edit and remix the tracks if I want to.

I think there are advantages and disadvantages to each set up. One disadvantage of both set ups is the learning curve, learning how to do all this stuff. I wouldn't mind having both. While sitting at my computer here an external sound card type of recorder would be more convenient, only because of my very limited space on the desk. However, in fact I really don't have enough space to set up a decent recording station at my computer desk anyway, not nearly enough room for instruments, mic boom stands, keyboard, drums, etc. so, getting any kind of quality product at my computer is virtually not possible unlesss I devote one entire room of a one bedroom apartment for recording. Furthermore, I can't just start beating on drums at 3 oclock in the morning, or make much noise at all with other instruments either.

Aside from those facts, I want to get as far away from a computer as possible when I play and create and record music. There is a much broader range of creative environments to chose from other than sitting in front of a damned computer monitor in my apartment. I'd rather spend 2 weeks in a beautiful remote area where I could clear my head from the rat race and confusion and be able to explore my creativity. I definately do not want a computer monitor in front of my face and have to be messing with complicated software and mouse clicks when I am trying to create and record a good song. Also, I can go anywhere suitable to my mood and if needed , where there is alot of room for lots of stuff AND where I can go out and bang on drums as loud as I need to or any other instrument and no one will complain.

I can take my whole studio with me, it's about the size of a small electric typewriter (if anyone remembers those) . It runs off of a power adaptor OR batteries.

I can use headphones to mix, then when I get home I can remix through my really good studio monitors and some other great equipment, in fact I could do the vocal tracks at home, using a more sophisticated set up or add other tracks.

The main thing I like though is the portability, being able to go to a remote area, take it anywhere and not need a computer and monitor or even electric power for that matter. I could even create a rechargable battery grid that would last a long time and recharge from a vehicle alternator/ Most likely I will use a small Honda Generator at times I have a mini motorhome so I could pack it up with instruments and head for the mountains, canyons or deserts and WRITE AND RECORD MUSIC.

That seems like heaven to me! I could sell CDs at rest stops for gas money to pay for getting to my next destination. :-)

I could put on a CD, 'Recorded Live at The Grand Canyon" or anyplace else.

That is very cool when you think about it.


A laptop I wouldn't mind but I would use it mainly for reading text files, sheet music and studying music. I have Guitar Pro software on this computer. Those are the only reasons that I would want a laptop out in a remote area but I can do without one

I think that most of my songwriting work will be acoustic also.

You might want to take a quick look at the portable digital studios.


I have spent the past few years putting all of my instruments and recording stuff together as well as enough study materials to last a lifetime. I am down to only needing a few more small items. I am about ready to dive into music study and songwriting/composing full time. I just have a few more pressing obligations to take care of first.

I think I got off topic here. I always get spaced out when sitting in front of a computer monitor. I need to get off of the computer and get ready to leave for Seatle tonight (it is already 12:23 am. I am way behind schedule.

Later,

[phangeaux]

Oh yeah, songwriting and composing doesn't really require a high quality production and polished finished product. Mostly it just involves being able to record and mix tracks. UNLESS you intend to be the final professional performer of the song and want to produce a finished commercial CD.

That is not my objective, I just want to create the songs and music and let professional performers/artists refine them, if they want the song and let professional recording studio guys like Brandon is becoming, do the final recordings.

However, I want the stuff I do to sound good enough that I can pass it around, post it on the web or sell a few CDs here and there. The more I learn the better I want to get at it, but my ultimate goals are NOT to become a recording star performer OR a recording studio engineer. I just want to create some good songs and good music.

There is really quite a difference between these objectives and the skills and talents involved

[brandondrury]

I never been able to find the benefits of using something like a Roland recorder vs a laptop. These Roland / Korg / etc type of recorders are such a pain to learn to use. They all have their proprietary formats that are extremely difficult to learn and are completely different from unit to unit.

To me, there is always an issue with technology getting in the way of the creative side, but for me personally, the hardware boxes mentioned above get in the way much more than say a laptop running Cubase. These are just my opinions.

Brandon

[phangeaux]

Hi Brandon,

My comments don't really fit in this topic because they relate mostly to portable digital recorders The reply that I have written to your last post would be more appropriate for a comparison between portable digital recorders and PC based systems. I am setting that aside until after I take a break and I may post my reply under such a topic because I think it is something that we shoud look at again.

In view of this topic I think your advice is very good. I wish I could afford a good laptop, but unforunately they are too expensive for my fixed income on medical disability. I am keeping an eye out for a good catch on a used one someday though.

Here is a relevent question, though. With regard to PC/Software based recording systems it seems that there has always been a strong emphasis on PC performance, faster systems, even 64 bit systems.

Laptops seem to typically lag way behind desktop PCs in performance specs, especially with respect to cost. Higher performance laptops are very expensive.

Do you have any recomendations on minimal peformance specs for a laptop to make it adequate for the recording use you suggest?

I would like to find an affordable used laptop and may as well consider one that is adequate to use for portable recording. I'd like to get an idea of what level of performance would be adequate. I will have to sell a vehicle and or some instruments to be able to afford one, but I plan to do that anyway.

Thanks Brandon, and whoever else replies.