|
Producing on a LAPTOP - what spec should I get??
|
View this Thread in Original format
| lankanfinolhu |
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. |
|
|
| LuckyKarma |
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 :) |
|
|
| Eldritch |
| 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. |
|
|
| 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.
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! :stongue: |
|
|
| pixxxan |
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!!! |
|
|
| Low Profile |
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 Crapé 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 on your parade, friend ... :sadgreen: )
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 :D |
|
|
| Leighton_Tyler |
| 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 :D |
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. |
|
|
| lankanfinolhu |
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! :D |
|
|
| jupiterone |
| 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. |
|
|
| lankanfinolhu |
I have spotted this one...what do you all think?
clicky |
|
|
|
|
