Hey all.
Im going to be traveling all over europe in a few months time, but i face a problem. Im not sure of what equipment to purchase so that i can take with me. I need something small and compact yet powerful. I have my eyes set on a Macbook pro but i need help with headphones and anything else you guys can think of. ie. do i really need an external sound card or will the laptops core audio do the job.

quote:

Originally posted by catalystG5 Hey all. Im going to be traveling all over europe in a few months time, but i face a problem. Im not sure of what equipment to purchase so that i can take with me. I need something small and compact yet powerful. I have my eyes set on a Macbook pro but i need help with headphones and anything else you guys can think of. ie. do i really need an external sound card or will the laptops core audio do the job.

Headphones: AKG 240s
Soundcard: Yes get one.

anyone in particular?
So i take it that the onboard sound would not be sufficient? is that right

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Originally posted by catalystG5 anyone in particular? So i take it that the onboard sound would not be sufficient? is that right

Echo Audiofire 4

but do i really need all thoes inputs and outputs? im not going to take any external devices.
Do you all think there is a real need?

Headphones: Sony MDR7506

The built-in soundcard of the macbook (pro) is ok but for specific recordings get something else. Look at m-audio for example. Or better, get a novation xiosynth 25 s you have the keyboard and the soundcard in one piece of hardware.

L.

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im not sure how easy it will be carrying a keyboard with my backpack. I guess my main question is "Do i really need a external soundcard to produce?"

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Originally posted by catalystG5 im not sure how easy it will be carrying a keyboard with my backpack. I guess my main question is "Do i really need a external soundcard to produce?"

you dont NEED it but if u want extremely low latency and exceptionally better sound quality and if ur coming across a pair of monitors and maybe some mics then yes you will want an audio interface.

They arent very big. I have an M-Audio Firewire Solo and it is very portable and sounds excellent.

Also AI's take quite a load off your computer since the computer doesnt have to generate AND reproduce the sound on its own. Having the computer generate the sound and the AI reproducing it will allow for significantly less CPU usage in any DAW which means you can load a significant amount more of effects and generators than you can using an internal sound card without underruns.

another problem is the power supply. where am i going to be able to plug it in? I dont want to have to be next to a power point every time i want to play around

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Originally posted by catalystG5 another problem is the power supply. where am i going to be able to plug it in? I dont want to have to be next to a power point every time i want to play around

Not to worry my friend. Most if not all AI's generate their power from the computer itself. Mine does and I was quite happy about that because im running low on power outlets.

I don't know what your budget is, but if you get a Macbook you can make use of its six pin FireWire port for a soundcard (bus powered).

I recommend:

MOTU Ultralite
Sony MDR7505