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Producing on a LAPTOP - what spec should I get??

Hi everyone,

Thought I would log onto here finally and ask a few questions about producing. I am going to get into producing trance finally but instead of using my PC I am wanting to use a new laptop that I am getting. I know it may not be the best thing but to at least get me on my way I thought a laptop would be perfect (especially because I am always on the move).

So what kind of spec should I get???
I have a decent pair of headphones (Sony MDRV700's) so will use them.
What kind of Ram should I look for and how much of it?
Also, what processor would help me along my way?
Should I upgrade the soundcard straight away or stick with the one I will be getting?

For the laptop I am looking at spending �800 which to be honest I am not sure how much that is in dollars or euros.

Also, this is a silly quesiton I know but, what program would you recommend for a complete starter? I can mix well and I know what sounds good but I don't have a clue about musical stuff.

Any help will be greatly appreciated so thanks in advance and I look forward to getting involved not only on thisboard but hopefully in the scence.



P.S when I am all set up I will no doubt be hammering all these threads with your tips.

Macbook!

I don't know how much they cost in pounds, but I got mine for $1184 (T2400 1.83GHz, 1GB RAM, 80GB HDD). You can run both OS X and Windows on it

Propellerhead Reason is excellent software for a laptop. It has almost everything you need to produce. It also doesn't use alot of CPU. I think you should get a ASIO sound card. The built in cards just aren't enough. Can't comment on the rest as I'm not that familiar with laptop hardware.

thank you for your responses, I am taking note of them all.

I will look into Powerbooks but I think they are costly. Still, a good look won't do any harm.

Also, perhaps I should point out that I am producing on the laptop as a way of learning rather than being fully serious about it if that makes sense. Maybe a couple of years doing it on the laptop floating about the country whilst I learn the basics and progress. If I ever get to the stage where I think I can be good then I will re-invest into some serious stuff.

Well, thats the plan!

i heard that these days laps are finally good enough for producing!

id only recommend u check on the cache size : look for L3 cache
most retailers dont comment on this because most people dont care or know, but for music produsction is very important. get i ghz ram minimum. if ur new i suppose ure using only software, so my suggestion is to get a cheap pcmia asio souncard like the echo indigo inout or indigo dj. i have a indigo dj and it works great! as im using only software its all i need and it has very good compatibility and is very stable. i highly recommend it for a begginers laptop setup. also a midi controller is nice. if ure travelling u might like the m-audio studio pack, its a reggular size backpack, that can carry a laptop, a oxygen midi controller and accesories like ur headphones.. its very cool thing to just unpaack and start composing in 5 minutes . thisis the mobile studio setup i have. u can use reason but i suggest using it with cubase nad get some basic vsts: my seuggestions: battery 2 (sampler), discovery (nord lead software emulation!!) , vanguard , and albino 3 (good all around synth) get a cool fx bundle like waves and ohmforce.
and ure set!!!

If there are any dual core laptops out yet get those!!! Get the fastest thing you can afford, that's the general rule.

Also, V700DJ's are le Crap� for monitoring, they have a VERY bad sound. My friend had a pair, he sold it after 3 months becasue he hated the audio quality, and I agreed with him. My V300 beats the living crap out of it sound-quality wise. Good for DJing, BAAAD for monitoring! You'd be better set using some 20$ logitech speakers (sorry to shit on your parade, friend ... )

If you can hang on for 3-4 months, then I strongly seriously absolutely advise you wait for the Core 2 Duo CPUs to go mobile.... I just ordered me one of them babies for my new desktop system, E6600... getting ready for some serious overclocking as well

quote:

Originally posted by Low Profile I just ordered me one of them babies for my new desktop system, E6600... getting ready for some serious overclocking as well

Same here man, im excited..its like xmas in august. Should be a nice upgrade from my overclocked celeron 1.7ghz hehe. Im squeezing all the juice outta her that i can, but im sure producing will be MUCH nicer on the 6600.

Anyways, my bro just bought a 1.6ghz Intel Duo laptop last week. Haven't really gotten to try the performance out too much. Im sure it would be adequate when production software starts supporting dual cores. Was a lil under $1000 canadian.. (450 pounds or so) So for 800 or whatever ur will to spend im sure u could for sure pick something up that's gonna do what u need it to do.

hey thanks I will look out for and L3 cache and dual core and see what i can get for the money. For what I am wanting to do it doesnt seem like I will have too much of a problem.

And I agree with my 700's, great to dj with but bad for listening to music with. I reckon it won't be long before I am upgrading those. You never know, I could be so bad at producing that I don't like it and stop.

Hope not though!

Thanks for the replies, all are being saved to a txt file!

quote:

Originally posted by lankanfinolhu thank you for your responses, I am taking note of them all. I will look into Powerbooks but I think they are costly. Still, a good look won't do any harm.

Look into a Macbook Pro.

I have spotted this one...what do you all think?

clicky

I bought this in april has been the bollocks for me

http://www.acernotebooks.co.uk/Acer...3/version-1.asp

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