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Technology of the Trade: PC Recording |
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Computers This is where most people think twice about using a computer in their rig and start thinking about digital workstations, but this can actually be the easy part compared to how many decisions you will have to make when it comes to mics, pre-amps, cables, acoustic treatment, etc. Computer prices have dropped substantially since the release of the new Intel/AMD processors that have annihilated the 3 ghz barrier. I will try to cover Mac computers as best as possible though my knowledge is limited. Compatability remains an issue when mixing parts so do your research, contact the manufacturer and read reviews. Operating Systems Windows XP and Macintosh OS X Panther Most recording hardware and multitrack software has support for both XP and OS X, but always check with the manufacturer regardless. Macintosh has been a mainstay in the world of recording for years but Windows is becoming more and more popular. Recommendation If your computer will only be used for recording, i would suggest a Mac. Mac users swear by OS for it's ease of use. If you would prefer a multitask PC like myself, I highly suggest going the Windows XP route solely because it is compatible with almost EVERYTHING. Stability problems won't be an issue unless it has been configured incorrectly (which is near impossible) or under excessive strain. Processor Intel, AMD and Mac Intel remains the #1 manufacturer of processers despite the fact that the difference between Intel and AMD processors are negligable. Athlon 64 Recommendation The only real difference between Intel and AMD is price. Save your money and buy an AMD. A good start would be a 1.5 ghz Cpu like the Athlon XP 2000+. For around $50 bucks you can't go wrong. You're options are limited when it comes to Mac computers, but you still have some options. A G3 is about as low as you can go, a G4 would put you right where you want to be. Keep in mind that Apple computers always win against Intel/AMD when comparing Ghz and FSB. Motherboard This is the nerve center of your computer, where everything from your recording sound card to your monitor receives orders. When selecting a motherboard there are a couple key factors to keep in mind. Compatability- Some boards are designed for Intel, and some are designed for AMD. Some motherboards are more efficient than others so check with the manufacturer, read reviews, and bug the hell out of any forum you can find (other than the RW forums ;) Memory Slots- Most newer boards can support up to 1 gb of memory which would be nice but is totally overkill. Some boards even support newer memory designs like Duall DDR memory, alowing you to have upwards of 4 gb of memory. PCI Slots- This depends on what you'll have in your computer. Modem, Graphics card, Soundcard, etc. Most newer motherboards come with a sound card, video card, network card, USB and FireWire built in which is nice because you can not only save PCI slots, but also have a configuration for your recording card and a completley seperate configuration for your onboard soundcard card for video games, internet, DVD's, etc. Advanced AGP, FSB, Advanced BIOS Features- I'm not going to get into specifics here so examine spec sheets and reviews on motherboards as some offer more advanced features that could make or break your workstation. Abit AI7 800FSB INTEL Board Recommendation Though the motherboard is an integral part of every computer, don't go hog wild with lavish features that will take money away from other key components of your computer or studio. Asus is the most widely known motherboard manufacturer in the world due to their high quality components, construction, and features, recommended but not crucial. ABit is also a good choise if you want to save a couple bucks and still get a very good product. The trickiest part about building/upgrading a computer is seating the processor on the motherboard. I highly recommend you buy the motherboard and processor in a combo, pre installed and tested. Memory Depending on what type of motherboard you purchase, you will need a specific type of memory. The more memory you have, the smoother your PC will run when compiling tracks and digital effects. Memory comes in different speeds as well as how much info it stores. Similar to hard drives, but only using for storing commonly used data, in essence staying one step ahead of you smoothing out the computing process. Kingston 512mb PC2700 Recommendation When it comes to memory, the more the merrier. Lots of fast memory will make all your computer processes faster including recording, loading, effects. Basically the more you have more you can do. 512mb of memory is the minimum you could work with less but you really wouldn't want to. Don't buy crap memory. Make sure the manufacturer is a reputable one. Hard Drive Hard drives come in all different sizes and speeds but it's important to know your limits. My hard drive holds 160gb and to this day i have never broken the 20gb mark. Save your money. Hard drives also have different memory cachs sizes (high speed memory integrated into the hard drive). 80gb 7200rpm 8mb cache Recommendation Pictured above is a Maxtor 80gb internal hard drive with an 8mb cache and a speed of 7200rpm. My preferred choice in hard drives. Large, fast, and affordable. It is a good idea to partition large drives into 2 parts: one for windows and programs, the other for your recorded tracks and maybe even for effects plug-ins. Partitioning the drive speeds up the searching process when loading information. External FireWire and USB hard drives are very popular because of their portability and easy installation. Other Components Case- Stay away from the cold cathode flourescent lights and L.E.D.'s ok? No side windows either. Aluminum cases are lightweight but more expensive and less durable than their steel counterparts. If you have a motherboard that supports USB and/or FireWire, make sure the case you pick also supports these type of connections. The power source should have a rating of at least 350w, more if you plan on running multiple CDRW burners or multiple hard drives. Also make sure that the case is equipped with at least one somewhat silent fan to keep the hardware from overheating. Monitor- Once again, the bigger the better. The larger the monitor the more tracks/applications you can cram onto it. No need here for ultra-high definition flat screens. A 17" CRT monitor will not only be a lot cheaper, but will usually have a better picture than a comparable flat screen. CD Burners- A must have for any D.I.Y. producer. Quality is more important than speed here. You want to burn your cd's at the slowest possible setting to avoid errors and maintain fidelity. Pick a reputable manufacturer. -The General < Misc Gear > |
| © 2003 By B. Witzigreuter/Recording Website - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. |
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