Hi, I'm new, question regarding recording computer, and internet...

[J.DavisNJ]

Cheers everyone, this is my first post to the Sneap forums. What a good wealth of information you guys have here! I frequent the HC forums, but it was lacking good recording info.

I have a couple questions. I will be purchasing a new computer from www.cyberpowersystem.com soon. It will be 1GB RAM (for now), 3.2 P4, dual hard drives, the whole deal. I plan on using it for recording (which I'm new to), photoshop, and other word processing tasks.

I'm an avid internet user, I go to many forums for information. I was told it's best to have a dedicated recording machine, minus internet for recording. I would love to do this and get a cheap laptop for internet, mp3s, etc, but that's $$$. If I use this machine for internet, I would obviously start to avoid shady sites, not download useless crap, etc. Do you dudes think this would be an OK idea?? Meaning as long as I have a good antivirus and firewall?? Or should I stick to my original plan, get a cheap laptop, use that for the net??

I plan on getting a Presonus Firebox as my first recording interface. Any help, advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

-Joe

 

[Black neon bob]

Hey man... welcome!

Yeah, sounds like a good computer you are looking at right now... no problems there at all..

However Joe.. you will have to consider a lot of stuff besides specs of the computer.. you will need software, an audiocard, maybe some microphones for guitar recording, etc...

That software is going to cost you as well.. it's just not cheap.. there are some cheap life saving plugins out there though.. even free ones!

An audio card is important as well.. i can't recommend recording through an audioblaster card for gaming.. maybe look for an audiophile 24/96? i got mine for 80 euros.. (around 70 dollars).. and it does the job well for that price..

Furthermore, be prepared for frustation man! haha.. i remember when i started recording a year ago, the PC was kicking my ass on a daily basis.. it still does in fact.. stupid thing!

What i am saying is just take time with these kind of things you know? it's cool stuff, recording.. but it can be frustrating sometimes.. but it can be great when you get your songs done as well... just take your time with it...

What kind of host software were you planning to buy? how will you record drums? guitars?

We can help you with that stuff.. there is a lot of ways to get those things done these days.. let us know, ok?

 

[J.DavisNJ]

Thanks for the reply man!! Appreciated...Software...I know of what's out, but would like to hear what you guys dig most. I was thinking some type of Sonar, not sure what the general concensus is about it around here.

On board audio won't be a huge deal, I plan on getting a Presonus Firebox to start out with. I'll probably pick up an SM-57 to start out with as well. Right now for drums, I'll probably pick up drumkit from hell.

I'd really like to get your opinions on using this computer as an all purpose machine (internet) as well. I want it to run as smooth as possible.

Oh yeah gear:
Ibanez RG550
Gibson Les Paul Standard
POD XT
Mesa Mark III rackmount
2x12 Vintage 30 Avatar cab

Just in case anyone cared.
Thanks!!
-Joe

 

[Nitronium Blood]

Since you are getting 2 hard disks then I would recommend that you use one of them solely for recording.

 

[Black neon bob]

Good point.. use one for audio only, and maybe backup some stuff on it as well..

Joe.. looks to me that software is your only thing to really take a good look at for now.. you are set with the POD XT (check for patches here!! there are good ones floating around.. they all float down here!)

drumkit from hell superior is a beast.. 35 GB worth of samples if you need them all.. i stripped it and narrowed it down to drummer only.. meaning only metal drums for me.. no percussion at all... be sure to ask some around here on DFHS.. since it's quite hard to get into.. but worth the money!

as for your host.. i really dig nuendo.. but we all know the pricetag on that one.. sonor? i have no idea about that one.. might be worth checking out. cubase SX3 can be bought for a decent price as well.. i am sure folks here will offer help on that department.. if not, just open up a topic asking what everybody is using and how they like it.. should help...

 

[dreamcatcher]

Looks like you need a CD or DVD burner for archiving. Two hard drives is not enough to keep a lot of stuff on.

Oh, and a degfragmentation program, maybe? Are these still necesary even on these new 100+GB HDs?

 

[J.DavisNJ]

Good point.. use one for audio only, and maybe backup some stuff on it as well..

