Pc To Mac - Music Production, What do I need? Options

[fateshand]

I'm a P.C. user and have been all of my life. I am switching to make as I trying to start a company that will create music for its clients commercials, movies, etc.

Like I said, "I dont know MAC." If I were to get a Powerbook 15.2 in. with a 1.25G processor, 512RAM which I would plan to upgrade to 1G, and a 60Gig harddrive, would this be able to handle my music production needs.

Also, it appears that the M-audio Firewire 410 is not the first choice of audio interface, so what would be an alternative for a notebook.

Thanks a lot,

Gavin

[editbrain]

that machine is fine. and checkout the tascam us-122

[lepetitmartien]

Check for a Firewire external drive too. It's better to handle audio files (faster)

Depending on how you'll work, watch for the drive to be or not port powered. If it is : have a back up battery handy all the time.

[fateshand]

lepetitmartien, do you mean I should add another firewire drive besides the ones that come with the Powerbook already? If so, could you recommend a few just to get me on the right track?

Also, if you don't mind me asking, I have the option to get a PB with a 1GHZ processor for much cheaper than the new 1.3GHZ. Is there that much of a difference in speed as to justify the extra price.

Thanks a lot,
Gavin

[nate d]

Yes, he means a completely separate drive besides the one that comes internally with the powerbook (also, the one that comes with it is not firewire...firewire is an external port, kinda like USB). As for recommendations, it's cheaper to buy an External Firewire enclosure, which is basically an empty box with a firewire port on it. You can buy a regular 3.5" hard drive, (7200RPM recommended, that's how fast it spins) and put it inside the enclosure. I recommend Western Digital or Maxtor hard drives. Put the hard drive in the enclosure, plug the enclosure into your powerbook, and voila! Instant firewire hard drive!

The enclosure can cost as low as $40 and hard drive prices vary with size. I try to shop around at Pricewatch.

As to buy the more expensive and more powerful Powerbook: If you're working on a tight budget like I am ($30k/year for school), I would recommend the 1Ghz machine. It's what I have, and it's pretty amazing at how much it can handle. You'll want to pump up the amount of RAM in it as much as you can (I have 768MB in mine and it runs well, although the more you add the more you can do!). Along with the external firewire drive, you'll have a nice little machine!

Good luck!

[fateshand]

Well, either I am still confused or I now get it. So your telling me that I need to invest in a firewire hardrive to save my audio files on right. Your not telling me that I need a new firewire port for my Firewire 410 soundcard. Because the Powerbook does come with firewire inputs (400 and 800) that I can plug the sound card into, right?

Im sure that I am completely confused but also sure that you can make it clear.
Thanks
Gavin

[fateshand]

Hopefully this can also be answered along with my previous post. Why would I need the firewire hard drive? Why would I need the hard drive to be faster. This doesnt effect performance does it?

[nate d]

So your telling me that I need to invest in a firewire hardrive to save my audio files on right. Why would I need the firewire hard drive? Why would I need the hard drive to be faster. This doesnt effect performance does it?

You don't absolutely need to get another drive. I, in fact, don't have one yet. But I do plan on purchasing one when I get more money. Basically, the hard drive inside the laptop is 4200RPM, which is pretty slow. Plus, it is your startup drive that runs your operating system, which makes it even slower for audio processing. Most applications will still work, but you will be limited as to how many tracks you can use. Having a fast, external firewire hard drive will give you more power for recording and using audio apps.

Your not telling me that I need a new firewire port for my Firewire 410 soundcard. Because the Powerbook does come with firewire inputs (400 and 800) that I can plug the sound card into, right?

Right! You absolutely do NOT need to buy extra firewire ports. The 410 will work with the ports that come built-in to your computer.

I hope I'm not making this more confusing for you. Basically, you don't need to buy another drive. It's just recommended and will probably end up helping you out a lot and give you much better performance.

[fateshand]

Nate D

Thanks so much for your help. If you've got time for one question I promise I will quite bugging you. So I assume that I would also install all of my audio programs and synths and whatever else I will use for music production on that external drive. The drive would not just be used for saving projects, right?

Computer Hardrive=OS and other basic programs
External Hardrive=Audio software, drivers, and saved audio projects

Does this sound right?

[xingu]

Actually, you'll want to keep your DAW software on the internal drive, as well as any drivers. Just use the external for your project/song files.

[nate d]

Exactly as Xingu said!

Computer Hardrive=OS, drivers, audio applications
External Hardrive=Saved audio projects, samples, audio tracks

[editbrain]

let me try to confuse you more....JUST KIDDING.

here is a story (problem i ran into once upon a time)-----

i record on my 12"powerbook for projects and mobile recording.
when at home i would use 24bit 48000khz. well one day i had two hours to get a 3 song demo recorded to take back to the master studio. well i took everthing (tascam us-122, powerbook, mics, cables, mouse, power adaptor) but i didn't take my firewire drive.

did not even cross my mind to take it. i was just going to use the hdd that came with the powerbook. i started to record and everything blew up! i had lockups, jitters, gated recording and playback like zoompt music zoompt music-you get the drift. i spent an hour looking like an idiot to the artist. i was like uh....hmm...uh....doh.

finally i realized that i had the bitrate set to high in logic audio. (i was indeed at ah) so after i changed that all recording went fine.

the point. with a faster drive you can record at higher rates. which is better, but remember that if you leave your firewire hdd at home. change your recording rates down to 16bit 44100khz.
oh! also you do not need it, but it will allow for better recordings.


happy recording,

jeremy

Ce message a été modifié par editbrain - ven. 30 janv. 2004, 08:10.

[fateshand]

Thanks for everything guys, all of the information really helped.

All I have to do know is find a way to come up with a quick two grand to buy the computer and actually put your advice to work.

Gavin

[lushbudget]

Take a look at Apple's website under the Store link. There, if you scroll down a bit, you will find a red sticker that says "Save". Click that link and you gain access to Apple's Refurbished and Discontinued products! I bought a 12" powerbook (867Mhz and Combo drive) for $1283 after tax, and they all come with the exact same 1yr warranty and are eligible for Apple Care same as a brand new product! The deals here really can't be beat.

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebO...0.3.1.1.0?89,47

[zelen0]

Apple instant loan will help!!! They approve almost anyone, as long as you have a decent credit rating.

I bought my Powrebook using 3 different credit cards to split the bill.

So you can do something like that too