Best Computer Setup for Recording

[Guest]

Subject: Compatability and Performance

I would like to know all of what kinds of
motherboards,chipsets,and cpu's you have tested. And in what combinations, for
the best performance of Pro Audio and the new Sonar. I am set up to do
primarily audio and want to be able to do as many audio tracks simultaneously
as possible. I went to a dual-processor G4 Mac, but it will be a long time
before the second cpu would ever do me any good, and I was just not happy with
their excessive prices and picky hardware. Everything with them is expensive
and too selective. And I couldn't transfer my data back and forth to my PC
without spending a ton more money and a lot of extra time. So, it is gone. But
before I build another computer, I want to know what works the best with and
for what I already have and own. I have 2 dman 2044 cards, which came with Mac
drivers but would not work in a G4. And I have Cakewalk Pro Audio 8.0 Deluxe. I
am thinking of trying to put enough money together to build a dual processor
unit, but don't even know who makes a good board and what board and cpu
combinations will yeild the fastest most powerful performance, but stable and
consistent. I was hoping you might be able to offer some advice or at least
some results that might be beneficial to me during my decision making process.
I'm tired of buying stuff and fighting with computers and hardware, etc. I just
want to record and make good music. So, if you can help me I would be very
grateful.

Sincerely,
BobbyStevenEstell/ddrummer4jesus
Sounds of Grace Studio

 

[Guest]

I don't really do audio work, but my good friend Andre does. It may not be worth your while to get a multi-processor rig. Andre does 4 track overdubs all the time and sees no real problems on a single processor PIII-833. In addition lots of high-end audio hardware doesn't work very well with Windows 2000 - either no drivers or poorly made ones. As a result you'll have to work with Win 98 or ME and your second processor will sit around like a bump on a log, since neither OS is SMP aware.
You don't sound too budget limited, but you'd still be better off to spend on other aspects of your system - a quality stable mobo (I like the MSI K7T-Turbo-R, YMMV), lots and lots or RAM (512 Mb), studio quality speakers, a really good CD burner with good audio features, maybe even a RAID array since you will be pushing around big files.

 

[Guest]

Thank you very much for your time and info. Actually, I am very budget limited.I am disabled and live on a $500.00 SSI check. The way I got my G4 as well as the way I'll be paying for a PC, is by using ALL of my grant and student loan money, that I was able to get by attending 2 semesters of college, trying to learn and understand MIDI and the recording software I've had for 2 years now. Can't really say I've learned very much, but at least I know more than I did. I'll be paying payments on whatever I end up building and using, way past my death, I'm sure. So, it's extremely important that I make the right decision here, and with boards and CPU's advancing so rapidly, I just get bewildered. I don't want to build something that will be quickly obsolete, or less than the best I can build for the buck and for my recording purposes. Based on the feedback I've been getting, it looks like a dual processor setup, at this time, might not gain me any more than the dual 500 G4 I just sold. Pretty much, people have been leaning me toward Intel. I have only had experience with Intel up to the 233Mhz w/MMX. I have stayed with AMD for the price. I have just been reluctant to pay the exorbitant prices that the BIG DADDY of CPU's, charges for their wares. But, as of this morning, my PC parts supplier has got me thinking that going with as fast of AMD T-bird as I can get, on a really good board???, is the way to fly for now. I still think I should probably try to go with a board using Intel chipsets. I've heard that the more commonly used VIA chipsets are not performing as well as they should, right now. For recording purposes. If you wouldn't mind, could you explain RAID to me and what it would gain me, and what kind of dollars using it, would cost me? I'd really appreciate it. You are not the first person that has suggested it. And Maximum PC magazine did a study on hard drives recently, and touted Raid setups very highly.

Thanks again,
Bob Estell/ddrummer4jesus
Sounds Of Grace Studio