Let's not forget about sound card... the built in sound card can only run DXi, not ASIO2 - which is preferred. Even if you don't intend to connect external gear for audio recording, it is still recommended that you get a sound card for DSP/ASIO handling of audio. With DXi your latency will be horrendous. You can even buy a cheapie Echo PCMCIA card for like $99 bucks. Or you can pick up SoundBlaster Audigy 2zs pcmcia card - though I have no idea of how it performs for mobile audio processing/recording.
If you have the means, though, I'd recommend a "break out box" something like Focusrite - it's cheap and comes with excellent soft FX bundled, plus you got all your essential connectivity but you will need to invest in a firewire PCMCIA card, which is about $30-50. Presonus Firebox is not bad either.
Actually, many folks nowdays swear by M-Audio interfaces. Check creative website for refurb specials or search ebay. with m-audio you can even get other good freebies (e-mu series libraries, etc).
If your laptop will spend most of its time on your desk, don't sweat if the device is powered from the bus or outlet. but if you plan to take it around with you, get something that will be portable and powered from the bus.
___________________
quote:
No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don’t want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. It is Life’s change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now the new is you, but someday not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away. Sorry to be so dramatic, but it is quite true.
--Steve Jobs (1955 - 2011)
Dec-05-2005 21:17
FuzzyGreen
Music Addict
Registered: May 2001
Location: Bay Area, Ca USA
quote:
Originally posted by Reactance
Funny really,
Neah but really hes right u can almost produce anything form of music with a few odds and ends, all u need is if determination and time, amlost anything is possible nevermind the tons of hardware "some" ppl gots here.
I 100% agree. Some of us get the "gear collecting" bug and get stuck endlessly thinking we need the newest or greatest hardware. The fact is, some of my best songs (music wise, not tehnical or fx wise) has been when I had to make do with very limited resources. On that note I started making music on an Alesis MMT-8 (An ancient 8 track hardware midi sequencer), then graduating to a 486/66 using Cakewalk 4 on Win 95. That stuff was cutting edge though back in the late 80's early 90's. What did you guys use to use?
Dec-06-2005 01:55
Takkra
Smile if you want it.
Registered: Feb 2005
Location: Nijmegen, The Netherlands
well.. im ONLY using fruity & acidpro
but I can make tracks.. not saying its OMGsuch great music tho
Registered: Jun 2005
Location: Utrecht, Netherlands
@ Reactance: Cubase was made to use on dual high rest monitors and it rocks! :P
Sure, you comp is fine for production. Up to a certain point. If you want lot's of VSTi's or effects to be going at once it could be a problem. But often the simplest tracks are the best ones in my opinion. Give it a go, and if you want as soon as you find you are limited by the comp think about buying a new one.
Music is as universal to people as breathing. We've probably been at it since before we even started talking. Immaging two cavemen smashing away at a peace of flint to make a spearhead. It wouldn't take long for them to learn te synchronise the sound. And there you have it, the words first percussive band.
Music has survived wars, famines, the plague and many other things and has evolved with man across many cultures. Dance music is just the next step in the evolutionary chain. My guess is that it will probably be with us untill we are extinced.
Dec-07-2005 03:07
Bedlam-UK
Senior tranceaddict
Registered: Aug 2005
Location: Lancashire
Re: can i produce with this setup?
quote:
Originally posted by Scolomon
ok guys i have a brand new sony vaio laptop
i have a midi keyboard
i have sonar, acid, soundforge, reason,
is my computer powerful enough to produce music? i would guess no
i want to write my own songs, i dont really know how i guess i will start experimenting
if i can
so uhhh can i? or do i need like a mac g4
well have you even tried....you say you got all the software, hardware and now the new computer...you tell us
what exactly is preventing you from producing music ???
Registered: Feb 2005
Location: Nijmegen, The Netherlands
Nevertheless, keep in mind that you get the most original stuff when your limited with your resources! I made a friggin cool percfilled track with myself ramming on tables and chairs en recording that ..
just added some eq reverb and delay tadaa
..