Joe.. looks to me that software is your only thing to really take a good look at for now.. you are set with the POD XT (check for patches here!! there are good ones floating around.. they all float down here!)

drumkit from hell superior is a beast.. 35 GB worth of samples if you need them all.. i stripped it and narrowed it down to drummer only.. meaning only metal drums for me.. no percussion at all... be sure to ask some around here on DFHS.. since it's quite hard to get into.. but worth the money!

as for your host.. i really dig nuendo.. but we all know the pricetag on that one.. sonor? i have no idea about that one.. might be worth checking out. cubase SX3 can be bought for a decent price as well.. i am sure folks here will offer help on that department.. if not, just open up a topic asking what everybody is using and how they like it.. should help...

Thanks a lot for your reply. I need to update my POD XT and get the metal shop!! I'm ready to spend time with these programs to get to know them and become familiar with the controls.

Do you guys think I should keep internet away from this computer?? I really want it to run smoothly, no spyware! Also, I plan on using one hard drive just for applications, and the other for files.

-Joe

 

[Black neon bob]

Hmmm.. seeing as i use internet as as well, and many others, i am not really sure, but all i can tell you is i have had some real, real problems due to downloading stuff.. programs, browsing certain websites (not porn, you sicko's!)

If i could, i would keep this computer for music only.. no extra bullshit like firewalls, anti spyware programs, updates from microsoft, etc..

But then again, if you can keep it safe.. then you can really save some money not buying a laptop for internet only.. so i am not so sure about that...

anyone else here had some bad experiences with internet on your DAW?

 

[Kenny Lee]

To keep away from spyware? -----> Get a Mac!!!!!!
Welcome to the money pit!!!!! If you are totally brand spanking new ..... prepare to put some hours into your learning skills!!! And man I mean some hours!!!!!!days!!!!!!!weeks!!!!!!!months!!!!!!!!
D.F.H.S. is awesome. But, you also have to learn how to use it!
Two drives is almost a must. One for your program, one for your audio. Maybe even three drives- program/ audio/ sample libraries! And definitely get MORE ram!!!! The fireBox is good. I have one, I think it's converters and pres aren't the best. That's why I use third party converters and mic pres with it.
Whatever you plan on spending on buying your computer and drives---- plan on spending four times as much if not more on plug-ins/ sample libraries/ software instruments/ mic pres/ monitors/ ect.....
Will you be recording just yourself, or 'full' band type of projects? If you will be doing bands, you'll have to invest in some head phones and headphone pre's. More mics and pre's. cabling.... it never ends

Good luck!!!

 

[_RiseInside_]

Keep your daw away from the internet. Just like black neon bomb said, firewalls, anti-virus, spyware, hacking. Stay away from that.

For recording guitars i would check the emu 1212m. Great sound for its price.

 

[J.DavisNJ]

To keep away from spyware? -----> Get a Mac!!!!!!
Welcome to the money pit!!!!! If you are totally brand spanking new ..... prepare to put some hours into your learning skills!!! And man I mean some hours!!!!!!days!!!!!!!weeks!!!!!!!months!!!!!!!!
D.F.H.S. is awesome. But, you also have to learn how to use it!
Two drives is almost a must. One for your program, one for your audio. Maybe even three drives- program/ audio/ sample libraries! And definitely get MORE ram!!!! The fireBox is good. I have one, I think it's converters and pres aren't the best. That's why I use third party converters and mic pres with it.
Whatever you plan on spending on buying your computer and drives---- plan on spending four times as much if not more on plug-ins/ sample libraries/ software instruments/ mic pres/ monitors/ ect.....
Will you be recording just yourself, or 'full' band type of projects? If you will be doing bands, you'll have to invest in some head phones and headphone pre's. More mics and pre's. cabling.... it never ends

Good luck!!!

Thanks for the advice!! For now it's just gonna be me, my guitar, POD XT, DFHS, and My Mesa lol. I mainly want to LEARN as much as I can, and have fun doing it, that's why I'm investing in a good computer and thinking of getting a seperate laptop for internet and random crap I don't want on my recording machine lol. Spending big $$ on stuff I don't need right now isn't worth it. I want to become familiar with the software and just have some fun right now. Oh, and try to record some good sounding shit while writing!! Something I haven't done much of. I've been in bands that were usually already established, with stuff written. I have decent chops, just need to get the creative juices flowing.

-Joe

 

[J.DavisNJ]

Also, would you guys reccomend any books that cover modern day recording techniques and technology??

-Joe

 

[marcust]

hi,
yeah you should use a dual boot system
one for inet and one for music programs (software/plugins) and you could partition(magic) one of those hard drives for backups i got this from cubase forums and works
great ...

 

[_RiseInside_]

Also, would you guys reccomend any books that cover modern day recording techniques and technology??

-Joe

You almost said it all: "Modern Recording Techniques" by David Miles Huber, among others

 

[Genius Gone Insane]

Keep your daw away from the internet. Just like black neon bomb said, firewalls, anti-virus, spyware, hacking. Stay away from that.

For recording guitars i would check the emu 1212m. Great sound for its price.

What preamp are you using with the 1212?

 

[Kazrog]

If you use virus protection, and Microsoft anti-spyware, and a good firewall, and use the FireFox browser by default and NEVER internet explorer, chances are you'll be pretty safe. Maybe.

I recommend getting a Mac instead, though, they're better machines all around, and are virtually immune to the evils of the internet.

You will want to use the internet on your recording machine no matter what, otherwise how else will you get your software updates, etc.? It's stupid to think that by downloading these on another machine and then burning them to disk and bringing them over that you'll be safe - especially if you're surfing porno sites and shit on this other PC/laptop/etc. in question - you're just as likely to infect your recording machine this way!

 

[Black neon bob]

Shit yeah... totally forgot about updates on software.. better have internet with that to make it work..

good point Shane!

 

[J.DavisNJ]

Bahhhh, so many decisions...How do you PC dudes do it??? Could someone explain the dual boot system, how it works, etc.?? How do you dudes update software if you don't have the net on your machine?? And are you saying that even downloading just software updates and burning them from a different machine I can still get spyware~#$~!

-Joe

 

[J.DavisNJ]

Also forgot to mention that Macs are out of my price range and I'd really like to stick to a PC anyway.

-Joe

 

[James Murphy]

ok... here it comes... you all knew it would.. heh heh..... and apologies J., as a lot of this doesn't have much to do with your questions.

i am online all day and all night, with my DAW computer, and i never have a problem. i have no firewall, i have no antivirus software, so i waste no time or money on those at all. nor do waste my time with spyware prevention or pop-up blocking... as before, zero time and zero money invested in those.

the regulars here already know why... it's because i'm on a Mac. i work all night and most of the day... i chat with clients and friends, and surf any sites i want, including porn ... i never worry about what i click on. several times in the last month i've had an Instant Message window from a friend pop open and read, "hey, check this out!!!" along with a URL link... i click them every time because i'm so used to my freinds sending links to funny shit all day and night that i don't even think twice, i just click. turns out they were not sent by my friends specifically, but by a worm virus that hijacked their buddy lists and started sending out links to some kind of virus download. i just say, "oh, how lame", and keep working. i know the virus won't infect me. why? 99.9% of viruses are .exe files, and .exe files don't run on Macs... they are just ignored.

the money and time i save is worth the pc/mac price difference alone... not to mention the 1001 other reasons that compel me towards working on my Macs, even though i have a "nice" PC sitting right in the next room.

and now the new PowerMac G5 Quad processor models are out (and they can be loaded with up to 16GB of ram) .... life is good.

i was a PC man... i thought macs were "toy". i was wrong. i don't care what any of you can put together and build yourself with this or that AMD processor, blah, blah, blah... i buy a mac, toss a pci card or 3 in, toss some more memory in, install my software, hook up the interfaces to the pci cards and i get down to business... no compatiblity issues, no conflicts, no optimizing the OS... it just works. time is money boys and girls, and i'll be half way through mixing an album while you're still sussing out why your graphics card doesn't like your sound card.

And games... don't even get me started on games. Xbox wastes enough of my life as it is. my computers make me happy, but i don't play games on them... they are tools, and as such they(Macs) are not for everyone. But hey, i'm not trying to change anyone... PC-it if you must, i'm sure you'll get work done... people do everyday. just a matter of the amount of grief you don't mind subjecting yourself to and the amount of time you don't mind wasting while some Winblows service pack or update or other fucks your life and work up, or some hardware conflict in your home-made marvel makes you want to open a vein.

i fully expect more PC heroes to pipe in here now and defend the honor of the "roll your own" PC Erector-Set mavens with blurbs like "i like being able to choose every single piece of my computer, etc. etc", blah blah... more power to ya.. but it doesn't cause you to make music more efficiently.

at the end of the day, use whatever you want or have to use... this post is not intended to convert PC users to Mac.... the reason for it is just because i felt like it.... and it's true... so there.